He lowered himself to the floor and peeked into the room through the tiny slit under the door. The bedroom was dark. He shined his mini Maglite under the door, running the light along the outside edge of the doorjamb. He couldn’t figure out why he was so tense; he found nothing out of the ordinary. But his mind was screaming, bomb.
Jared swept the light across the threshold again. On the second sweep, the stream of light picked out a thin wire running across the floor. He rose again and pulled an electronic amplifier the size of a cell phone out of his back pocket. The amplifier was used to detect surveillance devices. He held it above his head and began to sweep the hallway, walking back into the living room. Whatever was behind that door, Mendoza hadn’t installed surveillance equipment to watch the show.
“There’s a thin wire running across the floor. Something or someone is behind this door. I need a bomb squad in here now.” Jared waited until the agent left the apartment before turning to his brother.
“You heard it, too?” Noah asked.
“Yep,” Jared said, running his hand through his hair.
“It took every bit of control to keep from yelling, I got it, bomb. How did she know?”
“I don’t know, but we need to get through that door. If it’s a bomb, it could go off anytime. The kid could be in that room. Any suggestions?”
Noah walked back into the hallway and dropped to the floor. Twisting his body, he followed the wire’s direction with Jared’s flashlight. “The wire’s connected to the door. That’s the only thing that makes sense. Maybe we can break through the drywall a couple of feet from the door and go in that way.”
“Okay, that’s genius.” Jared studied the wall. “So, how do you suggest we do that?”
Noah moved down a couple of yards and, bracing his hands up against the opposite wall, kicked a huge hole in the drywall.
Jared laughed. “Shit, bro, you’re paying for that.” They kicked through the drywall until they made a hole large enough to fit through. Breaking through the two-by-fours was a little more difficult. Jared tore the remaining drywall out of their way and flashed his penlight into the room.
“Son of a bitch,” he bellowed. He climbed through the hole and ran over to Raúl. “Hell, man, I told you to get out in one piece. Don’t you dare die on me.”
Raúl’s eyes fluttered open. “Where is Jennifer Marie?” he asked. “Did she get out?”
“Jennie’s not here. She’s safe.”
“Loco dreams dude…real loco. You need to get out of here. You don’t know shit about defusing bombs.”
“Yeah, but you do, so tell me about this little one,” Jared demanded. “Is there a timer?”
“No, but there’s a cell phone and a key pull.” Raúl bit down on his lip as Jared checked the gunshot wound in his thigh.
“Who did this to you?”
“Your dear friend and mine, Ivan. He can make the call anytime, so get the hell out.”
“Not without you. Besides the gunshot wounds in your thigh and shoulder, is there anything else I need to worry about?”
“Every single inch of me hurts, but I think those are the most serious.” His voice trembled.
Noah stuck his head through the hole. “BPD said their bomb expert is on his way. How much time do we have?”
“Don’t know. Depends on when Ivan gets the urge.” Noah handed him a roll of paper towels. Jared tore off several sheets and placed them on the shoulder wound. “Can you talk me through deactivating the cell phone?”
“No. It’s too risky.”
“I can’t take the chance of untying you. The wire is too snug to see if it’s attached to you and the cell phone.” Jared stood and stepped back. “Shit man, how did you end up here?”
“Came after the kid. Ivan caught me. Stupid. Blew my cover; ruined the whole damn mission.”
“Everything is still in place. Did you see the boy?”
“Yeah, he was in the room across the hall. Ivan moved him before dark. I don’t know where.”
“Do you know why Mendoza has him?” Jared asked.
“No, but Ivan is being very careful with the kid. The little guy is damn scared, but he’s so brave, too. As for why Mendoza wants him, your guess is as good as mine. Can you get me some water?”
Noah passed a water bottle through the hole. Jared gave Raúl a sip.
“Your amor, Jared, I saw her here. I spoke to her like I’m talking to you. Are you sure she’s safe?”
“Dad is sitting with her. She’s fine, Raúl. I can’t explain—”
“That’s okay. I’m part Indian. Weird is in my blood,” he said, and drifted into unconsciousness.
Twenty-Five
Her hotel room closed in on her. With her heart in her stomach, Jennie hugged her knees and stared up at the towering figure of Thomas McNeil, Jared’s father. But neither his overwhelming presence nor his stony expression caused her uncontrollable tremors. She was barely aware of him, her concentration on Jared. She could feel the fear and anger searing through him. Oh God, keep him safe.
“Did you hear me, Ms. McKenzie? Jared called, and he knows about the bomb.” Thomas kneeled so he was eye-to-eye with Jennie.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“Jared is fine.”
It took several moments for his words to sink in. She covered her face with her hands, taking in a ragged breath. Her dinner was doing cartwheels in the pit of her stomach.
“Please call me Jennie,” she said, removing her hands from her face and trying to keep her voice steady.
“Thomas McNeil,” he replied, his smile warm.
“When this is all over, could we pretend what’s about to happen never happened and start all over again? I usually make a better first impression than this.”
She jumped up, almost knocking Thomas down, and darted into the bathroom. She dove for the toilet and made it just in time to upchuck her dinner.
She felt a hand came from behind and gather her hair out of her face. With her eyes shut, she listened to the water run. Then Jared’s mother placed a cool cloth at the base of her neck.
Jennie glanced at the doorway, a deep blush racing from the bottom of her toes to the top of her scalp.
Jared’s mom wrung out another washcloth and handed it to her. She nodded her thanks and wiped her face. After she used a cup to rinse her mouth, she replaced the lid of the toilet, flushed, and sat facing Jared’s parents.
“I’m sorry, I...”
“Drink,” was all he said before stepping out of the doorway. Jennie did as she was told, then stood and grabbed her toothbrush.
After a final rinse, she caught sight of the bandage around her neck and groaned. A line of blood seeped through the gauze. Her stomach rolled and the color drained from her face. Before she hung her head over the toilet for the second time that evening, Mrs. McNeil eased on the toilet seat.
“Thomas, get my bag,” she ordered, then turned her attention back to Jennie. “You just forced opened part of the incision, and it’s bleeding a little. I will give you something for the nausea and pain,” she said, peeling the tape off the bandages.
Jennie eyed Jared’s mother and tried to smile. “I’m Jennie, Dr. McNeil.”
With a chuckle, Mrs. McNeil said, “I think the woman who just saved my son’s life can call me Mary.”
Thomas appeared with the bag, sat down on the edge of the tub, and took both of her hands. “Jennie, squeeze down on my hand as hard as you need to. The kids used to do this whenever Mary was cleaning one of their numerous boo-boos.”
His voice was so calm, tender…so much like Jared’s. She wrapped her fingers around his and squeezed, trying not to bawl like a baby. All she did for the last few days was cry. She would not break down in front of Jared’s parents.
After Mary changed the bandage and gave her the anti-nausea and pain medications, Jennie settled on her bed. Thomas gave her a handful of cheese and crackers from the small kitchen unit.
“Do you know what the
mark-up is on these snacks?”
“You’re worth far more. Please,” he said, tearing the package open and handing her a cracker.
Then he snatched a bottle of sports drink from the small refrigerator, cracked it open, and handed it to her. Again, without a protest, she drank it down.
Thomas drew a chair up to the bed. “Are you feeling a little better?”
“Why am I compelled to say no?”
“I’ve some questions I would like to ask you, if you are up to it.”
Jennie raised her eyebrows and sighed. “Of course, you do, Mr. McNeil. But I have only one, so may I go first?”
“It’s Thomas.”
“Why are you here, Thomas?”
“Jared didn’t want you to be alone, so he asked us to come by until he got back. He didn’t mention it to you?”
Jennie shook her head and grimaced. Stifling a groan, she asked, “I guess you want to know what just happened.”
“That would be a good place to start. We heard you scream, came in here, and well, I can’t even begin to understand what happened after that.”
“I don’t know either. Nothing like this has ever happened before.” She couldn’t look at them. She studied the painting in front of her.
“I wasn’t asleep—way too stressed to sleep. I was channel surfing and turned off the TV. The next instant, I was somewhere else,” she said, barely above a whisper.
“So, you were here, and then you were where?” Thomas asked.
“I know how strange this sounds.” Jennie’s voice shook.
“We’re just trying to understand. When we walked in here, you were pale as a ghost and shaking uncontrollably.” Mary said calmly.
“Just start at the beginning. Don’t worry about how crazy it sounds,” Thomas added.
It took Jennie a few minutes to explain step-by-step what she remembered until the bomb blast brought her out of the trance.
“Did you recognize the voice?” Thomas asked.
“I would know that voice anywhere, under any condition. I have prayed, pleaded for almost fifteen years for my father to talk to me. He chose tonight, and all I get are five words: Someone else needs you more. I saved a monster who thinks nothing of killing children.” Jennie drew a pillow in her lap, but nothing would ward off the tremors that raked her body.
“That man is not a monster. He’s a dedicated FBI agent, who has sacrificed years working deep undercover in Mendoza’s organization. You also saved the agent who would have breached that door, and most likely Jared’s and Noah’s lives,” Thomas whispered.
“Just how well do you know the man?” Jennie asked. If he really was an agent, why didn’t he stop Ivan before he opened fire on Quinton?
“His name is Raúl Ibarra, and I know him well enough to place my son Mac’s life in his hands. They’re partners. He also helped get Jared out of Mexico. I understand why you hate him, Jennie, but if he had known what Ivan planned, he would’ve killed Ivan himself. Raúl is a father with a son not much younger than that boy.”
Jennie covered her face with her hands and shook her head. One moment, she sat alone, and the next, Thomas’s arm surrounded her. His warmth sheltered her.
“Let me ask you this. Would your father ask you to choose Raúl over Danny if he weren’t worth saving?”
The tears that had been at the surface all evening streamed down her face, and she had nothing left inside to stop them.
Jared wouldn’t leave Raúl’s side as the bomb expert deactivated the bomb. They quickly removed the chains, and the paramedics treated his wounds. Then they placed him in a black body bag. The official report would list Raúl as DOA.
He leaned close to Raúl’s ear. “Don’t you dare die! I’m not going to be the one to tell Anita and my godchild you let everyone down. Fight like hell, my friend.”
Once he helped them lift Raúl’s unconscious body onto the gurney, Jared readjusted the oxygen hose and zipped up the bag, allowing enough room for free airflow.
“What now?” Noah asked, from the doorway of the apartment building.
“I wish we could set the bomb off, so no one would bother looking for Raúl, but that’s out of the question. All we can do is hope he wakes up and gives us a lead, because I don’t have a clue where to look for the kid.” Jared wiped the tiredness out of his eyes. “Mendoza has not been seen for the last several hours. If Jennie is right, he’s coming after her. I only hope he is stupid enough to pull a weapon on me, so I can send that bastard to hell and cement the hole.”
Jared knocked three times on the hotel door and waited for his father to unlock it.
“Well, at least everything is at peace here.” Jared yanked off his beard and gazed at Jennie, fast asleep on the huge king bed. “How long has she been down?” Jared asked, hugging his mom.
“I gave her something for the pain and expect she’ll sleep the whole night. How are you holding up? You look tired.” Mary studied her son. “You can’t save the world if you don’t take care of yourself.”
“I’ve no intention of saving the world, just my small part of it.” He couldn’t draw his eyes off Jennie, imagining himself wrapping her in his arms and disappearing.
“Come on, love, leave the boy alone. Let’s find our own bed. Are you sleeping here tonight?” Thomas asked, at the connecting door.
“I’m not leaving her alone for a minute with Mendoza on the loose. It helped that you were with her. Thank you.”
“It was our pleasure. She’s a brave young woman.” He placed his arm on his son’s shoulder. “I like her. We’ll be next door if you need anything.”
After the door closed, Jared checked the locks and showered quickly. Back in the room, he found a bottle of water and took a long drink. Part of him wanted to drown every ounce of liquor in the minibar. He had such hopes for tonight. Now, he was forced to play a dangerous waiting game.
“You look like you lost your best friend,” Jennie said, staring up at Jared.
He eased down next to her and removed a strand of hair from her face. “I may have. It’s too soon to tell. You should be asleep.”
“I knew the minute you came into the hotel. I could feel you near me, even in my sleep. The agent, Ibarra, he means a lot to you?”
“He’s like a brother, only nicer.”
“After Quinton’s murder, if I ever found him, I would’ve tried to kill him. But I get it. He’s one of the good guys.”
“Jennie, I never want you to know what it feels like to kill someone. It stays with you forever.” Jared laid her head on his chest. “And to think I once thought you were shy. You’re about as shy as a mountain lion with a thorn in her foot.”
“So, Danny?”
“Ivan moved him.”
“But he’s alive, right? We at least know that. Tomorrow, we’ll start over. My mom and Mrs. C. always said things look better in the morning,” Jennie whispered.
“Mom says the same thing, so it must be true.”
Inner Harbor, Baltimore
It had been years since he walked the streets of Baltimore. These were the streets of his youth, but the city never changed, regardless of any growth. It had a unique character that only true Baltimoreans could feel.
But the man had changed. Nothing from his poor beginning could be linked to the person who stood on these streets today.
He couldn’t think of a more fitting stage for his game. The blood coursed quickly through his veins as the hour approached. All he could do was wait and let his plan play out.
“Do you think it’s safe for you to be out in the open like this?” Ivan asked, strolling next to Mendoza. The area was swarming with pedestrian traffic from the numerous restaurants and bars.
“You worry like an old woman. Do you see my face posted on every lamppost? I’m a respectable businessman, out enjoying the weather like everyone else. You have more serious things to be concerned about, my friend. You failed me tonight.” Mendoza tipped his hat and smiled at a group of passing women. “I gave yo
u an order. You failed to carry it out.”
“No one could have come through that door without setting off the connection. There were enough explosives to take down the whole apartment building.”
“You made a mistake. Not like you.”
“I don’t make mistakes,” Ivan said, his body shaking slightly. “I’ll fix it.”
They stopped at the intersection when the light turned red. “I’m counting on that.”
“I want the traitor dead as much as you do. No need to threaten me.”
“Ahh, Ivan, you know me better than that. I’ve never bothered with such trivial matters as threats. You take care of him or you die.”
“Like I said, I don’t make mistakes. I’ll find out what went wrong and take care of it.”
“Now on to our little guest. How does he fare? Good, I hope,” said Mendoza. They crossed the street toward the shopping area at Inner Harbor.
“He’s safely tucked away where no one would think to look for him, and as healthy as the day we met.”
“I’ll need him to stay that way for a few more days.”
“And your plan for the boy?” Ivan asked.
“That you will know when it’s time. Don’t fail me again, Ivan. Do we understand each other?”
“Of course, Jefe,” Ivan replied. The car pulled up to the curb, and Mendoza entered it without looking back.
Twenty-Six
Thursday morning
* * *
Whispered conversations of mourners drifted through Louise Cunningham’s overcrowded brownstone. An occasional burst of laughter from yet another humorous story shared about a remarkable woman should have eased Jennie’s heart.
She had awoken peacefully, cradled in Jared’s arms. But its effects were short-lived, and the nightmare grew at an alarming speed. She let her guard down, and her dear friend paid the price. Mendoza didn’t replace eighty percent of the lung medications with the defective drugs. He had one of his minions do it, leaving no trace behind. She would go to her grave with the weight of Louise Cunningham’s premature death on her heart.
In the Shadow of Evil Book 2 Page 15