Her Final Watch (A Detective Blanchette Mystery Book 2)

by Marguerite Ashton

  “Sergeant Owen informed me that Detective Blanchette is pregnant.”

  Lily nodded.

  “We’ll go in first, clear the house, then you can enter. Two of my officers will stay out here with you. Sound good?”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant.” Lily dislodged her gun from the holster and took a position behind the tree facing the upper balcony.

  Seconds later the lieutenant and his men were inside. Shouting could be heard as they cleared each room. The minutes ticked by as Lily waited and peered through the windows, praying that none of her fellow officers got hurt.

  Suddenly, an officer appeared in the doorway and signaled.

  Lily pushed off the tree and treaded carefully, working to avoid the slippery spots on the ground. The wind lashed at her face as she carefully negotiated the corner to the front door.

  Once inside, Lily looked around at the pile of newspapers littering the counters. They were opened to pages about the women who had been killed.

  Evan said, “We’ve got Dan, but he’s been shot in the back. There’s no sign of Brian. They’ve radioed for Air Life.”

  Lily returned her weapon to the holster and followed Evan into the living room. As Lily entered, she saw Dan slumped to the right with his hand on his stomach and feet on the floor. He struggled to breathe. “Is he talking?”

  “Not much.” Evan side stepped and stood on the other side of Dan. “He also has a gash on his forehead.”

  “Dan? Does it hurt to talk?” Lily asked.

  “A little.”

  “Who did this to you?”

  “Mikey. He went after Brian.”

  “Do you know where he went?”

  Dan shook his head. “Mikey knows what we did.”

  On the wall, a lit candle rested in a sconce. Its flame flickered as if it was dancing to the faint sounds of Christmas music coming from the stereo.

  “Why did you and Brian meet at the hotel?”

  “To do an exchange. Brian wanted the flash drive back that his wife had. In return, he gave me the photos of me and her. I didn’t want it to get out about what the type of things I did in my private life.”

  Lily said, “Okay, Dan. Sit tight. We’re getting you help.”

  Lily stepped away and met with Lieutenant Gaines. “The guy that did this is linked to organized crime. It’s personal for him. If Mikey Surace gets a hold of my suspect, it won’t be good. I want Brian brought back to Fort alive. Any idea where he could be?”

  “My guys found a white SUV on the property that belongs to Surace. Since all three vehicles are accounted for, the suspect has to be on foot. He couldn’t have taken a boat. There’s ice on the river.” Lieutenant Gaines pointed east. “There’s a walking trail that runs parallel with a stream. It’s colder up here than down in Fort so your suspect won’t last long out there. If he’s smart, he’ll turn back.

  “I’ve sent the K-9 unit out to track them. They won’t get far.”

  As a helicopter hovered above, the lieutenant’s radio sounded again.

  “The medical transport for the suspect has arrived.”

  “Have them come through the side entrance and make it fast. I want them in and out.”

  “10-4.”

  A few minutes after Dan was wheeled out of the house, static came over Lieutenant Gaines’ radio.

  “Suspect Weeks is running back toward the cabin. He’s armed. K-9 unit in pursuit.”

  Suddenly, shouting was heard coming from outside.

  Lily stayed back as the others went to check and see what was going on.

  “Put the gun down,” Lieutenant Gaines shouted. “Now let me see both hands.”

  Lily glanced out the window and saw Brian Weeks on the ground being handcuffed. She darted outside and waited for them to place him in the back of the patrol car.

  “Did anybody see Mikey out there?” Lily asked as she walked over to the squad car.

  “Negative.” Lieutenant Gaines said, unclipping his radio from his belt. “Get that chopper out of here.”

  “We’ve got to find Mikey.” Lily stared at Brian through the opened window. “Give it up, Leash. I know why you killed those women. That nasty scratch across your face makes me wonder if you got that from Crystal.”

  Brian muttered. “They’d still be alive if they’d just left me alone. Including my wife.”

  “Tears won’t work on me this time. You must’ve been angry when Ariel found out you and your buddy Dan were a part of her investigation. Angry enough to choke the life out of her. Do you want to talk? Or I’ll just let the physical evidence speak for you.”

  As Brian slid down in the seat, he lowered his chin to his chest. “When I found out it was Ariel, I didn’t go to Mikey. I went straight to her and told her to drop everything. But she wouldn’t. She could’ve gotten both of us killed.”

  “You murdered the mother of your children because she was going to turn you in. Just like that—you’ve managed to rob those precious boys of both a mother and a father.”

  Silence fell between the two.

  Spit ejected from Brian’s mouth, landing on Lily’s vest. “Bitch. I should have taken care of you too.”

  “Dude, that wasn’t smart of you,” Alec said, strolling up the car. “Now you have several charges pending against you.”

  Brian kicked the front seat.

  Lily stepped back, took off her vest and handed it to Evan. “Just want you to know that it was your wife’s phone that led me to you. We’ve got your fingerprint and your phone records. You called your wife’s work phone and asked her to meet you under the bridge. That’s when you killed her. I’ll be at your trial, Mr. Weeks. Let’s get him back to Fort.”

  As Lily turned to walk away, shots rang out.

  She ducked, huddling close to the car. Mikey. She removed her gun, opened the car door and checked on Brian. On the floor, covered by shattered glass, Brian laid still. “Weeks?”

  Brian looked up, fear etched on his face.

  “Stay low and don’t move.” Lily slammed the door. “Mikey. I know it’s you. Today isn’t the day for me to be dodging bullets. The only one that is taking Weeks is the FAPD.”

  “Where is Mikey shooting from?” Evan asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  More shots fired.

  Lily fell to her knees and covered her head.

  As the shots ceased, Lily lifted her head slowly and noticed a shadow zip by an open window leading to the kitchen. “Suspect is shooting from inside the house.”

  *

  Mikey pulled back from the window and put his gun inside the holster underneath his coat. He hustled into a small bedroom, slid back the closet door and jumped into the root cellar below.

  Heavy footsteps pounded above.

  Mikey cut through the dust and thick spider webs to the cellar door on the north side of the house. He pushed on the door. It didn’t open. He dropped his shoulder and charged the door.

  The old wood holding the hasp splintered, setting Mikey free.

  A cluster of short pine trees hid him from view as police radios buzzed with talk and dogs barked in the distance.

  “Get up real slow, Mikey,” Lily ordered.

  Mikey exhaled and raised his hands. “I’m not armed.” He walked out slowly and turned to face Lily who held her gun at her side.

  “Get down on your knees and stay there.”

  Mikey reached into his coat and gripped the handle of his gun.

  Lily aimed her gun at Mikey. “Let me see your hands!”

  As Mikey yanked out his pistol and placed his finger on the trigger, gunshots rang out.

  Searing pain erupted through Mikey’s shoulder, forcing him down to knees.

  Cops surrounded Mikey with their guns aimed at him. “Drop your weapon,” yelled one officer.

  Mikey did as he was told while pinning his eyes on Lily lying on her side in the snow. “My shoulder. I’ve been hit.”

  Evan rushed over to Lily. “Sweetie?” He felt her wrist for
a pulse. “I need some help over here,” he shouted.

  Mikey placed his hands behind his back and lowered his head as the cops handcuffed him.

  A cop had been shot. He had shot a cop. Mikey wanted to run but knew any move would make things worse for him. Pop’s thoughts trickled into his head. You’re passive aggressive and have an itchy trigger finger. That kind of impulse will get you in trouble.

  *

  10:17 p.m.

  “The doctor said you’re supposed to be taking it easy. Not planning some big party,” Sharon said. She plucked two teacups from the cabinet and set them down on the counter. “You’re just a stubborn mule, Deena Blanchette. Now I see where Lily gets it from.”

  Deena huffed as Sharon rambled on about the upcoming New Year’s party. She was hoping that Lily would walk into the kitchen any moment and quiet Sharon down by giving one of her “let’s remain positive speeches.”

  Deena picked her phone up and looked at the messages. “Lily still hasn’t replied to my text.”

  Sharon removed the tea kettle from the burner and poured water into their teacups. “You can finalize the list of drinks tomorrow.”

  “I’ll just text her again.” Deena’s typed a quick message, sent it and set her phone back down on the counter.

  “Your daughter will understand if you put the finishing touches on the party without her input. Just as I’m sure she’d understand if you decided to postpone it. Your draining tube won’t be removed for another three days.”

  “Giving me enough time to get myself together. I’m not going to disappoint Lily.”

  “If Haley talks before you have a chance to tell everything, Lily won’t trust you ever again.”

  “I don’t believe it. When she was in my room the other night, we bonded. She’s opened her heart to me again. Besides, Haley’s been warned about what would happen if she crosses me.”

  The doorbell chimed throughout the house.

  Sharon turned to Deena. “Who’d be visiting this late?”

  Deena blew gently into her cup, making ripples in the light green liquid. “Maybe Lily left her key.” A coolness ricocheted through Deena. “I’ll get it.” Uneasy, she sat the cup down in the saucer and walked briskly out of the kitchen.

  Once she reached the foyer, the doorbell chimed again. Deena’s footsteps slowed as she approached the front door.

  As a wife, daughter-in-law and mother to cops, she knew there were only two reasons one would be paid a visit or receive a call late at night. Neither was good.

  Your loved one had been injured while on duty. Or your loved one had been killed.

  Quick snap photos of the calls Deena had received pummeled her mind: father-in-law shot during a routine stop, survived, but left paralyzed from the waist down.

  Collin – devoted husband and father. Shot in the back of the head only five weeks ago while working on a case.

  Slowly, Deena opened the door and saw the man who’d once come to inform her that her husband had been shot. Sergeant Kevin Owen.

  Snow trickled down, catching in the wind, circling the sergeant.

  A lump caught in Deena’s throat. “My heart tells me you’re here about Lily.”

  Sergeant Owen removed his hat, stepped into the house and closed the door behind him. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Don’t yes ma’am me, Kevin. I’ve known you too long. What happened?”

  “Lily’s at Eagle River Hospital up north. Evan and Alec are with her. I came straight over here before you heard it from anyone else.”

  “Where was she shot? Is she going to make it?”

  “I don’t know all the details. Just that the assailant who shot at Lily is in custody.” Sergeant Owen took Deena’s hand in his. “Lily’s heart stopped. I’m waiting to hear back from Evan.”

  Deena charged Owen, beating him in the chest with her fist. “No! Not my baby. You knew she was pregnant! Why did you let her go?”

  Sergeant Owen wrapped his arm around Deena and held her as she cried.

  “She’s all I have left. I can’t lose another member of my family.”

  *

  10:35 p.m.

  Pop Surace looked down into the lighted gardens on his property. This was peace and quiet. Away from the big cities and young hustlers who no longer had respect for their elders. What he wouldn’t give to be able to go down to the stables and ride his horse or to walk the greenhouse, his wife had designed, surrounding himself with her vegetables and flowers. If only he were young again.

  The phone on his table rang.

  Pop shuffled over to his chair and answered it on the third ring. “Yeah?”

  “It’s Quentin. Mikey’s been arrested and being held by the police in Saint Germain. He played a part in a shooting with that lady cop.”

  Pop felt as if he’d been squeezed too tightly. It hurt to breathe.

  He’d been so proud of Mikey who’d avoided permanent trouble until now. What changed? Was it the pressure he’d put on him to marry? Did he make a mistake by choosing Quentin to be the family executioner, giving away the only job his son wanted?

  Pop cradled the phone on his shoulder and took a sip from his wine glass. “Make arrangements for your stay in Saint Germain and keep me informed of everything that goes on. I want our lawyers up there to do everything they can to take care of my son.”

  “What about my job to take out Mills?”

  “Don’t be a fool. Mikey comes first. Then we handle our affairs.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What about the lady cop. Is she still alive?”

  “I’ll see what I can find out.”

  “You do that.” Pop put the phone on the base and leaned back in his chair. His heart felt like it laid in a million pieces inside his chest.

  A father’s love for his children should never be taken for granted. But that’s exactly what had happened. Mikey’s anger and eagerness to please had destroyed his chances to be a great man. How could a son of mine do such a thing to someone who was being fair to the family?

  Would Lily worry every day about her child’s well-being? Certainly. Just as he had done with Mikey. Only, for Lily’s sake, he hoped she’d do a better job than he had.

  Pop grabbed his wife’s rosary beads and brought them to his chest. “My love, I’ve failed you.”

  Chapter 30

  December 25, 1:19 a.m.

  Evan sorted through the books on the table next to him.

  “That’s the fifth time you’ve been through those parenting and medical books,” Alec said, handing him a magazine.

  Evan set it on the pile. “That’s because they don’t have much here for a guy to read.”

  “The one I gave you had an article on ice fishing. When’s the last time we went ice fishing?”

  “It’s been a while,” Evan said, staring down the hall.

  “C’mon man, what happened to Lily was a freak accident.”

  Shoes squeaked on the hospital tiles and clothes rustled as people moved up and down the hallway outside the waiting room of Eagle River Hospital.

  Evan thoughts churned slowly like thick mud. He wished he’d made Lily put her vest back on.

  A tall, thin woman with Scandinavian features, dressed in blue scrubs walked with intent towards Evan. “Detective York, I’m Dr. Ander.”

  Evan pushed himself out of the chair and walked toward the doctor he had seen tending to Lily the second they arrived. “How’s Lily?”

  “She’s awake, but my concern is that we had to restart Detective Blanchette’s heart, again, after she was brought in. I’m going to keep her on cardiac monitoring for the next couple of days to make sure she’s out of danger.”

  “Why? There wasn’t any penetration from the bullet.”

  “The bullet that struck your detective was like getting hit with a 90 MPH pitch, only stronger. The case holding the shield and cigar cutter is what saved her life.”

  “And the baby?”

  “The neonatologist consulted with Detect
ive Blanchette’s obstetrician, and they’ve both determined that since she’s still early on in her pregnancy, that chest trauma she received didn’t affect her unborn child. She’s been on supplemental oxygen and has been asking for you from the moment she woke up.”

  “Can I see her?”

  “Only for a little bit. Visiting hours have ended, but you’re more than welcomed to come back at 7:30 this morning.” The doctor gestured for Evan to follow her.

  Okay, so am I coming?” Alec asked. “Yeah, okay I’ll stay here. I’ll just fix the magazines here or something.”

  Evan fought to keep his knees from buckling underneath him. As they approached Lily’s room, he was happy to see that Lieutenant Gaines had followed through on his promise to post two police officers to stand guard outside Lily’s door.

  Evan walked into the room, hurried over to Lily’s side, and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. The slow pumping sound from the oxygen machine forced Evan to close his eyes as last night echoed in his head.

  Feeling for a pulse.

  Then placing his head against her chest, only to feel no heartbeat.

  But this time, it was different. Things were as it should be. It felt good to feel her breathing underneath his embrace. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I’ve been body slammed into the bed of my truck.”

  Lily’s voice was weak, but it was evident in her brown eyes that she was happy to see him.

  “That was a close one, Lil.”

  “It’s over. We’re okay.”

  Evan’s hand trembled as he laced his fingers through Lily’s and sat up. “I was so stupid. I should’ve made you put your vest back on.”

  “I took off my vest. Anything that happened after that isn’t your fault.”

  “I’m going to get you back to Fort where you’ll be put on desk duty, and I’ll chase the bad guys.”

  Lily smiled. “Is that your gentle way of chastising me?”

  “Yes. Don’t scare me like that again.”

  “The minute Mikey reached for his gun, all I could think about was my baby. I was ready to shoot and in that split second, I hesitated. I was distracted. I don’t remember whose gun discharged first.”