“Now, now, don’t deny it. I know he told you what he needed to do. You even got him a gun when he asked for one. What you didn’t know was I told him to come to you. I knew you’d help him, just as you have so many times before. So now you belong to me.” He bared his teeth, letting her see the predator in him.
“What happens next is all on you. You let him go to Santos’ home even though you knew he was going to kill her. I bet that even gave you a little thrill, considering how much you hate Santos.” He laughed when she once again shook her head in denial. “Now, Julia, remember, you have no secrets from me.”
“It’s getting late,” the second man said from his place behind her.
He nodded. “My partner’s right. We don’t have much time. So here’s the plan, my dear. Your husband proved he can’t be trusted to carry out a simple task. That means it falls to you. I realize it might be more difficult to get to Santos now that he fucked things up so badly, but you’re resourceful. You’ll find a way.”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head again, more vigorously this time.
“I know, Julia. That’s not how you like doing things. You prefer having someone else do the dirty work. We’re the same that way. This time, however, it falls to you—at least if you want to keep your husband and children alive.”
She inhaled sharply, fear shining in her eyes.
He nodded to the man behind her. Suddenly the hands were removed from her shoulders. She watched, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes as the man grabbed her husband and seemingly effortlessly tossed him over one shoulder. Without a word, he left the room.
“Let me guess, you want to know what’s happening.”
Wysocki nodded.
“Roy and your children will be coming with us as insurance. But don’t worry, your children won’t be hurt. In fact, they’ll sleep most of the time until you do as we say. Now your husband won’t have as easy a time. He needs to learn how foolish it is to fail me.” He stood again and dug in his pants pocket. Light glinted off his knife as he flipped it open. For a moment, he held it in front of him, studying the blade.
“We will be watching everything you do, Julia, so don’t try to double-cross us. Remember something else, the longer you take to complete your task, the more we will hurt your husband. Fail me and your children will pay. Do you understand?”
She nodded once, defeated.
“Very good. There’s one more thing you need to know. You have forty-eight hours to kill Santos. One minute longer and your family dies. Nod if you understand.”
She did as he said.
“Just a couple more things, my dear.” He stepped behind her and began freeing her from the chair. “I want proof Santos is dead, something you won’t be able to fake. After you kill her, cut off the finger with her wedding ring on it. You’ll bring it with you when we meet. And don’t think you can simply lift her ring and use a cadaver finger. I’ll be checking the prints and DNA.” He rested a hand on her head. “Nod if you understand.”
Once again, she did as he said.
“Very good.” He finished freeing her from the chair. Then he slid his hands under her arms and dragged her to the bed. She grunted as he tossed her onto the mattress. “Just so you don’t worry about your husband and those cute kids of yours, we’ll be sending you pictures from time to time. So keep your phone on.”
He pulled out the metal case again and smiled as he produced a second syringe. He placed it on the bedside table. Then he picked up the knife from where he’d placed it on the mattress at her side and carefully slid it under the tape wrapped around her head. She held still, barely daring to breathe, as he worked the blade along her skin until he could turn it enough to put a cut in the silver tape.
“Not a sound,” he warned.
Tears pooled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks as he pulled the tape free. Hair caught in the adhesive. Her skin felt as if it was being torn from her skull. Before she could recover, he forced her mouth open and pulled the gag out.
“Do you have any questions?”
“W-why?” she asked hoarsely.
“That is something you don’t need to know. All you need to worry about is making sure you kill Santos in the next forty-eight hours.” He closed the knife and slid it into his pocket. “When you wake up, go to work. Don’t do anything out of character. Remember, we are watching you and will know if you try to warn anyone about what’s going on.”
“Wait, please.” She twisted on the mattress, trying to look him in the eye.
“No, it’s time for you to sleep now. You’ll need to be at your best these next two days.” He laughed gaily as she whimpered in revulsion when he pressed his lips to her temple. “But don’t worry, my dear. I’ll be in touch.”
He didn’t give her the chance to say anything else. He slid the needle into the skin of her neck and emptied the syringe. Once he had, he eased her onto her back. She moaned softly as the drug slowly spread through her system. He sat on the edge of the mattress, waiting until her eyes closed. Then, smiling, he put away the syringe and ripped off his mask.
“Sleep well, Julia. We’ll see if you can follow orders any better than your husband can.”
16
Jael took a sip of coffee and stepped off the elevator. As she did, she yawned and craned her neck, trying to work out the kinks. Mornings like this reminded her she wasn’t a kid anymore. Exhaustion dragged at her. Refusing to give in, she took another sip of coffee before drawing a deep, bracing breath. This wasn’t the first investigation where sleep had been at a minimum and it wouldn’t be the last. What it was, was the most important one. As long as she didn’t reach the point where exhaustion made her careless, she’d be fine.
She hoped.
As she strolled down the corridor, she didn’t try to hide the fact she was checking security. So far, so good. All appeared to be quiet and nothing seemed out of place. Hopefully, that was a good sign. A better one was the sight of the uniformed officer sitting behind a desk outside the entrance to the secured wing. He looked up as she approached and gathered himself to stand. She shook her head and pulled out her ID. Even though he knew her, he checked it and then checked the list of people approved to enter the area.
"Anything I need to know about?” she asked.
“Not a thing, Sarge. It’s been quiet,” Corporal Ethan Howard said.
“How long you been on?”
He glanced at his watch. “Two hours. I’m off-duty today so I told Detective Timmons I’d take six hours on the desk here.”
“Thanks.” She meant it. Howard was a single father with three children under the age of twelve. Giving up time off meant giving up time with them. “Your kids?”
“They’re with my mama.” Then, as if realizing why she asked, he sobered some. “Don’t worry, Sarge. Mama offered. The few times she’s met the captain, she’s come home telling me what a good woman she is. In fact, she told me to take the duty. She understands the demands of the job better than my ex ever did.”
“Tell your mama thanks.” She smiled and glanced at the doors leading to the security wing. “You let me know if anything seems off.”
“Will do.” He produced a keycard from his breast pocket and badged her through the doors.
As the doors closed behind her, Jael blew out a breath. Then she pulled her phone and sent a quick text to Timmons. By putting Howard on the desk, he made sure a seasoned cop covered the door, someone who wouldn’t be intimidated by anyone from IAB. Now to make sure the other shifts were as well staffed.
Before going to Mac’s room, Jael stopped inside the waiting room across the hall. One of the night shift detectives looked up from the magazine he’d been reading and then stood. She waited, wondering if he had anything to report.
“It’s been quiet, Sergeant.”
Thank God.
“How is she?”
“The medicals aren’t saying much. But my guess is she’s better. Her family’s not looking quite as worried.”
“Good.” At least she hoped it was. “Go grab some coffee and something to eat. I’ll stay with the captain.”
“Thanks.” He tossed the magazine onto one of the chairs. “Give a shout if you need to leave before I get back.”
At Mac’s door, Jael stopped and drew a deep breath. As she did, she wished she had more to tell them. Still, it was more than they had six hours ago. Hopefully, it would lead to the break they needed to figure out what happened and why.
She pushed open the door and glanced inside. Jackson slept in a chair next to the bed. Ellen slept on the none-too-comfortable sofa and Elizabeth lay on a narrow cot. But it was the sight of Mac turning her head in her direct before lifting her right hand and waving her inside that eased some of Jael’s concern.
“Has something happened?” Mac asked softly as Jael reached for her hand.
“We may have caught a break in the case. It’s not much, at least not yet, but it’s something.” She nodded as Jackson stirred, looked at them blearily before rubbing his eyes and sitting up.
“Jael?” Concern and exhaustion thickened his voice.
“We got lucky.” Start with the good news. That was always best. “One of your neighbor’s video feeds caught a different angle of the perp’s van as it drove off. That led us to a rental agency and then to the van itself. We closed in on it a couple of hours ago. It’s being processed now.”
“The shooter?” Jackson asked as Ellen and Elizabeth joined them.
Jael shook her head. “He wasn’t with the van. He abandoned it in a parking lot on the south side of town. Sears and Nguyen are getting everything the rental agency has that might help us.”
“So it’s not over,” Elizabeth said tightly.
“Not yet.” She wouldn’t lie to any of them. “But we are closer.” She hoped.
“Has anyone else been hurt?” Mac asked, her voice weak.
“No.” She shook her head. “No one else has been hurt.” She placed her coffee on the table next to the bed and drew a deep breath. “Are you up to answering some questions.”
“No,” Jackson said firmly from across the bed.
“Jael?” Ellen questioned.
“I’m sorry, but Mac’s our only witness.” She’d give almost anything to be able to postpone questioning her but she couldn’t. “Look, I don’t like it any more than you do. But I don’t have a choice. This is more than an open case. Mac’s a cop. Hell, she’s brass now and someone was brave enough, or crazy enough, to shoot her in her own home and at a time when any number of people could witness what happened. If that’s not bad enough, we’ve already had a run-in with Wysocki and her IAB goons. If we don’t get this case locked down and soon, she’s going to try worming her way in and taking over the investigation. Trust me, none of us want that to happen.”
“She’s right.” Mac closed her eyes and grimaced as she tried to change positions. “Bathroom first.”
“I’ll call the nurse,” Jackson said.
“No.” Mac shook her head, a mulish expression on her face. “Help me to the bathroom.”
“Mac, you aren’t supposed to get out of bed,” Elizabeth reminded her.
“Bathroom.”
Jael tried not to laugh but failed. The look on Mac’s face reminded her of Chelsea when she was younger and set her mind on something. At the same time, Ellen pressed her lips together and shook her head. Whether Jackson and Elizabeth wanted to admit it or not, they knew Mac’s mind was made up and she was at least going to try to get up—whether they helped her or not.
For several long moments, Jackson stared at his wife. Then, as if realizing she wasn’t going to back down, he bent and rested his forehead against hers. He brushed his lips against hers and then straightened. When he did, he shook his head.
“I will carry you into the bathroom and then back to the bed.”
“You will help me there.”
“Are they always like this?” Jael asked Ellen as the two tried staring the other down.
“All too often.” The older woman chuckled softly. “How about this? Jackson, you’ll help her sit up. Mackenzie, if you can stand without too much pain and if you aren’t dizzy, Jackson will help you to the bathroom. But if you start feeling dizzy or feel yourself getting weaker, you will tell him and he will carry you back to bed and we’ll call the nurse.”
“And you can’t draw on your jaguar for strength,” Jackson said. “Mac,” he drawled when they all saw the protest flash in her eyes. “You can’t shift yet and if you draw on her, you know the urge will strengthen.”
She didn’t like it. Jael saw it in her expression. Fortunately for all of them, Mac nodded. The first hurdle was cleared. Now, maybe, Jael could diffuse some of the tension before they returned to why she’d come.
“I ran by your place last night and picked up some things for you,” she said and lifted the duffle in her hand onto the foot of the bed. “How about trading that hospital gown for something a bit more comfortable?”
The look on Mac’s face was priceless. Jael didn’t doubt for a moment that her friend would have grabbed for the duffle if she’d been able to. Instead, she nodded and watched as Jael produced clean underwear and a pair of pajama bottoms.
“I thought this would be better than one of your sleep shirts,” she added as she produced one of Jackson’s shirts.
One corner of Mac’s mouth lifted in a smile and she glanced up at her husband. Jackson chuckled, took the items from Jael and carried them to the small bathroom.
“I’ll let you in on a secret. I keep stealing that shirt from him,” Mac said.
Jael chuckled and relaxed. Then she sobered. “You will do as your grandmother said, Mac. Promise me.” She pinned her friend with a firm look.
Ten minutes later, she watched as Jackson helped Mac back to the bed. Worried by how pale Mac looked, she glanced at the pride leader. His hands were gentle as they lifted Mac’s legs onto the mattress. Then Elizabeth was there to pull the sheet over her. Mac sighed in a mixture of pain and exhaustion as she settled back against the pillow. For a moment she lay there, her eyes closed. Then she reached for the bed controls and raised the head of the bed some.
“Thanks,” she said as she opened her eyes and reached up to lightly touch the collar of the shirt she now wore.
“My pleasure. I thought since Nate and I were already there.” She lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I brought you some things as well, Jackson.”
He nodded without looking from his wife.
“Did you find anything at the house?” Ellen asked.
“No.” And that frustrated her more than she’d say. “Too much time and too many people had been there for Nate to catch a scent that might help us.”
“The van?”
“Being processed. But there was nothing obvious about it that would help us. I’ll know more later today, after the GPS has been studied and after I see what Sears and Nguyen have learned about the guy who rented it.” Before either woman could ask anything else, she glanced at Mac and shook her head. As she’d feared, Mac’s show of independence left her weak and hurting even more than she had before. “Mac, are you up to answering a few questions?”
“Ask before the nurse comes in and runs you off.” Mac tried to smile and failed.
Jael nodded and pulled out her phone. She set it to record and then placed it on the bed next to Mac. Like it or not, she’d follow procedure. She wouldn’t do anything to give Wysocki or anyone else a reason to cast doubt on the investigation.
“Mac, I’ll try to keep this short.”
“Quit worrying. Ask.”
Jael nodded and then identified herself and Mac for the recording. “Yesterday, you told me the shooter seemed familiar. Do you remember?”
“Yeah.”
“Have you remembered from where?”
Mac shook her head and then, as if remembering Jael was recording her, she answered. “No. It’s all a fog.”
“If I showed you a picture we pulled from the securi
ty feed, would that help?”
“Maybe.”
It wasn’t much but it was better than nothing. Wasting no time, Jael reached for her phone and pulled up one of the screen captures she’d downloaded from the video. Once she had, she turned the phone and held it so Mac could see. For several long moments, Mac studied the image. Then she closed her eyes. Jael waited, giving her all the time she needed. As she did, Jackson reached over and turned the phone so he could see the display. His expression hardened and when Jael looked at him, he shook his head.
“It’s there. I can almost see him,” Mac whispered.
“That’s okay. You’re doing great.” She rested a hand on Mac’s uninjured shoulder. “We found the van abandoned in a shopping center parking lot in the south part of town.” She described the area, watching Mac as she did. “Can you think of anyone with ties to that area who might want to hurt you?”
Again, Mac shook her head. “Sorry.”
“Don’t, Mac. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“She’s right, Mac,” Elizabeth said gently.
“Mac, has anything out of the ordinary happened recently? Anything that might help explain what happened yesterday?”
For a moment, Mac didn’t say anything. Once again, she closed her eyes. Jael waited, worried she might be asking too much of her friend. Then she saw the change in Mac’s expression. It wasn’t much and was gone so quickly she almost missed it.
“What is it?”
“I got a couple of e-mails last week. They didn’t make any sense, so I ignored them. You know how it is.”
Jael didn’t say anything. Instead, she shook her head when Jackson opened his mouth. The e-mails might have nothing to do with what happened but, then again, they might have everything to do with them. What worried her, however, was the fact she hadn’t heard about them before then. Why hadn’t Norwood or Marie said something about them?
“Mac?” she prompted.
“They didn’t make sense.” Mac turned her head on the pillow to look at Jael. “Said they were warning me. I needed to be careful.”
“Mac, your work e-mail’s been checked and nothing like that was found.” And if it had been and she hadn’t been told, heads would roll.
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