by India Kells
Before Liam could spit a stern refusal at that idea, Sam came forward and examined the vent. “Most probably, but the space is way too small for Liam or me. And from the look on my brother’s face, he won’t agree to you going.”
Liam would have barked a simple no, but it was exactly his sentiment.
“So we stay here and wish for the door to open by itself? Even if we fall to our knees and prayed, I’m smart enough to know it won’t work. We can’t miss our chance.”
Liam wanted to go caveman on her, but he knew Catriona wouldn’t give in without a logical explanation. “You’re not an agent. You don’t have to do this. It’s too dangerous. We’ll have to come back later with equipment to open the door.”
He braced for an immovable wall, but she played a much more potent card by touching his hand, skin to skin, her eyes searing his soul. “Life is a risk.”
Liam sighed. “When we entered, Devin said that the ping fell silent. The place is most probably empty by now. The operative word being probably, not definitely.”
Panic rose in him as her idea seemed to be the only solution. They had to get to the tower before anybody discovered they knew about it and moved it to another place. It was the only way to save Lazarus. Even though his brain came to grips with what needed to be done, every other part of his being screamed against it.
Sam braced, linking his hands to offer a step, and Catriona didn’t wait for his approval to do what needed to be done, with the same innocence and goodness that would be the death of her. If it didn’t kill her first.
Sam gave the initial push as Liam helped stabilize her until she could reach the vent. One quick pull and the frame fell to the ground. Liam cursed as he helped his brother give the final push.
Soon, her upper body was out of sight as she wiggled herself inside. Clenching his fist, Liam had never felt this powerless in his life, other than when he was a kid.
Now, in the most uncertain situation, he could only wait, pray, and hope.
The sound of her crawling through the vent grew more distant until he couldn’t hear her anymore.
His control was slipping when all he wanted to do was yell her name and make sure she was all right. He could call her, but he wouldn’t. Not yet, just a moment more. He remained still, listening for any indicator from the other side of the door telling them she’d made it safely.
Liam was about to reach for his phone when he heard a crashing sound followed by Catriona’s scream, and he reacted by going to the door and slamming his fist into it.
“Catriona!” Damn discretion, if the ceiling had opened and she’d fallen onto the floor.
Sam came to his side and banged as well. “Catriona! Shout out if you’re okay.”
Convinced she was hurt, and possibly unconscious, Liam asked Sam to help him through the vent. He may not be able to fit, but he could destroy his way to her.
“You won’t fit in the opening, Liam.”
“Then, we blow the fucking door open.”
“You don’t want to do that, dear nephew.”
Both Sam and Liam turned to see a woman holding a gun on them. Helen Harrington, the evil hag who’d tricked Catriona by approaching her as Hazel. Their aunt was as monstrous and sick as her brother, and had conspired against them, becoming a danger in her own right and one they shouldn’t have dismissed so easily.
“Hands up and no sudden movements. You wouldn’t want to push your luck, especially since you’ve pretty much run out of it.”
Sam tried to move closer, but Helen shook her head. “Don’t try it. I know what you’re capable of, please give me the same courtesy.”
“What do you want?”
Helen arched an eyebrow, seeming delighted by the question. “My dear, remember, you boys were the ones who stirred the pot, not the other way around. You don’t believe it wouldn’t come with consequences, do you?”
Liam leaped forward to tackle the woman, allowing Sam a shot at stopping this when the metal door opened.
Forward motion halted, he skidded to a stop when he came face to face with Finch.
Liam stared at the man before him, who he’d never met in the flesh and compared the man standing with his gun drawn to the pictures he’d seen of the one who’d given him life. His face looked thinner, and his hair was grayer. He’d aged and not well.
In a split second, the little boy in him perked up, but the man he’d become, honed by pain, held him back. That’s when pure fear started streaming through his veins. If Finch had been in there, what had he done to Catriona?
“Well, isn’t this wonderful to have a visit from two of my wayward sons. Surprised to see me? Don’t you think that since the last time I was unfortunate enough to see my blood, I wouldn’t come prepared, and be ready to retaliate?” He boomed in laughter, and Liam ground his teeth at the sound.
“We came after you because you’re a psychopath who needs to be put down.”
The accusation didn’t dim Finch’s bright smile. “Come on, son. We’re blood. Many may say the same thing about you and your brothers for that matter. Of all of them, you were the one with the greatest potential for walking the straight and narrow, and still you failed. What does that say about you? But don’t stand there, come on in!”
Liam and Sam exchanged a glance, but Helen was having none of that. “After you, boys. Now! And keep your hands up and start walking.”
Caught between their father and aunt, Liam knew that they had to bide their time. On that, he could count on Sam to keep a cool head and be on the lookout for a chance to escape.
Finch ushered them inside an executive room that has seen better days with its decor straight out of the seventies. The faint morning sun was streaming through dirty windows, illuminating the massive desk in the center. And in front of it, Catriona was on her knees, ankles, wrists, and mouth duct-taped.
When they entered, his angel glanced up, and he noticed that she’d been hit, her cheekbone was swollen, and fresh blood showed on her eyebrow.
Her eyes grew wide when she saw both Liam and Sam enter, trying to convey so much without voicing a word.
She was alive and breathing, and with that knowledge alone, Liam only had one mission to accomplish now, even if it was the last one of his life—get Catriona out safely.
“You see? I’m not so bad. I haven’t killed her—yet.”
Still in a precarious position, Liam didn’t resist when Helen wrapped his arms behind his back with layer upon layer of duct tape, followed by Sam.
“This girl is incredible. I can’t believe she came to me willingly, trusted me even though she only knew me only from the church. I would have found her perfect if she hadn’t been so nosy. Screwing up part of our plan.”
Finch relaxed, lowering his gun, knowing that his sister was still aiming for both their heads. His attention shifted to Catriona. “And she’s a pretty one, same hair color as your mother as I recall, Liam, but less flame. Is that why you like her? Why you probably fucked her?”
Finch ran his fingers through her hair and Catriona flinched, which made him and his sister laugh. “She has gumption. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such fire for myself.”
It was an obvious taunt, one that almost pushed Liam to the brink of insanity. He had to keep his head, he had to think.
Scanning the room, he saw dirty clothing in the corner, and a sleeping bag rolled on top of it. The ceiling had partly opened due to Catriona’s passage. On the desk was a laptop, closed and by the window, a black box plugged into the wall. The white tower.
Small details, like the state of his clothing and his growing beard told Liam that they may have damaged Finch more than they’d thought, and created a kink in Finch’s armor that would allow them to get through this time.
“Is this where you’ve been hiding?”
The question made Finch relinquish Catriona, turning his attention to them again. But this time, he looked at Sam who tensed.
“So quiet, my boy. You’ve always been qu
iet.”
Finch took a step closer, and Sam took a step back. Only the tell-tale click of the gun behind them stopped further movement.
While their father had looked at Liam with discontent, he approached Sam with a softer demeanor, one closer to tenderness. However, Liam had heard about the abuse Finch had inflicted on Sam as a young boy, and even if the brother hadn’t discussed the trauma openly with him, it allowed Liam to see something more in Finch’s eye. A disgusting longing for what had been, depravity that scarred the boy and still haunted his brother to this day.
Liam stepped sideways in an attempt to bring the malicious attention solely to him and it worked.
Helen hissed at his back and Finch level his gun on him. “Don’t play hero, boy. You have too much to lose now.”
“Why you don’t do everyone a favor and end your own life?”
“Not until you boys give me back my life. Not until you erase the stain you caused on my reputation. Only when I’m on top again, may I decide to leave your loved ones alone. Maybe.”
As if there was a possibility of compassion in him, of clemency.
“Is that why you planted false evidence against Lazarus? You’re stepping on him to climb back on top?”
“He was my heir! The only one who truly understood who I am, and who he could become. I could have accepted his rejection, and left him to appreciate a lowly life, like all of you, but he turned on me. Treason is unforgivable. I’m sure you both understand.”
Liam needed more. The more information he could pump from him, the more he could manage the situation, and what was to come.
“Accusing Lazarus won’t give you back your power.”
“The goal here is to all bring you down, one by one. Showing the world my sons are lowly criminals, that their words are worth nothing. It’s the first step to my rehabilitation. The plan is already in place. Nothing can stop it, not either of you, and not your little woman here.”
Liam looked at the white tower and Finch smiled. “You’re a clever boy. I only have clever boys. Too clever for their own good, and to see what’s best for them. So as a father worth his salt, I’ll teach you. You know about the relay I’ve installed here, that’s the reason you’re here. I’m not an expert, I probably made a few mistakes along the way. However, one I didn’t make was security. You’re looking at it and thinking unplugging it will solve your problems, but it won’t. I made sure of it. Even if you unplug it, there’s a failsafe, enough of a delay for it to trigger the alarm and send the information to the authorities.”
Liam didn’t want to believe him.
“You’re insane, you fucking madman.”
Liam wanted to do more than just yell at him. Like a storm, he just wished it to end, but he poked at the tiger instead.
“You will start respecting me!” In a blast of rage, he turned and pulled at Catriona’s hair. She screamed in pain as he brought her up.
“Leave her alone!”
“Kneel!” Finch’s shout felt like a punch and there was no way he could defy him. With bile rising in his throat, he swayed and knelt before the monster who’d made him. Only for one person would he do it, and she was helpless at Finch’s mercy.
It was clear that his father reveled in his power, glee lighting his silver eyes as he saw both Liam and Sam obeying him for the first time in his life. Liam knew he’d decided to inflict as much fear and pain as he could.
“She’s mine now. And if you don’t want me to put more marks on her, you will do as I say.”
The explosive anger turned to calculation in his eyes. The man wanted to play, and Liam knew it was only a matter of time before he started killing again.
His demeanor softened, and he rubbed his cheek against Catriona’s hair, still locking gazes with Liam in an evident taunt that was clouding his judgment toward his precious angel. He wanted to tear free from his bonds and kill his father with his bare hands, but he was powerless.
“I can see she’s much more to you than a simple ally.” With the gun still clutched in his hand, he caressed her belly before slowly rising, clearly enjoying the effect he had on him. Liam felt so tense, almost felt his bones were ready to break, but it was Sam who snarled, snapping from his usual countenance.
“Don’t put your filthy paws on her!”
Liam didn’t want to put too much emphasis on how much he wanted to protect Catriona, so she wouldn’t be used as leverage. However, Sam was too shaken to think the same.
Helen came behind him and touched his hair in an evil caress. “Easy, my dear. He’s not hurting her.” Her hand came down on him, and before Liam could tell her to remove her hand from his brother, Sam snapped like never before. He emitted a growl similar to a cornered animal and launched himself at the woman, despite his bonds.
Sam tackled Helen, but only hit her enough to make her fall back, her gun skidding a few feet away. Helen was fast to get back to her feet, and as volatile as her brother, started punching and kicking Sam hard, until he crumpled to the floor. Helen was out of breath and abandoned the reason for her wrath. Sam stayed on the floor, shivering.
Liam tried to help him, but Finch was quick to remind him that he was in control of the situation. “You need to know your place, both of you. You should thank your aunt, Sam, for reminding you. Now, Liam, it’s your turn to learn your lesson.”
Still holding Catriona by the hair, Finch lifted his weapon. Unable to speak, Catriona struggled, but it only made Finch more excited. Liam heard Helen laugh behind him, spurring her brother on, taunting him to kill the woman.
Liam tried to push himself up, but Helen grabbed his hair before slamming him to the ground, one foot on his back, preventing him from helping his angel.
“Catriona!” Her name on his lips was mixed with the explosion of the weapon being fired. Liam fought the feet keeping him down, his heart bleeding at the realization Catriona was dead.
However, when a body fell beside him, he realized the gun had been fired from behind him, and that it was Helen who’d fallen, lifeless beside him.
Liam rolled away, scrambling up as Finch roared in fury. Catriona was still alive and when he looked back, Liam saw Cary holding Helen’s gun. It was like being sucker punched. How was the boy here?
Sam was slowly coming back to his senses and inched away, dazed, and trying to understand what had just happened.
At that moment, time sped up, and Liam reacted. Finch threw Catriona away and she fell hard on the floor. He knew that was his moment to attack. Muscles bunching, he launched himself forward and tackled Finch and they tumbled over the desk.
Hands behind his back, Liam knew he didn’t have an opening, but he wouldn’t allow Finch the opportunity to shoot Cary. With luck, even if he died, Cary had a chance to free Sam, therefore saving Catriona.
The fight was over quickly as Finch never let go of his weapon, pointing it at Liam’s head. “I don’t think any lesson would get through your thick skull. Let’s see if a bullet will.”
“Leave him alone!”
Finch looked away at the woman’s voice. Catriona had removed the tape from her lips, and Finch’s smile faltered when he realized what she intended to do. The top of the white tower had been opened and she held a taser in her hand.
Liam gasped when she moved and pressed the taser to the tower. There was a sudden electrical explosion, sparks blinding them all. He heard Cary cry out, and Sam shouting. Quickly, smoke engulfed the room, and all Liam could see, when he was finally able to open his eyes, was Catriona’s hand a few feet from him.
“Liam!” Sam was there, cutting at the tape. Liam crawled to Catriona, and he was almost by her side when the tape finally fell away. Cary was already close.
“Where’s Finch?”
“Gone. He took off during the explosion.”
He should have been relieved, but Catriona was unconscious and that broke him in two. Cary was openly crying.
“She’s dead, he killed her.”
With trembling fingers, Liam t
ouched her throat and wept when he fell the faint flutter of a heartbeat, inconsistent, but still there.
“She’s alive, but we need to get her to the hospital, now!”
Liam took her in his arms and, with Cary keeping close and Sam leading the way, started running, begging her to hang on, and praying to whoever was listening, to protect the angel in his arms.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I’m happy you’re healed and coming back to work, Harker. I know the last few weeks had been difficult for you, and very busy. It’s too bad you weren’t able to arrest Jamieson Finch to celebrate the new year. At least with all the additional data you’ve brought us, we’re making the case against him rock solid. That is, if we ever get our hands on him.”
Liam’s jaws clenched at his captain’s words but didn’t say what he thought of his failure.
“I’m not pulling you off the investigation, so you can relax. I read your report, and I can see how close you’ve come to catching him. I know how dedicated you are to your work, so you’ll remain under my direct orders. Continue your work, keep me appraised of your investigation, and maintain the line as straight and narrow as possible. Understood?”
Liam nodded, grateful his boss had not only kept him on the force, but was allowing him to continue tracking his father, even if it was on the down-low.
Dismissed, Liam walked into the bullpen, a weight falling from his shoulders. Part of it at least, but he refused to think about it. About her.
When he reached the bullpen, he sat for a minute, his mind still filled with everything that happened, amazed at the sheer luck they all had. One of the most incredible of them all was the rebellious Cary, who, in the end, saved them all. So frightened for Catriona, he had bundled up and hid in the trunk of their car as they returned into the city, following them from a distance until he jumped into action and stunned them all.
Liam had to jump through hoops to protect the boy, straightening the story between him, Sam, and Cary to make sure nothing would happen. As a cop, it would be way easier to justify the use of the weapon and report it as self-defense. Even if he would get a reprimand about it, possibly lose his job, Liam knew it would be worth it for Cary.