I raised my head and met his dark gaze.
“Get mad, feel the rage flowing through your veins. Imagine it’s Yoshe down there, scared and alone.” He pulled on his jacket and dug out his keys. “We need to move. By now, the FBI knows exactly where we are.”
“What about him?”
He passed me a small derringer and pocket knife. “Find a place to hide those where Carson won’t look.” Grabbing Carl by the arm, Marcone jerked him from the seat. “He has two choices—my trunk or a bullet to the brain.”
A part of me wanted him to choose the bullet. “Give me a minute. I need to call Derek.”
“Make it quick.”
I waited until I heard the trunk slam before calling the number.
“Agent Stevens.”
“Derek, it’s Kacy. I—”
“Where the hell are you? Park has gone bat-shit crazy and keeps breathing down our necks.”
“Carson has Dave and Greg. I have Carson’s brother. I’m going to get them.”
I heard the quick intake of breath. “Tell me where you are. I have a group ready to go.”
“I have to go alone, or he’ll kill them. Tell your mom and Popcorn Greg’s coming home.” I ended the call and stored my phone. I knew Derek had a trace on it, and I would have to toss it out near Des Plaines. I couldn’t lead them to the mine, but I wanted them close enough to pick up Greg and Dave once I got them out. If they’re still alive. I shook off the thought and dug deep for the rage I would need in the hours ahead as I made my way outside. There was one more conversation I needed to have, and it would have to be short and sweet.
Marcone was tense, his eyes scanning the area around us as he waited next to the car. “You ready?”
“You can’t go with me, Dad.”
He started to speak, and I placed a finger against his lips.
“Let me talk.” I swallowed hard. “Kyle and I were raised without love, and maybe that’s the reason we both failed. I’m not sure I know how to trust, and without trust, there can’t be love. Kyle overcame that, and I hope someday I can too. I want you in my life.”
The hands that circled my face were trembling, and mist clouded his eyes. For the first time since we’d met, I saw the vulnerability Dave was always talking about. Kids reach a point where you have to take off the training wheels and let them go, even if they get hurt. “I won’t go with you, but I won’t be far away.”
“I need you to promise me something.”
His eyes searched my face. “Anything.”
I nodded toward the trunk. “I think Carson has a twin brother. I don’t know if he’s a good guy or they’re in this together. I think he’s planning on using his brother as an alibi to get away with what he’s done. If Greg, Dave, and I don’t walk out of that mine, kill whoever does.” I nodded toward the trunk. “And him.”
He held me close for a moment, and I listened to the rapid beat of his heart as he whispered, “If you don’t come out of that mine, nothing on this earth could stop me from killing them.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
I convinced my father to leave ahead of me. Pointing out that as long as Carl was a captive, Carson wouldn’t kill me quickly. My cell rang as I started the car, and Park flashed on the screen. This should be good. I pulled the car in gear and made my way down the small dirt road. “Kacy Lang.”
Silence met my greeting, and I realized Park hadn’t expected me to answer. Probably wanted to leave one of his scathing voice messages. “Commander?’
“You’re on a suicide mission, Lang. Give it up and come in. We’ll take down Carson.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t do that.” The main road was just ahead of me, and I stopped for only a moment before roaring off and picking up speed.
A long drawn-out sigh came over the line. “All right, Kacy. I admit I was wrong about Greg. Hell, I’ve been wrong about everything. Is that what you want to hear? Come in, pick up your badge and gun, and let’s take this scum off the streets together.”
“Not gonna happen, sir.” I skidded around a sharp curve. “I’d rather die with my partners than live knowing I might have saved them.” My voice was getting emotional, and I needed both hands on the wheel. “I hope the offer still stands if we somehow make it out alive.”
“Lang!”
His scream was still bouncing around inside my head as I ended the call. Des Plaines was only ten miles ahead, and the road was dark, curvy, and dangerous. On top of that, I needed my thoughts centered on breathing slow and deep and not crapping my pants. I think if I have to see that psychiatrist again, I’ll pistol-whip the bastard. Face your fear. The only thing facing your fear does is terrify the shit out of you.
I slowed as I neared the main lot of the park, pulled in, and stopped the car. It was as good a place as any to leave my car and phone and a good place to meet Carson. I studied the area for any signs of my father, but I knew even if he was nearby, I wouldn’t see him. Grabbing Carl’s phone, I hit redial.
“You’re wasting time, Lang.”
“I’m at the park. Pick me up here.”
“Where’s my brother?”
“He’s safe, and he’ll be returned as soon as Greg, Dave, and I walk out of that mine together. If we don’t, well, you know what happens. You’d best hurry, as I’m pretty sure the FBI is tracking me as we speak.”
I ended the call before he could. If Greg and Dave were already dead, the odds were Carson would show up, kill me, and leave. Leaving the keys in the ignition, I emptied my pockets and tossed my cell beneath the passenger seat before placing the small vial of holy water in my waistband. There was no guarantee Carson was telling the truth and Greg and Dave were at the mine. He could have buried them anywhere in the forest. A loud screech and crashing sound came from the nearby trees, and I shivered, wishing I’d taken Father Brown’s advice and read Psalm 53, or that I had Dave’s faith. The darkest hour is just before dawn. Lights flashed from the road as a car sped toward the park. Dawn was hours away, but my darkest hour was about to begin.
Carson rolled to a stop inches from my legs. I held up my hands. He exited and stood watching me for a moment. “Take your clothes off.”
“Why?”
His lips twisted into a sneer. “I have to make sure you’re not packing, don’t I? And you’re not wired.”
I lowered my hands, grabbed the edge of my turtleneck, and slowly lifted it. Moonlight glinted off the cross between my breasts. Carson’s face paled. “Take that damn thing off and toss it away.”
“I know what’s wrong with you, Ace. Deep down inside, you’re an honorable man. A good man. It’s this Baykok demon. Let me help you.” Moving my hand slowly, I pulled out the vial of holy water. “I have holy water here. We can get rid of him once and for all. You can finally live the life you deserve.” Buried six feet under, you bastard.
His stare was nerve-racking, and icy fingers rolled up and down my spine. For just a moment, I thought I had him.
“Get in the car.”
I owed Father Brown a huge thank you if I lived. I hadn’t convinced Carson, but I’d kept him from searching me, and I’d kept my clothes on. I tossed the vial on the front seat of my car, making a mental note to return it to Father Brown.
There was no gloating on the way to the mine, and each time I glanced at Carson, he looked away. He parked a safe distance from the entrance. “Get out.”
The recent rains had turned the incline in to a muddy mess. Slipping and trying to maintain my footing kept my mind off the entrance until we were almost there.
Concentrate, kid. I wasn’t sure why Dave’s voice always seemed to come out of nowhere just when I needed him. I pretended to slip again as I studied the area around the mine. Dave wanted me to see something, but so far, all I saw was mud. “How far in are they?”
“Not too far.”
I felt the prick of a knife in my side, not deep enough to kill, but enough to hurt like hell and draw blood.
“Move.”
&n
bsp; Stumbling forward, I stopped again inside the entrance. “You can’t expect me to find them without some kind of light.”
The knife struck again, this time going deeper. My breath caught, and I bit down hard on my lower lip to keep from moaning as a dark cloud descended. Focus. If you pass out, Dave and Greg die.
“There’s a lantern about ten feet in. Get down on your knees and crawl.”
I dropped to my knees, finally seeing what Dave had wanted me to see. Dynamite was positioned at strategic points around the opening. My hand snaked along my lower leg until my fingers were close to the derringer. It might not kill him, but it would give me a fighting chance. “You killed them, didn’t you?”
A steel-toed boot connected with my midriff, and I rolled forward and hunched in a ball, gasping for breath. “Go ahead… and kill me.” I gulped air, ignoring the pain as I slipped the derringer into my right hand. “You slimy freak.”
The foot went back again, aiming for my head. Twisting to the left, I fired, taking pleasure in the thud of the bullet hitting flesh. An animalistic growl came from his lips as the boot connected with my wrist. “You’re gonna die, but not yet.” He grabbed my hair and jerked me up. “Pick up the lantern and light it.”
“I can’t. You broke my wrist.”
He pushed me away and picked up the lantern. “I wouldn’t use this constantly if I were you. It could take you days to die, and the dark can be a scary place.” He laughed. “But you already know that, don’t you?” Another shove sent me sprawling on my knees. “Let’s go see your friends.” He laughed again. “In case you’re thinking about trying something to make me kill you quick, they are still alive.”
I struggled to my feet, hearing the faint sound of sirens in the distance. “In case you’re thinking about setting off that dynamite, you’ll lead them right to us.”
“There’s always tomorrow.”
Not for you, there isn’t.
He moved toward me, fist raised.
I sidestepped, gritting my teeth against the pain. “I’m going.”
The sirens disappeared, and I hoped it was because we were going farther into the mine and not because they’d given up and moved on. Derek won’t stop, and Commander Park may be an asshole, but he’s not the type to give up, either. As much as I wanted to see Dave and Greg before I died, I also wanted to delay Carson until Dad could get in place.
“What about Carl? Are you just going to let him die?”
“The great Detective Kacy Lang.” He spit on the ground. “You think you’re so smart and so tough. Carl understands there are casualties in war.”
“You slaughter innocent women, and you call that war?”
The light from the lantern reflected in his eyes. He wasn’t just evil—he was crazy. “Like you, none of them were innocent. Abominations in the eyes of God.”
I was probably wasting my breath, but the opportunity to save Dave was too good to miss. “If you’re a man of God, then prove it. Let Dave go. There’s no better person in the whole world, and no more faithful servant of God.” I watched Carson’s reaction, and for a moment, he wavered. “He has two little girls who will be raised the way you believe women should be raised. They won’t become police officers. They’ll become loving, devoted wives of real men like you.” I lowered my voice. He wanted women to beg, so I would beg. “Please, let him go.”
We’d reached our destination—a huge hole in the middle of the floor with a ladder attached. My feet felt like lead, and my airways were starting to clam up. Think of Yoshe down there, alone and scared. You can do this.
“Hold out your right arm.”
I did as he said, and he slipped the lantern up to my elbow and chuckled. “Try not to fall. It’s a long way down.”
I stepped on the first rung. “What about Dave?”
“Casualty of war.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
I didn’t know a lot about mines, so I had no idea what was at the bottom of the ladder. The sound of something metal being scooted across the floor and covering the top of the hole crushed what little remaining spirit I had left. Dave wasn’t out there to save me, and I’d failed to save him. There was also the promise to Popcorn and Derek that Greg would be coming home. You’re a loser, Lang. You might as well let go of the ladder and fall to your death.
“Fu…” I caught myself and smiled. If Dave and Greg were still alive, we were getting out of here. After all, we were like the Three Musketeers. “One for all, and all for one.”
I hurried down the ladder as fast as I could with only my left hand to grip the rungs. The bottom opened up into a large room, and hope once again filled my heart as the sight of Dave and Greg trussed up in the far corner met my gaze. “Thank God.”
Dave was glaring at me as I made my way across the room. “This is gonna hurt.” I ripped off the duct tape covering his mouth, immediately regretting my action as he went into a tirade while I turned my attention to Greg.
“I’m gonna kick your ass. Of all the stupid, idiotic, senseless things you’ve ever done, this one is the worst. Didn’t you see the dynamite?”
I ripped the tape from Greg’s mouth. “I saw it.” Turning away from them, I reached into my pants and removed the small knife I’d stored between my legs. “I’ll have you free in just a minute.”
“You’re bleeding.” Greg was staring at the fresh blood slowly oozing down my side. I slit the rope binding his arms and legs together then slit the one around his wrists.
“Flesh wound,” I lied and turned to Dave, repeating my actions. “Take a few minutes to get the feeling back, so don’t try to get up too soon.”
“Yeah, like there’s anywhere to go.” Dave rubbed his wrists.
“Let me look at your side.” Greg was on his feet already, removing his shirt.
“I told you, it’s a flesh wound, and it’s too cold down here to take your clothes off.”
“Jesus Christ, Kacy, let the boy look at your side. It ain’t like he’s never seen a woman before.”
Watching the three of you, you’re more family than most of the ones I’ve seen. Dad was right, and although trust was a very fragile thing, not trusting was a lonely existence. I stood in front of the lantern and raised my top, a grimace pulling my lips together. I groaned and bit my lower lip as Greg probed the cuts.
“This one needs stitches.” He stepped back to rip his shirt into strips.
“Sorry, I couldn’t think of a place to hide a needle and thread, and I didn’t expect the bastard to knife me.” I glanced away, noticing a body in the far corner. “Who’s that?”
“The real Ace Carson.”
“But…” My brows knitted together, and I groaned again as Greg wound a bandage tightly around my waist. “Careful, I think I have a few internal injuries.”
He jerked my top up, his lips thinning to a tight line, jaw jutting forward and eyes darkening. “Sit down.”
“I’d rather stand, thank you.” An explosion rocked the ground beneath my feet, and I was glad Greg was there to hold onto. “Never mind, I think I’ll sit.”
I lowered myself to the ground next to Dave, and Greg sat beside me. I’d figured out the twin part, and the fact Carson would probably use his brother as an alibi. I hadn’t expected him to kill him. “Someone want to tell me about that?” I pointed at Carson’s body.
“You’re not going to get mad because you were wrong, are you?” Greg shifted, his body resting against mine.
“I never get mad because I’m wrong.” I didn’t dare look at Dave, who was almost certainly doing his Three Stooges slap, slap, slap. “Besides, I figured out he was a twin earlier.”
“Carson and his brothers were separated at birth. Carson was adopted by a family in Illinois, who weren’t aware he was a twin. The other two didn’t fare so well. Carl Lunsford was adopted by members of a religious cult and Gabe Crimms by an old man who married a young Native American. The old man died while the boy was still young, and she filled his head with stories of demo
ns and curses. Carl and Gabe grew up twisted emotionally and mentally.”
“And Gabe somehow found Carl. How did Ace get involved?”
“He knew he was adopted. When Mrs. Wallins accused him of murdering her daughter, he began to wonder if possibly he had a twin or a brother he didn’t know about. Gabe must have hung around the murder scenes in Massachusetts and spotted him. He kidnapped Ace and took his place with the FBI. That’s how he heard about you.”
“Don’t suppose you hid some chocolate doughnuts somewhere on that skinny frame?” Dave asked.
“Sorry, partner.”
Dishonorable Death Page 18