Penance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 2)

by Reese A. Stephens

  “And you’re mine.”

  We catch up for a few minutes about nothing in particular before she’s called away on an emergency surgery. It was enough though, hearing her voice always calms me down. I walk back into the conference room and take my seat again. Marsh watches me for a moment, assessing whether my anger has subsided.

  “So what’d I miss,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

  Marsh grins slightly before speaking. “I think we may have a place to start. We’ve gotten some good intel from Grant today and our agent should be here in the next five minutes. So, I’m going to have a couple of my guys take Grant to the holding cells down in the basement. I don’t want him knowing who our agent is, just in case.” I nod at Marsh and watch as two agents in black suits take Grant out of the room.

  “So, where are we starting?” I ask Marsh.

  “Grant remembers hearing Lyon talking on the phone with someone he called boss, but he said in the same call Lyon lowered his voice and called the person ‘baby’. It’s something we’d suspected for a while, but had no proof.

  “What’s that?” I ask.

  “We think the ‘boss’ is actually a woman,” he answers.

  “Why hide it?”

  “This business is still a male dominated one,” Marsh says with a shrug. “Sometimes a little anonymity will take you farther.”

  “Right, so any ideas on who this possible woman is?”

  “No. That’s why I want to talk to our agent.”

  We all look up as a woman I recognize from Lyon’s bar comes into the room. Though, this time she’s not wearing the black Lyon’s tee-shirt, she’s wearing a business suit and has her hair piled on her head in a bun.

  “Caroline Davies, this is Oak Grove Police Chief Ryan Jacobs, his Detective, Jessica Bailey, and our new Assistant Director, Harrison Marsh,” Garrison introduces.

  “It’s nice to meet you all.”

  We return the sentiment and Marsh gets straight to business. “We have reason to believe that the head of the organization is a woman, have you been able to gather any information on that?”

  “No. The ones I’ve reported on are the only ones I’ve had any contact with. I have noticed an increase in bouncers and other people I have not met coming and going out the back, almost nightly.”

  “Do you know what they’re doing?”

  “Some go into Lyon’s office, but a lot go to the back room. I’ve not been able to go back there yet. I was told I had to work there for at least a year before I’d have access to that room; I spoke to my handler and that was my plan. I’ve been there six months already. So, I was to hold my position and drop hints about wanting to get a promotion to something that would put me in that room. The girls who wait tables in that back room make at least a grand a night.”

  Marsh starts to say something, but Caroline interrupts him. “Look, I get that you have this murder to solve, but I’ve been on this case for a long time. I don’t want you guys coming around and spooking them. We could lose everything we have invested in our case.”

  Marsh nods. “I understand that, Ms. Davies, but we have a duty to find out who’s behind this murder and the possible threat of another murder. I’d prefer to find out who it is before another innocent life is taken. I don’t plan to encroach on your territory. Your handler will remain the same, but I do need you to understand that I am in charge of this case now and I will direct my people as I see fit. We want to catch this murderer, but we also want to bring down this gambling ring as well.”

  “Understood, sir.”

  “Good. I’d like you to continue as you are. If I have any further directions for you, I’ll contact your handler to reach you.” She nods at him as he closes one of the files. “You’re dismissed, Agent Davies.”

  “Sirs, Ma’am.” Caroline leaves, the door clicking a little too harshly behind her.

  “You don’t think she could have answered any more questions?” I ask.

  Marsh shakes his head. “No, she’s been there six months and has no real intel. I doubt in six more she’d have anything else. I’ll keep her there just so we have eyes, but there’s really nothing she can do being content to wait it out.”

  “So what now?”

  “Well, I think it’s time I did a little gambling.” He smiles broadly.

  “Now we’re talking!”

  I slap him on the back, laughing. Undercover with Marsh was one of my favorite things to do when I was in the FBI. It’s just a shame that I won’t be able to join him in the action this time.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ryan

  It doesn’t take Marsh and I very long to set up the plan for infiltrating Lyon’s gambling ring. Why this wasn’t done before, I have no clue. Marsh only says it wasn’t high on the list of priorities, but Agent Davies was put in place to observe and report. Her main objective was to be sure things weren’t getting out of hand. In my book, she failed, but when there’s bigger fish to fry, things in small towns such as Oak Grove and Brantsville get overlooked. An unfortunate side effect of the business.

  “Everything is ready, Chief.” Jessica pokes her head into my office.

  “Great. We’ll leave tomorrow around three. It should give us plenty of time to get there and set up without detection. I’ll meet Marsh and his men at the rendezvous point after I drop you guys off.”

  Jessica shuts the door and sits down. She looks unsure of what she’s about to say. “May I speak freely?” I nod. “Are you sure Anderson and Snyder can handle this?”

  “I think as long as they stay in the van, they’ll be fine. You’re in charge. If they blow this mission or compromise us in any way, they’re out. I’ll be back at the van before eight when Marsh goes in. Just watch. That’s all you guys need to do until I get there. You’ll go in as planned.”

  “Sir, I mean no disrespect, nor am I questioning your orders, but I really think Snyder and I can handle this. Anderson’s got a bad temper and a short fuse.”

  “I’m aware of that, but I need three in the van at all times. He can be dismissed after I get there if he’s not needed or if he causes a problem. Besides, he’s the best we have for the technical part of this mission.”

  “You’re right, he is the best.” She says and looks away slightly. “I suppose as long as he can stay put and control his temper, we’ll be all right. It’s me that’s his problem anyway.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask, not sure where she’s going with this.

  “He can’t respect my position. He’s still angry he was passed up.”

  “Well, he’ll have to put that aside and do his job or he’ll have bigger problems than his wounded ego,” I reply out of frustration. “Why don’t you go ahead and take off. We’ll meet back here tomorrow after lunch and then head to Brantsville.”

  Jessica gives me a nod before she leaves. I need to address this issue with Anderson after this case is completed. He needs to trust the people I promote. I have no time for the ‘good ole boy’ network. Jessica earned her promotion. My cell rings, bringing me out of my thoughts. I smile when I see it’s Dylan.

  “Hey, buddy.”

  “Hey, will you be at the game tonight?”

  The game! I totally forgot. “Yeah, I’ll be there. I think Mom is off tonight. So, we’ll drop off Hannah at Gran’s and come.”

  “Good. I was worried you’d have to miss again.”

  I run my hand over my face. I’ve missed so much of his life, every time I miss something now, the guilt I feel is unreal! More so when I know that he notices my absence.

  “No, buddy. I’ll be there.”

  “Great. This is our big game against Central,” he says excitedly. “I really want to beat them. We’ve been doing extra practices, so I think we have a good chance.”

  I smile. The rivalry against Central has been going on since before my dad was in school. “I know you can do it.”

  We chat for a few minutes about the different plays they’ve learned, as well as a few non
-football related topics. It’s good to have a minute that’s not consumed with Mathis or my other cases. When I’m finished with this one, I’m taking my whole family on a much needed and well-deserved vacation.

  “See you tonight, Son.”

  “Yeah, see you after practice.”

  We hang up and I finish a few more odds and ends at the office, making sure everything is set up for tomorrow’s sting operation. After I pack up my desk and give May a few instructions for tomorrow, I head home.

  “Honey, I’m home!” I call as I enter our home.

  “Kitchen!” Shayla shouts from the other room.

  Shayla is standing in front of the stove, stirring something in a pot vigorously, making her whole body shake. I walk up behind her and grab her hips, pulling her against me. I lay several kisses along her neck.

  “You keep stirring like that and I’ll have to drag you to the bedroom,” I say heatedly.

  She pushes back against me. “I can’t stop right now or it will burn! Knock it off.” Her voice is playful.

  I press closer to her. “Let it burn, baby. I need you.”

  She pushes the pot to a different burner on the stove and turns in my arms. “Hannah is at Mom’s.”

  Her lips are on mine before I can say another word. I don’t waste time as I lift her in my arms and carry her off to our bedroom without breaking our kiss. I lay her gently on the bed, kissing everywhere my lips can reach.

  “I’ve missed you,” I mumble against her skin.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been working so much lately.”

  I don’t want or need her apologies. I’ve been working just as much as she has. I just want her right now. We make quick work of our clothes, getting lost in each other. We seem to never have enough time, but stealing these small moments is so worth it. To feel connected to her, and show her how in love I am with her is everything to me. After making love, we lie side by side for several long moments, catching our breath before either of us can speak.

  “Dylan’s game is at seven,” Shayla finally says.

  I kiss her forehead. “I know, he called me today. What were you making earlier?”

  “Pudding, but it’s all right. I can redo it.”

  “Was it real pudding or healthy stuff?” I tease.

  She pushes me away from her as she climbs out of our bed. “It is real, just because it’s healthy doesn’t make it less real, Ryan.” She scowls at me, but there’s no real heat behind it.

  I laugh loudly. I love riling her up. “You wanna get some food at Mooney’s before the game?”

  “That sounds good,” she replies, gathering her clothes.

  After deciding on a plan and retrieving our daughter from Gail’s, we head out to eat. Dinner is great and Hannah is adorable, but as adorable as she is, it’s too cold this time of night for her to go with us to her brother’s game. We drop her off at my mom’s and then head over to the school. Watching the game is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Dylan plays unbelievably well and I notice the coach talking to a man who I’m almost positive is a college scout. Dylan’s team wins 49-14, the crowd goes wild, some rushing the field to lift the players up in cheers. The excitement on my son’s face is priceless. It’s moments like these that make life worth living.

  The next day I do a few things around the house and check on Mathis’ whereabouts. There have not been any new sightings in almost three weeks; that has me worried. We’ve doubled our efforts to locate him, but without any new leads, it’s made tracking him almost impossible at this point. I close up my computers and home office, pick up Hannah and get her and myself ready to go. I drop Hannah off with Gail and head over to the station.

  “Jess, be ready to go in twenty,” I call out to Jessica as I walk past her desk on the way to my office.

  “Sure thing, Boss. I have the van packed and ready.”

  I give her a nod, but don’t stop to chat. I need to touch base with Marsh before we leave and I also need to be sure that everything is set here at the station. I stop in front of May’s desk before going to my office.

  “Any problems today?”

  “No, sir. There are two messages for you. I put the information on your desk. Neither message was urgent.”

  “Thanks. Make sure you have a car run by Judson’s.”

  “Yes, sir,” May agrees.

  I head into my office and pick up the two messages. One is from my sister; I’ll deal with her later and the other is from Marsh. I immediately call him back.

  “Marsh.”

  “Hey man, you called?”

  “Yep, first things first, I got the all clear from the director to proceed with our plan.”

  “That’s great!”

  “Davies was able to pull a few strings and get in the back room as a waitress. So, we’ve had eyes on the inside the past few nights.”

  “Anything come up from her surveillance?’

  “Just that we are now positive that they are running an illegal gambling joint. I have high hopes that if I win at Black Jack enough times that they’ll call me out. Davies said that one of the girls told her about a man who was counting cards and winning big, but they caught him. When she asked what happened to him, the girl didn’t know, but the description Davies got matched Grant to a T.”

  “Really? Funny he didn’t say anything about that before.”

  “Yeah, when I confronted him about it, he confessed to counting cards and is willing to help tonight, but my gut tells me this guy is in even deeper than he’s letting on.”

  “Seems there’s a lot that Grant failed to mention to us.”

  “Definitely!” Marsh concurs emphatically. “I honestly think he may even know who the head honcho is, but is either hiding it because he has some sort of end game with them, or he’s too afraid to admit he knows.”

  “Possibly,” I say as I run my hand through my hair. What is this guy up too? “What exactly will his role be tonight?”

  “I’ve been counting cards since I was a kid. I don’t need his help with that. He’ll be in another van around the block with a couple of agents. We will be using him for identification purposes only.”

  “Sounds good.” I pause, getting a bad feeling. “You don’t think he will try to take off or give Lyon a heads up in some way, do you?”

  “Nah,” Marsh says immediately. “He’s too afraid of what will happen to him if he does.”

  “All right.” I nod, as if Marsh can see me. “We’ll be there by three to set up and then we’ll meet you at the rendezvous point.”

  “Great. I’ll see you then.”

  After hanging up, I gather my team for a quick briefing then we set out. We’ve borrowed one of the FBI’s undercover vans that is made up to look like a security company’s. It’s the same security company that has been working on a local bank for the past week. No one will be the wiser as the van has been parked there on and off for most of the week.

  The four of us, Jessica, Snyder, Anderson, and I, load up the gear we need, get into my SUV and head to Brantsville. Once there, it only takes us about fifteen minutes to get all of our equipment into place, for my three officers to head out to where the van is set up, and for me to get to my meeting with Marsh.

  The nondescript building is set off the road a bit, but is still in a public area with other offices in the general vicinity. I walk into what appears to be a doctor’s office and give my name. Moments later I’m called back. I follow a short young lady in scrubs to the back of the building then down a flight of stairs. She nods to the door then leaves me. I press the green button and after a series of beeps, the door opens automatically. The room looks like a typical office with desks and cubicles, but in the center is a series of large monitors, side by side. Together they make one huge display of the surrounding areas. One window shows the security van in front of the bank driving away, and seconds later a different one, probably the phony van full of my people, taking its place.

  “Jacobs!” I turn to a beaming Marsh. He rea
ches out and shakes my hand then slaps my shoulder. “How great is it to be working on a mission together again, especially one that doesn’t have your wife in danger?”

  “Most definitely preferred, that’s for sure,” I laugh and motion my head to all the equipment. “This place is pretty awesome.”

  “Oh, yeah. I was surprised by it myself. I didn’t expect them to have a command center like this.”

  “Is this your main office then?”

  “Nah, this is the office for this area. It didn’t start out as restricted and it really isn’t meant to be, but we needed to keep you out of any areas that may be suspicious. The girl that showed you down is the daughter of one of the agents. If you had opened the door to the left at the bottom of the stairs, you would’ve ended up at the back of the building. The front entrance is out that way.”

  He points to a long wall of windows. It doesn’t list them as the FBI, of course, but it does say they are a private security firm. The same security firm whose van we replaced with our people. Things are starting to click together.

  “This is a front company used by the FBI,” I say, surprised. Marsh winks and touches his nose. I roll my eyes. “So, let’s get down to business. What’s the plan?”

  Marsh and I discuss every detail of what’s going to happen. He’s not trying to take them down tonight, but gather as much intel as he can. Of course, if the opportunity arises, he’ll take it, but for now, we’re just looking for the evidence they need to go after the higher-ups in the organization. In fact, there’s a very good likelihood that we will not be arresting Ralph’s killer any time soon. All we know is that Hatchet is supposed to be the one who takes people out, but we have no evidence at all that he was the one who murdered Ralph, aside from what Grant said, but that’s not enough. As of right now, Colby Jack is the only person we have in connection with Ralph’s murder. It’s not that Ralph’s case is not important, but he’s not the priority. They need to take down this illegal gambling ring once and for all. Arresting someone on murder charges won’t really do much in the grand scheme of things.