COPD was a horrible disease. How could she ask Louise to come back to that? It was time to let her friend pass. But how did Jennie find the courage to say goodbye when her heart cried out, Come back for me. In the semi-bleak ICU room, words of farewell were too important to leave unsaid.
“I know you’ve been worried about me. I’ll be okay.” The tears spilled over onto her cheeks, and she just let them come. “I never knew how badly I needed you in my life. You opened your home to me and became my family.”
Jennie lifted the corner of the sheet and wiped away the moisture. “I never told this to anyone, but I watched my mother die, and said nothing to her. They rammed our car against the tree and we were trapped. She turned her head and our eyes met. I knew even then she never wanted to leave me. I wondered over the years if I’d just said, I love you, maybe the grief would’ve been easier to deal with. After she closed her eyes, I remember screaming, over and over again, Don’t leave me! I feel the same way right now.”
Jennie swallowed a lump in her throat. “You’ve been the brightest spot in my day.” The emotion finally choked her and made it impossible to speak. She squeezed more cream in her hand and reached for the other arm. “I’m being so selfish. I bet you’re in a wonderful place. . . back with that handsome husband you told me so many stories about. Stay there, Louise. Father Anthony believes you take love with you; it never ends. I have to live with that.”
With Louise’s hand still wrapped tenderly in hers, she bowed her head and prayed. The strain of the last few days settled in and she closed her eyes, resting her head on the mattress.
It took a moment for her to recognize the hand on her shoulder. Raising her head, Louise smiled back at her with such radiance, it brightened the darkened room. Jennie was astonished; she couldn’t catch her breath. She rose and reached for the call button. Louise covered Jennie’s hand with her own and drew her onto the chair.
“I’m so blessed. I may not have given birth to you, but I love you the same way. And, your parents are so very proud of the person you have become. Please, just sit down and stay with me for a minute.”
“I was so afraid I had lost you, but you look wonderful.”
“Your life will soon be filled with love beyond your imagination. There’re so many wonderful adventures ahead for you.”
“You getting well is all I need.” Jennie leaned over and hugged her friend.
When Jennie finally pulled away, Louise continued as if not interrupted. “I met your man. If I were just a few years younger, I’d have given you a run for your money. What a handsome devil, and he’s a good man, too. It lightens my heart that you’ll be with him.”
“You met what young man?”
“I met your Jared while you were at St. Luke’s with the choir. How I’d have enjoyed watching the two of you together,” Louise said with a sigh. “You will rock each other’s world and have the most beautiful babies.”
“Jared and I, we aren’t… I mean there’s nothing…”
“My sweet Jennie, you’ll end up with your Jared, but I’ll not be here to enjoy it. Some things are just not meant to be.”
“But, you’ll be here.”
“I’ve been so worried I’d make this journey and leave you all alone, but things always work themselves out.” Louise gently pulled Jennie down into her arms and held her tight. “You deserve love, Jennie. All you have to do is open your heart and trust.”
“Louise, you—”
“Hush, rest now, I’ll be here when you wake.” Louise placed Jennie’s head on her chest. “All will be well, my dear girl.”
Louise’s hand gently massaged Jennie’s forehead. She closed her eyes and listened to the soft sound of Louise’s heartbeat. Like a gentle lullaby, the soothing beat rocked her asleep. She didn’t awaken until the door squeaked open and the nurse entered the room.
“Isn’t it wonderful? Doesn’t she look good?” Jennie turned and faced Louise.
But the woman lying in the bed was as pale as the sheets that covered her. Her breathing, if possible, was even more labored and shallow. “I don’t understand. I was talking to her, and she looked fantastic.”
“I think you may have been dreaming,” the nurse whispered.
“No, she woke and…”
Her world dropped right out from under her.
“Louise Cunningham is in God’s hands now. If she told you everything will be all right, believe her, Jennie.”
She stood motionless as the monitors changed. The green line went from a quivering rhythm to a flat line. And the woman she loved like a mother gasped her last breath.
Thirteen
Monday evening off I-95
* * *
Jared drove into the deserted rest area between Washington and Baltimore on Interstate 95. He turned off the old Ford Taurus and cracked a window. A heavy spring rainfall made the interstate almost invisible. With his hands still clutching the steering wheel, he rotated his neck and breathed in the chilly evening air. The scent of rain and gas fumes filled his nostrils.
He and Raúl had met face-to-face only a half dozen times over the last four years. Both men were constantly on guard. Mendoza kept a close eye on his people, and Raúl, in his role as a double agent, was one of the few employees Mendoza allowed near him.
As Jared scanned the entrance of the rest area, a growing sense of dread settled over him. Why meet now? What’s happened?
His hands fisted to the point of pain. He released his grip and stretched out his cramped fingers. No one had this kind of effect on him but Elías Mendoza. He hated the bastard, and it took every ounce of willpower to keep from placing a bullet right between his eyes. While he honored and respected the badge he wore, he could pull the trigger and take great pleasure from the act. But that would be self-serving. Killing Mendoza would give him the head of Beelzebub, while the arms and legs lived on.
Raúl was part of a handful of agents who worked from the inside of Mendoza’s organization. With Mac, his handler, and numerous other federal agents, they were all part of a combined agency task force under the Department of Homeland Security, whose sole mission was to bring down Mendoza and everyone associated with him.
Mendoza’s charismatic appeal fooled so many people. That would end soon, but would it be soon enough for Jennie?
A car carrier loaded with ten Honda Civics pulled into the rest area. Jared’s cell vibrated in his pocket. He checked the number on the screen and had the first genuine laugh in months.
“If you think I’m joining you in that piece of crap, think again, amigo,” Raúl returned. “Get your ass over here. I only have a few minutes before the owner notices its missing.”
“I said find something inconspicuous, you dumb shit. You call that inconspicuous?” Jared got out of his car and made his way to the car carrier.
“What’s more common than a rig at a rest area this time of night? You should be impressed.” Raúl pushed the passenger side door lock and opened the door for Jared to climb in.
“You’re a federal agent. You don’t go around ‘borrowing’ car carriers! Didn’t they teach you that in that fancy school you attended?” Jared made a quick scan of the interior. “Where in the hell did you get this thing, and how do you even know how to drive it?”
“I can drive anything. This pretty baby was sitting at that truck stop in Jessup, all lonely like. As I was driving by, it called to me. What was I supposed to do?”
“You’ve got cojones, Raúl. How much time do we have before this thing becomes bored with our company?”
“Not much, so let’s get to it. Something has changed in the last few hours. I believe our man is making his move. I need you to get word to Mac. If things go south, I want my wife and son safe.”
Raúl’s job put his family in constant danger. His wife had a tough time with her first pregnancy, and now they were expecting their second child. To make matters worse, they lived in one of Mendoza’s luxury condominiums. It was a special perk Mendoza used to foster loyalty among his
employees.
Jared took a moment and studied his friend. The dark circles under his bloodshot eyes spoke volumes about Raúl’s stress. The good laugh became a distant memory.
“I talked to Mac this afternoon. He didn’t mention anything unusual. I’m the one who overreacts. You’re the calm, self-assured agent who never loses his cool. Now you’re spooked, what’s up?”
“Call it history repeating itself.” Raúl rubbed his eyes. “Do you remember the kid that hung with Jennie eight years ago?”
“Nick? Hard to forget. I got him killed.”
“Only from your point of view. But that’s yesterday. There’s another kid just like Nick who’s close to Jennie, named Danny Merlot. He hasn’t been seen since school let out. His sister was waiting for him outside the school to walk home together, but he never showed up.”
“Why do you think it has something to do with Mendoza?”
“This is one of Jennie’s kids. She’s his teacher and involved in his daily life. I really hate coincidences. Mendoza goes crazy when anyone gets too close to Jennie. It doesn’t matter if it’s you or a kid like Nick.”
“But Danny could only be what? Ten?”
Raúl took a long time to answer.
“What the hell is going on? Tell me, damn it.”
“Mendoza watches Jennie’s every move. We’re watching Mendoza watch Jennie. She, in turn, is attempting to find something on Mendoza by watching one of his crack houses. She’s looking for Ivan…and me.”
Jared’s heartbeat thrashed in his ears. “Son of a bitch! Why in the hell didn’t you tell me what she was up to? You promised me you’d keep her safe.”
“I’m following her every move.”
“Why the hell would you let her poke a stick at Mendoza like that?” Jared ached to punch something. “And Mendoza knows too, doesn’t he? How long has she been doing this and what the hell set it off?”
Raúl raked both hands through his hair and told Jared about the day of the drive-by shooting. “I have nightmares; I relive it, minute by minute. The kid, Quinton Torres, was only a couple years older than my son.”
His friend’s eyes filled with tears.
“It was supposed to be a drive-by to check things out. I couldn’t believe it when Ivan pulled out a weapon and fired off several shots. Jennie caught the kid as he dropped. I pulled my weapon to send the fucker to hell, but Ivan turned on me. Mendoza ordered the hit. Ivan will fry for taking that boy’s life and I’ll watch it happen.”
A chill settled inside the cabin of the car carrier.
“Damn, and Jennie was she hit, too?” Jared glared at Raúl. One look told him everything. It made him sick to his stomach. “No, Mendoza won’t hurt Jennie with just a fucking bullet. He’ll draw out the pain. He killed one of her students to make her suffer.”
The look on Jennie’s face in the church made total sense. The guilt, longing, and desperation—it was so clear. “She didn’t reach out to me because I walked away. I tried to explain that, as long as I was in her life, Mendoza would never leave her alone. But she took it as I no longer cared.”
Moisture swam behind his eyelids, but he didn’t give a damn if his friend noticed. “Why would Mendoza… what purpose did it serve?”
“It’s Jennifer Marie. No one can touch her, be close to her—love her. It drives Mendoza insane. The kid, Nick, her foster brother, his only sin was he loved Jennie, or Jennie loved him.”
Several moments passed before they said anything else. Raúl broke the chilling silence.
“I think Jennie saw Ivan shoot the kid. She probably remembers him from the months she lived in the house and knows his connection to Mendoza. If she can place Ivan and me at the scene of the shooting, she can tie Mendoza to it as well.” Raúl lifted his chin and glared at Jared. “You can’t contact Jennie. Nothing will set Mendoza off like you getting close to her. He’ll kill you, and the kid, if he has him, and then we’ll have nothing. We need her to distract him a little longer, so his mind isn’t on business. He’s making mistakes, stupid mistakes. We almost have him, and the organization will tumble down after he falls.”
“You’re using her. She’s all alone, Raúl.”
“Give us some credit, amigo. He wants her, but I’ll never allow him to touch her. She has found nothing.”
“So, the kid, Danny?”
“Merlot. Police report says he reported to after-school detention in the library. The principal released him around four-thirty. Erin Merlot was waiting right outside the school. When Danny never showed, she got worried and went looking for him.”
“So, he could have come out, not seen her, and walked home.”
“No, the sister wasn’t alone. One of Danny’s friends was waiting with her. Danny Merlot disappeared somewhere between the library and the front foyer of the school.”
Jared just shook his head. “That’s some fucking nerve, even for Mendoza.”
“It’s sick. Danny’s ten years old.”
“Does Jennie know?”
“Not yet.” Raúl twisted in his seat. “Louise Cunningham died tonight.”
“Hell. Where’s Jennie now? She’s not alone, is she?”
“Before I left, she was at the hospital and the priest was with her. I’m surprised the police haven’t hunted her down for a statement.” He penned Jared with a stare. “I’m sure she’ll suspect Mendoza. If she doesn’t contact you or Noah, she’s trying to protect you.”
“I know this isn’t my case, but Jennie is my Anita. You know that. Why didn’t you reach out to me when the young boy died? For you and her.” Jared rammed his palm into the dashboard. Both men glared at each other as the rain beat up against the windshield, drowning out any other sound.
“I hope that made you feel better. I get that you’re pissed, but swallow it, because there’s more. I figure Mendoza had Ivan pick up the kid and store him somewhere. He’ll use him to draw Jennie out, a trade maybe. My question is why does he need the kid? Mendoza could’ve gotten to Jennie anytime in the last eight years. His behavior makes little sense. It’s erratic, but it’s a change.”
Jared reached out and placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. “Have you made a plan for what you will do after we send this bastard to hell?”
“Yeah, I’m getting out. Anita wants to open a flower shop. That sounds wonderful right now. I will become my wife’s delivery man and thank God for every minute while I’m doing it.”
Jared smiled, picturing his friend delivering flowers. The day couldn’t come soon enough.
“I need to return this rig and head back to my roost before I’m missed. You know what I know.” Raúl reached over Jared and opened the passenger door of the carrier. “I know how hard this is for you, but it will not last much longer. Contact Mac and tell him to keep alert, keep my family safe.”
Jared stepped out of the cab and faced his friend. “Your family doesn’t need a dead hero to mourn. Watch your back.” He slammed the door and tapped on the window. “And put this thing back exactly where you found it!”
Jared watched the carrier exit the rest area and tried to remember why he agreed to this absurd plan. What was he thinking? His heart ached for Jennie. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms tightly around her and shield her from the pain. Would she even welcome him? That she never contacted him after the shooting meant one thing: She believed she couldn’t count on anyone but herself.
How was he going to tell her how he stood by and allowed that cretin to watch her every move? You’re such a dumb shit, Jared McNeil.
Jennie waited outside the ICU as the orderlies placed Louise’s body on the gurney. They spread the sheet discreetly covered her head, and wheeled the gurney through the door. They continued down the corridor toward the elevator. Jennie just stood there as the elevator doors opened and the gurney was pushed inside. The door slid closed and Louise was gone.
How was she going to take her next step?
Staring into the room, Jenni
e’s eyes centered on the unmade bed littered with bloody gauze and tape used to hold the IV in place. The bed still held the long tubing and IV needle attached to Louise’s arm. The green lines on the monitor continued to run straight across the screen, mocking her. She is gone…. she is gone.
The urge to return to the brownstone overcame her. It was the one place where Louise’s presence was everywhere. And once at home, she would fall asleep on her futon and dream of her parents. She would wake inside the dream with her head resting on her mother’s lap, while her father paced the carpet in front of the sliding glass door. In the morning, her mom’s perfume would linger in the room.
By the time Jennie unlocked her apartment door thirty minutes later, the adrenaline she had been living on since Louise’s stroke finally drained out of her system. She was dead on her feet. She eased her shoulder bag from her shoulder, but the strap slipped through her fingers, dropping onto the floor. As if on autopilot, she began her bedtime ritual.
She went into the kitchen, filled a glass with water from the sink, and placed it on the coffee table. In her bedroom, Jennie opened a drawer and grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms. Removing her jeans, she left her camisole on and pulled the lightweight bottoms up to her hips. She ambled into the small bathroom, took a clean facecloth, ran warm water onto it, and placed it on her face. As she lowered the cloth, she raised her head to stare into the mirror. Staring back at her was her face, and a man she barely knew. Before she could utter a scream, a chloroform-soaked cloth covered her face.
Fourteen
Ivan leaned back on the sofa, with his feet resting on a worn-out oval coffee table. He looked over at the four security monitors hanging on the wall. The prerecorded basketball game played muted on the flat-screen television posted under the monitors. The game was far more interesting than the dark, empty apartment. One more hour and his shift would be over.
“What the hell am I doing here?” Ivan bellowed as he tossed an empty crumpled bag of chips across the room. Why was he back in Baltimore? It wasn’t like Mendoza to send him on babysitting duty. He had been the enforcer for the last ten years and deserved better than this.
In the Shadow of Evil Book 2 Page 8