Retribution (Otter Creek Book 8)

by Rebecca Deel

He surveyed the area to be sure he was alone. “For you to hack into traffic cams and security cams in Otter Creek.” He rattled off Ruth’s address. “I need footage from the past four hours. A woman’s life is at stake.”

  The sound of a computer keyboard clicking reached Ethan’s ears. “Working on it now. What’s going on, Ethan? I haven’t heard of a problem from Remy or Lily.”

  “Serena and my son are safe. Ruth Rollins, my aunt, is missing and her best friend has been murdered.”

  “The assassin took Ms. Rollins?” Zane’s voice was grim.

  “Appears so.”

  “I’m sorry. Congratulations on the birth of your son, by the way. Lily says he’ll be a heartbreaker when he grows up.”

  Despite the worry weighing on his thoughts, Ethan smiled. “Thanks. When is your wedding day?”

  “Two weeks. We wanted to marry sooner, but Claire wanted Adam to attend the wedding.”

  Ethan remembered Josh mentioning the Fortress operative’s injuries which were sustained during a mission. Adam had been captured and tortured by a drug lord in Belize a few weeks earlier. “How is he?”

  “Recovering well. He’ll need plastic surgery, but he’s lucky to be alive.” A pause, more finger tapping on Zane’s keyboard, then, “Ah. Got something for you. Two security cameras are online. I hacked into their systems, trusting that you’ll put in a good word for me with a judge if I’m found out.”

  Doubt he’d need to do that. From what he’d heard over the last couple years, Zane Murphy was a world-class hacker who never left a trail behind. “Send me the file.” Ethan gave Zane an email address that couldn’t be traced back to him directly. One of those alternate identities Quinn suspected he had. “What about the traffic cameras?”

  “Working on that now.”

  “I want the feeds on roads heading out of town. I need to know if he left town, and if he did, which direction he took.”

  “Got it. Your town’s system is antiquated, by the way.”

  “Yeah?” Amusement swirled through him. “In this case, that’s a good thing. Should make it easier for you to hack the system.”

  “Ethan, do you have a laptop handy?”

  “I don’t, but I can access my aunt’s computer.”

  “I’m going to send the traffic cam footage, but the time frame you gave me is wide. I can narrow it down for you if I know which vehicle to scan for. Otherwise, you’ll be spending several hours looking through the footage. You don’t have that luxury.”

  “I’m going inside to the computer. I’ll call you in two minutes.” Ethan jogged through the yard and over the threshold of Ruth’s back door. He skirted Rod who glanced up at his entrance.

  “Anything?”

  “Zane Murphy is lending a hand with a search. Don’t ask details. I’ll let you know if he comes up with anything. Nick and Stella should arrive soon.”

  With a nod, the detective returned to his task.

  Ethan walked to Ruth’s office. He turned on her laptop and typed in Ruth’s password when the dialog box popped up, grateful his aunt had made a point of giving him full access to her computer in case something happened to her. At the time, she’d mentioned something about him making sure her latest manuscript went to her publisher if something should happen to her. This was one time he was glad for her precaution, but determined not to contact that publisher. His aunt would send her electronic file of her manuscript herself.

  Before he logged into his account, he called Quinn. “It’s Ethan. I need Heidi and Charlie.”

  “Where?”

  “My aunt’s house. She’s missing, Quinn. I think Muehller took her and I need Charlie to confirm.”

  “We’ll leave as soon as we load up Charlie. Be there in ten minutes.”

  He logged into his account and clicked on the file Murphy sent. He fast forwarded through the footage of one security cam until he spotted a dark SUV with tinted windows speeding down the alley about the right time. Ethan called Murphy and put the phone on speaker. “I’m looking at the footage from the first security cam. The dark SUV?”

  “Yep. The second security cam showed the same thing. There was another vehicle that came through the alley during the four-hour time frame you gave me. The windows were clear and the driver was a teenage boy.”

  “Track the first SUV. I want to know where that vehicle went when it left here.” Ethan manipulated the video clip until he caught the image of the driver. Too blurry to make out the facial features. Maybe Murphy could clean it up and get him an image. Hopefully, Charlie would confirm Muehller was their culprit. Shouldn’t take much for the Fortress tech to provide an image. “After you’ve done that, see if you can isolate the driver’s face and clean it up enough for a positive identification.”

  “Jon Smith is in the building. He can help with the ID. I’ll get back to you when I have the route nailed down and a face to go with the SUV. ”

  “Hurry, Zane.” His throat tightened at the thought of his aunt, somewhere around Otter Creek, hurt and at the mercy of a killer with a thirst for vengeance.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Quinn pushed back from the table. “Ethan needs you and Charlie,” he said to Heidi.

  She rose, grabbing Charlie’s work harness and leash. “What’s going on?”

  “Someone kidnapped Ethan’s aunt. He suspects Muehller and needs you and Charlie to tell him if he’s right.”

  Poor Ethan, dealing with one thing after another at a time when he should be with his wife and child. She turned to the Labrador. “Sit, Charlie.”

  The dog sat and remained still while she strapped on his harness. Not sure what to expect, she said, “Might be wise to take our tracking gear, just in case. We can leave it in your SUV until we need it.”

  Quinn smiled. “I always carry my Go bag in the vehicle. The rest of my unit also carries their gear wherever they go. Fortress has been known to send a jet to pick us up if they need us bad enough.”

  Good to know they were always ready for a mission. Didn’t surprise Heidi. Preparation was the mark of a Special Forces soldier. What had surprised her was Quinn’s declaration of love so soon after reconnecting. She thought about that as she hurried to change into her boots, grab her gear bag, and her weather-proof coat. Heidi never thought she would hear those three precious words from Quinn Gallagher.

  Why choose her? In Heidi’s eyes, she was nothing special. In fact, she came with a truckload of trouble. She didn’t want Quinn to regret falling in love with her. She wanted a marriage filled with love, laughter, and loyalty. Heidi thought she might be able to achieve that with Quinn and she would work hard to make that happen. She didn’t want her home to be a war zone with constant bickering and fighting. She’d had enough of that as a kid.

  Heidi double-checked the contents of her bag. Food for herself and Charlie, first-aid supplies, mylar blanket, light-weight tent if they should be caught in the elements and be unable to return to base camp. To the bag, she added the maps. She’d love to use one of those maps to find Ethan’s aunt.

  Would Quinn have a supply of food in his bag? If they were sent on a search, Heidi didn’t have enough stores for him. She returned to the kitchen where Quinn, Charlie, and the others waited. “Quinn, do you have food in your bag? If not, we should pick up some. What I have won’t be enough.”

  “I have MREs. I’ll be fine.”

  She wrinkled her nose. Didn’t sound tasty. Better than going hungry, though.

  Levi closed the gap between them and pulled her into a hug. “Be careful, Heidi.”

  She tightened her arms around his waist. Levi felt like home and safety to her. Now that she thought about it, she felt the same way with Quinn. Maybe that’s why she’d been comfortable with him from the moment she saw him at PSI. He’d been her hero as a kid. Now he was everything to her. She prayed she would be the same for him. “We may not have anything to go on, Levi. This could be a false alarm or the trail might disappear like it did at Madison’s house a few hours ago.”


  Her cousin’s troubled gaze met hers. “Don’t take any chances. Please.”

  “I have a great bodyguard. We’ll be fine.”

  Levi turned to Quinn. “Take care of her. I want her back in one piece.”

  Instead of taking offense and spouting off, the Fortress operative acknowledged the order with a snappy salute. He glanced at Dane and Angel. “Stay alert. While we’re chasing international assassins, the arsonist is still gunning for your principal. If you think something isn’t right, call PSI and get backup.”

  Dane frowned. “Why not call one of your teammates?”

  “If we go after Muehller, the rest of Durango will be with us.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Heidi snapped her fingers. “Charlie, come.”

  Minutes later, Quinn parked a few houses away from the police activity at one house. Heidi’s attention shifted to an ambulance parked nearby. No lights, no hurried activity. Dread coiled in her stomach. Were they too late to help Ruth? She prayed that wasn’t the case. Ethan needed a break.

  “Heidi, we won’t be allowed to take Charlie inside the house so we don’t contaminate the crime scene.” He hesitated, then said, “A friend of Ruth’s was murdered in the house, baby.”

  She gasped. “That’s terrible. Ethan thinks Muehller is behind this?”

  “That’s what he needs you and Charlie to confirm.”

  “I gave Nick the shirt from Muehller. Charlie will need access to it to refresh the scent in his mind.”

  “No problem.” Quinn nodded at the SUV ahead of theirs. “That’s Nick’s vehicle. He’ll have the bag for Charlie.” He circled the hood and helped Heidi to the pavement, turning her insides to mush. Quinn treated her with honor and respect without acting as if she were helpless and unable to care for herself. A fine balance for men to walk and he made it look easy. He must have learned well while caring for his mother and sisters after his father died.

  She opened the door for Charlie and clipped his leash to the harness. “Find Ethan and tell him we’re ready to work. Charlie and I will wait here.” Might make her a coward, but she didn’t want to catch a glimpse of a dead body, even from a distance. She’d had enough of death, thank you very much.

  Quinn skirted law enforcement personnel as he crossed the lawn. Heidi was fascinated with all the activity as was Charlie. He seemed particularly interested in the two policemen who were about eighteen inches apart, walking the lawn with flashlights in their hands. Looking for signs of the killer? Perhaps they would find a clue indicating an identity, adding weight to the evidence the police needed.

  Within two minutes, Quinn returned with the police chief following close behind. Ethan’s purposeful strides ate up the distance quickly. Heidi swallowed hard. She would hate to have him come after her. Ethan Blackhawk looked strong and capable, confidence oozing with every step. At well over six feet, he was a powerful man without an ounce of flab on him.

  “Thanks for coming,” Ethan said as he unlocked the detective’s SUV.

  “We’re happy to help. How’s Serena?”

  The somber look on his face lifted for a brief moment as his mouth curved into a smile. “Fantastic. She and Lucas are doing great.”

  Aww. Her heart melted. “Lucas is your new son?”

  “He was born two hours ago. He’s perfect, like his gorgeous mother. I almost can’t believe he’s mine.” Ethan opened the hatchback and unlocked a secured box in the back. Inside was the plastic bag containing Muehller’s shirt. He handed Heidi the bag. “Should I show you where we think the killer came into the house?”

  Grateful he hadn’t offered to take her inside the place, she nodded. She and Quinn followed the police chief to the back of the house, Charlie close to Heidi’s side. The white house looked like a nice place to live. So did the neighborhood from what she’d seen as they drove here. The murder was sure to be a shock to the neighbors. She and Charlie had to find Ethan’s aunt in time.

  The policeman stopped at the edge of the yard and pointed to the back door where Nick Santana worked. “Evidence indicates he came through there and surprised Ruth in the kitchen.” Ethan glanced at her. “How will we know if the Lab detects Muehller’s scent?”

  She lifted the bag. “This is the only scent Charlie is hunting for. If the intruder isn’t Muehller, Charlie won’t find his scent.” Heidi knelt in front of Charlie and again forced enthusiasm into her voice. “Charlie, this is Hans. Find Hans.”

  Her partner sniffed the contents of the bag and wagged his tail. Sniffed again.

  “Find Hans. Find him.”

  Charlie lifted his nose into the air, sniffed, paced. Watching his body language, Heidi knew he had caught the scent. Charlie headed for the back door where Nick paused in his task to observe the dog at work. “Find Hans, Charlie,” Heidi said. “Where’s Hans?”

  The Lab moved toward the back of the yard and stopped at the gate. A whine and a glance at her. “Can we go through the gate?” she asked Ethan.

  “Absolutely.” With a gloved hand, he unlatched and opened the gate. Charlie darted to an alley where he paced, nose lifted, searching for a scent. Her Lab sat. “He’s lost the scent. The killer must have gotten into a vehicle right here.”

  “It was Muehller?” Ethan pressed.

  She nodded, holding up the bag. “This scent is what he searched for and found.”

  “Excellent. Now, if Zane will get back to me on the traffic cams, we’ll have an idea where to start the search for my aunt.” He gave a wry smile which didn’t reach his eyes. “Provided Muehller didn’t avoid the cameras.”

  “Doubt Muehller had time to locate all the cameras in the area,” Quinn said. “He has to know the Otter Creek PD is hunting for him. If there’s anything to see, Z will find it.”

  At that moment, Ethan’s phone signaled an incoming call. “Blackhawk.” The policeman listened a moment, a look of satisfaction growing on his face. “Send me everything you have. Thanks, Murphy. I owe you one.”

  “What did he find?” Quinn asked as he rubbed Charlie’s head.

  “He tracked the SUV down Main Street and out to Highway 18. From there, he lost the vehicle between two traffic cameras.”

  “Narrows down the search grid. At least we have a direction to start. Did he get a license plate or a face?”

  “Oh, yeah. Zane Murphy is worth his weight in gold. If I wasn’t worried about Maddox putting a bounty on my head, I’d do my best to convince him and Claire to move here. I can use someone with his talent in the police department.”

  Quinn barked out a laugh. “Sorry, Ethan. You can’t pay him enough. I guarantee, the boss will exceed any offer you make to keep him. Besides, Z and the boss go way back. Those frog boys stick together.”

  Ethan grunted. “Figured as much.” He turned to Heidi. “You up for a field trip if I can narrow down the search area?”

  “We’re ready. My gear is in Quinn’s vehicle.”

  “I don’t have to ask if you’re ready, Quinn.”

  “Want me to contact the others?”

  “Not yet. You and Heidi come with me. I want to see the video feed Zane sent to my email.”

  Quinn sent Ethan a pointed look. “I don’t want Heidi inside the house.”

  That tight knot of dread in Heidi’s stomach eased. Thank goodness. Quinn must have guessed her reluctance to enter the house. Heidi also wasn’t sure how Charlie would react.

  “Understood. That won’t be necessary. Nick has a laptop inside his vehicle. I can access my inbox from his computer.” He led them to Nick’s SUV and grabbed the laptop. Once logged in, he clicked on the video Zane sent. He paused the forward movement on one frame and zoomed in. The face of the driver was grainy, but recognizable.

  “Well?” Quinn demanded. “Is it Muehller?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  “Muehller took Ruth.” Ethan tapped a couple keys and the video progressed again.

  Quinn moved closer to the computer. His eyebrows rose as he noted the fa
miliar stores and cross streets in the passing frames. Muehller drove right down Main Street. No turning his head as he passed places with obvious traffic cameras, almost as if he wanted Ethan to know who had Ruth. Probably did. Nothing like taunting the object of your vengeance, the ploy sure to add pressure to the lawman. However, if the assassin hoped to rattle Ethan Blackhawk, he was out of luck. Ethan didn’t rattle. He planned every move and adjusted when something didn’t work. Ethan was like a bulldog. Once he got his teeth into something, he didn’t let go. Muehller wouldn’t get away with this and Quinn couldn’t wait to see his face when Ethan took him down. “Did you see Ruth in the frames?”

  Ethan shook his head. He tapped another key and sent the video into fast forward. “There was blood in the kitchen. That’s where we think Muehller grabbed my aunt.” The police chief stopped talking abruptly, his hand bunching into a powerful fist.

  “If she’s injured, then Ruth is either unconscious or Muehller tied her up and forced her to lay flat.” Man, this had to be tearing Ethan apart. He adored his aunt.

  “That’s my guess as well.” His voice sounded gruffer than normal. “Ruth wouldn’t have gone down without a fight.”

  “No, she wouldn’t.” Quinn squeezed Ethan’s shoulder a moment. “She’s tough and smart. Ruth knows you’re coming for her. That knowledge will comfort her and give her the grit to survive no matter what Muehller does.”

  “She’s in her seventies, Quinn.” His voice cracked. “Although she thinks she’s invincible, Ruth can’t handle the shocks she did when she was younger and had to raise a punk teenager on her own.”

  He snorted, thinking of the police chief as a trouble-making teen. Hard to picture that as Ethan was the face of law and order in Otter Creek. “I don’t believe for a minute Ruth is that fragile.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because your aunt took a teenage punk to task last week in the town square. This boy topped Ruth by a good six inches. Didn’t bother her. Never seen anything like that from her. Fragile, Ethan? Not in this lifetime.”