Blind Betrayal

by Nancy Mehl

  “Are you sure?”

  “Seriously, don’t worry about me.”

  E.J. looked over at Valerie, who appeared to be in shock. “We’ll be fine,” he said to her, hoping she’d believe him. “Where’s that bag of phones, Casey?”

  “I didn’t take the entire bag. Just my burner phone.”

  “Where is it?”

  “In my pocket.” She reached down and pulled it out. E.J. saw her wince.

  “You’re hurting.”

  She smiled. “Let’s shoot a bullet through your side and see how great you feel.”

  “I thought you said it was a graze.”

  “It is. A deep graze. I’ll be fine, though.”

  E.J. held the phone up so he could see it clearly. “We need help. Let the authorities know where we are. I’m betting we can get the cops here before anyone else is able to find us.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  E.J. walked a few yards from the car and turned the phone on. They were really out in the boonies. After a couple of attempts, he finally got a signal and quickly dialed 9-1-1. He told the dispatcher who he was and that they needed backup and an ambulance. Even though Casey had reassured him she’d be okay, he wasn’t taking any chances.

  “You’re in Arbuckle,” the dispatcher said. “That town folded after the coal mine closed. I’ll get someone there as soon as I can, but it might take a while. You’re a long way from us. You’ll just have to be patient.”

  “We have some pretty bad people chasing us, and a woman who needs medical attention. Please hurry.”

  The dispatcher told him she’d do her best. Next, he thought about calling the office. With Batterson out of action, Tom Monnier was probably in charge. He’d just started to scroll through the contacts when Casey called out.

  “I think someone’s coming,” she said.

  He hurried back to the car. Casey was peering around the corner of the building. A pickup truck was barreling down the street, right for them. E.J. put the phone away and pulled out his gun. They waited until the truck drove past them.

  “Help is on the way,” he said to Casey with a sigh. “Someone should be here before too long.”

  They walked back to the car, where Valerie waited. “Thank you for getting us out of there,” she said. “I thought we were all going to die.”

  “I don’t think they would have killed you,” E.J. said. “They were offered a great deal of money if they delivered you alive.” He turned to Casey. “Of course, you could be referring to our rescue. Wow. Pretty gutsy.”

  Casey smiled weakly. “It was all I could come up with. Did you have a better idea?”

  E.J. grunted. “No, but let’s not use that maneuver again, okay? I don’t think my heart could take it.”

  Casey chuckled. “I hear you.”

  “You two have put your lives on the line for me time after time,” Valerie said, her voice shaking with emotion. “Deputy Howard is dead.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m really sorry I wrote that story. If I’d known how much trouble it would cause . . .”

  “Don’t be silly,” Casey said. “None of this is your fault. You were trying to expose corruption. The blame rests on Ali Al-Saud and his lapdog, Mattan.”

  Valerie nodded slowly, wiping tears from her cheeks. “I know what you’re saying is right, but I’m not sure I’d do the same thing again.”

  “Then men like Al-Saud will win,” E.J. said firmly. “And we can’t allow that to happen.”

  Valerie didn’t respond, but it was obvious E.J.’s words had made an impact.

  “I need to call Tom,” E.J. said to Casey. “Do you have his number in here?”

  She nodded. “I entered it as we were leaving St. Louis.”

  E.J. noticed that Casey looked a little pale. “Listen, even if you’re not badly wounded, you lost some blood. Why don’t you sit down? Take it easy? There’s not much we can do now anyway. Just wait for help.”

  “Stop handling me,” Casey said sharply, frowning at him.

  “Okay, okay. Keep an eye on Valerie while I see if I can reach Tom.”

  Casey encouraged Valerie to get back in the car. “Let’s sit down for a bit,” she told her. “Help is on the way.”

  Valerie slid back into the car. Casey got in beside her.

  E.J. found Tom’s number and tried several times to get through. The reception was so poor, at first he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to complete the call. When finally he got through, it went to voicemail.

  E.J. left a detailed message about what was happening and where they were. “We’re in some ghost town called Arbuckle, Tom, a few miles off the highway. We’re behind an abandoned gas station. I’ve called the police and requested an ambulance. You can either call me back, or I’ll call you again when we’re someplace safe. You need to get to Batterson’s house in Port Clinton, Ohio. Doug is there. He was shot. When we left, he was alive. I pray he still is.” E. J. felt guilty about not telling Casey that Doug wasn’t dead, but his pulse was so faint, he didn’t want to give her false hope.

  He started to say something else when he heard the wail of a siren coming up the road. He disconnected his call to Tom and sent up a silent prayer of thanks. It had taken a while, but at least they were finally about to be rescued. Within seconds, a police cruiser pulled up and an officer jumped out. Casey got out of the vehicle and waved him down.

  “Are you the folks who called for help?” he asked as he approached.

  “Yes,” E.J. said, hurrying over to the officer. “Do you have an ambulance on the way?”

  The officer pulled his gun from his holster. “No,” he said with a smile. “But you won’t need one. Get into my car. Now.”

  E.J. heard Valerie cry out.

  “You’re not with the police,” Casey said.

  “Good guess,” the man said. “I work for Ali Al-Saud. Now get in the car. We don’t have much time.” The man strode over and grabbed Valerie, putting the gun to her head.

  “Remove your gun from its holster slowly and toss it on the ground by me,” he told E.J. “And toss that phone over here too.”

  E.J. hesitated a moment, but he had no idea what this guy might do. He took out the gun he’d taken from Tucker, set it on the ground, and kicked it over toward the man’s feet. Then he threw the phone next to his gun. The man lifted his boot and brought it down hard on the phone, smashing it. He picked up the shattered device and hurled it into the bushes a few yards away.

  “My job is to deliver you to Ben Mattan as soon as possible. Hopefully alive. I personally don’t care which way it goes.”

  “How did you get here before the police?” Casey asked, her face tight with anger.

  “Mattan sent me to follow you after you left Ohio. I’ve been watching you—and listening to a police scanner. They really come in handy.” He shrugged. “All I had to do was intercept the police officer sent to assist you. It really wasn’t that difficult.” He waved his gun at them. “Let’s go. Into the car. Now.”

  As E.J. helped Valerie and Casey into the back of the cruiser, he pulled off the dog tags he wore. He dropped them to the ground, partly under the car so that the man wouldn’t notice them. He then scribbled something in the dirt before he slid into the back seat next to Casey.

  Once everyone was inside, the man started the car and roared away. From somewhere behind them, E.J. could hear another siren. Probably the ambulance. He wanted to believe the police would realize they were in trouble and pursue them, but by the time they arrived, secured the scene, and searched the area, E. J., Casey, and Valerie would be long gone.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  E.J. sat silently next to Casey in the back seat with the man so close to Valerie, they couldn’t do anything. His gun was still pointed straight at her. E.J. looked to see if Casey’s wound was still bleeding, but it seemed to be under control. He could see the tension in her face and wondered if it came from the situation they were in or from the gunshot. He was concerned she
was hurt more than she was letting on.

  He managed to catch Valerie’s eye. He smiled at her, trying to keep her calm. She seemed to be doing okay. He was thankful, but he wondered how much more she could take.

  Finally, the man slowed the car, took a turnoff, and got on the highway. Though E.J. still wasn’t sure where they were, ahead he saw what looked to be a large city. Just then he saw a road sign. They were headed to Pittsburgh. After several more turns, their driver pulled up in front of a large building. It appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. The man honked twice and a large door slid open, like a garage door but much bigger. They pulled inside, and two men came over to the car.

  The driver got out, slamming the door behind him. “Remove them,” he said, gesturing first to Valerie, then to E.J. and Casey.

  A man built like a wrestler opened the door and started to grab Casey.

  “Put your hands on her and she’s the last thing you’ll ever touch,” E.J. said in a low voice.

  The big brute looked surprised, but he backed up. Casey glared at E.J. and shook her head. She could certainly take care of herself. What was wrong with him? For some reason, he was feeling incredibly protective. Was it because she’d been injured?

  Another man, dressed in fatigues, walked up next to them. “What’s wrong with her?” he asked, nodding toward Casey.

  “She’s been shot,” E.J. answered.

  “Just a flesh wound,” Casey said.

  “I have some medical training. Bring her back here and let me have a look. Better safe than sorry.” He pointed at Valerie. “She stays here.” He gestured toward a nearby chair, and Valerie sat down, her eyes never leaving E.J.

  “You wait here for me,” he told her. “I’ll be right back.”

  While E.J. didn’t trust any of these guys, he followed the man through the large building to the back where there were several large rooms. One of them had cots. Were these men living here?

  “This way,” the man said, gesturing to his right. He didn’t seem to fit in with the others. He was younger, his hair braided into cornrows.

  He shut the door and went over to the closet, pulling out several bottles, along with some large pads, gauze, and a pair of scissors. He brought everything over to where Casey stood. “I’m going to raise your blouse so I can see your wound,” he said.

  Casey shook her head. “No thanks. I can do that myself.” She lifted her blouse just enough to expose a long red gash in her side. It looked worse than E.J. had imagined.

  “It’s not deep enough to have hit any vital organs,” the man said. “But I bet it hurts.”

  Casey shrugged but didn’t say anything.

  “I’m going to clean and dress the wound now. You need to stay as still as possible so you don’t start bleeding again.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Casey said, “but since your friend probably plans to kill us, I’m not sure I need to worry about it too much.”

  “Look, I’m just trying to help. I can treat you or I can walk away. It’s your choice.”

  Casey nodded at him while E.J. watched the man through narrowed eyes. He intended to let this guy help Casey, but then he planned to grab him around the neck. If he had a weapon, E.J. would take it. He had to get them out of here.

  The man carefully cleaned the wound and then covered it with a large pad.

  “Come over here,” he told E.J. “Help me wrap this gauze around her.”

  E.J. stepped over, glad for the chance to get closer. He looked for a gun but didn’t see one. However, there was a knife in a sheath on the man’s belt and a pair of small scissors on the cot next to the gauze. One of those would have to do.

  “Can you lift up your arms?” the man asked Casey.

  She raised her right arm, but then brought up the left arm much more slowly.

  As the man handed E.J. the end of the gauze strip so he could wrap it around Casey’s waist, E.J. heard him whisper, “They’re watching and listening to everything. I’m undercover, and I plan to get you out of here. Just be cool. You need to trust me.” Then the man straightened and spoke in a normal tone of voice. “Keep your arms up until I’m done.” He and E.J. wrapped the dressing around Casey four times. “Okay, put your arms down, but be careful.” He secured the tape, and Casey let go of her blouse.

  “Keep an eye on her,” he said rather loudly to E.J. “And don’t get cute. If you do, my boss will kill you both.” He gathered the medical supplies he’d used on Casey, except for the scissors, and put everything back in a cabinet in the closet. “Stay here until I find out what my boss wants to do with you.” With that, he left the room.

  E.J. heard the door lock behind him and quickly grabbed the scissors. He was certain the man had left them there on purpose. E.J. cupped the scissors in his hand and twisted his body so he could slip them into his pocket without anyone seeing.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked Casey.

  “I swear if you ask me that again, you’ll be sorry.”

  “I just want to make sure.”

  “You’re treating me like I’m weak,” she insisted. “I’m a Deputy U.S. Marshal just like you are. Now knock it off.”

  E.J. sighed. “Point made. Sorry. So where do you think we are?”

  “I don’t know. Some warehouse in Pennsylvania? How will anyone find us?”

  E.J.’s eyes drifted up toward the ceiling. “They’re listening to us, so be careful,” he whispered.

  Casey started to move around the room.

  “The guy who bandaged you said to stay still, remember?” E.J. said. “Do you want to start bleeding again?”

  “We need to secure our witness,” she said, ignoring his comment.

  “I realize that,” he replied sharply. “I’m not an idiot.”

  Casey whirled around and glared at him. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “I wasn’t trying to treat you like you’re weak. I was just worried about you. How can you act so tough now but—”

  “But what?”

  Casey’s attitude angered him, though he wasn’t sure why. Was he just worried about her, or was he wondering where this toughness was when Jared hit her? He was horrified to even be thinking about that now, but he just couldn’t seem to control it. His frustration must have been evident in his tone, because Casey was scowling at him.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think it’s because you were shot. What if you’d been killed?”

  Casey looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “That’s the job, E.J. You know that. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you’ve got to pull yourself together.”

  “Why? So I can be more like you?” As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. He took a deep breath and blew it out with frustration. “Just forget it.”

  “You’re thinking about Jared, aren’t you?” Casey asked, her tone accusatory. “Why can’t you let that go?”

  “I didn’t bring it up, you did.”

  Casey just stared at him, slack-jawed.

  “Look at you,” E.J. spit out. “You just pulled off one of the most outrageous rescues I’ve ever seen. You’re . . . invincible. Fearless.” He ran his hands over his face, trying to steady his nerves. “For some reason it’s driving me nuts.”

  He expected her to get angry, but instead she smiled sadly. “E.J., you’re a knight in shining armor. A good guy. I was upset when you left and so I tried to make you feel guilty. That’s something you can’t handle.” She shook her head. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry I made you think you did.” She came over and put her hand on his shoulder, her dark eyes boring into his. He realized instantly that she was right. He felt guilty . . . and something else. He had feelings for Casey Sloane, and it was making him crazy. “But I think we should table this for now and talk about it later.”

  He sighed. “According to you, there’s never any time that’s right to talk about it, yet we can’t ignore this forever. It’s
a wall between us, and we need to be a team right now.”

  “Please, E.J.”

  “Okay. You’re right. Later.” He got up and walked a few feet away. When he turned around, he found her staring at him with an expression he’d never seen before. She looked almost . . . vulnerable. “I’ll be fine,” he said quickly. “Seeing you get shot scared me. I know it’s part of the job, but I’m not ready to watch you die. I care about you, Casey. Maybe more than I realized. The thought that I might lose you seems to have unhinged me.” He laughed softly. “Forgive me. I’m an idiot.”

  Her expression softened, and she nodded. “Yeah, you are. Now, let’s figure out how to protect our witness and get out of this without dying, okay?”

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-NINE

  Lieutenant Tally Williams with the St. Louis PD sat across the desk from Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sarah Armstrong, who was with the FBI in St. Louis.

  “So we’re looking for a woman by the name of Susan Bennett?” Tally asked. “You have information that she’s been kidnapped?”

  Sarah nodded. “We believe she’s being held in an attempt to coerce a witness.”

  “I take it that’s all you can tell me?”

  “Yeah. Sorry.” Sarah liked the young lieutenant. She’d heard lots of great things about him. He worked closely with the local U.S. Marshals. Tom Monnier, the Acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the District of Missouri’s U.S. Marshals Office, had recommended they contact him. Lieutenant Williams was an expert when it came to places criminals might hide out in Missouri. It took someone with knowledge of the area to uncover drug dealers and meth labs tucked away near the small towns that dotted the state. The FBI hoped that knowledge would help them find Susan Bennett.

  The lieutenant rubbed the back of his neck, probably trying to release tension. “So what can you tell me?”

  “Susan Bennett works at a coffee shop downtown. I asked and received surveillance videos from the shop and from two other businesses nearby on the day she disappeared and from a few days prior. I just got the videos and haven’t looked at them yet. Do you want to go through them with me?”