Sinner Reborn

by Morgan Kelley

  She waited for him to finish his dance. When he was done, she was going to reach into his body, yank out his colon, and then squeeze it back down his throat. It was going to be one hell of a colonic—Blackhawk style.

  “I’ve decided to hold them until they’re more forthright and cooperative. It seems that the FBI is holding some sort of clandestine mission in our town and won’t share.”

  “So, as blackmail, you’re going to hold my profiler and her detective husband hostage?”

  He thought about it. Two could play at this game. “That sounds about right, Director. I mean, I can’t hold them for too long. You know…civil rights and all. I figure that once the ME finished the autopsies, he can tell us if they had anything to do with the slayings.”

  She wanted to give him a dick-ectomy—with her heel.

  “Surely, you being a Fed and all know that you can’t be too trustworthy anymore. You never know who you’re dealing with when it comes to shit like this.”

  Oh, he was having fun with it. She could tell.

  At that moment, Elizabeth wanted to vault the counter and punch him in the face. Instead, she was going to bone him the good old fashioned way.

  By being a Fed.

  “That’s funny, Sheriff,” she stated, leaning on the counter. “So, my people can’t leave until your ME proves them innocent?”

  “That’s right, unless you’d like to be honest and tell me everything that’s going on here.”

  All the deputies kept their mouths shut. At least they recognized a mess when they saw it.

  “Well then. You should call him right now and get a progress report. You wouldn’t want the media outside to find out that you’re stalling the law. After all, you have four dead family members and no way to connect them.”

  The man smirked, but picked up the phone to make the call. If this woman thought she was going to stroll into his town and try to bully him, she was out of her mind. “Doctor, how are those autopsies?”

  Elizabeth waited for it.

  In four.

  Three.

  Two…

  The man slammed down the phone. “You confiscated all the bodies, including Frank Miller’s!”

  She grinned like a feral cat.

  “Did I? Wow! That sounds like something someone who had to fly across the country would do. You must have pissed someone off—SOMEONE who could screw with you like never before.”

  He glared at her.

  “See, I love when people think outside the box. Your little hostage situation is amusing. I love when I stroll into some dickwad town and the sheriff,” she began, but paused for inflection. “By the way, that would be you.”

  He glared at her.

  “I love when they see a woman and think they can bust my balls. You, Sheriff, don’t have a big enough dick to rattle my cage, so wipe that smirky smile off your face. We have business to discuss.”

  He wasn’t going to back down.

  “It doesn’t really matter. My team will be heading to the house to pull all the trace. If I find any of their DNA there, then they’re going to jail.”

  Elizabeth’s team had already covertly gone in and run the scene. She wasn’t a fool. Callista and Quinn had been there earlier. Of course there would be fingerprints and trace.

  Well, she wasn’t going to let this man jail her people.

  Not on her shift.

  “That’s funny. You may want to call the fire department. I think there was an accident.”

  He looked appalled.

  “Oh, don’t worry. No one got hurt. My team had already pulled everything, and they were on their merry way. You might not want to delay next time. When you wait to pull trace, who knows what the hell can happen to it.”

  “You burned a house down?”

  “No, I didn't say that. I said there was an accident. In fact, it was probably some faulty wiring. Thank God we pulled that evidence.”

  Everyone stared at the sheriff. He was now three shades of red.

  “They’re staying until I run their DNA and check against the first victims.”

  “You can call your team. I’ve already delivered verified samples of both their DNA, and it didn't match. Your team takes too long. We can have DNA in an hour.”

  He glared at her.

  “Yeah, I know. I’ve cut you off at each and every pass. Irritating, isn't it?”

  He moved toward her menacingly.

  “Please make my day. I’ll kick your ass, embarrass you, and then toss you in your own jail for shits and giggles. You’re out of your league. You shouldn’t try to bone the FBI. We’re mean.”

  He wanted to do something incredibly stupid. Apparently, he’d miscalculated.

  “Well? It’s your move, Sheriff. Right now, my partner, Director Whitefox, is outside informing the media how you’re holding a cop and Fed for the murders without proof. Man, those bodies would have come in handy too.”

  He felt the cage door closing.

  She’d cut him off.

  “I’m betting Detective Gaines is going to be slapping you with a civil law suit since you didn't let them have their phone call, haven’t formally charged them, and manhandled his pregnant wife. I’m pretty sure the media is going to love to hear how you violated their rights.” Elizabeth looked around. “I hope you can afford a six digit lawsuit.”

  Sheriff Lawrence knew it was over.

  “I hate the Feds.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I’ll be expecting my people to be released in the next two minutes. I’ll also be willing to bet that if you pull more shit, making me leave FBI West to come back here again, I’m going to take you into custody on some trumped up charges.”

  He called down to holding. “Release them.”

  Elizabeth headed toward the door. “Oh, Sheriff?”

  Turning, he glared at her. “What?”

  “Remember what I said. If I come back, you’re going to be the one behind bars and not in Fredricksville. I see a terror watch list in your future, and anyone who helps you too.”

  Everyone gasped.

  Yeah, that’s how she rolled.

  With that, she strolled out.

  When would they learn?

  If you screwed with the FBI, you were going to get burned.

  CHAPTER Fifteen

  I n the kitchen of the small cabin, they made their plans. The supplies were nearly gone, and someone had to hike out to get them. While Maura didn't want to leave Avalon, she believed that Nate and Luke would keep her safe.

  After all, they were Feds.

  How much trouble could they get into?

  Then again, this was Luke and Nate, so the possibilities were endless.

  “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I’ll leave you the coordinates for the next location in case you need to move Oracle,” she stated.

  Luke stared at her like she’d lost her mind. If his woman thought that he was going to let her trek out of here alone when they had assholes tracking them, she was insane. While she’d easily sacrifice her life for Avalon Miller’s, he wasn’t feeling so magnanimous. Maura was his everything.

  “I’ll be joining you.”

  He waited for the argument.

  “No, you won’t. If Nate has to move Avalon, you need to have his back.”

  “And who will have yours?”

  She gave him the look.

  “Before you tell me you’re a Marine, and blah, blah, blah, let me point out that you’re not bullet proof.”

  She tugged on her hoodie. “Technically, I am.”

  “Stop, Maura! Nate will be fine. They don’t have a clue where we are, and Avalon is perfectly calm. Look at her.”

  They all glanced over at the woman sitting on the couch. She was listening to music with Nate’s phone and earbuds.

  “Nate, please tell her you’re fine.”

  “Maura, we’re fine.”

  She stared at her watch. She had to hike out, and then hike back in and that was going to take time. If she wasted it f
ighting, it would only make it worse. Generally, Luke was laid back. When he dug in, it was best to let him have his way—until she kicked his ass later.

  “Nate, are you sure?”

  “Maura, worse comes to worse, I can get her out of here until you get back. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.” In all actuality, Nate wouldn’t mind some alone time with Avalon. While he could always take her into their shared room, lock the door, and spend some stolen moments with her, now he could have a little more freedom.

  He wanted to get to know her.

  Nate was compelled to share so much with her. There was this pull toward her, and he needed to see where it went.

  “Okay, but you need to keep your eyes open. Stay inside the cabin and try not to draw any attention to yourself.” Maura dug around in her bag and pulled out another gun. “You may need this. If they’re willing to gun us down on a public highway, they’re going to be perfectly fine with killing you both in cold blood.”

  He wasn’t worried.

  Nate knew if it came down to it, he’d die to keep Avalon safe.

  “There’s enough food for today, and if you have to bug out, leave anything you can’t carry behind.”

  He stared at her. “Maura, you’re burning daylight. You could have been there by now.”

  She stared at Luke. “Are you sure…?”

  He nodded his head.

  “Damn it! Lucas, let’s go.”

  Nate waited for them head out. When he locked the door, he rubbed his hands together like a young boy about to have some fun. Mom and dad were away, and he could play.

  Crossing the room, he tugged an ear bud from Avalon’s ear. “Want to help me make some sandwiches for us?” he asked.

  “I’ll help, but I’m not really hungry.”

  “We’re not eating them now. They’re for our picnic. We’ll make and then take them with us.”

  She blinked as if trying to understand. “We’re going on a picnic? Did Maura say it was okay?”

  It irritated him that Avalon was trapped inside.

  “She’ll be pissed, but I’m still in charge here. I’ll take the heat over this one. On our way in, I saw a really nice spot that looked like the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors.”

  She still hesitated.

  “You don’t like picnics?” he asked.

  “I’ve never been on one.”

  That was one more reason to take her. While she might be a prisoner, trapped to her duty, he wasn’t going to let her miss life. You got one shot on this marble, and he’d be damned if he was going to let her miss anything fun.

  Avalon deserved someone to stand up for her rights.

  He held out his hand, and she took it.

  Not only was he going to give her a fun afternoon, free from the dusty old cabin, but he was going to learn more about her.

  Not Oracle, but Avalon.

  In the kitchen, he stood her in front of the counter and handed her a butter knife. Thankfully, the cabin had the basic supplies.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Well, do you want to be the jelly girl, or the peanut butter lady?” he asked, trying to keep from smiling. Avalon looked so damn serious that it wasn’t easy.

  “Which won’t I screw up?” she asked.

  “You really can’t make a mistake,” he stated. “You see, the whole point of a PB&J is to get them mixed together. If you don’t, you’ve failed.”

  Avalon rolled up the sleeves of her shirt. “Okay. I can do this.”

  Nate opened the two small military packets containing the peanut butter and jelly. He placed them on the bread in a glob and placed her knife-free hand beside the slice.

  “Okay, spread away.”

  Avalon worked on the jelly as Nate handled the peanut butter. He couldn’t help but glance over at her, just to check her out. Her hair was tied loosely back, and she was chewing on her lower lip as she concentrated.

  She was stunning.

  Nate had never been this attracted to anyone before. There was such a sweetness with Avalon, and it made him want to protect her with all he had.

  “Did I do okay?” she asked, turning her head toward him.

  “You missed a spot,” he said, sticking his finger in the jelly and then smearing it on her lower lip.

  “Nathaniel!”

  He kissed her. It was slow, silky, and strawberry flavored. Nate couldn’t help himself. There was something about Avalon that made him want more and more. These stolen moments were precious.

  As she clung to him, Avalon found herself lost in the storm of the kiss. Nate held her in his strong arms, firmly wrapping them around her. For the first time in her life, she was safe.

  It wasn’t just a feeling.

  No, she was actually protected. It was like he was winding himself around her heart, offering his life as a shield.

  “Nathaniel,” she whispered against his mouth.

  It took everything he had to pull away. What he wanted was to carry her to the couch and make love to her, but she deserved a special day.

  Avalon deserved to feel like she mattered.

  Pulling away, he left a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Sorry. I just happen to really love strawberry.”

  She laughed. “I like it too, and now more than ever.”

  “Get your boots on, and we’ll take a little walk. You’re pale. Some vitamin D will do you good.”

  She didn't hesitate. There was nothing but absolute trust for the man. Her heart knew that he’d never break a promise, and he’d always do his best to keep her secure.

  At the door, he dropped two bottles of water and the sandwiches into a backpack. When she headed his way, he held out his hand. “We’ll explore and have some fun.”

  She stopped him. “Why are you doing this?”

  He lifted her chin with his fingertips. “Because you deserve to enjoy life too, and as long as I’m with you, I’m going to make sure you do.”

  Her eyes filled with tears.

  Oh, how she wished they’d have many years together. Already, he’d become an indelible mark on her heart. Soon, that would all change.

  “Thank you, Nathaniel.”

  He hugged her, seeing that she needed a little tenderness at that moment. No one ever brought that out in him—no one until he’d met her.

  “Let’s go, honey,” he offered, pulling her out into the sunlight.

  Outside, he looked around, checking out their surroundings. When he didn't feel like he was being watched, he led her off the small porch.

  “What’s it look like?” she asked.

  He glanced down. “I’m not sure I can explain it,” he replied.

  “Pretend it’s a story—like the one you read me. Please, Nathaniel, I want to remember this day for the rest of my life. It’s the best one I’ve ever had.”

  That crushed him.

  A walk in the woods shouldn’t be anyone’s best day. It should be a common thing. Avalon should have had years of beauty, not a decade of imprisonment.

  In that moment, he wanted to steal her away. If he honestly thought he could, he would have. Then it could be just the two of them. Unfortunately, the cold hard reality was…Maura would track him down to get her back.

  Then he’d be in jail or dead.

  So, instead, he’d share what he could with her. “I promise I’m going to stay with you for as long as I’m a Fed. I’m not leaving this assignment.”

  “I love you, Nathaniel. Thank you.”

  The rest of the truth stayed locked in her heart. Not only was she going to die, but she was going to offer up her life for his.

  Avalon couldn’t speak of it.

  Why ruin this one beautiful moment? She’d take today with her on the long journey to freedom from the cage.

  As they walked, Nate described everything, from the trees to the lush ferns growing beneath their feet. It allowed Avalon to ‘see’ it through Nate’s eyes.

  As they slowed down, he looked around. “Have
you ever seen a waterfall in a dream?”

  She shook her head.

  “Then we have to feel it.”

  “We’re going to feel a waterfall?”

  “Yes, we are. Kick off your boots, and I hope you don’t mind getting wet,” he stated. “I’ll carry you in, but you’re probably going to get splashed.”

  “I don’t mind. It’s warm out,” she offered, doing what he asked. When she was bootless, Nate swung her up into his arms.

  “Hold on, Avi,” he said, navigating the rocks to get to the falling stream. It wasn’t a huge waterfall, but it was something she’d never experienced.

  That’s what mattered.

  As they got closer, the water got deeper. “It’s chilly,” he stated, as it was up to his waist. He could feel it dropping off in front of him. This was where he had to be careful.

  Avalon held on and waited for Nate to get them closer. “What’s it look like?” she asked.

  “It’s peaceful. There’s running water that cascades over the rocks above. It’s blue and green and makes me want to go swimming,” he stated.

  “Well, I don’t know how to swim, so don’t drop me,” she admitted. “If you do, you’ll have to save me.”

  “I’ll never let you fall,” he promised. The idea sickened him. So, instead, he pushed it out of his mind.

  “I can hear it,” she said over the rush of water.

  “Hold out your hand—to your right,” he directed.

  She did as he asked, feeling the falling water engulfed her fingers. “It feels amazing,” she said, as the cool water tickled her flesh. “It feels like an aura to me. This is the feeling I get when I stick my hand in someone’s energy.”

  He moved them closer as he watched the amazement on her face. It was priceless.

  Avalon was making a memory.

  When she reached further into the water, Nate stepped forward, trying to redistribute their weight. He was standing barefoot on slipper rocks.

  They began to topple.

  Avalon gasped as they hit the water, going under.

  Nate began to panic. She just told him she couldn’t swim, and here, Avalon had been pulled under the inky turbulence. He fought to get to her but couldn’t find her in the darkness.

  The panic became terror.