“Any idea which way he went?”
“We hit a dead end there. The cops showed up because someone called in a shots fired so we had to scramble off the roof. But we preserved the evidence.”
Declan stroked his freshly shaved chin. “Anything unique about the key card?”
“It’s got the Hilton logo on it.”
Declan turned to Ziggy but she was already ahead of him. In a few seconds, she had a list of Hiltons in the immediate area. “Looks like there’s seven in West Palm Beach.”
“Send addresses to the guys.” Then he said to Gavin, “I’m going to send a picture of Müller to your phone along with the addresses. Split them up so you can cover more ground that way.”
“Will do.”
“And be careful. Müller is a professional. If you find him, stay on him, but don’t try to be a hero.” Declan ended the call and began to pace.
“Patience isn’t one of his virtues,” Ziggy offered.
“So I see,” Chasyn agreed. “Can I make you some coffee?” she asked.
Declan grinned at her. “You don’t make coffee; you make light brown water.”
“You make tar,” she countered.
“I like strong coffee.”
“Then why don’t you make it?” she suggested.
Chasyn followed him to the small kitchen area and took a bottle of water out of the fridge while he filled the filter with a mound of coffee grounds. They were standing side by side and Chasyn kept her face down as she said, “Thank you for today. I’m so sorry you got hurt.”
Declan pulled her into his embrace. “It’s nothing but a scratch and you don’t have to thank me. I was just doing my—”
“Don’t say job. You are doing this pro bono for some unknown reason.”
“I’ve been shot at three times in a little over a week. It’s personal to me, so there’s no reason why your parents should pay for me to investigate this convoluted mess.”
“I’m sorry you got dragged into this,” she said as she placed her palms against his chest. Through the thin fabric, she felt the even rhythm of his heart beating. She wasn’t so lucky. Her heart raced, a result of being in such close proximity. She felt the outline of his powerful thigh muscles against hers; the outline of his washboard abs where their bodies met.
Without thinking, she dragged her nails down his chest and stopped when she reached his belt. It made her feel powerful when she heard the slight catch in his breath. Chasyn looked up and he instantly captured her mouth. Automatically, she laced her fingers behind his head and savored the minty taste of him. Declan’s hands moved to her sides, gently sliding from her waistband to the swell of her breasts. Chasyn’s blood pressure rose along with her yearning for him. She wanted to drag him upstairs, rip off his clothes, and have passionate sex with him.
She would have, too, if Declan didn’t set her away. “Not interested?” she asked as casually as she could manage.
“Oh, I’m interested,” he said immediately. “I’m very interested. But I’m also in the middle of tracking an international assassin. A little tough to do when all I want is to take you to bed.”
At least the feeling was mutual. “How did he find me here?” she asked.
“My guess is Martha Lansing clued him in. I did—stupidly—give her my name at the hospital last night.”
Chasyn felt a chill travel down her spine. “What about Hannah Ryan? I mean, if Martha is willing to kill me then she has just as much motivation to have Hannah killed.”
“As soon as they finish searching for Müller’s hotel, I’ll send someone up to keep an eye on her.”
She relaxed a little. Until the phone rang and Ziggy called for them.
“Chuck is on the line,” she said. “Go ahead, Chuckster.”
“Found him. Sorta.”
Declan scowled. “Sorta?”
“It took some doing, but I finally got the desk clerk to admit Müller’s been staying here for three days. He’s paid through the end of the week but the clerk said he packed up and left three hours ago,” Chuck said.
“Shit,” Declan muttered. “He bailed right after the shooting. Probably realized he’d left the key card behind.”
“The news isn’t all bad. He put down a cell number when he registered and listed his license plate number.”
“Give it to me,” Declan said.
Ziggy was already working the keyboard, entering the number and searching for the owner of the phone. “Trac phone,” she said. “Purchased with cash at the Walmart in Jupiter.”
“Dead end,” Declan sighed. “Hang there, Chuck, just in case he returns.”
“Will do.”
“How about the license plate?” Declan asked.
“Reported stolen from the Orlando Airport six days ago off a black Escalade.”
“This guy is good,” Declan said with unadulterated admiration.
Chasyn sipped her water as Declan went into boss mode. He directed most of his team to return to the hangar by nine in the morning, with the exceptions of Joey and Gavin. Joey was to babysit Hannah just in case Martha turned her wrath on the young woman. Gavin was to return with dinner from one of his favorite Cuban places. His last task was to insist that Ziggy go home and get some sleep. She protested but Declan overruled her quickly.
Once they were alone, Declan and Chasyn waited on Gavin.
“We’ll leave for Purdue before noon,” he said.
“Tell me about it,” she asked.
“Very small town in north Florida. I grew up there. Lots of swamps and creeks and canals. Great things to explore when you’re a kid.”
“Near the beach?” she asked hopefully.
He shook his head. “Dead center of the state. You’ll like Conner and Emma.”
“Emma is his wife?”
“Right. They’re newlyweds. And Conner has a sixteen-year-old daughter from his first disastrous marriage. Samantha.”
“But he’s happily married now, right?”
“Yes. But it wasn’t an easy courtship. My new sister-in-law is Emma McKinley.”
Chasyn recognized the name; she just couldn’t place it. “Who is?”
“The daughter of the guy who was blamed for the presidential assassination twenty years ago.”
“Oh, right. I saw her and her sister on a television special after they uncovered the identity of the real assassin. You have an interesting family,” she said.
“Darby, who you met, and Jack went through hell before they got together, too.”
“Sometimes you have to go through something extreme to realize how you feel about another person,” she suggested.
“A relationship shouldn’t be that hard,” Declan said flatly. Then he checked his watch and said, “I wonder where Gavin is.”
There was a sudden chill in the room.
Deciding a change in topic was in order, she asked, “Will they all be coming up for your brother’s hearing on Friday?”
“Yes, we’ll be there in force.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Like what?”
She thought for a minute. “I could write a prepared statement for you to read to the Parole Board. I’ve done a few of them in the past.”
He tipped his head. “Yeah, that would be great.” He gave her a sly wink. “I guess I’ll have to think of a special way to thank you.”
“I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The delivery from Mr. Becker showed up just after nine. It was a medium-sized box filled with an eclectic collection of memorabilia. The vast majority of its contents were photographs. Chasyn could tell by the paper that they were copies of the originals and she thought of how sweet it was for Mr. Becker to go to so much trouble. She flipped through them, stopping every now and then when a specific memory bubbled to the surface. She came across one that was so special, she pulled it from the stack and placed it in her purse. It was a picture of her and Kasey on the day they gra
duated from college. It was hard to fathom that Kasey would be dead and she’d be running for her life.
The other items in the box were various trinkets Chasyn had given her friend over the years. Kasey collected Holstein cow figurines, and apparently, Mr. Becker had decided to pass the collection on to her. There were several other items packed in bubble wrap but Declan called for her, so she closed the box and carried it with her.
He directed her to the Hummer, which was already loaded with her suitcase, tote bag, and duffle. There was a large black duffle bag in the back seat along with a garment bag hanging off the hook in the rear. “Can I add this?” she asked.
“Sure,” Declan said, gently shoving it past a metal lockbox. “Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes. Clothes, toiletries…Oh, can I get my laptop out of my Prius?”
He shook his head. “We can’t take a chance on having your IP address tracked.”
“Then, yes, I have everything. You?”
“All set.” He turned to the others and said, “Let’s head out. You know your routes.”
Five of the vehicles started up as Chasyn was buckling her belt. She had a touch of apprehension. Even though all the cars had darkly tinted windows, she was still worried that Müller would guess correctly and turn his high-powered rifle on them. Again.
Declan reached out and touched her bare knee and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Even if Müller is hanging around, he won’t risk shooting up five cars. He’d draw too much attention to himself. And men like Müller do not want attention. That’s why he’s been so successful to date.” His phone rang and he pressed the touchpad on the navigation screen to pull up the call. “What do you have, Ziggy?”
“DNA results.”
“And?”
“Lansing is definitely the father of Mary’s fetus.”
“Any change in his condition?” Chasyn asked.
“I’ll call the hospital and see what I can find out.”
“Thanks, Ziggy,” Chasyn said, then Declan pressed the disconnect button. “That’s a point in our favor,” she said to Declan as she slipped on her sunglasses. “Maybe the state’s attorney can build a decent circumstantial case against Lansing.”
“And his wife,” Declan added. “We just have to keep digging until we find out how she paid for Müller’s services.”
He took the Turnpike northwest to I-75. Once they were on the interstate, Chasyn asked him if they could stop and stretch their legs.
“I’d rather wait until we get closer to Purdue.”
Chasyn uncrossed and recrossed her legs. “Okay then, can we stop so I can pee?”
“Why didn’t you just say so?”
“I was trying to be discreet.”
“There’s a rest area about ten miles ahead. We’ll stop there.”
True to his word, Declan eased off the interstate onto a ramp that split into a V, with one direction for cars and the other for trucks and RVs. There was a single-story brick building flanked by picnic tables and just beyond that, a four-pump service station.
“Do you want to get gas while I use the restroom?” she asked. “This thing can’t get more than about ten miles to the gallon.”
“This thing serves its purpose.”
“Right,” she said with a little laugh. “I forgot the rolling arsenal you have in the back.”
He parked, then reached across her and retrieved his Glock from the glove compartment. Declan tucked it in the waistband of his black jeans, then pulled his T-shirt down to cover the bulge. “I’ll be right outside the ladies’ room,” he told her. “That way I can see the parking lot and keep an eye on you at the same time.”
“Whatever floats your boat,” she said as she unhooked her seatbelt and opened the door. She walked into the archway and directly into the nearly deserted bathroom. The scent of pine deodorizer was strong as she walked in and selected her stall. She could hear and feel the air conditioning blowing down from ceiling vents. Suddenly her cute white halter sundress with its pretty rose print didn’t seem like such a good choice. It was probably ten degrees cooler this far north.
She used the sole of her wedge sandal to flush the toilet, then washed her hands before checking her reflection. She reapplied rosy lip gloss and made her way back out of the room, glad to feel some sunshine on her chilled skin.
“Want a bottle of water or something?” Declan asked.
“That would be great.”
They walked over to a bank of vending machines and Declan got her a bottle of water and then moved over to get himself a cup of coffee. “Carry this,” he said, handing her the steaming cup.
“Why? I mean I don’t mind, it just seems like an odd request.”
“I want both of my hands free in case anything happens.”
She struggled to keep pace with him. “You know when you say things like that you strike fear in my heart.” Her pace quickened and she all but bobbed and weaved her way to the car.
“Better you be afraid than dead.”
“Point taken.”
In no time and without incident, they were back in the car and headed up the interstate. As they drove, Chasyn watched the scenery change from a majority of palm trees and tropical plants to more pine trees and scrub. The sun was beginning to set as Declan took the Purdue exit.
Immediately they were on a two-lane road. He adjusted his speed and they went for what felt like miles before she saw the first sign: PURDUE 5 MILES.
“Five miles from what?” she asked.
“Not a small town girl, I take it.”
“I’ve never had the pleasure.” She took a sip of water.
They passed the occasional manufactured home. Some were lovely, with nice yards and flower beds; others were in dire need of repair. Most had a dog or two hanging out in the yard.
Declan slowed the car as they rounded a bend and off to the left was a stunning three-story mansionette. In the curved driveway was a red Mercedes, a green Toyota, a motorcycle up on a trailer and a marked Sherriff’s vehicle. The brick home was surrounded by azaleas in full bloom and there were window boxes hanging off the banister of the wraparound porch.
“This is your brother’s house?” she asked.
“He married up,” Declan joked.
They had barely gotten out of the car when the front door opened and a smaller version of Declan came out onto the porch. He was handsome, with dark hair and the same piercing eyes, so she didn’t need to ask if this was Conner. The woman who next exited the house was a willowy blonde in expensive business attire.
Chasyn was suddenly surrounded by the Kavanaugh clan and she hadn’t even crossed the threshold.
“I’m Emma.”
“Conner, and this is my daughter Sam.”
“Who’s the kid?” Declan asked, nodding in the direction of the lanky young man hanging back in the foyer.
“Sam’s boyfriend David.”
“You sure have grown up,” Declan said as he wrapped his arms around the young girl and spun her around. She laughed delightedly.
“And that wonderful smell,” Emma began, “is Jeanine whipping up her famous Jambalaya and to-die-for cornbread.”
She was ushered into the house and they went into an expertly appointed living room. It was bright and airy but one wall was covered in thick milled plastic.
“We’re building out,” Emma explained. “Adding a suite to the side of the house so Sam has her own space.”
“It’s going to be totally cool,” Sam said excitedly. “I’ll have a bedroom and a small office/media area and a huge bathroom.”
“Sounds lovely,” Chasyn said as Conner placed a cold beer in her hand.
“David’s online test is in two hours,” Sam said apologetically. “He needs to study before dinner so he’s ready for the test. Don’t mean to be rude.”
“Go ahead, honey,” Conner said.
Sam and David left the room and then Chasyn heard heavy footfalls on the steps. “She’s lovely,” she told Emma
and Conner. “Is her boyfriend going to college online?”
“No,” Conner said with a twinge of annoyance. “He’s getting his GED. He’s a smart kid; he just made some dumb mistakes.”
“Which can be rectified,” Emma said brightly.
“So,” Conner said as he took a seat next to his wife. “Tell me about this Müller guy.”
Declan brought them up to speed on the case while Chasyn sipped her beer and hoped her stomach wouldn’t growl from hunger. The alcohol was going to go right to her head if she wasn’t careful.
“So we’ll hang at the cabin until after Michael’s hearing.”
“I went up there today and got the place all ready for you. The fridge is full, so you can just keep a low profile.”
“Thanks,” Declan said.
A small, frail woman politely interrupted them to announce that dinner was served. Chasyn eventually learned that Jeanine was David’s mother. And as the evening wore on, she learned that Emma, too, had been stalked by a killer. She immediately bonded with the other woman and was sorry when Declan said it was time for them to head to the cabin.
“You have a very nice family,” she told him as they headed back out onto the darkened roadway.
“I do,” he agreed. “I don’t know about that whole David-and-Sam-in-the-same-house thing.”
“I’m sure Conner and Emma and Jeanine have laid down the law.”
“I wouldn’t have obeyed that law when I was seventeen.”
“Man-whore,” she teased.
He laughed and seemed more relaxed than she’d seen him in days. Until the phone rang. Declan pressed the touch pad and answered. “What’s up, Ziggy?”
“I think I may have found something on Martha Lansing.”
“Shoot.”
“Well, she’s the chair of the annual Red Cross benefit on Palm Beach and they just had their auction. Sales topped a hundred grand but she hasn’t deposited the money in their account yet.”
“Excellent work, Ziggy. You’re amazing.”
“I am,” she agreed. “Does this mean you’ll be coming back now?”
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