Her Winter of Darkness

by Melinda Woodhall

  “If you’re looking for a new opportunity, contact Spencer Nash, the station manager,” Hunter said, growing tired of her games. “I’m just an investigative reporter trying to do my job. Now, who’s your source?”

  Loud buzzing erupted from Mackenzie’s purse before she could respond. She dug out her phone, scanned the text message across the display, and looked past Hunter toward the door with worried eyes.

  He turned to follow her gaze, but couldn’t see anyone coming in.

  “Sorry, I gotta run.”

  Looking around as if someone might be watching her, Mackenzie shoved her phone back in her purse and bolted for the door.

  Hunter reached for her arm, but she jerked away.

  “Leave me alone, Mr. Hadley,” she snapped. “And if you’re such a great reporter, you can go find your own sources.”

  He followed her out the door, reluctant to let her walk away before he’d gotten the information he needed.

  “If you don’t want to tell me who your source is, then tell the U.S. Marshal that’s in town. I have a feeling he’ll be getting in touch with you very soon. I recommend you tell him everything you know.”

  Mackenzie stopped to glare at him.

  “Are you trying to intimidate me, Mr. Hadley?” she snapped, her eyes narrowing behind her glasses. “I thought that was more your father’s style.”

  Spinning on her heel, Mackenzie started down the sidewalk, and Hunter found himself racing after her, not knowing what he could say that hadn’t already been said.

  “You could be in real danger, Mackenzie!” he called.

  Mackenzie didn’t look around. As she neared the corner, a big man stepped out of a doorway, bumping into Hunter with a loud grunt.

  The papers the man had been carrying fluttered to the pavement, and Hunter stopped to scoop them up, thrusting them toward the man with a hurried apology.

  “You missed one,” the man said, sticking out a massive arm to stop Hunter as he pointed to a sheet of paper next to the curb. “Those are important papers.”

  Hunter looked toward the corner, but Mackenzie was gone. He picked up the paper and handed it to the big man, getting a good look at his face for the first time.

  The man looked familiar, but Hunter couldn’t put a name to the face, or remember where he might have seen him before.

  “Watch where you’re going next time,” the man grumbled before turning to proceed down the sidewalk with his papers under his arm.

  Still brooding over his failure to persuade Mackenzie to reveal her source, Hunter decided to stop by the Channel Ten station before heading back to Veronica’s house. He needed to let Finn and Spencer know he’d be out of commission for a while.

  Pulling into the lot, Hunter noticed the big Channel Ten News Van was still parked in the space where Jack Carson had left it the night before. Staring at the van, Hunter felt an idea take shape.

  I think I may know where Ling Lee can stay while they hunt down Locke. And once we get Ling somewhere safe, I’ll find Mackenzie and try again.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Mackenzie Jensen squinted as she stepped into the parking garage, her eyes slowly adjusting to the dim light and shadows as she made her way to the stairwell. Pushing through the heavy door, she peered up the stairs, suddenly remembering the warning Hunter Hadley had called out after her.

  “You could be in real danger, Mackenzie!”

  Dismissing the words with a toss of her hair, Mackenzie hurried up the concrete stairs and out onto the second floor of the garage, making a beeline for her new Volkswagen Jetta.

  She reached in her purse, fumbling to find the little key fob that always seemed to find its way to the bottom. When she finally managed to push the button to unlock the doors, she jumped at the jarring beep-beep that followed.

  Finally, with a sigh of relief, she sank into the driver’s seat, her heart thumping. Before she could start the engine, her phone buzzed with another text.

  Looking down at the display, she saw he’d sent another message, even though she still hadn’t responded to the first one.

  What did you tell Hunter Hadley?

  She looked up just in time to catch movement in her rearview mirror. Then a fist rapped twice on the passenger side window. Mackenzie stifled a scream, realizing she hadn’t reengaged the locks.

  A man’s face appeared in the window, and then the door opened, and he was climbing inside.

  “You scared me.”

  She tried to calm her breathing as he dropped into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.

  “Why didn’t you answer my text?”

  His voice was clipped.

  “There was nothing to say. I didn’t tell Hunter Hadley anything.”

  She wasn’t sure why she felt so defensive. She’d done exactly what he’d told her to do. And she’d put her job on the line for him. But his accusing tone made her feel guilty.

  “Actually, I did tell him something. I told him I’d gotten the information from an anonymous source.”

  She looked over to gauge his reaction, surprised to see the angry set to his jaw. He certainly wasn’t in the same flirty, teasing mood he usually adopted when they were together.

  An unwelcome suspicion entered her mind. One she’d had before but hadn’t wanted to entertain; she’d been enjoying all the sneaking around and secret hook-ups too much.

  But maybe he’s not really into me. Maybe it’s all just an act.

  The possibility that he’d pursued her with the intention to get his stories in the Gazette wasn’t farfetched. She’d used the same tactic before to get a story. But the idea that the man had played her at her own game prickled Mackenzie’s pride.

  It’s my own fault. I’ve been an easy target.

  Gripping the steering wheel, she gave him a sideways glance.

  “So, I guess the honeymoon’s over now that I put the story into the morning edition like you wanted?”

  He didn’t respond to her sulky accusation, and she sat for a minute in silence, stung by his indifference.

  I’ve risked my reputation, and this is the thanks I get?

  Hunter Hadley’s warnings replayed in Mackenzie’s mind, and her hurt and anger began to morph into an idea. Maybe she could still get something out of the situation after all.

  “I’m not sure I can keep my part of the bargain.” She figured the threat would get a reaction. “You weren’t straight with me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  It was his turn to look over in alarm.

  “Hunter Hadley told me that the story is way bigger than you implied. I’m all for breaking a story under Veronica Lee’s own nose, and in her own family, but you never said the story would bring the U.S. Marshals down on me.”

  She saw surprise in the man’s dark eyes, then doubt.

  “Who told you that? Hadley?”

  “Yeah, he was really worked up,” she said, remembering the intensity in Hunter’s eyes. “I don’t think he’s going to just let it drop. Looks like you really opened a can of worms with this one.”

  The man ran a hand through his hair as he stared at her.

  “I can't sit on this forever, you know," Mackenzie said, unable to resist turning the screw. "This is too big, and now the U.S. Marshals might be involved. I’m going to have to say something.”

  "Okay, whatever.”

  His voice softened, and he sat back against the seat.

  “As long as you keep my name out of it, I’ll give you my source.”

  Surprised at his sudden surrender, Mackenzie’s eyes narrowed. She studied his profile, unsure if he was serious.

  "Really? Why would you do that? What would you get out of it?"

  He chuckled and looked over at her with a wicked grin, his bad mood gone as quickly as it had appeared.

  “You know me too well.”

  Lifting a hand, he caught a long strand of her silky hair and twisted it around his fingers, studying her face.

  “How about t
his. Let’s go back to your place. I’ll write down the details on my source, and then you can do something for me.”

  The man tugged on the hair in his hand and pulled her closer.

  “You know exactly what I like.”

  Turning her face away before he could lean in for a kiss, she resisted the temptation he presented. She wasn’t sure he was worth the risk anymore.

  “I thought you had a thing for bad boys.”

  His voice deepened, causing her to swallow hard.

  “You know I do, but…”

  “Then come on, let’s go.”

  She hesitated, still feeling that something wasn’t right.

  “Don’t you want to get your car?” she finally asked.

  “I don’t think I can wait that long. I’ll ride with you, and you can drop me off…after.”

  Mackenzie nodded and started the engine, suppressing a smile.

  He might think he’s playing me, but I’m the one about to get a scoop.

  She’d get the information about his source before he changed his mind. There could be another big story in it for her. And if the U.S. Marshals did come calling, she’d have something to give them.

  Mackenzie didn’t intend to go to jail to protect her sources.

  I’m not the type to be anyone’s sacrificial lamb.

  And a story big enough to draw the attention of the U.S. Marshals could get her national attention. She was already imagining the recognition and awards she was sure to get as she pulled out onto Park Avenue and headed east.

  Veronica Lee may be the golden girl on local news, but Mackenzie Jensen will be the biggest name in investigative journalism this town has ever seen.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Mackenzie’s plan had fallen into place by the time they’d arrived at her little house on Hawthorne Road. She’d use her mini recorder to get everything the man said on record. Once she found out who his source was, she’d make an excuse for him to leave.

  Parking the Jetta in the garage, she led him into the kitchen, reaching into her purse to press the record button before dropping the purse on the counter. Now she just had to get him to talk.

  “Okay, so who’s your source,” she said, spinning around to face him. “Who told you about Ling Lee’s past?”

  Her eyes widened as she saw the little gun in his hand.

  “I don’t think that matters anymore,” the man said, lifting the gun and aiming at her chest. “No one is ever going to hear about it.”

  Frozen in fear, Mackenzie stared at the gun, unable to move.

  “And if you were any kind of investigative journalist, you would be asking a different question,” he sneered. “But you’ve been too blind to see that you had the best scoop in town in bed with you all along.”

  Trying to make sense of his words, Mackenzie lifted her eyes to his, shaking her head in confusion.

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying you’ve been sleeping with the man the FBI, the WBPD, and now the U.S. Marshals Service have been looking for, and you never suspected a thing.”

  Still not sure what he was talking about, she tried to stall for time, hoping if he meant to shoot her, he’d have already done so.

  “Why would they have to look for you?” she managed to say between trembling lips. “Everyone in town knows you. You’re not that hard to find.”

  “Few people know who I really am,” he muttered. “I haven’t been Diablo for very long, but I have enjoyed it. The cops and the feds are as clueless as you’ve been all this time.”

  Mackenzie inched backward. Was he joking, or had he gone mad? Did he really think he’d become the boss of a crime syndicate?

  Gauging how quickly she could make it to the door, she forced herself to go along with him, pretending she accepted his story.

  “I won’t tell anyone,” she said, sucking in a deep breath. “I think that’s…that’s exciting. I’m mean, you know I like bad boys, right?”

  She lifted a hand toward him, but he shoved the gun closer.

  “I know you like getting your story,” he growled. “And you’d love nothing more than to expose me as Diablo.”

  Shaking her head in denial, Mackenzie felt panic rise in her chest.

  “No, I wouldn’t do that. I was just trying to find out who’d told you about Ling Lee. I wasn’t going to give them your name.”

  “If I told you my source, I’d be signing my own death warrant,” the man scoffed. “The man who gave me that information would kill me as soon as look at me. Besides, he and I have a deal. And if I let you live, you could cause trouble for both of us.”

  Lunging for the door, Mackenzie tried to grasp the handle, but the man was too fast. Grabbing a handful of long hair, he yanked her back against him, silencing her scream with a big hand.

  “I’m sorry it had to…come to this,” he grunted, dragging her into the living room. “We had fun, but…looks like I’m…going to have to…kill your big…story.”

  Mackenzie struggled against the man’s steel grip as he dropped her onto the sofa. She tried to sit up, but he forced her back down, covering her face with a throw pillow she’d bought at a second-hand shop only months before.

  Issuing a silent scream, Mackenzie didn’t feel the barrel of the gun nestle into the pillow, and she didn’t hear the muffled shot as the man pulled the trigger.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Veronica looked out the front window again, hoping Hunter would be coming up the walk, but the only thing of interest was a WBPD patrol car parked by the curb. Scratching Winston behind the ears, she smiled down at the purring tabby cat, glad to see the day’s events hadn’t interrupted his routine.

  Turning at the sound of voices and footsteps in the hall, she saw Peyton preparing to leave. Deputy Santino stood at the door beside her, talking to Ling Lee.

  “Take another fifteen minutes to finish packing, and then we’ll head out,” Santino said, checking his watch. “We’ve managed to find a secure location. You’ll stay there temporarily while we come up with a more permanent arrangement.”

  Ling nodded her agreement as Veronica stepped into the hall.

  “Deputy Santino?”

  Veronica’s mouth felt dry and cottony as Santino turned toward her, but she knew she had to tell him what she’d been thinking before he left. She might not get another chance.

  “When you find Locke, can you try to bring him in without killing him?” She glanced at her mother before continuing. “It’s just that the woman he killed, Astrid Peterson, she mentioned another girl named Skylar was with her.”

  A frown creased Santino’s forehead, and he looked to Peyton.

  “I’m not completely familiar with the situation, yet,” Peyton admitted. “But I’ll touch base with Vanzinger and Jankowski right away to make sure we get all the details.”

  Feeling a sudden chill, Veronica wrapped her arms around herself as she tried to explain.

  “I know it’s unlikely, but Skylar may still be alive. If Locke is killed before he can tell us where she is, we may never find her.”

  Veronica had spent the last few hours wondering who Skylar was, and where she could be. As much as she’d thought she wanted her father dead, so that he could never threaten her mother or anyone else again, she knew now that would be a mistake.

  There could still be a chance to save Skylar if they find Locke in time.

  Santino met Veronica’s worried eyes with a reassuring nod.

  “A possible hostage or captive will make things harder, but it’s better to know going in than finding out later. I can promise you we’ll do everything we can.”

  Peyton nodded in agreement, then turned to Ling.

  “You better get packed, Ms. Lee.” She motioned to the stairs. “We need to get you out of here as soon as possible.”

  Ling’s calm demeanor suddenly cracked, and she reached out for Veronica, looking up at her with frightened eyes.

  “Come with me, Ronnie,” she pleaded. “I don’t
want you to get hurt. There’s no telling what Locke will do.”

  Knowing there was no way she could give her mother what she wanted, Veronica shook her head.

  “I told you, Ma. I can’t go into hiding while my father is still out there hurting people. I have to help end this…once and for all.”

  Ling held Veronica’s gaze.

  “You have his eyes, you know,” Ling finally said. “And it seems you also have his perseverance.”

  Veronica stiffened at the comparison, but Ling reached up to cup her daughter’s chin in her hand and shook her head.

  “But that’s where the likeness ends, Ronnie,” she murmured. “You have a kind heart, where he has none. And you persevere for good, while he works for evil. You’re all light, and he’s full of darkness. That’s what makes me so scared.”

  Dropping her hand, Ling turned away.

  “If Locke has to work to find me, maybe he’ll leave Ronnie alone for the time being.” She looked at Peyton and Santino with a resigned sigh. “Maybe it will buy more time for us both.”

  "Sometimes the hardest thing to do, is to walk away," Santino said in a quiet voice, as if the matter had been settled.

  A hush fell over the hall, and then Ling crossed to the stairs.

  “I’ll get my suitcase,” she said, her voice now firm.

  Santino nodded and turned to the door.

  “Detective Bell and I will be waiting outside.”

  Once Ling had gone upstairs and the hall was empty, Veronica headed back into the living room and crossed to the window, where Winston still stood watch.

  Tears stung her eyes as she lifted the big tabby cat and held him against her. She needed to be strong for her mother, but Winston would understand.

  A black SUV with dark tinted windows pulled up to the curb behind the patrol car, followed by Hunter in his Audi. Veronica watched as Hunter stepped out and greeted Santino. The two men began talking in a close huddle, as Peyton appeared to give directions to the men in the SUV.

  “What are they up to, Winston?” Veronica whispered. “And how long will it take them to find my father?”

  ✽ ✽ ✽