The Awakening

by Dirk Patton

  “But I didn’t do anything!” Katarina said, tears of frustration brimming over.

  “And hopefully the investigation will bear that out. But until you are cleared of any involvement in your husband’s death, you must protect yourself at all times.”

  He gave her a few moments for his words to sink in then reached out and gently touched her arm.

  “Now. Let’s go to my office. It’s time for you to tell me everything.”

  Twenty-Two

  Several hours later, Katarina sat on Liam’s steps, staring into space. Vance had dropped her off after a long, in-depth questioning about her marriage, personal life and work. She’d told him about her alibi, editing out the two Marines who’d been with her, but had not clued him in that he was taking her to Liam’s house when she realized her Range Rover was sealed inside a crime scene.

  She hadn’t felt like going to a hotel. At least not yet, but was beginning to consider it. Despite all of the problems she was facing, she’d realized that waiting helplessly on his stoop might not be something she wanted him to see. But she couldn’t call for a ride because she’d given Brody her phone, so she just sat and thought about her situation. And began to get scared.

  It didn’t matter that she hadn’t pulled the trigger on the gun that had killed Matt. She was still responsible. If she hadn’t taken the money from the plane and started a domino effect of events, he’d still be alive.

  An adept prosecutor could find a way to bring everything around full circle and make her life a nightmare. No, there was no way to convict her of homicide, but there were plenty of other charges that could be made to stick. And judges and juries had a strong tendency to take a very dim view of FBI agents who committed crimes.

  The evening dragged on, but the sun still shone brightly. It was approaching summer and the days were swiftly growing longer. Katarina glanced at her watch and blew out a sigh of frustration. Where was Liam? A few seconds passed and she stood, intending to start walking until she found a convenience store where she could buy a cheap pre-paid phone. Before she’d taken a step, Liam’s truck pulled to a stop at the curb.

  He was looking at her through the side window and when their eyes met a smile spread across his face. Katarina felt better immediately, returning the smile and walking out to greet him as he stepped down from the cab. She wasn’t sure whether to just say hi or give him a peck on the cheek in greeting, but he solved her dilemma by pulling her close and kissing her deeply.

  “Been waiting long?” he asked when they parted.

  She shook her head, realizing that he’d reacted to her presence at his house as if it were the most normal thing in his life.

  “Not long,” she lied.

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  He locked the truck and took her hand as they walked toward the house.

  “I shouldn’t be here,” she said in a quiet voice.

  “What?”

  She could hear the concern in his voice, and it was plain to see on his face.

  “I don’t mean like that,” she quickly said.

  “Then what? What’s wrong?”

  She took a deep breath. Didn’t want to say it but couldn’t hold it in any longer.

  “My husband was murdered last night. In my house. While I was here with you.”

  Liam stared at her in shock, unable to respond for several long seconds.

  “Oh, my God,” he breathed. “Are you okay?”

  “Not really. I could use a drink.”

  Face creased with worry, he quickly unlocked the door and led her inside. Pouring two glasses of whiskey, he took her into the backyard where they settled onto a bench swing hanging from the thick branch of a massive maple tree.

  “Why aren’t you supposed to be here?” he asked when she kept staring into her drink.

  “My attorney. Says I’m not supposed to talk to anyone in law enforcement.”

  Liam thought about that for a bit, then looked up into the tree.

  “Are you an illegal drug user?”

  “What?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  “No. Of course not!”

  “Are you involved in the manufacturing, distribution or sale of illegal narcotics?”

  “Liam! What the hell’s wrong with you?”

  He stared at her until she shook her head in frustration.

  “No, goddamn it. And you’re not funny!”

  “I wasn’t trying to be funny,” he said. “Was simply determining if there was any reason for the DEA to have an interest in you. Since there’s not, I guess we’re just a couple of friends having a chat.”

  She looked into his eyes for a long time, a sad smile on her face.

  “You’re really pretty special, aren’t you?”

  “I have my moments, but for the most part I’m an asshole.”

  She laughed and shook her head.

  “I doubt that very much. But I still shouldn’t be here. I’m putting you at risk and the last thing I’d ever want is to see you hurt because of me.”

  “Hurt? Katarina, I’m a big boy. Now. Want to tell me about it?”

  She took a small sip of her drink and turned to face him but was interrupted when the doorbell rang.

  “Shit. Hang on. I’ll get rid of whoever it is,” he said, jumping to his feet.

  A minute later he was back with a curious look on his face.

  “Some guy asking for you.”

  “Me? Is it FBI?”

  “Says he’s a friend. Baldwin?”

  “Thank God,” Katarina breathed, leaping up. “My partner’s brother.”

  She hurried past Liam and pulled the door open to find Baldwin standing on the steps.

  “You’re a hard lady to find, blondie,” he said with a lopsided grin. “Good thing you got my guys to drive you here last night.”

  She stepped out and hugged him, his eyes briefly locking with Liam’s, who was standing inside the house.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Brody can’t talk to you,” he said. “But I can. Can we take a walk?”

  His eyes flicked over her head again and she quickly turned to Liam.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll be right back.”

  He nodded and she closed the door as she and Baldwin walked away from the house.

  “Your phone,” he said, passing it over. “Brody has a contact at one of the cell carriers. He says the number the guy called you from is out of service. Can’t figure out how it was used, so no way to trace the phone.”

  “He wants me to call him,” she said. “Take him to get the cash.”

  “Do it,” Baldwin said without hesitation.

  “What?”

  “Take him wherever you told him it is. I’ll be waiting with a couple of my guys. Time to end this.”

  Katarina faltered, coming to a stop and looking up at Baldwin’s face. She only saw determination.

  “He killed Matt,” Baldwin said when she remained quiet. “He’ll kill you when he gets what he wants. If he can. Nothing’s changed, Kat. He needs to be removed from the equation.”

  The suggestion that had so mortified her only forty-eight hours ago now seemed like the only way forward. But was it good to have another body on the ground that could be associated with her?

  “The body can’t ever be found,” she said in a near whisper.

  Baldwin nodded agreement before reaching out and squeezing her shoulder.

  “When?” she asked.

  “Sooner the better.”

  She paused in thought, recognizing that he was right.

  “Okay. I’ll call him in the morning and set it up for tomorrow night.”

  “Where?”

  “Brody knows. Tell him it’s where the plane crashed.”

  Baldwin nodded again, reaching out and taking her hand.

  “I’m sorry about Matt. Things will get better. In the meantime, I’ve got your back.”

  He tilted his head toward the street and she
looked around, spotting an SUV with the pair of Marines who’d driven her to Liam’s the previous evening.

  “Thank you,” she said, squeezing his hand. “And tell Brody the same. I don’t know where I’d be without you two.”

  “Speaking of where you’d be,” he said, glancing at the house. “You sure this is the right time to be getting involved with a drug cop?”

  She hesitated a beat before looking him directly in the eye.

  “With this one? Yes. I’m pretty sure.”

  Twenty-Three

  Liam was in the kitchen, defrosting two hamburger patties when she went back into the house. She appreciated that he hadn’t stood in a window, watching to see what she was doing while she’d talked with Baldwin.

  “Got my phone back,” she said, taking a seat on one of the island stools.

  “I was wondering why you didn’t call me. Everything okay?”

  “Baldwin’s just being the cutout between me and Brody. He’s been ordered not to have any contact with me.”

  “That’s not good,” Liam said, frowning.

  “I know. That means they’re looking at me really hard.”

  “Did you do it?” he asked suddenly.

  The question startled her, then her spirits fell that Liam had to ask, even if they’d only known each other for two days. He’d watched her closely for a reaction and when she just looked back at him with damp eyes, he came around the island and took her hand.

  “You didn’t,” he said with certainty.

  “How do you know? Maybe I did. Maybe I’m a crazed killer and you’re not safe sleeping next to me.”

  “If we slept when we were in bed, I might be worried,” he said with a disarming grin. “But I’ve been dealing with bad guys for a long time and I’m very good at reading reactions. You didn’t kill your husband. In fact, it’s tearing you up inside and you’re doing your best to keep it all under control.”

  Tears had begun rolling down her face as he spoke and when she hiccupped a sob, he pulled her into an embrace and held her as she cried.

  “Sorry,” he said when she regained a degree of composure. “But I had to know.”

  “Don’t blame you,” she said as he handed her a box of tissues from the counter. “Guess I’d better get used to being asked that question.”

  “And I was thinking. I don’t want you to tell me anything else,” he said, surprising her. “Don’t misunderstand. I want to know everything, but I can’t be subpoenaed to testify about conversations that never happened. If it comes to that.”

  Katarina thought about that and recognized the wisdom in what he’d said. But she didn’t like it. She wanted to tell him everything. Wanted to sit down and start talking and not stop until he knew about her financial problems and the crashed plane and the stolen cash and the Retriever and Zophiel and demons and... If there was only a way she could unburden herself without putting him in an impossible situation.

  “Why me?” she asked, desperately wanting something else to talk about.

  “Why you, what?” he asked as he refreshed their drinks and motioned for her to follow him outside.

  “Why’d you ask me out?” she clarified when they were seated on the swing.

  “Thought you were the prettiest woman I’d ever seen,” he said with a shrug. “And meeting a colleague for lunch isn’t exactly asking her out.”

  “And now? Is this just something superficial?” she asked, ignoring his comment.

  “Well, as long as it doesn’t turn out that I’m completely wrong and you are a murderer...”

  “What?” she asked, poking him in the ribs with a stiffened finger and smiling.

  “We’ll cross that bridge when the time is right,” he said, trying to grab her hand.

  “Un-uh, buddy,” she said, poking him again. “You don’t get off that easy. What were you going to say?”

  “Isn’t the right time, Katarina,” he said.

  “Is there ever a right time?”

  They settled down and sipped their drinks then Liam turned to look at her.

  “Ever know something’s right? I mean, from the very first moment, you just know it’s meant to be. You don’t know how or why, and it’s crazy and no matter how hard you try you can’t make sense of it, but you know it. In your gut, and in your heart. Know what I mean?”

  Their eyes were locked and she could see the absolute sincerity in his. A tingle passed through her as she remembered Zophiel’s words. That she and Liam always found each other. She didn’t understand the context of what he’d said, but knew how Liam made her feel.

  “Yes,” she said softly. “I do.”

  Neither of them moved, the air electric with anticipation.

  “I want you to know everything,” she said. “It’s killing me that I can’t tell you.”

  After a bit, he looked away and took a sip of his drink. Staring up into the tree, he reached without looking and took her hand in his.

  “They can’t prove you told me anything,” he said.

  “That could be bad,” she said. “They might not be able to prove it, but the very idea that we’re involved could ruin your career.”

  “You’re right,” he sighed and drained his drink.

  Getting up, he went into the house and she followed after several seconds. He was seasoning the burger patties in preparation for grilling and didn’t look up.

  “You didn’t let me finish,” she said, waiting until he met her eyes. “If ---"

  They shared an irritated look when the doorbell rang.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” he grumbled, then held up a finger for Katarina. “Hold that thought, okay?”

  When he opened the door, Katarina’s heart fell at the sight of half a dozen men wearing FBI windbreakers standing on the steps. Liam blocked the entrance, speaking in a low voice to Pettigrew. After almost a minute, he stepped aside and looked at her with a mixture of helplessness and anger.

  The agents flooded into the room, led by Pettigrew. She stared at him, and the demon beneath his skin, as two men pulled her arms behind her back and locked cuffs on her wrists. Her boss came forward and it took every ounce of self-control for her to not shrink away from the hideous creature just beneath the surface.

  “Katarina Daniels, you’re under arrest for the murder of Matthew Daniels.”

  “Don’t say a word, Katarina!” Liam said, earning a sharp look from Pettigrew.

  He held the man’s gaze, refusing to look away as three of the agents began to move deeper into the house.

  “Stop!” he said in a commanding voice. “Where’s your warrant?”

  “It would be in your best interest to simply cooperate, Agent Macleod,” Pettigrew said, turning to face Liam.

  “And it would be in your best interest to have a warrant before you attempt to search my home.” He raised his phone. “Got a couple of federal judges on speed dial. Maybe you’d like to discuss it with them?”

  Pettigrew continued to glare at the younger man, then motioned at the door. The agents he’d brought along quickly left the house, two of them escorting Katarina outside. Another few seconds and Pettigrew followed. Liam moved to the steps and watched as they loaded her into one of three SUVs before they all drove away.

  Twenty-Four

  Nine thirty the next morning, Katarina walked out of the federal courthouse in downtown Seattle with her attorney. She’d spent the night in solitary lock-up, then was taken for an arraignment where she pleaded not guilty. Vance had come prepared with a check from Brody and posted a two-hundred-thousand-dollar bond on her behalf and she was quickly released from custody.

  “Interesting,” he said, flipping through a file as they rode in the back of his chauffeured Escalade.

  The government had provided him with the evidence they’d relied upon to obtain the arrest warrant for Katarina. She was sitting with the back of her head against the headrest and didn’t bother looking over.

  “Whatever it is, it isn’t true.”

&n
bsp; Vance didn’t look up from the file.

  “They have the murder weapon, which was found concealed inside your house.”

  “What?” Katarina asked in surprise.

  “They made a ballistic match late yesterday and that was the basis for the arrest warrant.” He turned to look her in the eye. “It was your service weapon, Agent Daniels.”

  Katarina’s mouth fell open before she exploded.

  “They’re fucking LYING! My weapon was taken when I was suspended!”

  “When was that?” he asked calmly, clicking a pen and poising it to take notes.

  “Two days ago! Goddamn it, they’re setting me up! I didn’t kill my husband!”

  He watched her as she fumed, waiting until she calmed slightly before continuing.

  “For what it’s worth, Agent Daniels, I actually believe you. But this is the evidence the US Attorney who will be prosecuting you has presented to a judge. We need to keep our heads about us so we can let the light of truth shine through. Now, you say your weapon was taken at the time of your suspension. Tell me about that.”

  Katarina took a few breaths then relayed what had happened in Pettigrew’s office.

  “And this Agent Collins was recording at the time?” he asked without looking up from the notes he was scribbling.

  “Yes! She made a point of making sure I saw the recorder.”

  “Was anyone else present who could back up your claim?”

  “It’s not a claim, it’s the truth!” Katarina cried.

  “Forgive my choice of words,” he said patiently. “Was anyone else present who witnessed you hand over your weapon and credentials?”

  “There were two agents waiting outside Pettigrew’s office to escort me out of the building. He’s got a glass door, but my back was to it so I have no idea what they might have seen.”

  “Their names?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a big office. Lots of agents coming and going.”

  “That’s okay. Shouldn’t be hard to find out.”

  He scribbled some more, flipped a page in the file, then picked up his phone and banged out a quick text message.