Trace of Doubt

by DiAnn Mills

  “And it got him killed.”

  “Left a wife and two small kids.” He snorted. “I want to cuff Stover and Chandler myself.”

  I sensed my blood pressure skyrocket. “That’s my claim.”

  He pushed off his car. “Might as well see what the bosses say.”

  “My guess is a butt-chewing and specifics on how to make arrests.”

  Behind a closed door inside a conference room, Mike and I positioned ourselves across from Special Agent in Charge Rogers and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Leonard.

  SAC Rogers, more Mike’s age, expressed the need for arrests. He jotted notes on a legal pad of paper. “We lack sufficient evidence for a search warrant.”

  “Shelby is working on it.” I showed him last night’s text. “No one could be more motivated.”

  Rogers leaned back in his chair. “Have you heard from Ms. Pearce since?”

  “No, sir,” I said. “All communications have been forwarded to you and ASAC Leonard.”

  “We assume Stover and Chandler have a deal about to take place for them to stay in Miami for this long. The risk must have millions at stake,” Rogers said. “Has Pearce mentioned any more about Feng Liu or John Rudder?”

  “Not any more than I’ve given you.”

  ASAC Leonard frowned, a grim-faced man whom I’d seen smile once in the seven years I’d known him. “Until Pearce confirmed Liu’s girlfriend, we were merely speculating. Word is Stover and Liu are negotiating for a merger, and she’s leaving the country. Could be they’re holding off until the deal with Rudder is sealed.”

  “While the danger for Shelby rises.” The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to yank them back. “My—”

  “Denton—” Leonard leaned in—“is your relationship with Ms. Pearce a liability?”

  I pushed aside my dislike for him. “My apprehension would be for anyone working as an informant and unprepared. A Miami agent’s death shows Marissa Stover’s capabilities. Shelby is taking precautions with the knowledge that everything in the penthouse is bugged or videoed.”

  SAC Rogers directed his attention at Mike. “What are your thoughts?”

  My old friend hesitated. Correction, my old friend who lived and breathed honesty. “My observations are the two have feelings for each other, and both are determined to bring justice to the case. Shelby has a fearless and stubborn streak that I hope doesn’t outweigh her good judgment. She’s aware of the critical timing.”

  “All right.” Rogers wagged a pen at Mike and me. “I don’t want Pearce dead. She’s all we have between the truth and criminal activities. We have surveillance on Stover, Chandler, and Pearce as well as Liu and Rudder. We need to know the details for the San Francisco meeting ASAP.”

  “Are we needed in Miami?” I wanted to be there, help Shelby in any way possible.

  ASAC Leonard huffed. “That hasn’t been discussed.”

  “Yes, it has,” SAC Rogers said. “The Miami office had a huge wake-up call, and they want the agents who’ve worked the case there.” His phone rang before he could continue. “Hold on. I need to take this call.” He stepped from the room.

  ASAC Leonard continued the conversation. “If the meeting between Stover, Liu, and Rudder takes place, the likelihood is Stover won’t return to Miami. One more time, she’ll be out of reach.”

  Where did that put Shelby? “Stover’s calculating, and she hasn’t invested in Shelby without a reason.”

  “McClure, use your head. She’s setting Shelby up for a huge fall that’s geared to get her killed. Shelby is an amateur, and Stover is holding the aces.”

  I despised the reality. “Wish you were wrong. But I’m doing all I can to stop this. A recent report speculates Rudder is selling some of his auto parts with fake packaging. But which orders from Liu contain heroin?”

  “We need traceable evidence. Obtained by trained agents, not Shelby Pearce.” Sarcasm crested Leonard’s words. “How many years have you been on this case? What’s the problem with you two that it remains an open case? Looks like fresh eyes are in order.”

  I made no attempt to hide my ire. “No one knows this case better than Mike and me.”

  SAC Rogers stepped back into the conference room. “I talked to one of the agents based at the safe house for Clay Pearce and Aria Stover. Aria has disappeared.”

  73

  SHELBY

  No matter how many times I rehearsed my reactions to Marissa’s behavior, her announcement at lunch sent me scrambling. “Eli’s picked up Aria.”

  “How did you find her?” I valued my ability to show a lack of emotion. Yet I panicked at the danger for my niece. What plans were in place for her?

  “Dad’s such a fool. He called me from a strange number begging me to turn myself in to the FBI. He believed they wanted to question me about something. I dragged out the conversation, making their location easy to find. I have a tech working for me who can perform a trap and trace.”

  “Why bring her to Miami? I thought you loathed the idea of motherhood.”

  “She’s old enough to take care of herself.” She sighed and tilted her head to the right, a common sign of her seizing control. “Aria is insurance, little sister. In my business, we need leverage. Lots of it.”

  “Insurance for what?” A burning in my stomach ruined any thought of lunch. “Are you leaving the country with Feng and taking her with you?”

  “Good call if I were vested in her future. But there’s more to the situation. I have duties for you to complete. Aria assures me those will be done according to my specifications.”

  “Really? Threatening your daughter’s life to keep me in line?”

  “Exactly. When it comes to the welfare of others, you’re weak. I can handle eliminating whoever gets in my way. Goodness knows I’ve wanted to get rid of Aria since the day she was born. Now she’ll repay me for my time and effort. For me to use you effectively in the business means I have to trust you implicitly.”

  I huffed. “You need me to kill someone?”

  “Count on it. Leadership 101 requires courage in the face of opposition.”

  My niece deserved a chance to grow up normally. “All right. I’ll do what you feel is necessary in exchange for Aria’s life.”

  “The insurance policy has an indemnity clause. If she turns up missing, you’re dead. If I learn you’re double-crossing me, the same consequences.”

  “Fair enough. When will she be here?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  I needed to talk to Denton. By now he was aware of Aria’s disappearance. “Won’t the authorities be looking for her?”

  “She’ll be staying right here, and no one will find her. Besides, I’m her mother. She belongs to me.” Marissa paused. “Unless the whining starts. Then I’ll have Eli get her out of my hair.”

  “How?”

  “Let’s just say you don’t want to know.”

  “What are you going to do with a fifteen-year-old?”

  “I can give her whatever she wants—material things, education, and a life beyond her teenage dreams. That is, if she’s loyal and does exactly as she’s told.”

  With Aria gone, Dad would be devastated. I hated the thought for him and her. The clothes and disguises in my closet . . . Did Aria face the same detestable future? What if she refused Marissa’s new life? I inwardly shuddered.

  “You’re not eating.” Marissa’s cool tone showed no remorse.

  I forked a piece of avocado. “Thinking about Aria.”

  “I’m sure you despise me.” The smirk on my sister’s face had become commonplace. “You’ll discover I’m always right. And I always get what I want.”

  “No, Marissa, I care about you, and you are far more intelligent than I am.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you’re loyal.”

  “Will you ever trust me?”

  She brought the glass of sangria to her lips. I waited. She swirled the liquid in her mouth. I waited. She took another sip. I waited. “For as long as it
takes. You have more tests to pass. When I observe enough loyalty to see you’re ready for additional responsibility, I’ll give you a heads-up. Your job is to keep Aria in line. I’m finished discussing the matter. We have an errand this afternoon. Wear the blonde wig, jeans, and sleeveless top. I will do the same.”

  “Is this a test or learning?”

  She frowned. “Both.”

  My mind spun with all Marissa preferred not to say. I wanted to explore all the what-ifs and solutions, but the most critical of her corruption lay in Aria’s future.

  “In the morning, we’re meeting Feng and John Rudder for brunch.”

  “Rudder must want your answer before the San Francisco meeting.”

  “He does. But we need specifics for the negotiations.”

  Alone in my room, I stepped into my walk-in closet and texted Denton with the two updates.

  He responded. I learned this morning Aria had been nabbed. How did M find her?

  Dad called her, and she traced it. Eli is transporting her to the penthouse. Dad must be out of his mind.

  Sure of it. What does M want you to do?

  No idea. If I fail, I’m dead. I won’t let M hurt her.

  I know. It’s the price you’re willing to pay that scares me.

  What would you do?

  The same.

  I dressed to please Marissa, weary of the power game, and now Aria had been brought into this horrible evil. My niece’s innocence, a necessity for positive emotional growth, must be protected no matter the cost. Marissa’s testing plagued me. I’d set up Lance, unwillingly, but my role in his murder made me an accomplice. No more deaths. Not while I breathed . . . but how could I protect Aria? When had Marissa encountered such a callous approach to life? Even an animal fought for its young.

  Lee and Jess drove us to our “errand,” which I interpreted as business, and whatever that entailed. We stopped at a Miami-based dinner club known for its South American cuisine and parked in the back near the rear door marked Deliveries. According to the marquee, the restaurant opened in three hours. A Lexus pulled in on the right, and a man and woman exited. She looked to be in her late forties, the man much younger. A bodyguard?

  “Lee, keep the car running,” Marissa said. “Jess, you’re with us. Be alert. Shelby, watch and listen.”

  The moment we stepped from the car, the woman unlocked the delivery door and gestured for us to enter. We followed her to a plush office furnished in rich mahogany and vibrant red and turquoise. Two leather chairs were positioned in front of a desk.

  “Please, sit.” The woman gestured, but she trembled. “Lynn, who is your guest?”

  Marissa nodded for me to take the chair on her left, and we obliged. Jess and the other man took positions near their charges. The situation seemed surreal, as though I were a part of a movie cast.

  “This is my associate, Ellie Whyte,” Marissa said. “I’m training her to take over some of my accounts.”

  “Mine?” The woman tensed.

  Marissa smiled. “Of course not. We’ve been friends for too long.”

  The woman relaxed. “You and I have made a good living.”

  “I look forward to the restaurant’s expansion. I’ve studied the plans and financial picture.” Marissa crossed her legs. “I approve the project going forward, with one stipulation.” She paused like she’d done with me, intimidation tactics. “You’re behind in payments, and the situation isn’t improving.”

  The woman’s jaw tightened. “After the economics of late, I needed to recoup my losses.”

  “We all did. But in order for me to benefit from the new construction, I’ll be managing all finances until we are in the black.”

  “Why? I’ve always kept my word. This is a personal affront against our relationship and my integrity.”

  Marissa’s placid features demonstrated her control. “This is business. I need three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars up front to continue. Now.”

  “I don’t have it.”

  Marissa reached into her purse and aimed a gun at the woman. “Which is it?”

  Jess held a gun on the other man.

  “Lynn, I can give you two hundred thousand cash now.”

  “Where’s the rest?”

  “My house.”

  “Open your safe and Ellie will see if you’re bluffing.”

  The woman scooted back her chair and opened a cabinet door, pressed in numbers, and stepped back.

  “Ellie, go ahead.”

  I found more cash inside the safe than I thought possible. I counted the wrapped bills, ranging from tens on up to hundreds. I repeated to confirm the amount and faced Marissa. “One hundred and ninety thousand dollars.”

  “Short and a lie.” Marissa still held a firearm on the woman . . . I didn’t even know her name.

  “I can have the balance delivered to you.”

  “Unnecessary. We’ll send our men and chat until they return.”

  The woman nodded at her bodyguard. “Get what’s needed.”

  “And leave you alone?” he said.

  Marissa waved the gun at him. “You have one hour. Any longer and I’ll start eliminating fingers, beginning with the one hosting diamonds and sapphires.” My sister glanced at a clock on the woman’s desk. “Time starts now.”

  Sixty-seven minutes later, Jess and the woman’s bodyguard returned. Marissa counted the money and stuffed it inside her bag.

  “Thank you.” She smiled at the woman. “I hope you understand doing business with me means keeping your end of the bargain. Deceit never works.” Marissa stood and gave her attention to Jess. “Ellie and I will meet you at the car.”

  I trailed after her, only wanting to leave. Once outside, I heard a gun fire twice.

  “He shot them?” I gasped. “You have your money.”

  “Get over it, little sister.” She opened the passenger side of the car and slid in.

  I stared at the delivery door. Those shot needed help. If they weren’t dead.

  “What are you expecting to see? She understood the stakes when she asked for a financial partner. In the car, or you’ll regret it.” She pulled her gun. Like an old Western, the weapon did her talking.

  I took slow, unsteady steps to the opposite side of the car. God, when will this be over?

  I watched the delivery door. Jess emerged, carrying a blood-soaked tissue. My head pounded. Prison life showed more sympathetic women than my sister. He opened Marissa’s door and displayed the woman’s severed finger, bright-red polish, the diamond-and-sapphire ring, and blood. “Situation handled.”

  “Jess, I wanted the ring, not the finger. Did you have to cut it off?”

  He grinned. “I carry a sharp knife for a reason.”

  “Gross. Give that thing to Shelby for her to clean up.”

  I opened my door and vomited.

  74

  I’d seen violence in prison, plenty of it. Travis’s blood-coated body at the hand of my sister had affected me physically, and I vomited then too. Years ago, Marissa used paper towels to clean me up. This time she tossed me two tissues.

  “Get yourself together.”

  I wiped my mouth and closed the door seconds before Lee sped from the scene. Plenty of accusations longed to surface, but if I slipped, she’d maim or kill me. Who’d be left to help Aria? Swallowing my revulsion for my sister, I picked up the finger and ring wrapped in bloody tissues on the leather seat beside me.

  “About time you showed a little guts,” Marissa fumed. “When we get back to the penthouse, go directly to your room. I’ll have Eli bring you a jar of jewelry cleaner. Once you’re finished, bring the ring to me. By then, I’ll be on the balcony with Aria.”

  Eli met us at the door when we arrived. Aria was nowhere in sight, and neither did I hear her. For the past several days, I’d done exactly as Marissa instructed. Not sure how I could continue.

  Be strong. This isn’t about you.

  In the confines of my bedroom, I released my grip from t
he blood-soaked tissues holding the dead woman’s finger and ring and laid the wadded mess on the bathroom marble countertop. I fought the urge to sob and throw up again. No doubt cameras and recording devices would send a feed to Marissa. How would I ever be a part of her inner circle when witnessing her business practices made me physically ill? Nothing in the scenario from yesterday, today, or tomorrow looked good. I had to trust God. The adage sounded easier than practicing it. In prison, I expected nefarious behavior, but not from Marissa. Witnessing her methods shook me, and yet I must gain control.

  A tap at the door told me Eli had arrived with the cleaning solution. I took the jar, paper towels, and small brush without addressing him. He chuckled.

  A woman and a man lay dead because of an unpaid debt.

  Through the glass doors onto the balcony, I saw Aria in tears seated at the table across from Marissa. I wrestled with how to handle the situation—play into Marissa’s hand or show how much I cared for Aria’s plight? My niece had intelligence going for her, and I had to believe she’d see through my callous response to her . . . and see God’s sovereignty.

  “What’s the hesitation?” Eli said.

  “Aria’s upset and she may need more time with Marissa.”

  “Doubt it. Marissa would rather have the ring. The kid gets on her nerves.”

  I stepped out onto the balcony and captured Aria’s gaze. She hurried to me and fell into my embrace. Her lip bled, and a bruise rose on her right cheekbone. My fury rose for what Marissa or Eli had done to her.

  The necklace we’d made together dangled from her neck.

  “Trust me. We’ll get through this,” I whispered and pushed her away. “Really, Aria? Time to grow up.”

  She lifted her chin. “I don’t want to be here.”

  “You want to be with your granddad baking donuts?”

  “Yes!”

  “Take my advice and listen to your mom. She just might have your best interests in mind.” I brushed past her and handed Marissa the ring. “Sorry about my reaction earlier.”