Border Breach

by Darlene L. Turner

  “I escaped, but he’s on my tail.” A horn sounded in the distance through the phone.

  “Can you see where you are? Any landmarks?” He started his cruiser and pulled out of Diane’s driveway.

  “I can see the Windsor Harbor. I’m east of it.”

  He did a U-turn, flipped on his siren and headed in that direction.

  “I’m coming. See anything else?” He passed cars, driving in the left lane on the freeway.

  “There’s a—”

  A crash sounded through the phone, followed by silence.

  “Kaylin? Are you there? Kaylin, talk to me.”

  “She’s mine now, Steeves.” Jake’s gruff voice rumbled through the phone.

  Click.

  Hudson’s heart thumped. He had to get to her and fast. He pressed the accelerator and punched in Bianca’s number.

  “How can I help you, Constable?”

  He explained where Kaylin was located. “Did you happen to find a boathouse owned by Jake?”

  He could hear her as she clicked on her keyboard. “Yes, his family owned one. Here’s the address.”

  Hudson memorized it. “Thanks, Bianca. Tell the Sarge where I’m headed. Get the cavalry here.”

  “If I can find him. He left earlier and was all mysterious about where he was going.”

  The hairs on his neck stung, sending him on high alert. What was his boss up to? “He probably had an appointment.”

  “Could be, but why not say so? Anyway, go get Kaylin.”

  He disconnected and threw his cell phone on the seat, taking a sharp right toward the marina. The boathouse wasn’t far from there. Lord, help me not to be too late.

  Hudson slowed as he came in view of a row of houses situated close to the pier. Boathouses lined the river’s edge. He checked the numbers and stopped in front of the one Bianca gave him. He jumped out of the cruiser and unleashed his 9 mm. He couldn’t wait for backup. Kaylin was in danger. He dashed to the backyard, taking shelter behind trees as he dodged between them.

  Loud voices sounded from the other side of the boathouse.

  He crept closer, crouching low.

  “You got away from me once, but I have you now.” Jake’s creepy voice sounded above the waves lapping against the pier.

  Hudson edged his way around the building.

  Jake had his gun pressed in Kaylin’s temple and held her by her waist. They stood on the dock, close to a boat anchored to the side.

  “Hudson’s on his way, Jake,” he heard Kaylin say. “You lose.”

  Her captor’s eyes narrowed. “He can’t have you. You’re mine.”

  Hudson couldn’t take a shot without risking Kaylin’s life. He had no choice but to talk him down. Hudson stepped into view, his gun in front of him. “Jake, it’s over. Let her go.”

  Jake pulled Kaylin tighter. “I’ll shoot her.”

  “Give it up, man.” He stepped closer. He had to get her away from this man.

  “Stay back,” Jake said.

  Sirens screamed nearby. The cavalry was coming.

  Jake pushed her closer to the water’s edge.

  No, not water.

  A tremor snaked up his spine. His hands turned clammy and his gun slipped. His fear of water resurfaced. He took a step back. Images flashed of him as a young boy flailing in the ocean as a wave slammed him to the bottom while his breath evaporated. He closed his eyes to push the scene away. For Kaylin’s sake.

  Give me strength, Lord.

  He opened his eyes and stepped toward the pier.

  The sirens grew louder.

  Dread surged through his body and he gripped his gun tighter, raising it higher. “You’re out of time, Jake. Let. Her. Go.”

  “She belongs to me and now to someone else. The exchange will happen. Her life for my fortune.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Kaylin’s lips trembled. “I thought you loved me, Jake.”

  “You betrayed me.” He pointed the gun in Hudson’s direction. “For him. Besides, I’m going to be rich.”

  “Who are you talking about?” Hudson split his stance and kept his gun trained on the bulky man. A million scenarios to save Kaylin raced through his mind, but he stood still. He would not put her life in jeopardy.

  “There’s a contract out for her life on the dark web. Million dollars for her. Alive.”

  What? Hudson had to contain this situation. Could this have anything to do with her attempted abductions? “Tell me more.”

  “They promised money if I brought her to him.”

  That didn’t make any sense. “Who?”

  “That’s their secret.” He curved his lips upward.

  Hudson moved forward slightly. “Give me their contact information. Do you know who they are?”

  Jake looked from Hudson to Kaylin, inching her closer to the end of the pier. “Why would I—”

  A shot boomed.

  Jake stumbled into Kaylin. She lost her balance and plummeted into the water, whacking her head on the side.

  Jake lay in a pool of blood, his hand dangling over the edge.

  “No!” Hudson ran down the pier and looked into the water.

  Kaylin sank into the murky river, with her face submerged.

  Lord, no!

  He hesitated.

  Images of the witness he watched drown floated into his consciousness. He couldn’t let that happen again. Especially with Kaylin’s life at risk.

  You can do this.

  He took a breath and plunged into the water.

  * * *

  Hudson exploded to the surface, drew in air and dove deeper toward Kaylin. He tugged on her arm and pulled her up, ensuring her head was above the water. Her motionless body bobbed up and down. He had to get her to the shore and perform CPR.

  He towed Kaylin beside him as he swam through the cold, cloudy water. His shoes threatened to pull him down, but he kept kicking. The shore was in sight. Just a few more strokes. He lost his grip and began to sink, his limbs like jelly. His strength wavered and he sent up a prayer.

  God, give me strength.

  He grabbed Kaylin under her arms and swam as fast as he could. Reaching the shore, he pulled her to the beach and turned her over. He pumped her chest and performed CPR.

  She didn’t respond.

  “Kaylin, come back to me.” He breathed into her mouth once again, her lips cold. He couldn’t lose her. Feelings swept over him and they couldn’t be squelched.

  He pumped her chest again.

  Policemen made their way down the beach. An ambulance arrived seconds later. The paramedics jumped from their vehicle and raced toward them.

  Kaylin still lay motionless.

  He breathed into her mouth again.

  Please, God. Save her.

  She coughed and water spewed from her mouth.

  He turned her to her side as more water gushed out.

  “Thank God, you’re okay.” Hudson peered into her eyes. “I almost lost you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried. “Thank you.”

  He hugged her tighter. “You’re safe now.”

  “Jake...?”

  “He’s dead.”

  She pulled back and rubbed her head. “That’s gonna hurt worse later. Did you catch the shooter?”

  “I was too busy saving you.” He’d brief the Windsor police and get them to scour the area to find where the shot came from. He guessed the shooter was long gone. He’d taken down his target and fled.

  He pushed wet hair off her face and caressed her cheek. “I panicked when I couldn’t find you, Kaylin,” he admitted. He looked into her eyes and was overcome with feelings for this woman.

  When a tear rolled down her cheek, he wiped it away with his thumb. “Did he do anythi
ng to you?” The thought of Jake hurting her, stalking her, set his heart on edge. He drew in a jagged breath.

  “No. God saved me.”

  He exhaled. Wait. She’d admitted God had helped her. “What do you mean, Kaylin?”

  “I found God in that boathouse. I sensed His hand on me and I surrendered.”

  Thank You, Lord.

  He pulled her closer. “I’m glad.”

  Could they be together now?

  He squeezed his eyes shut like his heart. No, he couldn’t fall again even though he knew his heart was past the point of no return. He had to let her go. She deserved someone who could love her.

  He released her. “Tell me what happened.”

  Kaylin briefed him on how Jake had abducted her, how she’d woken up bound in the boathouse and how he’d taunted her. She’d escaped thanks to God. That was how she put it.

  “God protected you.” Hudson’s cell phone rang but he ignored it.

  “I know, and I saw how He’s kept me from harm all my life, but I refused to see it.” Her eyes widened. “Is Diane okay? Her house was trashed.”

  He nodded. “She’s fine, only rattled. Forensics is scouring her place as we speak. What do you—”

  “Step aside, Officer.” A stocky paramedic came up and knelt beside them. “We need to examine the patient.”

  Hudson stood. “Take care of her.”

  He walked away to let them do their work. For the next ten minutes they examined her and asked questions. They suggested she go to the hospital but she refused, insisting she felt fine. Just a little shaken.

  Hudson reveled in her stamina and in the news of her conversion. What did she mean that God had kept her safe all her life? He wanted to find out.

  Hudson briefed the officers on the scene and suggested they check out the area for places where the shooter could have positioned himself. They dispersed in different directions.

  The coroner arrived and examined Jake’s body. He’d been taken down by a clean shot to the temple. Assassin style. Like Akio Lee, Hudson recalled. Obviously someone didn’t want Jake to talk. Who?

  As the coroner’s office took Jake away, Hudson’s cell phone buzzed again.

  His boss. He was back from wherever he’d gone. “Hey, Sarge. We found her and she’s okay.” He briefed him on the situation and Jake’s death.

  “Glad to hear you got to her in time. Who knows what he may have done. We’ll put Bianca on checking the dark web.”

  Hudson cringed at the thought of what she would find. “Good. What’s up?”

  “Bad news. We just learned two teenagers died of a doda overdose.”

  He tightened his grip on his phone. “What? That doesn’t happen with doda.”

  “It has. A forensic pathologist is doing the autopsy and will do a full tox screen to see what we’re dealing with. We’re waiting on Matthew’s test, too.”

  He bristled. “Let me know if anything comes up.”

  “Oh, and Hudson, Benji Rossiter was also found at the house where the teenagers died.”

  Hudson ran his fingers through his wet buzz-cut hair. “Was he one of the victims?”

  “No, but he’s in a coma. Head to the hospital.”

  He gritted his teeth. “Will do. I’ll keep you informed.”

  Kaylin raised her eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

  He hesitated. Could she deal with this now after what she’d been through?

  She stood. “Come on, tell me. I’m okay.”

  “Benji is in a coma.” He explained what Miller had told him.

  She wiped the sand from her uniform. “Let’s get going, then. We need to see him.”

  “Shouldn’t you sit this one out? Get some rest. You’ve been through quite an ordeal.”

  She shook her head. “Not a chance. Just swing by my apartment so I can change.”

  “Fine. We’ll get someone to check your car for evidence before releasing it back to you.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Fifty minutes later, after they were both able to change out of their wet clothes, they arrived at Windsor Regional Hospital to check on Benji. They walked down the corridor and into his room.

  Benji lay motionless, with a breathing apparatus hooked up to him. His heart monitor beeped a steady rhythm.

  Poor kid. Just couldn’t shake the drugs.

  David Rossiter stood at their interruption and threw his work folder on the bed. “What are you doing here?”

  “We heard about Benji,” Hudson said. “How is he?”

  “Fighting for his life. What do you think?”

  Kaylin sat beside the bed and took Benji’s hand. “We’re praying for him.”

  David grunted. “Like that will help.”

  “I used to think that, too, but God recently showed me He’s here. We just need to trust.” Kaylin’s words gave breath to her emotion.

  Words Hudson couldn’t believe after she’d rejected any talk of God. She’d come a long way in a short period of time.

  He dragged his eyes from her and turned to Benji’s father. “Can you tell us what happened, Mr. Rossiter?”

  “I was at work and got a call from the police. Benji had been found along with two teenagers at a halfway house. They were dead, but the police were rushing Benji to the hospital, so I got here as fast as I could.” He pointed to his son, his lip quivering. “He’s been like this ever since.”

  “Why do you think he was at this halfway house? I mean he has a good home with you, doesn’t he?” Hudson took off his cap and set it on the bed.

  David’s eyes narrowed. “What are you insinuating?”

  “Only trying to get answers as to why he was with those two teens doing drugs. I thought he stopped using.”

  David looked away. “Apparently, doda is a hard habit to break.”

  Kaylin rubbed Benji’s arm as she spoke to David. “What did you do to him to make him start again?”

  The man swore. “What are you talking about? I’m a loving father.”

  Kaylin turned to him and held his gaze. “He wanted out, so why did he start again?”

  “I don’t know. I raised my kids with everything. They didn’t need to do drugs.”

  “You have other children?”

  His eyes softened. “Yes, a daughter. Charlotte. She’s eight. She’s blind. Born with a genetic disease.” He buried his head in his hands. “I can’t lose Benji. This will kill her.”

  Hudson eyed Kaylin. Her contorted face registered pain. Was she thinking of her brother?

  In a show of empathy, he squeezed David’s shoulder. No matter his demeanor, the normally brash man loved his children. “I’m sorry.”

  Hudson’s phone chimed with a text from his sister, Ally.

  Matty is awake. He’s asking for you.

  Hudson pressed his palms to his suddenly stinging eyes and bowed his head, uttering a prayer of thanksgiving.

  His nephew was going to be okay.

  FOURTEEN

  Kaylin followed Hudson down the corridor of Windsor Regional Hospital toward his nephew’s room. She sighed. A little too loud.

  Hudson turned. “What’s wrong?”

  She stared into his eyes. Eyes that drew her like a fish to water. She couldn’t escape his lure. Plus, being held by him earlier had solidified her feelings for him. There was no going back now.

  But she had too much baggage. It could never work.

  He’ll never be interested in you.

  She focused back on the case. “Why would anyone put a hit out on me on the dark web?”

  “They’re trying to get to your father through you. That’s the only reason I can think of.”

  She threw her hands in the air. “Right about now, I’d believe anything because nothing makes sense about this case.”

  “
And we’re running out of time. Teenagers are dying. We need to stop this drug ring. Now.” He directed her to Matthew’s room. They nodded to the police officer stationed outside the door before entering.

  The teen lay on the bed attached to an IV. His rumpled nut-brown hair stuck out in all directions, creating an amusing display. When he saw them enter, he tried to pat it down but to no avail. A weak smile formed on his ashen face. “Hi, Uncle Hudson.”

  Hudson rushed to his side, leaned down and gave him a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re awake, Matty. How are you feeling?”

  “Groggy. Weak.”

  “But blessed to be alive.” Hudson’s sister rose from the chair on the opposite side of the bed. “Praise God.” She hugged Hudson. “Thanks for coming so quickly, brother.”

  He pointed to Kaylin. “This is Kaylin Poirier of the CBSA. Kaylin, my sister, Ally, and my nephew, Matthew.”

  Kaylin stepped forward. “So nice to meet you both.” She shook hands with Ally.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you.” A lopsided grin formed on Ally’s pretty face as she stole a look at Hudson.

  Kaylin surmised it was probably about the last case they had worked on. “None of it good, I suppose.”

  “Hardly. My brother sings your praises.” She winked at him.

  Really?

  Hudson cleared his throat and pulled up a chair close to Matthew’s bed. “You wanted to see me? Can you tell me what happened?”

  Tears welled in the teen’s blue eyes.

  Kaylin’s breath hitched. Eyes just like his uncle’s.

  Hudson squeezed his arm. “Take it slow, Matty.”

  “Uncle Hudson, I want you to know I don’t do drugs,” he whispered. “The kids at school started pestering me into selling, telling me I’d get rich, but I kept saying no.”

  “Who tried to get you to sell?”

  “Benji Rossiter.”

  Hudson glanced at her.

  She noted the tightness in his jaw, the vein protruding on his neck.

  “What happened? They’re saying you overdosed.” Hudson took out his notebook.

  Matthew licked his chapped lips. “Benji forced me to come to a meet. I didn’t know what it was about until it was too late.”

  Kaylin stepped closer. “A meet with who?”