by June Kramin
“I’m sure the driver was killed, too, or he would have come in at the commotion. There was no silencer. Aw shit…”
“What?”
“I hear the cops.”
“Just sit tight. You can talk your way through this.”
“I know but, dammit. Just hurry.”
“I will, baby.”
Gerard snapped his phone shut as he ran back to his car. Vince was waiting inside. “Well, fuck me.”
“What?”
“I just killed Darci.”
“You what?”
“Shit! I thought it was her. Took out Lonny, too. Bitch was too fast. He had it coming for wanting to split, anyway.”
“You stupid sonofabitch. He has the drop money!”
“Why does he have it?”
“He set it up. Dammit! You’d better find it now, or I’ll have you buried next to him.”
Gerard started the car. “Don’t worry about it. We have to do a few loops. I told her I’d be there in fifteen minutes.” The police car screeched to a halt at the house as he pulled away.
Gerard pulled up after exactly fifteen minutes. They figured it was best if Vince wasn’t with him with the cops there. He tried to act frantic as he ran up to the house. “Let me in! My wife is in there!”
“There’s no one in there but a dead man and toddler.”
“What do you mean? My wife called me from here a few minutes ago. Told me there were shots being fired.”
“Well she’s not in there now.”
“Let me in. I’m—”
“I know who you are, and I don’t give a shit. No one comes in until the chief gets here. You want to tell me this Lonny worked for your boss?”
“All I’m telling you is my wife was here and called, frantic, because she heard shots.”
“Why was she here?”
“This is my sister’s house.”
“Was she here, too?”
“As far as I know, yes.”
“Well…no one is here now. Just sit tight and wait for the chief.”
“I need to go look for my wife.”
“That wasn’t really a suggestion, sir.”
Chapter Sixty-Two
Mandy clicked her phone shut after talking to Gerard. Sirens blared loudly as emergency vehicles approached. What bothered her was that she heard the same thing through Gerard’s phone. It couldn’t have been a coincidence that where he was, he was hearing the exact same sirens, too.
“We have to go,” she said to Sue.
Sue had gone from hysterical to shock. She was still cradling Darci. All she could do was shake her head no.
“Now, Sue!” Mandy took Darci from her. She walked over to the bed and laid her down on it. She kissed her cheek then went back over to Sue, who was still sitting on the floor. “She’s gone. There’s nothing we can do, but I need to get you out of here. I can’t explain it now; you’re going to have to trust me.”
Sue nodded and Mandy helped her to her feet. Pulling Sue along, Mandy carefully went down the back stairs to the kitchen then through the adjoining garage door. Lonny’s garage had six stalls. He loved his cars as well as his motorcycles. Mandy was able to walk one of the motorcycles through the regular door and down the sidewalk. She climbed on and ordered Sue to get on with her. They took off in the direction opposite of the sirens.
Mandy parked the bike at her apartment and ran with Sue upstairs. They both hurried to change out of their bloody clothes then took off in Mandy’s car.
Sue finally spoke. “Why are we running?”
“Because I need to keep you safe. I don’t know what is going on, but I’m afraid Gerard was in on this somehow.”
“He wouldn’t kill his own niece!”
“No. I’m not saying that. I’m sure it was an accident, but I know he’s involved. Look, Sue. I don’t know what you think Lonny did, but he worked with some shady people. I’m afraid Darci took a bullet meant for him.”
“What do you mean ‘shady’ people?”
“The mob.”
“You’re insane!”
“Just trust me. Your brother is involved, too.”
“I’m not listening to this shit. Get me back to my husband and daughter.” Sue reached for the door handle and Mandy pulled her hand back.
“Dammit, Sue! I’m FBI. I know what I’m saying. You’re not safe.”
A look of pure fear was once again on Sue’s face. She was quiet until Mandy pulled up to a small convenience store. “Why are we here?”
“Because you’re going to disappear and I’m getting you some traveling money.”
“Why don’t I go into protective custody?”
“Because I don’t know who I can trust right now.”
Mandy used her old key to get in. They never bothered changing the locks or the alarm code on the store. Guess the mob doesn’t worry about break-ins. She hoped that Angelo wasn’t home or anyone else that might have heard her. She got in and out without any problems and was on her way to the airport within a few minutes.
“I’m sorry. I know this is too much to handle. I know leaving Darci like that has to be the worst part, but you can’t come back for her funeral and you can’t contact me ever again. Change your name, change your hair. Move often. You should have enough money to last your lifetime if you manage yourself.”
Sue was still unmoving. Finally tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t understand.”
Mandy put her hand on Sue’s. “I don’t either but I promise you, whoever did this is going to pay.”
“Why can’t I contact you?”
“Because any contact with anyone could lead whoever this is to you.” She held Sue tight. “When it’s safe, I’ll find you.”
Mandy walked her to security after buying her ticket. They bought the first available flight out. By chance, it went to Texas. Mandy bought two others. One going to Maine and one going to California, just to give Sue a chance in case someone really was after her as well.
“Stay in crappy motels for a few days. They take cash and won’t ask questions. No more than two nights at a time. Your chances of getting into Mexico without your passport are good in the smaller border towns. If Mexico doesn’t interest you, go to Paris. Go to Italy. Find a way to get a passport and get the hell out of here.” Mandy held her hands tight again. “If you think I’m trying to scare you, you’re right. I want you to stay alive.” Mandy gave her a tight hug. “I’m so sorry. If I could have done anything at all…”
“I know,” Sue said as she broke the hug and gave her ID to the security guard. Mandy walked away and didn’t look back.
Mandy had been ignoring her phone all night. She finally picked it up when it rang once she was back in her car.
“Gerard.”
“Why the hell haven’t you been answering your phone? I’ve been worried to death about you!”
“I’m fine.”
“Where’s Sue?”
“I made her disappear.”
“You what? Why? She needs family! Her husband and daughter were just killed. Tell me how to get ahold of my sister, dammit!”
“I don’t believe she’s safe.”
“And you’re going to keep her safe by sending her out here in the world alone? She’s not like you, Mandy.”
“She’s stronger than you think. Your sister will be fine. It’s not really her I’m worried about right now.”
“Darci is dead.”
“I know that.”
“Why did you leave the house?”
“Because I didn’t want to be there when this thing played out.”
“Talk to me, baby. Come home. We can talk through this.”
“Why was Lonny killed, Gerard?”
He let out a heavy breath. “Sonofabitch was going to run.”
“How do you know that?”
“How do we know anything? I didn’t know they were going to kill him. I would never have allowed you to go over there if I knew that. Somebody is going to pay for this. You ha
ve my word on that. I know what Darci meant to you.”
“She was your niece, Gerard. Don’t you even feel anything?”
“Of course. What am I? Heartless?”
“I wonder sometimes.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means…I wonder if you would have shot your own sister if you suspected she was the rat.”
“What are you talking about? You know she wasn’t involved.”
“Could you though?”
“Come on, baby. Seriously? You know it’s family first.”
“I do. The question is which family, Gerard?”
Chapter Sixty-Three
Mandy never returned to her apartment. She was in Abbey’s office when he showed up for work the next morning.
Craig pointed at his watch. “Lucky you. Your twenty-four hours isn’t quite up.” His grin faded when he got a good look at her. “You look like shit, Mandy. What the hell happened?”
Mandy charged him and punched him so hard in the chin he fell back into his desk. When he stood upright, she tried punching him again, but he held her wrists. She shouted at him. “You sonofabitch!”
“What the hell are you going on about?”
“Oh please. Don’t insult me, Abbey. You had to have received the news about Lonny.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! You’re my man on the inside. What is going on?”
Mandy collapsed in tears and into his arms. “You fucking son of a bitch. They killed Darci before they shot Lonny.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know who! Gerard was involved. I know he was.”
“How?”
“I just know.” She pushed herself off of him and harshly wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks. “Why did you call me off this thing? Why?” she screamed.
“Because it was getting nowhere! Don’t you see? That could have been you last night. Things are getting out of hand fast and you’re not safe.”
She stared at him blankly for a few seconds. “What did you say?”
“You’re not safe.”
“Before that.”
“It could have been you.”
She dropped down on the couch. “Sonofabitch. They knew it was me. That bullet was meant for me.” Two men stormed in the room and Mandy stood. “Who are you?”
“You’re coming with us, Agent Smith.”
“Why?”
“We want to know what you know, and I think you have a year’s worth of explaining to do.”
“Wait a second!” Abbey protested. “She’s my agent.”
“Not anymore. You no longer have privileges on this case, Abbey.”
Mandy walked out without a fight. She didn’t particularly care what happened to her right now.
Mandy was taken down to the same room she first entered almost a year ago where she bullied the information out of Melvin the drug dealer. She never gave him a second thought after that day. It hadn’t even occurred to her to ask. Now was not the time to care. In a matter of one evening, she no longer had any respect for the agency. When this was over, she was out.
Her attitude was starting to kick in after sitting alone for twenty minutes. One of the men that brought her here from Abbey’s office came walking through the door with coffee and rolls.
Before he spoke she complained. “Don’t I get to make a phone call?”
“You’re not under arrest.”
“Feels like it to me.”
“We need to ask you a few questions first then you are free to leave. However—”
“I knew there was going to be a however.”
“However,” he said again, “We suggest that you don’t.”
“Why not?”
“We are concerned for your safety. Your cover was blown and you need to be placed in protective custody.”
“You mean jail.”
“No. I mean in hiding.”
“Witness protection? You can’t be serious.”
“I’m afraid we are. We’re cutting ties with everyone here at the agency as well. Only a few will know of your whereabouts.”
“Even Craig Abbey?”
“I’m afraid so. This has gotten out of hand. You should have been pulled in long ago.”
“I want to call Gerard.”
“That is absolutely out of the question.”
“He’s my husband, dammit.”
“Not technically. You used your assigned name on the license. It’s a voided contract. Besides, you really want something to do with the one responsible for killing your niece?”
“That was just my speculation. And how did you hear already?”
“How do you think? It’s what we do, Agent Smith. We don’t like what’s going on. We’ve been studying the transcripts of your last year. We need to sit down with Abbey and find out exactly where this all became screwed up.”
“It’s not screwed up! You can still get Menusco. That Friday drop—”
“Is no longer happening. Lonny was killed and he was the key player in that—not Menusco.”
“You’re wrong! He had the money, but Vince—”
“Has called it off. No money—no drop.”
“Goddammit!” Mandy slumped into a chair and reached for a cigarette. There was a pack on the table, same as there was the last time she was there. She didn’t care if it was the same one and a year old.
“I didn’t take you for a smoker.”
“Well…I didn’t take the FBI for pussies either.”
“It’s done. Let it go. Your cooperation will be better accepted than your attitude. There’s nothing you can do. Abbey is on suspension until further investigation.”
“Why take it out on him?”
“Chain of command. If your stories jibe then you have nothing to worry about. For now, we worry about your safety. If we find out otherwise, you will go to jail, Agent Smith.”
Again she shot to her feet. “I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”
Chapter Sixty-Four
Mandy had drifted off while reliving her story. Her last thoughts were of why Lonny told her he was leaving and let her know about the drop money if he knew she was an agent. Maybe she did wear her love of his family too much on her sleeve and he knew she wasn’t a threat. Maybe he thought she’d go easy on him for his participation or leave him alone altogether because of her love of Sue and Darci. Abbey was right. She was too involved and did make a hell of a mess out of things.
If she hadn’t gone to visit them that night, she’d be the one dead now instead. At least Hunt wouldn’t be in trouble now. And Hannah…
She woke up with a start when Luke walked in her room. He had a half a bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand. He staggered when he walked. She feared what was coming, but had to remain tough.
“Where’s my husband?”
“Never said I had him, did I?”
“You’re such a fool. They’re going to kill you. You have to know that. Do you really think a small town deputy is worth keeping around for any reason?”
“I don’t want to stick around. I’ll get my money and go.”
He wasn’t worth arguing with sober—let alone drunk. Mandy opted for silence. Think, Mandy. Think. She finally blurted out. “I gotta pee.”
“Like I’m falling for that.”
“I mean it. You’ve had me tied up for almost a whole day. What am I supposed to do? Pee the bed?”
He ran his hands down the neckline of her blouse. “No can do, babe. Can’t make love to you in a puddle of piss now, can I? Can’t let you go either. You’re going to try to take me and I’m going to have to kill you. This Menusco fellow is going to be ticked off if that happens, and I don’t want that.”
“Look, dipshit. I need to use the bathroom. If you’re too chicken to help me, then go get Detective Abbey. He’ll be more than happy to babysit your punk ass while you watch me pee.”
She could tell her words work
ed. He was starting to get angry. He walked over and backhanded her. “You and Hunt think you’re such tough shit. Hunt and Roy always talked to me like I was a piece of shit, too. Well, look who’s on top now? I’m not afraid of you or this Vince!”
“Point taken, tough guy. So let a girl pee.”
“I let you pee, you promise to at least struggle a little when I do you so I really enjoy it?”
“You’ll get your struggle, asshole. But if you don’t let me pee, my bladder will explode if you so much as look at my stomach right now.” He took another long draw of Jack, seeming to contemplate his choices. “I have to go, Luke. Look, I know you’re not stupid and neither am I. You experienced my best moves back at the station. I just had a kid and I haven’t worked out in over a year. I haven’t eaten all day either. You think I’m in any shape to try to take you?”
“You acted helpless enough last time, too.”
“Go get Craig then, dammit. I gotta go!”
“Shit!” He slammed the bottle down and took out a pocket knife. He held the point tight to her neck. Mandy was sure he poked through her skin. “You try anything and I swear to God I’ll gut you.”
“I got it,” she said, feigning fear in her eyes. She tried to muster a tear as well. “You’re hurting me.”
“Good.” He cut through the bindings on her legs then her hands. She sat up and rubbed her wrists.
“Can I get up?”
“Slowly.” He took a step back and motioned with the knife toward the door. Mandy carefully stood then dropped to her knees and cried out. “I’m not falling for it,” Luke said as he kept his distance.
“I’m not faking it. My legs fell asleep. Just bring me a bucket already.”
“Bullshit. Get up!”
She put her hands on the bed and sluggishly pulled herself up. “I need a second. I have pins and needles going on here.”
“Oh, do take your time. I’m getting a boner just watching you struggle.” He picked up the bottle of Jack and went for a swig. That’s when Mandy made her move. She seized it and shoved the bottle into his nose, sending him backward. In his stumbling, she was able to take control of his knife and plunge it into his heart. Her free hand covered his mouth as they fell to the floor. Luke only struggled for a second.