Risking It All

by Max Hudson

  Martin looked at Drew.

  “Do you think Andrea Bryant was one of the original victims three years ago?”

  “It’s possible.” Drew remembered what Harry had said earlier. “Or maybe she was killed because Harry told Callow no. He threatened to do as much.”

  Which would explain why Harry kept quiet. If Callow was willing to kill his sister-in-law to get what he wants, then he’s definitely going to kill his nephews. Drew didn’t want to know what was going on in Callow’s mind as he plotted to murder children. That just made him sick to his stomach.

  “Go and talk to Bryant again.” Martin said. “Find out the truth about his wife.”

  “Okay, but…” Drew rose to his feet. “They need to be in a safe house, Martin. If Callow finds out his brother is talking to us, he could still go after them.”

  “That can be arranged if he’s a victim as well.” Martin scowled. “But if he lies to us, there’s no way in hell that we’re going to protect him.”

  “He’s more concerned about the children. They’re targets as well.”

  “That can be dealt with. Bryant, on the other hand…” Martin shook his head. “You need to be absolutely sure that Bryant isn’t going to turn on us. Got it?”

  Drew got it. They had to be sure. If they took it at face value, Harry could end up turning on all of them. But Drew was certain that this wasn’t going to happen.

  That was more than likely his arousal speaking than common sense, but Drew was going with it for now.

  Chapter Six

  Drew pulled up in Harry’s drive behind his car and got out. From the look of it, Harry was either isolating himself or he wasn’t on shift right now. As he got out, he could hear laughter coming from inside the house. The children were in a good mood this morning. Drew wished he could be like that, happy with no knowledge of what was going on. It would be preferable than being an adult right now.

  He headed up onto the porch and knocked. After a few moments, Harry opened the door. Drew’s mouth went dry as he took in the man before him. The day before, Harry had been wearing a pale blue shirt with jeans that looked good on him. Now he was wearing a black t-shirt with his pants, a t-shirt that practically clung to his torso. Drew could almost see every line of his muscles.

  Get it together. You’re not here to drool over a potential suspect. Drew cleared his throat when he saw Harry looking at him with a vaguely amused expression. Great. Caught.

  “You’re not at work today?”

  “Not for a few days right now.” Harry leaned on the doorframe. “Aren’t you worried about social distancing?”

  “I’m on the clock. This visit is necessary.”

  “I see.” Harry arched an eyebrow. “Anyone would think I was driving you crazy.”

  Was he flirting with him? Drew pushed that away. He was not here for flirting. He had a job to do. Then again, if Callow had used Harry to distract him the other night, it would have worked.

  “In a sense, you are. And we need to talk.”

  Harry sighed.

  “Fine. Come on in.”

  He stepped aside and allowed Drew inside. There was another squeal coming from the living room. Harry shut the door.

  “Excuse the noise. My neighbor Kate has come over to distract the kids while I get on with some stuff.”

  “Is it a good idea to let neighbors in when we’re meant to be self-isolating?”

  “Kate’s isolating herself from everyone else except us. Her husband’s abroad and stranded, so she’s alone. And she keeps an eye on Jamie and Adam when I’m at work.” Harry stepped around Drew and beckoned him to follow him. “Come on. We can talk out in the backyard.”

  “You’re not worried about social distancing, either, from the sound of it.” Drew commented as he followed Harry through the house.

  “As of right now, I haven’t got a choice.” Drew sighed. “Kate’s been a godsend, and I wouldn’t be able to work if that was the case. I’m needed right now, what with levels at work so low.”

  Drew said nothing. He could imagine, although he couldn’t see any crime happening right now. Not traffic crimes. Harry would be seconded to anyone who needed him. The police force had to get to work to make sure everyone else was safe. Just like his job. When one of them was affected and had to be stuck at home, it was felt by everyone.

  The two of them headed out the kitchen door, which was heavily locked and bolted and took a few moments for Harry to unlock, and into the garden. It was a decent size for the plot of land Harry’s house sat on. Enough for two children to run around and play. Drew thought about his pokey apartment, perfect for one but was suddenly very empty even when he was there. Where was his mind going with this? He needed to focus.

  “What do you want?” Harry stood in the middle of the lawn, arms folded. “Are you going to arrest me or are you going to help me so I can help you?”

  “Depends on what you tell me now.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Drew shoved his hands into his pocket.

  “Your wife, Andrea. How did she die?”

  Harry blinked. His face paled a little, but he regained his composure quickly.

  “Home invasion. It’s in the files at the police station.”

  “We’ve already looked at them, but there are a few things missing. In fact,” Drew went on, “there’s a lot wrong with it.”

  “Are you saying my colleagues fucked up the case?”

  “I think they were misled into believing that it was a home invasion.”

  Harry’s eyes narrowed.

  “I don’t like where this is going, Drew.”

  “Harry, what are you still hiding from me? I know she was another victim of Callow’s.” Drew wanted to shake him. “But she wasn’t killed because Callow had a desire for a schoolteacher, just like the others. She was killed because you refused to do something for him and he wanted you to fall back into line. Then again, you don’t need me to tell you that, do you? You already know.”

  Harry looked ill. For a moment, Drew thought he was going to collapse. Then Harry’s shoulders sagged and he turned away, running his hands over his face with a heavy sigh.

  “I’ve been lying about it for so long it’s difficult to admit the truth.”

  “You can admit it to me.” Drew said gently. “I’m not going to penalize you for that.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” Harry didn’t turn around. He stared at the ground, hands on his hips. “Alex called me after he left here. Told me that he had left me a gift, and that if I so much as told him no again, he’ll do the same to the boys. When I saw Andrea...I just…” His voice caught and he began to pace away, running his hands through his hair. “I had to lie to my coworkers. If it had been known that I was Alex’s brother, I could have been arrested as well. Then who would look after Jamie and Adam?”

  “They wouldn’t arrest you immediately.”

  “With the fear Alex had put in everyone and how determined you guys were to get him, it would have been arrest me first and ask questions later.”

  Drew wanted to reach out and put his arms around the man. He really needed to get a grip on himself. This was an investigation, not a heart-to-heart of friends.

  “You should have told someone sooner.” He insisted. “Told the FBI. We could have helped you.”

  “I doubt it.” Harry shook his head as he began to pace. “You would have done the same thing. Besides, Alex put the fear of God into me saying he had eyes everywhere, that he would know that I had said something out of line. He had done that to me at school before, so I knew it was possible. Andrea told me that Alex was just scaring me and I shouldn’t listen to him. That I needed to stand up to him.” He grunted and shook his head, staring off into the distance. “That was a dealbreaker for her. Either I grew a pair and did something about Alex or she was leaving and taking the kids with her. She wouldn’t be under the thumb of a murderer. I knew she would go to the cops if I didn’t.”

  �
��And Alex retaliated when you tried to push back.” Drew murmured. He rubbed a hand over his face. God, Harry had put himself into such a big mess. “You should have told the cops the truth back then.”

  “I told you, they would have arrested me instead of asking questions and helping me.” Harry said bitterly. “Nobody at work knows my identity. I’ve been careful to cover my tracks. Before I changed my name, because I was his twin, I was seen as just as bad as Alex. People treated me like I was contagious, and I hated it.” Harry turned to him. “I just wanted a clean slate as soon as I was able.”

  That was fair enough. If Drew had been in Harry’s shoes, he would have done the same thing.

  “Did your wife know about your previous name?”

  “I told her as soon as I knew it was getting serious. I couldn’t risk Alex telling her and then she would resent me for not saying a word.” Harry swallowed. “And she stood by me. Even with the baggage I came with, she stood by me. That woman was a rock.”

  Even three years on, it was clear Harry still greatly cared for his wife. Drew felt a knot in his stomach, which had him absently rubbing it to ease the knot. He had to be crazy to be jealous of a dead woman.

  Why was he even jealous? He really was going nuts.

  “We’re going to get him.” Drew vowed. “I promise. But you’re going to have to work with us. Don’t go against us from now on. I find that you’ve been hiding things from me, and you’ll be arrested and treated the same as Callow would be once he’s arrested.”

  “I got it.” Harry folded his arms, shoulders hunched over. “But what should I do now? Alex came here last night.”

  “He what?”

  “He had a key I didn’t know about until last night, and he just turned up. Said that he knew I had spoken to you and I needed to remember my place. It was a warning, essentially.” Harry shuddered. “I need to make sure my kids are safe. You think you can guarantee their safety? I’ll do whatever you want of me. But not before.”

  “I don’t think you’re in a position to argue, Harry.”

  The glare that came his way had Drew almost taking a step back. Damn, the man was imposing when he wanted to be.

  “My kids are my priority.” Harry said quietly. “Once I know they’re okay, you’ve got me at your disposal.”

  At his disposal. Drew could feel himself thinking about it in a way that made him hot under the collar. He needed to stop right now. This was getting ridiculous. Drew had to get his mind out of the gutter and focused on his job. They were close to finally getting Alex Callow in custody. He couldn’t go off the rails by thinking about doing whatever he wanted to Harry Bryant.

  Of all the people to become attracted to, a serial killer’s twin brother was certainly not on the list.

  “I’ll see what I can do. I need to call my boss.” Drew brought out his cell phone. “In the meantime, you need to call in to work. Say that one of your kids is starting to show symptoms of coronavirus and you’re going to have to self-isolate. Then lock up everything.”

  “I’ve got someone coming in a short while to change all the locks after having Alex come in last night.”

  “Good. Get it done quickly.” Drew dialed his boss’ number. “Is Kate going with the kids?”

  “Jamie and Adam will need someone with them.” Harry looked toward the house. “I’ll tell her that they’re going somewhere for a few days.”

  “Right.” Drew realized he had stopped dialing and was staring at Harry. His profile was really beautiful. He started again. “Get that into motion. They’re going to need to be ready to go shortly.”

  “Agent Martindale.”

  Drew froze, his cell phone halfway to his ear. Harry was now watching him curiously. Those eyes would always capture Drew’s attention. He couldn’t look away.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  Why was he doing this? Drew knew what the answer was, but he suddenly wanted to say something else. Something that would be completely inappropriate. That needed to stop. Now. He gave Harry a wry smile.

  “Let’s just say Callow’s not the only one with an obsession. My gut knows a decent guy when it sees one.” He pressed the cell phone to his ear as Martin picked up. “It’s Drew.”

  “Sorry?”

  “What? Oh.” Drew realized he was talking to his boss and turned away. “Sorry, Martin. Miles away.”

  “You’ve been doing a lot of that lately.” Martin grunted. “What’s the outcome, in your opinion?”

  Drew didn’t even need to think.

  “It’s an affirmative answer. We need the children out today.”

  ***

  Barely half an hour later, there were two black cars outside Harry’s house. Drew stood at the door as Martin hurried up the path, ducking into the house.

  “So much for self-isolation and social distancing.” He muttered.

  “At least we can be assured that two children are going to be safe.” Drew reminded him, shutting the door behind him. “Bryant and a neighbor are just sorting out a few things to take with them. The neighbor is ready to go with them. She’ll look after the twins.”

  Martin’s eyebrows rose.

  “A neighbor? What about Bryant?”

  “He refuses to go.” Drew scowled. “He just wants his sons safe. I don’t think he cares about his safety anymore.”

  Drew understood Harry’s reasoning for not going with his children to a safe house, but he still found it an annoyance. Harry was determined to go after his brother, but Drew was worried that Callow would have one-up on them and take Harry out. Harry was angry enough not to be in complete control. He was out to get his own back.

  Drew knew the signs. He had felt like that himself for some months after letting Callow slip from his grasp. It had taken him a while to realize that it was only going to get him killed. Harry needed to realize this.

  Callow was calmer and more in control at this point. As he always was.

  “You need to watch him.” Martin warned. “He could change sides anytime soon and give you over to Callow. And we now know Callow wants you dead.”

  Drew snorted.

  “It’s going to take more than a bullet to kill me. And I trust Bryant.”

  “You barely know him.”

  Drew knew that, but his instincts had been on point so far. And he did trust Harry Bryant. A lot. That trust was not coming from his urge to strip the man naked, either. His logical side told him that Harry was not going to waver from his decision to help the FBI now.

  “I know enough.” He said, fixing Martin with a cool gaze.

  Martin’s frown deepened and he sighed.

  “All right, I’ll trust your instincts. For now. But Bryant shows the slightest indication that he’s giving you up for Callow, and he’s coming in.”

  “I got it. And I plan to bring him in myself.”

  That would hurt, but Drew would do it. A flurry of footsteps had Drew turning as Jamie and Adam came into the hall with Harry, their neighbor Kate close behind them. Both boys were carrying backpacks almost as big as them and a couple of toys in their arms. Jamie was looking sullen, clasping tightly onto Harry’s hand, while Adam clutched onto his soft toys with a miserable expression. Seeing the twins like this had Drew feeling like someone was squeezing his chest. He hated doing this to the children, but they were in danger and it had to be done. If only they could persuade their father into going with them.

  Neither boy said anything as Harry ushered them out of the house and into the second car. Both boys clung onto him with silent tears, and Harry’s grip on them was just as tight. He kissed Jamie first, then Adam, and then helped them into the car with their car seats. The matronly Kate gave Harry a hug herself, and Drew could hear her telling him that she would look after the twins. Then she was in the car as well.

  Martin let out a heavy sigh and gave Drew a nod, heading toward the front car. Drew stood on the porch and watched as Martin got in the passenger side and both cars pulled away from the curb. They had to
look a sight for all the other neighbors. Already Drew could see curtains twitching as people looked out to see what was going on. In a suburb like this, even with the isolation, the gossip was going to go around really quickly.

  Harry stood on the driveway, watching the cars head off down the street and turning the corner, disappearing from sight. His face was blank of any expression, but Drew could see the tension in his shoulders. The man was scared, and he was doing his best to hide it. His children meant so much to him, and he would do anything for them. The love for them was great.

  Drew found himself wanting a bit of that intensity for himself. He shook himself. Not now. No.

  Harry finally headed back toward the house, muttering something about the coronavirus was going to have fun with all of this. Drew had to stop himself smiling at that. He followed him into the house, closing the door on the prying neighbors.

  “You okay?”

  “I don’t know.” Harry rubbed his hands over his face with a heavy sigh. “I just...I know this is the right thing to do, but I’m scared for them. What if something happens to them?”

  Drew had resisted the urge for too long, and now he felt the barriers lowering. He pressed a hand to Harry’s shoulder.

  “Nothing is going to happen to them. They’re going to a safe house, where they’re going to be isolated anyway. You’ll be able to talk to them over the phone or facetime. It’s only temporary.”

  “I hope it is.” Harry said gravely. “Because Alex loves to draw things out. Or pull the carpet out from underneath us so quickly we don’t see it.”

  “Interesting way to think about it.”

  “It’s how I’ve seen life with him since I was aware that something wasn’t quite right with him.” Harry lowered his hands. He didn’t pull away from Drew.

  “If anything happened to them, I would never forgive myself.” He drew a shuddering breath. “I know Alex will go after them.”

  “But he won’t get to them. We’ll make sure of that.”

  Harry grunted. Now he pulled away and paced across the hall, heading into the kitchen. Drew followed him. Harry went straight to the fridge and opened it, bringing out a bottle of water. He chugged down most of the bottle before taking a breath. Drew stood in the doorway and watched him. There wasn’t much he could say that could make the situation any better. There was a serial killer out there who wanted Drew dead and there was a good chance that Harry was going to end up on that list as well now he was standing up to Callow with no sign of backing down. Harry was determined that they used him as bait, to draw Callow out so they could arrest him. He was that set on it.