Innocent Blood

by Linda S. Prather

  This was why her father had warned her never to act in anger. If she hadn’t been angry, she would have heard them or smelled them long before they got this close. Loki placed the rifle on the ground and took a step away. The one called Pete was most likely the boss, and he was the only one carrying a gun. “So what’s your buddy’s name?”

  “Why? You ain’t gonna live long enough to tell nobody about it.”

  Her hand slid slowly toward her knife. “I always like to know the name of the people I’m about to kill.” Her fingers clutched the hilt, tossed it around, and flung it, all in one swift motion. Dropping quickly, she grabbed the rifle, rolled, and came up ready to fire.

  Pete was on his knees, the knife buried to the hilt in his chest. Loki lowered the rifle. His buddy was already hoofing it upstream, and she wasn’t sure how far Dadron had gotten. He was as stubborn as she was, and if he heard rifle fire, he might just turn around and come back.

  Approaching the one called Pete, she kicked the rifle out of his reach. His hands were clutched around the hilt of the knife. “I wouldn’t pull that out if I were you.” She knelt beside him. “It’s stuck in your heart, and as soon as it’s removed, you’re going to bleed to death very quickly. Of course, out here you’ll probably die before anyone can get to you, anyway, since cell phones don’t work.”

  Pete glared at her but stopped tugging on the knife.

  “I could probably save you, but you’re going to have to give me a very good reason to try.” Loki smiled at him. “Like the names of all the people with you, and where they are.”

  Pete swallowed hard. “You said it’s in my heart. How can you save me?”

  “I’m Choctaw. Healing is part of our culture. If I stop the bleeding, you have a chance. Maybe not a good one but still a chance. Better than what you have now.”

  “You heal me first, then I’ll tell you.”

  Loki laughed and gently touched the knife. “I’m not stupid.”

  “How do I know you won’t just pull the knife out and leave me here?”

  “You don’t. But as I said, I’m Choctaw. If I tell you I’ll try to save you, then I will.”

  “I don’t know anything but first names.”

  “How many of you are there, and where are the others?”

  “Five. There was six, but Pinky never came back. Boss stayed at the cabin. Greg and Finn went after your brother. That slimeball that ran off and left me here to die is Sully.”

  Fear made her throat dry. She needed to hurry and go after Dadron before they caught up with him. “And what’s your boss’s name?”

  “I swear, lady, I don’t know. He just hired us to scare you and then bring you in.”

  “Where’s the cabin?”

  “About five miles north of here. You gonna help me or not?”

  “Who cut out the hunter’s tongue and eyes?”

  His eyes enlarged. “I don’t know nothing about that. Swear to God and all that’s holy, I ain’t never seen nothing like that.”

  Loki was tempted to pull her knife out and walk away, but she’d given her word. “Sit still and don’t move.”

  If the knife had truly hit his heart, she’d be wasting her time, but she’d purposely thrown it a half inch below the heart. Unless Pete had a big heart, which she doubted, he would probably survive. She wouldn’t bother to tell him the trick she was about to use had nothing to do with being Choctaw. It might save Pete’s life, or it might cause infection that would speed up his death. At least the choice wasn’t up to her. She went to the edge of the creek, reached down, and brushed away the silt. What she needed was thick, black mud with just a touch of clay.

  Loki picked up a stick on her way to Pete and shoved it between his teeth. “I’m going to help you lie down, and this is probably going to hurt. If you want to live, you’ll stay perfectly still.”

  She helped him stretch out, careful to move his upper body as little as possible. “Close your eyes.”

  “Why?” he mumbled around the stick.

  “Suit yourself.” Loki jerked the knife from his chest, ripped open his shirt, and quickly filled the wound with mud. She packed it as tight as she could then tore the shirt into strips and tied a bandage around his body. “That will have to hold you until…” She laughed softly. Big strong Pete had passed out.

  Loki picked up his rifle and placed it by his side. If Sully didn’t come back and find him, and he lived, he would need it for predators. She’d never killed a man before, and some small part of her hoped he lived. She couldn’t say the same for the men chasing Dadron. She wouldn’t have any problem at all killing them.

  Harry parked in front of the parish and turned to Reggie. “Afraid this is a new one on me. I’ve never questioned a nun before.”

  “Me, either. Guess we just go in and be nice.”

  “I’m always nice.” Harry opened his door. “I’m just used to the idea I can use a little leverage if I need to.”

  “If nothing else, it might give us an idea of how Mullins has changed in the last ten years. I told you they were triplets, didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, Reggie. About six times so far.”

  Harry opened the door to the parish and stepped inside.

  An older woman immediately approached, her wrinkled face creased by her smile. “Can I help you, gentlemen?”

  “We’re looking for Sister Mullins,” Harry answered. “I believe she’s expecting us.”

  The creases deepened as her eyebrows knitted together. “Sister Mullins was expecting someone, but they left only a few moments ago. He was a police officer, I believe.”

  “Did they say where they were going?” Harry asked.

  “Who are you?”

  “Reginald Merriweather, ma’am.” Reggie flashed his badge. “I’m the police officer who called and asked to meet with Sister Mullins.”

  “Oh, dear, this is quite unusual. I believe the officer’s name was Barnette, or Burnette. I know it started with a B.”

  “Benson?” Reggie asked.

  “Yes, that’s it. I’m sorry, my memory isn’t as good as it used to be.”

  “Did she say where they were going?”

  “Yes, to visit her brother, Brad.”

  “Do you know where Brad is, ma’am?” Harry asked.

  “The same place he’s been for the last ten years. Green Valley Hospital.”

  Harry turned on his heels and headed out the door. “Thank you for your help, ma’am. Do you know where this place is, Reggie?”

  “About an hour south of here.”

  “You can drive.”

  Reggie turned in to the road leading to the hospital. Harry admired the lush green lawns surrounding the building. “Doesn’t take much imagination to see where this place got its name.” A small lake sat in the distance, and spring flowers were beginning to bloom, surrounding the lake in rows of yellow, red, and purple. “It’s beautiful here.”

  Reggie shot him a glance. “Just because you’re insane doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy pretty scenery.”

  “You see Benson’s car?”

  “Give me a minute. He might not be driving his car, though.” Reggie drove slowly through the visitors’ parking lot. “Not here.”

  “Park, and we’ll check inside.”

  “You know Benson is probably armed.” Reggie pulled into a space and cut the engine. “Doesn’t give me a warm, cozy feeling.”

  “Me, either.” Harry walked toward the building, his eyes scanning all sides. If Brad Mullins had been here for ten years, then they were wrong about him being behind the shootings. But mental illness had stages, so perhaps Mullins was allowed passes to visit his sister. The inside of the building was as beautiful as the outside and sparkling clean. Too clean for Harry’s taste. A few months in here, and he would go insane. The doors to the main building were locked. Harry picked up the visitors’ phone.

  “May I help you?”

  “Yes, I’m here to see Brad Mullins.”

  The line was silent a s
econd too long. “If you care to wait, someone will be with you in just a moment.”

  “What do you suppose that was all about?” Reggie sat on the bench along the wall.

  A tall man wearing glasses and dressed in a neatly pressed black suit approached the glass doors and unlocked them. “Gentlemen, I understand you’re here to see Mr. Mullins?”

  Harry nodded. “Is there a problem, Mr.…?”

  “Pardon me. I’m Seymour Gardner, the director here. Are you family?”

  “No, we’re police officers investigating a case that we hope Mr. Mullins can shed some light on.”

  “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

  Reggie stood and showed him his badge. “Do we need to get a warrant?”

  Gardner smiled. “It wouldn’t do you any good, sir. You see, Mr. Mullins passed away two months ago.”

  “Has his sister been here to see him today?” Harry asked.

  “I’m sorry, sir, you must be mistaken. Mr. Mullins has no family that we’re aware of. A young lady did visit him shortly before his death.”

  Harry waved a hand around at the luxurious surroundings. “Do you have a name for her? And who was paying for all this?”

  Gardner smiled again. “For that, sir, you will need a warrant.”

  Harry drove as they headed to Tunica. He needed something to keep his mind occupied.

  “Looks like we’re right back where we started,” Reggie said. “We’ve got no freaking idea who’s behind this.”

  Would you wait ten years to seek revenge? Triplets. “We verified Kathryn Mullins was Brad’s sister. Even if she didn’t visit him, that doesn’t mean she’s not the one seeking revenge now that he’s dead.”

  “A nun? That doesn’t set well with me, Harry. Why would she wait ten years?”

  “Sometimes a traumatic experience or loss can trigger something inside that makes you go crazy or do things you wouldn’t normally think of doing. The killings started three weeks ago. Brad Mullins died roughly eight weeks ago. She must have started planning right after his funeral.”

  “Ashton’s dead, and she’s got Benson. Do you think that might be enough for her?”

  “Maybe if she just wanted revenge against them, but I think it’s more than that. She wants to destroy every policeman out there.”

  “That’s some screwed-up shit. I need a beer.”

  “Let’s head back to the hospital and get Jake’s take on this. We’ll need to talk to Walters and the new captain here. We should probably go back to the parish and see if anyone there knows anything about where she hangs out.”

  Reggie heaved a sigh. “I hate it when we have to deal with crazies.”

  Harry knew exactly what Reggie was talking about. There was no reasoning with crazies and no way to anticipate what they would do next. He needed to take that gun to Jake. Kathryn Mullins could simply disappear, or she could be waiting for them when they arrived at the hospital. One thing he was sure of—they didn’t have to worry about Benson anymore.

  22

  “We could be looking at it wrong.” Jake rubbed his arm. “What if Benson is behind this whole thing and Kathryn Mullins has been taken hostage?”

  “Thanks, Jake. Just when I think I’ve got it figured out and work out a plan, you throw in a wrench and mess up the works.” Harry flopped in the armchair. “Why would Benson do this?”

  “Reggie may have the answer to that and not know it.”

  “Me? I’m as dumbfounded as Harry is. I’m still trying to digest that it may be a nun.”

  “How did Benson treat Rafe Wilson?”

  Reggie shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I mean, he wasn’t a big fan of any of us.”

  “Any of you, or just you and Rafe?”

  “I never thought about it, but yeah, he might have treated us different. If there was a crap job, we got it.”

  “That still doesn’t answer why he would do it, Jake. He had to know this would come out and he would get caught eventually,” Harry said.

  “Let’s assume he hates Native Americans. Radolph Wilson said his wife wanted to move back to the reservation. I bet if you check, there have been other families that already have.” Jake grinned. “And he didn’t plan on us being here, which is why the bastard shot me. He figured he could control Ashton, but when I came on the scene, things got complicated.”

  “Don insinuated something along those lines. So why kidnap Kathryn Mullins?” Harry asked.

  “She kept her brother’s whereabouts hidden for ten years. She’s kept his death quiet. Brad must have told her what happened out there that day, and she was protecting him and herself.”

  Reggie frowned. “But Ashton confessed, so why kidnap her now? Even if she does know, we don’t need her testimony. A dying man’s confession would be all the jury would need to convict Benson.”

  Jake rubbed his arm again. “Good question. I was just playing devil’s advocate and throwing a wrench into your theories. With Benson, we’re back to the question of why wait ten years, especially if it’s a hate crime against Native Americans. He could have done this any time. Kathryn Mullins may actually be behind all this. If she is, you’ll find Benson’s body eventually.”

  “Shit, Jake.” Reggie went to the window, turned, and walked to the door. “I’m on vacation, and I’m going for a beer.”

  Harry waited until the door closed then laughed. “Jenna taught you well. All the things a good defense lawyer would bring up in defense. So how does he get around Kathryn Mullins’s kidnapping and death and Ashton’s confession?”

  “That one’s easy. He was doing the same thing we were. He was trying to find Brad Mullins. Kathryn tried to kill him, so he had to kill her.”

  “And Ashton’s confession?”

  “Same as the officer shootings here. His family was threatened if he didn’t write the confession, and he was given a choice, kill three people and be killed or kill himself. He took the honorable way out.”

  “And shooting you?”

  “Discredit part of the confession, and you’ve discredited all of it.” Jake lowered the bed and closed his eyes.

  “You’re tired. I’ll get out of here and let you get some rest.”

  “Did you bring my gun?”

  Harry picked up the shaving case and passed it to him. “Fully loaded, so be careful. I don’t think you’re going to need it.”

  “No one suspects a nun, Harry. She could walk right in any time she wanted, carrying a sawed-off shotgun, and no one would question it.”

  Harry stood. “I actually hope it’s Benson. I’ll call Walters and have him go through Ashton’s things and see if he finds pictures. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

  As soon as the door closed behind Harry, Jake opened his eyes. Unzipping the shaving case was difficult with one arm, but he managed. Hefting the gun in his left hand, he practiced swinging it back and forth to get the feel for it. He’d never had to shoot left handed, but if the doctors were right, he’d have to get used to it. Slipping the gun beneath his pillow, he relaxed. He’d hoped it was Benson too, but his money was on Kathryn Mullins.

  Loki leaned against a rock, her lungs on fire and the catch in her side unbearable. It would be dark in another thirty minutes, and going any farther would be impossible. There were too many holes and pitfalls on the trail ahead. A twisted ankle or broken leg would definitely bring about the doom her grandfather had predicted.

  Her heart was heavy as she lowered herself to the ground. She’d seen no sign of Dadron and Thompkins or the two men following them. “I let you down, Father. I promised you I’d take care of them. I should never have sent Dadron off alone. I should have been there to protect him.”

  Open your eyes, Loki. Jules is grown up too. Loki pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head against them. As slow as Thompkins would have been, there wasn’t any way Dadron could have outrun the two men. And no matter what she’d said, Dadron would never have left Thompkins behind. Not even to save Jules.

  He hired us
to scare you and then bring you in. The men wouldn’t kill Dadron until they had her in their clutches. Even then they would probably wait for Jules. They didn’t want only the tribe to believe that Nalusa Falaya had killed them; they wanted to scare the three of them to the point that they would believe it too.

  Tim, Neta, and Mr. Blackwell knew where they had gone. Eventually a search team would be sent. Her thoughts turned to Jake, and tears filled her eyes. She’d tried desperately not to think about him because she knew that if he were well, he would already be here. For the past year, he’d been her sounding board. Her voice of reason. “So, what do I do, Jake?” His smiling face filled her mind, his deep-blue eyes filled with love. Give them hell, honey.

  Loki rose to her feet, the pain in her side gone and her lungs back to normal. Pete had said there were five of them, and with him out of commission, that left four. The boss—whoever he was—liked to stay at the cabin, and two were after Dadron. Her lips lifted in a smile. Which means there’s one of them looking for me, unless Sully just kept running for his life.

  The trip down the trail was much easier than the quick climb she’d made, but it was dark when she reached the bottom. The camp they’d vacated was about a half mile away. If she was lucky, their supplies would still be there. Loki headed for the line of trees to her left. She’d gone only a few feet when the young girl she’d seen on the road suddenly appeared. The girl shook her head and ran away from the trees, disappearing into a small brush pile.

  She doesn’t want me to go into the trees. An image of Pinky’s corpse flashed through her mind. The pigs were in the trees, and the smell of Pete’s blood was all over her. Loki set off across the open field. “I don’t know who you are, but thank you.”

  23

  “Let’s assume for the sake of argument it’s Benson and not Kathryn Mullins.” Harry spread out the map on the conference table. “Where would he take her?”