Shadows of Deceit (A Series of Shadows)

by Mell Corcoran

  “That didn’t take long.” Lou told him but when she looked to the driver’s seat, no one was there. “Dillon?” She called out, thinking perhaps she dreamed she heard the door. Unfortunately, the unique and unmistakable sensation of a gun being placed to her right temple scratched that idea, as well as any grogginess. The hot lead, adrenaline-fear combo shoot through her system as soon as she realized what was going on.

  “Not Dillon.” The distinct South African Accent let Lou know that Cameron Timms was holding a gun to her head and sitting directly behind her.

  “OK, so we have established you are not Dillon.” Lou gathered her wits as best as she could. A million things running through her head at once. No way was she going to get taken again. Not a chance. “What can I do for you, Mr. Timms?”

  “You know, Albert mentioned you were a quick girl.” He whispered in her left ear while pressing the gun a bit harder on the right. “I thought he was exaggerating at the time. Perhaps I was wrong?”

  “How is Albert?” Lou asked, even though the fact that he had been in contact with the man that nearly killed her made her heart thump much faster than she liked. “I never did get to say goodbye to him.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be disappointed to hear he is doing quite well.” Timms snickered. “Although I haven’t spoken to him since he landed on my doorstep after you had him exiled. Fortunately we share a mutual disdain for the Sanguinostri so I was more than happy to assist him in his relocation.”

  “Aww, he moved away?” Lou was trying to keep it together.

  “Oh I am sure he’ll be seeing you soon.” Timms was enjoying the banter. “I introduced him to some of my, well, less savory associates who were all too happy to help him get reestablished in a safe place. I’m sure his arm is back to normal by now and he’s already making plans to visit you soon.”

  Lou’s heart froze to learn that Albert had recovered the arm Max had severed when he rescued her. From everything she had learned, all it would have taken was time and patience for the Sanguinostri blood to fuse the tissue and bone back in place. This meant that all Albert really was suffering from was the exile. That and the fact that there was a global order that he be killed on sight.

  “So, again, what can I do for you, Mr. Timms?” Lou tried to stall until Dillon got back and could rescue her. “I’m sure this visit isn’t just so you can update me on Albert.”

  “True, true.” He answered in a sing-songy voice. “I anticipate that you are my best ticket out of this godforsaken place.” Something drew his attention. “Here comes your parasite partner. Now, you be a good girl and say nothing or I will not only blow a hole through your head, but I will blow one through your partner’s, then I will drive up the hill and do the same to your mother and your step-father. Do you understand?”

  Lou froze again at the fact that Timms knew she lived up the hill. She was too beat up to put up a fight and there was no way of tipping Dillon off before he got to the car. If she reached for her phone, Timms would notice. She was screwed. Again. “I understand.” She answered finally, knowing full well there was nothing she could do at this point. Even when she could tell Timms was ducking down in the back seat, she could still feel the gun to her head, just shifted to the back of her skull now. She had to hope that Dillon would sense something wrong or see Timms in the back before it was too late.

  “Not a word, Detective.” Timms admonished her one last time in a hushed voice just before Dillon opened the driver’s side door.

  “OK!” He placed the box of chili dogs on her lap then got into the car. “That didn’t take so long?” Dillon looked at his watch, adjusting it to the light so he could see how long he had been gone. “See!”

  “No.” Lou agreed in a weak tone as Dillon closed his door and buckled himself in.

  “You OK? Pain starting to kick in?” He paused to ask her before he put the car in reverse. It was then that he saw the barrel of the second gun Cameron Timms was holding, pointed directly to his face.

  “That depends on you, sport.” Timms answered, using the nickname Vinny had taken to calling him. “Yes, detective, you can be sure I will make a visit to your lieutenant’s house and his lovely pregnant wife, should you give me any fuss.”

  “Well this sucks.” Was all Dillon could say.

  “No shit.” Lou snorted.

  “Glad that we all are on the same page.” Timms interjected as he seated himself upright in the back seat, a gun in each hand, trained at both of their heads. “Drive, sport.”

  “Where are we headed?” Dillon asked, his tone nonchalant as if it were just any other day.

  “You were taking our lovely detective home, I believe.” Timms posited. “Let’s not keep her mother waiting. She’ll get worried.”

  “Home for Lou it is.” Dillon repeated his instructions, carefully pulling out of the parking lot and on to the road.

  Fifty million scenarios were running through Lou’s mind all at once. From what Timms had said thus far, it appeared he had no clue that Max, Abby and Frank were staying at her house. That was Lou’s saving grace. She knew that Timms being a blood born meant he was exceedingly strong and fast. She had seen first hand with the fight he put up with Dillon at the warehouse. However, between Max, Dillon, Frank and Abby, it was four against one and if Lou could just get her parents out of the way, she was sure they could take him down.

  “So...” Dillon spoke up, looking at Timms through the rear-view mirror. “What’s up at Lou’s that is so important to you?”

  “Leverage, my good man. Leverage.” Timms was grinning. Lou could hear it in his voice. “If your Dominor would make a personal appearance to save his little detective once, he will surely do so to save her and her parents again. Well, and you too, of course.”

  “Me?” Dillon scoffed. “After me letting you beat the crap out of her at the warehouse? I’m lucky he didn’t hack my head off this morning! It’s just a matter of when, not if, at this point so don’t put me into your equation.” Timms stared at Dillon’s reflection for a long while. Apparently registering what Dillon had just said. “Hell, I should be begging you to take me with you!” Dillon laughed again. “You’re probably my only shot at living another week.”

  “You are so full of shit!” Timms shoved the barrel of the gun into the back of Dillon’s head.

  “He isn’t.” Lou caught on to what Dillon was doing. “If it weren’t for the fact that I am so beat up and need him to help cover up the Vargas brother’s mess, he would be on the missing person’s list himself. Abby is already getting a replacement for him.” Lou could hear Timms chuckle.

  “Getting lax in the training department it would seem.” Timms was clearly amused, and buying their rouse. “You would betray your own to save your skin then?”

  “No offense, Lou.” Dillon looked over at her as they approached the guard gate to the community. “I just got here, man. I have no allegiance to these people.”

  “Asshole.” Lou muttered under her breath.

  “What was that?” Timms demanded from her.

  “You’re an asshole, Dillon.” Lou repeated and clarified.

  “Maybe.” Dillon replied. “But if you say one word to raise the guards’ attention, I’ll crack another rib. Get down.” Dillon looked at Timms through the rear-view mirror and Timms didn’t hesitate. Dillon pulled up to the gate and waved at the first guard. “Hey guys. Dillon Cole bringing Lou Donovan home for the night.” The guard looked past Dillon to the passenger seat to see Lou sitting there.

  “Evening Miss Lou.” The second guard shouted as the first guard checked his clipboard, then verified the vehicle on the computer screen inside.

  “Hi.” Lou said half heartedly.

  “She took a header and her pain meds are kicking in.” Dillon explained Lou’s blase’ greeting away.

  “Another one?” The second guard chuckled.

  “Alright, you’re cleared to go in.” The first guard kept things professional and proceeded to raise the barrier arm
and open the huge iron gates so that they could enter.

  “Thanks.” Dillon smiled at the men. “Have a good night.”

  “You too.” The second guard smiled and waved. “Feel better Miss Lou!” He shouted but Dillon was already hitting the gas to get past the gate.

  “You are never going to get away with this.” Lou scowled once they were driving up the bend. “Especially you, Dillon. You’re already dead but once Max learns you betrayed me? You are fish food in the Congo.”

  “Well done Mr. Cole.” Timms smiled as he sat upright in the back seat. “I may just have use for you after all.”

  “At your service.” Dillon grinned at him through the rear-view mirror and to Lou’s surprise, Timms lowered the gun he had trained on him. “So what’s the end-game here?”

  Timms thought for a moment. Clearly thinking twice about revealing his plan. “As the new Principate, I am sure you have a computer set up at home that’s tapped in to the Sanguinostri mainframe.” Timms decided to spill his plan. “I will need to make use of that to get updated data. Given your Dom has clearly uncovered my little enterprise, he has undoubtedly locked me out of my family’s access points.”

  “That’s a safe bet.” Dillon agreed.

  “Right.” Timms continued. “Well, once I have what I need from your system, we simply need to get to the plane I have waiting at Whiteman airport. With that data, I can plot our safest destination and I can regroup there.”

  “Good plan.” Dillon nodded his approval just as they made the turn up the drive to Lou’s house.

  Darkness had firmly settled in and as they came up the McAllister driveway the only lights on were the landscaping, front porch and one dim light from a room upstairs on the right. Lou’s heart sank when she saw not one single car in the drive. That meant that no one, not Max, Abby or Frank were there. If her parents were home, nearly the entire house would be lit. On the other hand they were not, which meant they were not in danger.

  “Her parents are morning people. They crash out early.” Dillon told Timms. “Especially her mom. They’ll be asleep by now. Friday night is the housekeeper’s night off, too.”

  “Asshat traitor.” Lou muttered under her breath, just audible enough for Timms to make out what she said. Dillon could see Timms smile at her displeasure.

  “Where do you normally drop her off?” Timms asked him.

  “Up on the side there, see the stairs past the garages?” Dillon pointed as he slowed the car a bit.

  “Then do as you normally do.” Timms instructed. “But know this, Mr. Cole, if you lie to me, I will dismember your body and bury the parts across five continents. Are we clear?”

  “I’ve already seen your skills in the dismemberment department.” Dillon chuckled nervously. “No need to say anything more.”

  “Good.” Timms sat at attention. “Now we will go inside, as usual. Once we get in, I want you, Mr. Cole, to go in and rouse the parents. Tell them you can’t find her medication or something and she is in enormous pain.”

  Dillon snorted. “That might not get them up! They have to be used to that one by now.”

  “Well then it will be your job to make sure they understand the urgency. Get it?” Timms wasn’t amused by Dillon’s joke.

  “I get it.” He answered as he brought the SUV to a stop. “Let me get her out of the car.”

  “Remember, Mr. Cole...” Timms pressed the gun to the back of Dillon’s head again. “Five different continents. Don’t screw up.”

  “Understood.” Dillon took a deep breath and waited for Timms to remove the gun before he got out and made his way around to the passenger side.

  “Don’t worry, Detective.” Timms scooted so Lou could feel his breath on her left cheek. “I won’t spoil Albert’s plans for you. Just get me the data I want and I will be on my way. I’ll meet up with your Dom another time.”

  “So your not gonna dangle me as bait like you originally planned?” Lou asked him.

  “No need for that now that I have a willing valet in your disappointing Mr. Cole.” He smirked. “Don’t worry there either. I’ll dispose of him once I’m safely out of the country. Maybe I’ll drop his limbs one by one over various oceans!” He laughed at the idea.

  “Boy, no wonder you and Albert get along.” Lou was the one who smirked this time but before Timms had a chance to get angry, Dillon opened Lou’s door and proceeded to lift her out.

  “Alright, don’t fuss like last time.” Dillon instructed her. “Let me just carry you so we can get upstairs in under a decade. You are too damned slow.”

  “Yes, Detective...” Timms dismissed Lou’s earlier jab. “Lets not let your handicap delay us. Just toss her over your shoulder if you must.” Timms got out of the car as soon as Dillon started lifting Lou out of the seat. He tried to keep the gun trained on her but something shifted and he lost sight of her.

  Even though it was a blur, Dillon had tossed Lou over his shoulder which enabled Lou to see what happened next. Once he had her secured, Dillon raced for the stairs and Lou watched as Yuri, Connor, Niko and Finn converged on Cameron Timms. What caught her breath was the sight of Max literally pushing Dillon’s car out of the way so the four men could pin the blood born to the ground. Niko kicking the rear passenger door straight off it’s hinges, sending it skittering down the driveway so he could put all his weight on Timms’ lower extremities.

  “Close your eyes, Tallulah.” Max looked back at her as Dillon made his way up the stairs with Lou flung over his shoulder.

  Lou recognized the glint of silver in Max’s hand. She remembered it like it was yesterday. It was the same glint she saw right before she lost consciousness after Albert tried to slice her throat open. But it had been Max’s sword, not Albert’s knife. She knew what that sword was for and when she saw Max turn and position himself over Cameron Timms’ head then raise his arm, Lou knew exactly what was about to happen. She did what he asked. Lou squeezed her eyes shut and didn’t open them until she felt Dillon put her down on what felt like her bed and she heard her mother’s voice rushing toward her.

  “Tallulah!” Shevaun was on her knees in front of Lou as soon as she opened her eyes. “Are you alright?” Her mother began checking her daughter for any injuries.

  “She’s not hurt.” Dillon assured her. “Well, any more than she was when she left this afternoon.”

  “Oh thank God you’re alright!” Shevaun hugged her daughter too tight, causing her ribs to protest.

  “Ow! I am fine.” Lou tried to hug her mother back. “Not so tight though, please.”

  “Oh!” Shevaun loosened her grip and leaned back. “Well at least that one didn’t last too long!” She joked nervously. “But I’m gonna have to put my foot down and say you are forbidden from being abducted anymore. You hear me?”

  “It wasn’t an abduction, Momma.” Lou corrected her. “It was more like a hijack. Or a carjack.” Lou turned her attention to her terrace doors where she saw Joe, Abby and Frank standing guard. “What’s happening?” Lou asked them.

  “Never you mind that.” Shevaun instructed. “They have things under control.”

  “What does that mean?” Lou wanted to know. “Exactly?”

  “It means we wait.” Frank chided.

  Abby slugged Frank in the shoulder but he never took his eyes from out the glass door. “It shouldn’t be long now. Abby looked at Lou and smiled but they all jumped when Niko appeared out of nowhere in the main doorway.

  “Good job activating your beacon, bro.” He smiled at Dillon as he headed straight over to Lou and knelt down. “OK you.” He grinned at her then took hold of the medallion he had given her that morning. “I never thought I would be grateful that I forgot to show you how to turn this thing off and on.” For all intensive purposes the medallion looked like a small silver and gold compass, but much older. Niko took the disk in his hands and demonstrated as he told her what to do. “You line the stars up at the top to turn it on. Then you can turn it to any other position to shut
it off.”

  “OK.” Lou wasn’t quite sure she was understanding. She had been pretty drugged up when he put the thing on her.

  “When the stars are lined up, we can turn our monitoring stuff on and hear every word you are saying. When it’s off, it’s just a GPS tracker.”

  “So you heard everything that was said?” Dillon wanted clarification.

  “When Dillon’s watch thingie went off, they immediately checked to see if Lou was still transmitting!” Shevaun offered the information since she was there at the time. “They heard everything from the point where Dillon asked you if your pain was kicking in.”

  “Nice rouse too, by the way.” Niko looked back at Dillon.

  “It was worth a shot!” Dillon admitted. “It was the only thing I could come up with since all I was thinking was that I really was a dead man. Our Dom was surely going to have my head for leaving Lou alone.”

  “Nah, it wouldn’t have been your head.” Niko winked at Lou. “You alright?” He asked her.

  “Yeah!” She blinked several times. “I’m still not sure I know what’s going on though.”

  Niko chuckled. “All you need to know is that your chili dogs kinda got squished so you’ll need to beg your mom to make you something to eat.”

  “What?” Lou had forgotten all about the chili dogs.

  “Nevermind.” Niko stood up and patted her on the head. “Now, we gotta go.” He looked to Abby and Frank and they both nodded in some unspoken understanding. Frank stepped out of the way so Niko could exit through the balcony.

  “Go where?!” Lou shouted after him but he already had disappeared from sight. “What the hell?”

  “They probably won’t be back until Monday.” Abby informed her as she sat down next to her on the bed.

  “I’ll go make up some sandwiches for everyone.” Shevaun kissed her daughter’s cheek before she got up and left the room.

  “While we were preparing for you all to get here, Niko got a call from his South American counterpart, Lena Ruiz.” Frank explained. “They were able to apprehend both Ernesto Vargas and Manuel Rojas trying to leave Costa Rica.”