‘You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.’ Clay laughed in despair. ‘Detective… Phillips, was it? Look, we’re trying to have a moment here. You can’t just–’
‘Zip it. I’m through playing games.’
‘Jane,’ Mason said, voice steady. ‘He wants me to kill him.’
‘What?’
‘I want to kill him.’
Jane’s eyes darted from one side to the other. Light as a feather, she circled to the left, approaching the side of the roof and peering over, her gun still ready to report. ‘It’s a long way down, asshole. Go for it.’
‘Jane!’ Mason’s voice bellowed and echoed across the rooftop.
As if it were the funniest thing on earth, Clay laughed as if he were Vincent Price in Thriller. ‘It gets better and better. So much hatred up here, isn’t there? So much,’ he hugged his chest, ‘emotion.’
‘Listen,’ Mason shuffled forward, but stopped when Clay flinched, as if he were about to jump. ‘If you respect me as much as you say you do, you’ll shut the hell up for a minute and let me think!’
‘Aw, of course I respect you.’
‘You went after my family.’
‘Diane is alive,’ Jane said, weighing in. ‘She’s in a bad way, but she’s on her way back to hospital. Mason… I hate this asshole as much as you do, but you can’t shoot him. Think about your family. Your unborn baby. Think about your freedom. If you make it through this, you can go home and be with them. Don’t let him take this one last thing from you.’
Mason’s heart began to race. The simple mention of family was enough to set his blood coursing through his veins. Sure, they could be together again, but what of the baby? Would Diane still give birth? Had Clay taken that from them too?
‘Girl’s got a point,’ Clay said. ‘Time to make a choice.’
The press watched in complete stillness, salivating over their soundbites for the evening news. The wind howled in his face. As Clay took one step back toward the edge, Mason saw flashes of what his life could be like. He saw Diane, Evie, Amy, and the baby. His blood boiled then, and all of those faces turned red as rage tore through his body.
Mason’s fingers coiled around the trigger. He squeezed tight, until a bullet exploded from the barrel finding its target in Andrew Clay.
40
The bullet had taken his leg, sending him toppling to the edge of the rooftop. Jane dashed forward, grabbing Clay by the clothes and pulling him over to safety. Mason couldn’t help but wonder how much it had hurt her to do that – was it as difficult as it had looked?
FBI Agent Thomas Kane took control when they escorted Clay outside. A number of agents worked together to cuff him and push him into the squad car, while Kane took Mason aside for a quiet word. ‘You did a good job up there.’
Mason shook his head. Their cards were on the table. ‘I wanted him dead.’
‘So did I,’ Kane said. ‘Still do. But the fact is, you chose not to. That says something about you, right?’ He took a deep breath, looked over his shoulder and ensured they were alone. Then he leaned in and whispered, ‘I was wrong about you.’
‘Hmm?’
‘I suspected you of things that… I don’t know. I built them up in my head because they made sense to me. Now I’m not so sure.’ Agent Kane extended his hand.
Mason, still feeling worn down and saddened that he hadn’t seized his chance, took the hand and shook. ‘Just do me a favour; make sure he has the most unpleasant time possible. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if he became some three hundred pound inmate’s prison bitch.’
‘You got it.’ Kane smiled and disappeared into a nearby car.
The FBI left the scene, and the news reporters began to scatter. Diane had already left in an ambulance, and Mason just wanted to get there. After giving his statement to Captain Cox and offering a brief interview to the press, Mason saw Jane standing alone, her bare arms folded as she shivered.
He approached.
‘Nice job, detective.’
Jane turned when she heard his voice, her lips smiling into a tight line. ‘Hi.’
‘You okay?’
‘Me? I’m fine.’ Jane sighed. ‘I’ve just hated Clay for so long. I expected to get a shot at him. It’s great that he’s in cuffs and all. I just thought that there would be this big… I don’t know. Like…’
‘Closure?’ Mason said.
‘Exactly. I just keep thinking “what now?”’
Mason understood and empathised. A hollow hole remained in his heart that could have been filled with revenge. What he hadn’t realised until now, however, was that the emptiness could instead be filled with something else – something better. ‘I’m sure you’ll find something to do.’
‘I do hope so.’ Jane held out her arms, leaning in for a hug. ‘Look, I have to get back to Los Angeles. I’ll call you at the station sometime and we’ll stay in touch, okay?’
Smiling, Mason took her into his arms. ‘Definitely. Thanks for everything.’
‘No, thank you.’
It was sad to see Jane Phillips go, but Mason was glad to have met her. Deep down, he saw some kind of parallel between them. Something of himself in her stubbornness and renegade style. He only hoped that she would have better luck with her career than he’d ever had with his.
Mason snuck away from the scene, trying not to let anyone see him. Returning to his car, he sat in the driver’s seat and took a moment to digest what had happened. When he was ready, he turned the key and made his way to the hospital, toward Diane.
Toward his family.
EPILOGUE
I
In cell block F of Washington’s most renowned Supermax, Andrew Clay sat up on his tattered, one-inch mattress, rose and stepped outside of his cell. It was exercise time. The one hour of the morning when inmates were allowed to roam freely around a cordoned area – although freely was a limited term.
‘Yo, white trash.’
Clay turned toward the voice on the gangway, forced to look up at the towering black man who stood before him. If this were the outside world, Clay would have gunned him down then and there, if not for the insult then at least for the fun. ‘What do you want?’
The man laughed. ‘What do you think I want, cupcake?’
Clay already had an idea of how things worked around here – it seemed as though the only way to stay safe was to suck the cock of the toughest, meanest motherfucker this place had to offer. And while he had so far only served one day of his life sentence, he already knew that he would sooner die.
‘How about it, white trash?’
That insult again. ‘How about this, asshole. I’m going to head back to my cell and think about what I’m missing out there in the civilised world. You can go back to your own cell and rethink your own life. If you want a blowjob, try someone else, because my teeth are sharp and I don’t like the taste.’
Clay knew damn well that he wouldn’t walk away from this one, but it didn’t stop him from turning and heading back toward his cell. Only, the closer he got, the louder the rushing footsteps came from behind him.
Even without looking, he knew what had pierced the flesh of his back.
His mouth opened and his legs trembled as the shiv went deeper into his body. Clay dropped to his knees as the guards rushed to pull the black inmate off of him. But they were too late – Anarchy’s legacy of evil ended here, blood pouring from his body as he weakened, and those last little lights of life began to fade.
EPILOGUE
II
Mason struggled to keep his drowsy eyes open, but he couldn’t let sleep overtake him. A hospital waiting room was never the place for something like that, and besides, Diane was coming home today.
Friends and family had arranged for flowers to fill their home, and they were all there waiting for her. Banners and finger food were laid out for a welcoming party, and Mason couldn’t wait to see the look on her face as she entered, knowing that all these people were here for her – to love her, almost
as much as he did.
The door opened and the doctor came out, beside a volunteer who was pushing Diane along in a wheelchair. Sheer joy graced her beautiful face with a priceless expression. Her eyes lit up as she saw Mason, the colour returning to her cheeks, giving them a rosy hue that make-up could never replicate.
‘Thank you for everything, Doc,’ Diane said, looking up with gratitude.
Mason took the handles of the wheelchair, grinning widely as the volunteer set off.
‘It’s what we’re here for.’ After answering Diane, the doctor addressed Mason. ‘So, the wheels are a temporary measure. She’s able to walk but should take it steady for a few more days. The baby will be just fine, but if you have any problems or concerns, let me know.’ The doctor glanced down at Diane. ‘Your wife was a good patient.’
‘Oh, we’re not married,’ Diane said, giggling.
‘I see,’ the doctor smiled awkwardly and waved them off.
Outside, Mason helped Diane into the car, folded the wheelchair and stowed it in the back. When he climbed in, he couldn’t help but get something off his mind. ‘What the doctor said back there…’
‘About us being married?’
‘Yeah.’
Diane chuckled softly. ‘Well,’ she said. ‘I’ve got nothing better to do.’
Mason laughed with her, started up the engine and drove carefully away from the hospital. Hopefully, he would have no need to return here until the baby was born. Until then, it was time to take a step away from work and be with his family.
EPILOGUE
III
TWO YEARS LATER…
As evening came around, Mason filed the last few pieces of paperwork for the day. The weekend hovered at his fingertips, a few hours out of reach, and then he wouldn’t have to deal with another car owner for the rest of the day. It wasn’t as exciting as hunting down criminals, but this business belonged to him. The money wasn’t great, but he would have enough to put both his kids through college. He sighed, grateful that he’d taken the right change of direction.
He arrived home within a half-hour, hoping that Diane wouldn’t be pissed. Stopping the car and rushing up the front steps, Mason was inches away from sliding the key into the hole, when the door opened and Diane stood holding Mason Jr.
‘Welcome home, Daddy,’ she said, comforting their crying two-year-old.
Mason kissed her and then took the toddler from her arms. The crying stopped immediately, replaced with smiles and toothless giggles. ‘How are you doing, birthday boy?’
‘He’s been okay,’ Diane said. ‘A little grumpy but you’re here now.’
‘Great. Am I late?’
‘Nope, right on time. Everyone is out the back.’
Carrying their son in his arms, Mason followed her through to the back patio, where everyone he knew and loved had gathered for MJ’s birthday. Bill and Christine were there, smiling at the far end of the table. Amy and Evie were giggling at something, becoming the best of friends. Captain Leanne Cox and Detective Jane Phillips were dressed in crisp pantsuits and sat staring at each other, as if social situations didn’t quite suit them.
The smell of the food only increased Mason’s happiness; grilled chicken and spicy beef. Vegetables covered the table, bottles of wine and sweet treats ranging all the way across the two picnic benches, which had been pushed together.
‘Let me take him,’ Amy said, standing to carry MJ in her arms. She was getting older now, becoming a woman and heading off to college in the fall.
It was everything that Mason could have asked for, and all together in one place.
Smiling, he took a seat at the end of the table and gazed at his family. Diane leaned over his shoulder, embracing him from behind as she kissed him on the cheek. ‘I love you, Mason Black.’
Mason looked up at her and kissed her on the lips. ‘I love you too, Diane Black.’ And for everything they would go through, from petty quarrels to anniversaries and birthday parties, he prayed that she would never forget it.
He knew he wouldn’t.
BONUS STORY
BLACK OUT
Evie Black (Book 1)
1
Even in his unconsciousness, he had heard his family’s screams. They were shrill, terrified cries of panic, and seemed to last forever. But when the hammer came down to strike them, they silenced instantly, like turning off a loud movie.
Calvin Durant – fatigued and dizzy – sat up slowly. His eyes were stubborn to open, as if they knew about the disturbing scene they were due to witness. When he could finally see, however, there was nothing short of panic.
In his hand lay a hammer, a thick coat of blood dripping from the once-shiny claw. It had trickled down the grip, covering his hand like a scarlet glove. Calvin looked down at his feet, still adjusting to his sleepy dream-like state.
But this was no dream.
His mouth widened in a bout of horror, a soundless scream frozen on his face. Across the kitchen, from which floor tiles he lay clutching the murder weapon, was Sadie – The Good Wife Sadie. Everything You Could Ever Ask for in a Woman Sadie. Everything, presumably, save for a pulse.
‘Honey?’ Calvin croaked, dropping the hammer and crawling across the floor. ‘Sadie, honey, speak to me.’
Curled up in a foetal position in the doorway, her back facing him, Sadie remained motionless. There was blood in her hair – he could see that now – and he could feel his world turning upside down as he observed the trauma to her skull.
Calvin was on her now, wrapping an arm around her and holding her like they used to do in bed. How did this happen? This wasn’t me. He glanced across the kitchen at the hammer, then at the blood on his hands. This couldn’t have been me… I could never have… Could I?
He turned then, and something even worse caught his eye.
‘Oh no. No, it can’t…’ Calvin didn’t want to look but he simply couldn’t help himself. Once more he began to crawl, careful not to disturb the lifeless body of his high school sweetheart, and manoeuvred into the hallway.
It was exactly as he had feared.
Emma Durant, five years old and full of love, seemed to have suffered the same fate. Try as he might, Calvin couldn’t get his head around why somebody would want to do this to such a sweet young girl. In spite of appearances, he just couldn’t imagine that he had been the one to do this.
But then, what really happened?
All he could remember was arguing with Sadie – something stupid about money, as usual – and then the briefest memory of her turning her back on him. After that, he had stumbled to the floor, and Sadie had turned to help him. Was that the order of things?
Calvin turned and looked around at the kitchen. Was his brain making up for his state of unconsciousness? Had he really done this? He didn’t think so – he loved his family more than anything else in the world.
Suddenly, the front door burst open then, and three people swarmed in. Calvin looked up and – although still dizzy – could just about recognise one of the men as his neighbour, Steve. In the past, they had occasionally played poker together and fed each other’s cats when one of them was on vacation. But now was a different story. Now, Steve was pinning him down, and a woman behind him was saying, “Police, please.”
That was all Calvin could remember before he blacked out again. And in his closing moments before his life changed forever, he could see Sadie’s smile, Emma riding her bike with the pink training wheels.
And then he heard the sirens.
2
Evie Black (or Evelyn, if you wanted to see her scowl) was finally settling in to New York. It was her fourth week in the city and her second week on the job. If she was totally honest with herself, she would have been at least a little thankful to have even found a job at a magazine house. But spending all day making coffee for other journalists? No thank you.
Not so long ago she had been a journalist herself (an independent blogger, yes, but a journalist nevertheless). Things had worked well
for her, working alongside her brother, the private investigator. But like all good things, it had eventually run its course. Evie had dreamed of a new life, and where better to start than New York City?
On this particular spring Tuesday, when the air was just beginning to introduce humidity, Evie pushed open the door with her backside and pulled the trolley into the boardroom. The china on the tray rattled, the coffee nearly spilled, and still, nobody paid the slightest bit of attention.
‘One day at the most,’ said a woman at the table, which ran the length of the room with people at either side. The head of the company – millionaire Conan Reed – sat on the end, nodding his head and holding a finger to his lip. ‘If it doesn’t come in time then we can move on to the harbour story.’
‘Excellent,’ Conan said. ‘And you?’
As each member of staff explained themselves, Evie moved around the table. Quickly and quietly, she placed a china mug in front of each person and leaned into the centre of the table to leave the coffee pots. It was her job to be invisible while doing this, and she liked to think that she was getting good at it. This wasn’t exactly how she had pictured her new life, but it gave her a front-row seat to the modern publishing industry.
‘One more column to fill,’ Conan announced, moving his arm off the table to make room for the mug. ‘Who wants it?’
Evie straightened herself out, took the trolley and headed for the door. She couldn’t help but notice the silence that filled the room, and even stole a look over her shoulder. Everybody at the table sat looking at each other, wondering who would take on the responsibility. Nobody did.
‘Come on, somebody must want it,’ Conan insisted.
The uncomfortable silence remained, however, and Evie stood at the door with her fingers tapping nervously on the handle. She knew that it wasn’t her place to say anything, but what if this was her chance? What if this was God extending an olive branch, as a way of apologising for the past few years?
Mason Black (The Complete Collection): 6 Gripping Crime Stories: The Complete Collection + BONUS Story Page 62