Special Agent Maximilian

by Mimi Barbour

  “Max had mentioned that he thought there was a link to Smith & Sons because their employees often hung out at the joint. Justin followed up that information by appearing there, dancing and talking to their girls. It paid off.”

  “But how did you know that Smith & Sons were the culprits?”

  “Because Max’s snitch worked for us. He did pass out the night he saw Max get beaten up. But not because he’d taken bad drugs like he told the cops. The bastards clobbered him after he tried to stop them beating up Max. Stupid idiots hadn’t searched him so the files he’d had to pass on were still intact.”

  “You were passing on information to help in our case?”

  “Yes. We were running a parallel investigation, hoping to stop those shipments. We had a client whose niece had been one of the girls taken hostage: Christine Ramos, the girl who died. They were willing to pay us to continue searching, which we would have done anyway. The thought of what they planned for those poor babies sickens me. I was prepared to do anything to stop it from happening.”

  Maya assumed a thoughtful expression that Nik noticed immediately.

  “A while back, there was a club full of young, foreign prostitutes that had recently been raided, the girls were released and then disappeared…”

  “The ones you believed had been taken by a rival gang?”

  “Those’re the ones.”

  “Yes, they’ve all been returned to their families.”

  “And you didn’t see the need to go through legal channels like the FBI?”

  “And suffer all that red tape you guys are so fond of?”

  Obviously not willing to push buttons that couldn’t be undone, Maya switched to another topic. “Do you know where Max is?”

  Nellie’s face underwent a complete transformation. “No. That’s the one piece in the puzzle that has eluded me so far. With all of my resources, I haven’t been able to find my own son.”

  Seeing his mother’s pain, Nik knew she wasn’t aware that Max was alive and well. She believed him missing and most likely dead.

  His conscience tugged away, almost forcing him to breach Max’s confidence. But at the last minute, he hung back. He’d have to get his brother’s permission first.

  Max had known that Nellie would be frightened and saddened, and yet he hadn’t bothered to let her know he’d survived. Why that was, Nik didn’t know. Could be that at the beginning, he’d been in such poor shape; he had no awareness of anything. Once so much time had passed, he might have wanted to protect Linda and thought the fewer people who knew he was alive, the less it was likely that any of Smith’s people would find out.

  It made a crazy kind of sense, but he’d still have a long talk with his twin next time he saw him.

  Chapter 60

  When both Nik and Maya’s phones rang, they each excused themselves and went to the front room. Maya’s grin of gladness matched the one he was sure was plastered on his face. He couldn’t help himself. Leaning down, he kissed her hard. “You’re beautiful.”

  “And you’re cheesy. I love it! Let’s go.”

  They had a green light to hit the offices of Smith & Sons. The search warrant had been issued.

  They returned to the dining room to say their goodbyes. Though Nellie smiled sweetly at Maya, it was Nik who she approached. While she hugged him tightly, she whispered. “Be careful. I need you. Don’t take any chances.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be back.” He looked around to say his goodbyes to Justin and noticed the dude had pulled one of his famous disappearing acts again. Son-of-a-b… gun!

  By the time Maya and Nik had picked up the warrant and organized the troops, it was dark. Becky’s group hadn’t made any leeway on finding the container and, working overtime; tempers were high in the office. Everyone knew that those girls only had so much time left before they all ended up like Tina. They needed to know which terminal held the precious cargo and the number of containers at those places was in the thousands.

  Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge, Maya and Max’s boss, Ron Bitters, had even sent troops to walk the yards, dogs on leashes and heat scanning sensors. But the terminals were plenty and vast. It took time.

  Maya called Lister who was still on surveillance. “What’s going on there, Henry?”

  “It’s been quiet, Maya. They’re still working, lights are all on. Smith hasn’t left the premises all day, or his son. Some of his men have vamoosed and come back. We had them followed by plain-clothes and nothing interesting has happened. What’s going on with your end?”

  “We just got the go-ahead. We’ll be there soon with the paperwork. “

  “Good. I’m sick of this post. Want to get back to the office and fresh coffee… Wait, something is happening! A car just pulled up and… son of a bitch! They have Max. He’s struggling… shit, they clobbered him! I thought he was with you?”

  “Are you positive it’s Agent Foster?”

  “Absolutely positive.”

  Chapter 61

  Nik! Oh, God. Maya’s heart started beating harder, faster, making breathing impossible. They’d needed vests and she’d sent him to Max’s locker to get his. She thought he’d been gone a mite too long, figured he’d needed help to find the way. Occupied with so many details, the time had passed and she hadn’t paid attention.

  Running, not stopping to think or even blink the tears from her eyes, she yelled out orders to the others and took off.

  Her car spun out of the garage, leaving black rubber and smoke, and all she could think of was to get that five-mile drive over with so she could be near him, save him. Nik!

  The screaming of her car’s siren, fool-hearted dashes across crowded intersections, shaking foot hard on the accelerator, all rivaled the surges of adrenalin that spiked her system. The minutes passed in a fog of tears and prayers. Now that she’d found the one man who could make her life worthwhile,how the hell could she live without him?God! Please!

  The only reason she came to her senses before she’d driven right into the yard, pulled her gun and badge then forced her way in was her fear of what they would do to Nik. No crazy stunts! If she had any chance of saving his life, she needed to play this smart—legal paperwork, a backup team and the law on her side.

  Fuck they cared about the law? The idea took hold and wouldn’t shake loose. She pulled up and parked two vehicles behind the surveillance van, exited the car, and skulking, worked her way to the back door. She knocked softly, calling for Higgins to let her in. No answer prompted her to try the handle and she found it open.

  In seconds, she knew why there’d been no response. Higgins, slumped over the monitor with a bullet in the back of his head, wouldn’t be any help whatsoever. Until her team arrived, she had to go it alone.

  Suddenly, a shot rang out from the direction of the office. It had her head swivelling and her feet moving. Screw the team. Nik needed her now!

  Chapter 62

  Where the hell was Maya? Nik had searched everywhere, checked the boss’s office, had even gone as far as getting one of the females coming out of the bathroom to go back inside and see if she was there.

  “Becky, have you seen Maya?” The approaching agent, loaded with paperwork and looking harried, nodded. “Yeah, she ran out of here a few minutes ago, crying. Never seen her look so rattled. She didn’t say anything. Figured she’d gotten word on the container. I’ve been sick ever since.”

  Nik fingered his uncomfortable vest, panic flaring. Why hadn’t she waited for him? “Doesn’t make sense, she wouldn’t leave without me.”

  “She did. Heard the squealing tires of her car all the way in here. The boss’ll have her ass for that. He’s chewed it before about her losing control.” Becky started to turn away, stopped and added. “Last time was when Max went missing.”

  Max! Could it be?

  Nik left Becky with a smile of thanks and headed to the office where he could use the burner phone and call his brother. Something was wrong, he knew it. And… he had more p
roof when the phone didn’t get answered. He called his mother’s number and she picked up instantly. “Mom, what’s Justin’s phone number? I gather you have him tailing me, right?”

  “Of course. From the minute I knew about you, he’s been watching your back. Here’s his number. Can I ask why you need him? And do you want any more like him? I can have a posse wherever you are in a very short time.”

  “No doubt. I’ll let you know. For now, since he’s close by, he’ll do. I just need a ride and most of the squad’s already left the office.”

  “Oh-kay! I won’t ask why, but when you get a moment, we need to sit down and have a talk, share information.”

  “Good idea, we’ll do it soon. Bye.”

  “Bye, son. Love you.”

  He hesitated too long and heard the click. The moment was lost. It had been the first time in his life that anyone had said that to him. It registered, big time.

  Shaking off the pang of sadness, he called Justin. “Man, are you close by?”

  “Yep. Need anything?”

  “Wheels.”

  “Be there in a second. Meet me at the front door.”

  ***

  “When I asked for wheels, I meant without the driver.” Nik glared at his companion behind the wheel.

  “And my job is to follow you. How can I do that if I don’t have a car?”

  Shaking his head in disgust, Nik glowered at the smiling fool. “Just go.”

  “Where?”

  “Maya took off and left me behind—”

  “I saw her. She hit the road like a bat out of hell. Something had that woman stirred up.”

  “We got the warrant for the Smiths. But she didn’t wait for me. Sent me to get Max’s vest from his locker, and then they all left—her and the backup. No doubt, I could have gotten a car, but I don’t know the procedure and I wasn’t about to ask.”

  “Yeah, well, you knew I’d be close by.”

  “Haven’t you always been, since Nellie found out about me? Drive.”

  Justin broke into the traffic and peeled around the corner, taking a road Nik hadn’t been on before. “Nellie looks after her own. You don’t know how lucky you are to have a mother like her. She’s built up Harkins to where it’s a prosperous company, has over three hundred employees and is a successful, multi-million dollar operation. And she’s done it by picking the right people, treating them well and gaining a reputation for being one of the best security firms in the state.”

  “What about Max?”

  “What about him? He’s turned a blind eye to what’s been right under his nose. Wants no part of it! And hasn’t quite figured out that Nellie is the actual boss.”

  “And…”

  “And she needs you. To step in and take over. Just sayin’… The work is getting too hard for her.”

  “What about you?”

  “There’s too much for one person. We’ve been sharing, but it’s getting past us. She’d always hoped to carry on until Max saw the light, but he’s too blind—doesn’t want the burden. He couldn’t handle that level of responsibility anyway. He struggles with the job he has. But I’ve looked into your background, Lieutenant Commander Baudin. You’re exactly what we need.”

  “Quit stroking me, asshole. Drive past slowly. They won’t make this car and I want an idea of what’s going on before I plan any moves.”

  “See what I mean? You’re perfect.”

  Wanting to change the subject, Nik continued. “One question. How come Max didn’t recognize you when I told him about the pain-in-the-ass stalker I’d acquired?”

  “That’s easy. Number one, he knows me as Justin. And number two, three and four… you most likely described me a blond gay guy wearing goofy clothes and acting deranged. Of course he wouldn’t recognize me. Now if you’d described this devilishly handsome, young executive who works in a top position for one of New Orleans’s finest Security firms, he… ah, yeah, he still wouldn’t have recognized me. Max just has no idea about Harkins or Nellie’s influence. He’s a good man, Nik, but most times, he sees what he wants. Now, you take after her. From the minute you showed up, she’s been walking on air. You’re just the man we need.”

  “Yeah, yeah, so you said. What the hell? Maya’s vehicle is parked down from the surveillance van and it’s empty. She must be with Higgins. Let’s check.”

  Justin pulled a sneaky u-turn and parked behind the FBI issue that Maya drove. He and Nik stepped out of the car, palmed their weapons and moved toward the van, carefully checking every direction.

  They found the back door open and Higgins slumped, the bloody hole in his head evidence of a vicious crime.

  Justin said what Nik was thinking. “Dammit! If she saw this, which we both know she did, you’d think she’d have waited for back-up.”

  “The rest of the team are nowhere around. Shit! She’s gone in. Alone.”

  “Yes, they are. Look down on the side street. They’re out of sight, waiting for orders. Something’s wrong.”

  They started toward the swat team who were milling together. Or at least Nik did. When he turned to introduce Justin, the guy was gone… again. Damn, that man could fade.

  “Where’s Agent Barnes?” He approached the team leader and waited anxiously for an answer. “Not sure, Max. We figure she’s gone inside. Found Higgins dead in the van, shot in the back of the head. Sent a man to get eyes on the situation but he hasn’t come back. What do you want us to do?”

  Realizing he outranked them, Nik knew he had to make some decisions. During the years he’d commanded in the forces, taking the lead had come naturally. Now, with his heart racing, panic choking him and sweat breaking out everywhere, he sensed a pivotal moment had come. Was he finished?

  He stalled. “Who has the actual warrant?”

  “Agent Barnes.”

  Before he could deliberate on the orders he knew they waited for, a whistle broke the silence and he just reacted. “Let’s go. You four, get around the back. You,” he pointed at the oldest on the team. “Take that truck and park it across the driveway so they can’t leave. You three, come with me.”

  Chapter 63

  Maya knew she was being foolhardy. She should have waited for the team, but any chance of saving Nik’s life couldn’t be ignored. With her gun clutched tight, palms wet, using the sleeve of her lightweight blouse, she wiped the sweat from her brow and brushed away the tears from her eyes,

  Inching forward, she crept past the dried bushes and worked her way to the window. Peeking inside only made it worse. Her heart felt like it was taking the same beating Nik was actually experiencing. Two men held him while Smith junior worked him over.

  Pissed, madder than she’d ever been in her life, she broke cover and ran to the door. If she could distract them, hold them off for a few seconds so Nik could get to her, they had a slight chance to make it to safety. Her team was right behind her. They’d be here any minute.

  Dammit! That was her man getting hammered in there. Even though he wasn’t Max, Nik also seemed to be more of a partner than Max had ever been. And more importantly, he was her lover.

  Carefully, she opened the door to the outer office and waited until the skinny bookkeeper noticed her and her weapon. With her finger against her lips, she motioned for him to go into the inner office and using him as a shield, gun held to his back, she ordered, “Slow and easy. We go in and get Foster. No one gets hurt. Understood?”

  His bony Adam’s apple, traveling the length of his neck at a pace that must have made breathing difficult, he croaked. “Yes. Please. Don’t hurt me.”

  “No one gets hurt. Go.”

  He reached over and opened the door. As soon as they crossed the threshold, he pulled away leaving her standing alone. With her gun now held in both hands, unwavering, she pointed it directly at Smith senior. “Call off Junior, or I will gladly color the front of your shirt blood red.”

  Everyone in the room froze. The man lying in a pool of blood right under the window certainly obeyed her
instructions and she now knew why she hadn’t seen him earlier. The other three assholes in the room looked to see what their boss wanted.

  “Well there, missy. Knew you’d be coming sooner or later. I suspect since you’ve entered the premises, you’ve brought legal documentation to do a search. I’ve been expecting you. In any case, I do want to report a crime. The man who’s been shot broke into my office and attacked me. I have witnesses to this. My men will corroborate what happened.” The sleazy sicko waved his arm around the room to draw her attention away from him.

  Her peripheral vision worked well and she saw the stupids waggling their heads in agreement. But her eyes never left the man in charge, nor did her gun waver. “And you’re beating up Agent Foster, why?”

  “He’s an agent? The man stole some files from me. I wanted them back and he’s refusing to co-operate. Just a misunderstanding.”

  Disgusted with his attitude, Maya couldn’t take any more of the crap he was dishing out. “I want everyone to put their guns down on the floor and go lean against the far wall.” She motioned with her chin in the direction she wanted them to go. “And, Junior, you should know you’re next on my most-wanted list. Assaulting a federal agent is just too stupid for words. There’s pay-back involved. If you know what I mean?”

  When no one moved she cocked the hammer of her gun, smiled directly at the old bastard and waited.

  “Move, boys, don’t you see the lady’s serious?”

  The bookkeeper stepped out to do her bidding first, and the others hesitated. The two holding up Nik let him fall back on the chair and slowly put their guns down as ordered, then they joined the skinny shit at the wall.

  “Partner, you okay?” Maya couldn’t look his way to see if he was still conscious. She whistled loudly, another trick she’d learned from a dear old step-dad. Hoping to get some response, her heart dropped when he didn’t answer. Rightfully so, she took it to mean he was too injured to speak. Dammit! She could have used his help about now. “Hey, pipsqueak, you have hearing problems. I’d really like to shoot your dear dad in the same place he shot my man in the van. Tit for tat, you know? Don’t try me.”