Texas Temptation

by Kathryn Brocato

  Lieutenant Moreno rose and answered the door. The two men spoke and Moreno excused himself from Susan and left. Both men joined Remy in the observation room.

  “Luc, this better be good,” Moreno said.

  “Cody just called.”

  Relief flooded the lieutenant’s face. “Where is she?”

  “We don’t know,” Remy said. “She made the call and left the phone on. We heard her struggling with the killer. Anderson’s taken the phone to tech to see if we can trace it.”

  “We’ve got him, Carlos,” Santorini said.

  Moreno looked at Susan on the television monitor. “I’ll cut her loose. Luc, round up your team, and I’ll get a hold of SWAT.” His gaze cut to Remy. “No one plays Lone Ranger on this one.”

  Like Remy wanted to. He exited the observation room and headed for his desk. Fire burned in his gut. Brad would pay for this. And Remy hoped he had the bead on the bastard’s head.

  Remy dug out extra clips and pulled his Kevlar from the bottom desk drawer. Holding up the black vest, he winced. With the stitches in his abdomen, it was going to be painful to move around in the vest.

  Anderson blew into the bullpen. “We’ve got a trace.” He grabbed his gear. “They’re at Hoyden Hill cemetery.”

  Remy ceased his movements. “Why the hell did he go there?”

  “That’s where Terri Halbrook is buried.”

  • • •

  Cody thought she’d heard Detective Anderson answer his phone. The only thing she could come up with to prevent the killer from hearing it was to strike out.

  Now her face throbbed where he’d backhanded her, and her wrists were bound with yellow rope. Where had he gotten the rope? She never carried that kind in her truck. With the tip of his knife prodding her side, she limped past gravestones. This cemetery didn’t look familiar.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “You’ll see soon enough.” He jabbed the knife.

  The blade sliced through her clothing, and the tip pierced her skin. Cody bit her lip to prevent the cry from escaping. A warm, fat bead trickled down her hip. The image of Heather Trisk’s stabbed and bloodied body flashed through her head. Would she be dead by the time he began hacking away, unable to feel the assault on her?

  Dried leaves crunched under her boots. The odor of decaying vegetation and moist dirt rose from the ground. They were moving further into a wooded area with fewer gravestones. Possibly a newer section of the cemetery. Did they have a trace on her phone? Was help on the way?

  Cody’s gaze darted from left to right. If she had a chance to run for it, she wanted a good escape route. Despite living her entire life in the area, she didn’t know exactly where she was in Dallas. How far from the road was this cemetery? And if she managed to get back to her truck, who was to say he hadn’t found where she kept her emergency key.

  Her resolve to fight for her life crumbled. Injured, tied up, and far from the familiar, she felt more like a wounded deer with a hunter hot on her tracks. Nowhere to run or hide, she might as well lay down and die.

  Maybe it’s better to die the way Momma did. Unaware and suddenly. I can’t do this! I’m not ready!

  So much left undone. Left unsaid to those she loved. Remy would never know how she really felt about him. And Daddy. Oh God, this will kill him for sure. He barely survived Momma’s death.

  Cody choked back the sobs. No way would she show an ounce of weakness in front of this whack job. The other women may have died pleading. She wouldn’t give him the pleasure. Stiffening her spine, Cody stopped.

  The knife tip found a new mark. She grunted against the pain.

  “Get moving.”

  “No.” She faced him.

  Malicious anger burned in his eyes. He pressed the blade flat against her jugular. “Move, or I’ll slit your throat.”

  Tendrils of fear coiled through her veins. She swallowed hard, the blade moving with her throat. She would do this. If her death was near, she was going to find out why. “Why do you want revenge on Detective LeBeau?”

  “Detective LeBeau? What happened to calling him Remy?”

  “You said you wanted to pay him back. For what?”

  A cruel smile appeared. “This ain’t no superhero movie where I tell you my dastardly plans. Real life, woman. You’re nothing more than a means to an end.”

  “Remy never did anything to you. He wasn’t even here the first time around.”

  He laughed, a dark, vicious laugh. “Yeah, that’s what I figured. You’re in love with him.” He bent forward, his breath hot and sour. “Disgusting.”

  “Because I love him? Or because he’s a cop?”

  He took a step closer, his face inches from hers. “You know, you remind me a lot of Joni. All spit and vinegar.” A chuckle rumbled in his throat. “Wonder if you kiss as good as she did?”

  Cody’s stomach rolled. She forced down the urge to gag. “Throw yourself off a cliff.”

  He laughed again and stepped back. “She kicked me before I knifed her. I took precautions after that.”

  Oh my God! Was he going to describe how he killed those women?

  “’Course, I always wondered what someone looked like when they watched a loved one die right in front of them.”

  Her blood thickened and slowed, and she went lightheaded. Fear stiffened her muscles and made her heart shrivel.

  He wanted Remy here to see her die.

  And she just played into his hands.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Remy grabbed the door as Anderson took the corner too fast. Once the car straightened it fishtailed slightly.

  “At the next light, turn left.”

  Anderson glanced at him. “You sure that’s the fastest way to get there?”

  “If we follow the GPS, we’re going to hit lunch hour traffic. Take the left.”

  At the light, Anderson shifted the car into a lower gear. Siren blaring and lights blinking, they halted traffic. The tires squealed against the pavement as the car careened around the corner. Behind them the law enforcement vehicles squawked and followed.

  The radio crackled. “Where are you going?” Santorini’s voice pitched with irritation.

  Remy punched the call button. “Faster route. Just keep pace.”

  “Fine.”

  The engine roared as Anderson shifted into the next gear and hit the gas. Stationary cars flashed past, and they blew through stoplights and stop signs. Anderson’s phone remained connected with Cody’s, but silence floated over the airwaves.

  Remy didn’t know what was happening to Cody. Where had Brad had taken her in the cemetery? And how much longer could he keep the demons at bay? This had all the trademarks of going south. If Cody died …

  He punched the radio call button. “We go silent a mile and a half out. I don’t want to spook Brad.”

  “Got it,” was the SWAT sergeant’s and Santorini’s replies.

  “Now where?” His partner shifted into a lower gear.

  A dead end loomed ahead. Remy glanced at the GPS and the blinking red dot indicating Cody’s cell phone. “Right.”

  Handling the car like a NASCAR driver, Anderson roared out of the turn. Three miles later the smooth city streets merged with a pothole infested and broken road. The car bounced, jarring them. Pain socked Remy’s abs as the Kevlar dug into his wound. He ground his teeth and rode out the bumps.

  Perched on the corner of a four-way stop was a huge sign directing them to the cemetery.

  “All vehicles go silent.” Remy cut the sirens and lights for his car.

  They were almost on top of the red dot. The towering wrought iron entrance greeted them.

  Anderson turned on the gravel drive and followed the winding road at a slower pace. “Lock and load.”

&nb
sp; Remy’s heart kicked it up a notch in a sudden surge of adrenaline. The Ruger slipped easily into his hand. He double checked the clip and felt for the extras on his utility belt. Good to go. Sweat beaded on the back of his hands. He wiped them against his jeans, then set the ear-piece for the comlink into his ear.

  Cody’s cherry-red truck appeared from behind a slight hill. Anderson parked the car at an angle. Santorini’s SUV and the SWAT vehicles surrounded the truck. SWAT exited and swarmed Cody’s truck as Remy and Anderson emerged from their car.

  “Clear,” the sergeant said over the comlink.

  Santorini and his team fell in step with Remy and Anderson as they approached the truck.

  “We have the grave plot map.” The PI glanced at Remy. “Terri Halbrook’s grave is toward the center of the cemetery. From the satellite images Noah was able to pull up, there’s a stand of trees surrounding the area.”

  “It affords us some cover,” Anderson said.

  The SWAT sergeant held up Cody’s cell phone. “Found it under the seat.”

  Anderson nodded. “Clever woman.” He rotated to face the north. “We’ll have to surround him.”

  “Sound is going to carry here.” Santorini adjusted his sidearm. “If we run in there like a bunch of cowboys, he’s gonna overreact.”

  “We’ve got that covered, Santorini.” Anderson turned to Remy. “We need him alive.”

  “I make no guarantees.”

  His partner’s eyes narrowed as he settled a DPD cap on his head. “Do your best.” He circled a finger above his shoulder.

  The law enforcement personnel converged on them. Earlier they’d agreed Anderson would take command of this operation. Remy knew he wasn’t in the right mindset, and in a lot of pain, to think straight.

  Anderson’s gaze swept the crowd. “Be careful on your approach that we don’t exchange friendly fire. We don’t know what we’re facing, but Brad is most likely only armed with knives. Take nothing for granted, as it appears he took some military combat training.”

  Santorini stepped closer to Anderson. “There’s a scared woman out there fighting for her life. Let’s get her back safely.”

  Anderson split them into smaller groups, then they fanned out. He turned to Remy and Santorini. “You’re with me.”

  They crept through the cemetery, looking for signs of Cody or Brad. Remy’s gaze strayed to Santorini now and again. He had to admit the PI was good. And if his past came back to haunt him, Remy might just want Santorini on his side.

  • • •

  Cody’s ankle was on fire. She couldn’t walk any further. She paused.

  The killer shoved her and she stumbled forward. Bearing full weight on her bad ankle, she cried out and fell. She put her restrained hands out to buffer the fall, and was rewarded with a jolt of pain in her wrists.

  He grabbed a handful of hair and yanked, making her cry out again. “Get up.”

  “I can’t walk,” she said between clenched teeth. “You idiot, my ankle is sprained.”

  With a growl, he hoisted her up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of feed. “Good thing we don’t have far to go.”

  Cody scanned the area. He’d left the woods, deposited something on a gravestone, and prodded her in a northwest direction. They’d long since exited the cemetery and entered a pasture. How far out of Dallas had he taken her that they were in a field with no fencing?

  He carried her a few hundred yards or so. By the time he stopped, blood pounded in her head with each beat of her pulse and made her lightheaded. He dumped her on the ground and arched his back.

  “I’m here.”

  Cody gaped at him. Why in the world would he say that? The underbrush rustled behind her. She twisted around as a figure emerged from behind an old dilapidated barn.

  An older woman stepped into the sunlight. Cody shot a look at the killer, then back at the approaching female. She noticed the subtle similarities in the two. But what did the woman have to do with all this?

  “I’ll take her from here.” Her tone was brash.

  “She can’t walk.” His cold eyes pierced Cody. “The li’l spitfire twisted her ankle.”

  She wanted to disappear into the ground.

  The woman huffed. “The car isn’t far. She can crawl for all I care.” She reached down and jerked Cody’s arm. “Get up, tramp.”

  Anger flared through Cody, and she ripped her arm free. She flung her body back and swung her legs around, connecting with the woman’s and knocking them out from under her. The woman landed on her backside with a grunt.

  Cody rolled onto her knees and froze. The killer jabbed the knife into her face.

  Screaming curses, his partner clambered to her feet. “I’m gonna hack her into bits.”

  The man held up his hand, and she ceased her rant. “You’ll get your chance. But we stick to the plan first. I’ll get her in the car. Then you get her out of here. Go open the door.”

  With a snarl, the woman stomped off.

  The killer knelt in front of Cody, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Wrong move, spitfire.”

  She shrank back. He laughed and once more hauled her over his shoulder. Once he deposited her into the trunk of a car, he turned to his accomplice.

  “She has to be alive for this to work. I’ll meet you at the place when I’m done here.” He looked at Cody, winked, then walked away.

  Swallowing, Cody’s gaze darted to the woman. Pure unadulterated hatred glared back at her.

  “Bitch!” The woman slapped Cody.

  She cracked her head against something heavy and bright spots burst on her sight.

  Leaning over the trunk, the woman sneered at her. “Once we get done frying LeBeau, I’m gonna kill you slowly.” She reached up and brought the trunk lid down with a slam.

  Shrouded in darkness, Cody curled into a ball. Tears streamed down her face. Oh God. Someone help me. I don’t want to die.

  • • •

  A few yards away from Terri Halbrook’s gravesite, Remy pulled up short. Things didn’t sit right with him. And apparently they didn’t with Santorini either. The PI held up his hand and made a fist. Remy and Anderson glanced at each other.

  Frowning, Anderson lifted the radio to his mouth. “Sergeant, do you have a visual?”

  “Negative.” The radio crackled.

  Anderson swept his arm across his body. “Fan out.”

  The three separated and inched forward. Remy kept a keen eye on the ground, searching for trip wires or triggers. Brad’s MO had changed frequently; they never knew what to expect.

  SWAT members and the rest of Santorini’s team joined them as they approached the grave. A brilliant red rose lay on top of the tombstone. A small, black bag dangled from a potted plant hook buried in the ground.

  Remy reached for the bag, but Anderson grabbed his arm and shook his head.

  Holstering his weapon, his partner slipped on a glove and removed the bag from the hook. He withdrew a bloody knife from the bag.

  Remy’s adrenaline crashed, pooling at his feet. His arms lowered and his grasp on the Ruger slackened. “She’s dead.”

  “We don’t know that.” Anderson dropped the knife in bag. “This is probably staged to make you think that.”

  “Damn it! Then where are they? You said he’d be here. He’s not. And neither is Cody.”

  Anderson gripped his shoulder. “Easy, partner.”

  “This could be the knife he used for the murders. I’d bet anything.” Santorini nodded to the lone female of his group. “Get this to Jolene Summers ASAP.”

  She took the knife and ran toward the vehicles.

  Anderson turned to the group. “Look for a trail. Something to show us which way he went.”

  Remy’s cell buzzed against his hip. He j
olted at the feel. Grappling with the button on the case, he popped the snap and tore out the phone. Unknown caller. He glanced up and found a few pairs of eyes riveted on him.

  He flipped the phone open and connected the call. “LeBeau.”

  “Like my little present?” The digitally altered voice stoked the embers in his chest and fire erupted.

  “You sick, twisted freak! Where is she?”

  “For now, Cody’s safely tucked away.” Brad chuckled. “I love how she played my game. Led you right to where I wanted you. And I see the all-knowing Santorini sent his little errand girl off with more incriminating evidence against me.”

  Warmth drained from Remy’s face. Brad was watching them. Remy’s gaze bounced along the horizon. He signaled the SWAT members with scopes to scan.

  “Oh, don’t bother trying to find me.”

  He stilled.

  “By the time you figure out where I am, I’ll be long gone.”

  “Why don’t you come out here and face me like a man?”

  “LeBeau, I don’t have to prove my manhood to you. But it does make me wonder. How far will you go this time to save someone you love?” The connection died.

  Remy’s hand went slack and the cell phone slipped free, hitting the ground with a soft thud. This time. Brad knew. He knew about Marie. Impossible! The couillon was bluffing to get a rise out of Remy. No one had the means to connect him with Marie’s death. It was all buried. Deeply buried.

  “LeBeau?” Anderson’s voice drifted through his head.

  His attention snapped to the present. He locked eyes with his partner.

  “What did he say? It was Brad, wasn’t it?”

  His gaze flitted from Santorini to the rest of the group, and landed on Anderson. “He played us for fools. He meant for Cody to call us and lead us here.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “Now what?” Remy flung his Kevlar into the backseat and faced Anderson and Santorini. “We don’t have a single clue where he took Cody.” Fire seared his torso, and he gasped.

  “I think you need to sit down and take a breather.” Anderson pointed at the front seat. He stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle. “Sergeant!”