Her Best Friend's Keeper (Finley Creek Book 1)

by Calle J. Brookes

  It had been almost sixty-five hours since Brynna and his brother had left the FBI parking garage. Time was quickly running out. If they hadn’t found them by now—odds were high that they were dead. That seventy-two hour mark was fast approaching.

  He was starting to lose hope. Journey tapped on his door and opened it shortly after he’d convinced Gabby and Mel to go to the breakroom for something besides soda and potato chips. He’d pulled Evers and Callum to accompany them—he’d taken a look at the detectives’ personnel jackets. He’d respected what he saw.

  “Journey?”

  “Still nothing, sir. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m running out of ideas.”

  “Mel said something about making phone calls and pulling favors from some high-up friends in St. Louis.”

  “I don’t know what they’d be able to do—part of the problem are the damned storms. More eyes out there—no guarantee it would be Brynna and Chance found.” Most of the search teams kept getting diverted by storm victims. Priority of life meant they had to help whenever they found someone in distress—and that was the way it should be. He’d do that himself—if he was out there.

  Damn it, he needed to be out there. Searching. For his brother and Gabby’s best friend.

  He wasn’t so great at being his brother’s keeper, was he?

  “You’re doing the best you can. With both your brother and this job.”

  “Let’s be honest. You’ve done more to run this place this past week than I have.” He’d been at the post mere days.

  “It’s called a honeymoon period. Let me have your back, Chief Marshall. We’ll get you and Ms. Kendall through this—no matter what happen—”

  “Thank you. I mean that.” Elliot looked at the woman he was fast growing fond of. “I won’t forget.”

  “Of course. You’re welcome, sir. Why don’t you join Ms. Kendall in the cafeteria? She’s not the only one who needs to eat.”

  ***

  ELLIOT was conscious of the eyes on him as he entered the cafeteria. Mel and Gabby were surrounded by detectives and staff. Gabby had a wild look he accurately identified, utter panic, from the press of the crowd. Mel held center court, answering questions about her sister.

  “Chief Marshall—any word?” McKellen, the commander of Major Crimes, asked. The worry in his eyes was genuine. He had feelings for Brynna, didn’t he? Elliot felt a rush of sympathy for the man. Did Brynna know?

  “Nothing yet—“

  “Chief! Chief!” Officer Journey ran—actually ran— into the cafeteria. “Turn the TV to Channel 7 now.”

  Someone immediately obeyed. Everyone crowded around under the television bracketed in the upper corner of the room.

  “Elliot, look.” Gabby moved closer to the TV and to his side. The small crowd parted to let her through. It was hard to miss what she meant.

  The ribbon on the screen screamed. Alive! Autistic Woman & Texas Ranger Found!

  Elliot saw the breaking video—his brother carrying an obviously injured and bloody Brynna into a hospital. Chance held her tight, his emotions visible even in the grainy video. Elliot felt an answering pull in his own gut. Was the girl alive? Had Chance gotten her there too late? What had happened to them? How had she been hurt?

  Thank God his brother was alive. Elliot’s breath shuddered out and he almost lost the rope he had around his own emotions. He’d convinced himself that all they’d be finding of Chance and Brynna were their bodies. He’d been prepared for that. He’d just been holding himself together until that happened for Gabby’s sake. The rest of the Beck family’s.

  But now…

  Now they needed to get there and make sure the same could be said for Mel’s sister.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE.

  ***

  GABBY had to force herself to breathe. Elliot and Journey mobilized quickly. Evers and McKellen hopped into the radio cars to lead the procession to the hospital where Mel’s sister Jilly worked. Mel had her cell to her ear, calling her father and sisters.

  Brynna was alive on that video. She was alive then. Chance had been carrying her—and they’d both been covered with blood. She was alive—but hurt. How bad? How bad was Brynna hurt? Gabby really tried to keep the panic away. Brynna had been alive. Odds were that she still was, right? She was at the best hospital in the city. Getting the care she needed.

  Just like Slade had been.

  She tried not to think about that.

  She’d been so filled with hope when she’d first learned Slade hadn’t died immediately. When he had…

  Devastation on top of cruel hope.

  “She’s alive. She’s alive.” Gabby didn’t realize she was the one saying it until Elliot wrapped his hand around hers as he drove.

  “She is, sweetheart. She is.” Gabby held his hand and clung.

  Mel was on her phone, giving her own version of orders to her youngest sister and the crowd that was still at her house.

  Gabby closed her eyes—finally letting her fears break free.

  They’d found Brynna. Gabby could breathe again. Mostly. She needed to see her friend before both lungs worked again though.

  Elliot parked near the front entrance. Half a dozen radio cars pulled in beside and behind them. Gabby found herself encircled by a wall of TSP green as Evers procured a wheelchair to get Mel across the parking lot and inside the ER faster.

  An armed escort was definitely surreal to Gabby. She was used to being the forgotten of the TSP, after all. Elliot, however, was not fazed by the crowd. He did have a tight hold on her fingers as he pulled her along behind him. Gabby clung just as tightly.

  A petite blonde in a sleek business suit met them at the entrance. She looked familiar to Gabby, but she couldn’t figure out why. “Chief Marshall, sir. I’m Finley Coulter. We’ve set up a private conference room for your use. If you’ll follow me?”

  “Thank you.” Gabby watched Elliot shake the petite blonde’s hand. “My brother and Brynna Beck?”

  “We’ll speak privately. Once we have her next-of-kin’s permission.”

  “That would be me.” Mel pulled herself from the wheelchair. The people surrounding them parted to give her room to get to the front of the crowd.

  The blonde looked at Mel closely. “Are you Mel? Jilly’s on her way in now. I spoke with her personally. She’s a friend. I’ve met Brynna a few times. I know waiting is difficult. I don’t believe we’ve ever met, but I’ve been to your home several times.”

  “Of course.” Mel shook the woman’s hand next. “Fin. Jilly’s mentioned you.”

  “How did the security video from here get to Channel 7?” Elliot asked.

  “When did he bring Brynna in?” Mel asked. “How long has she been back there alone?”

  “Mr. Marshall brought her in about half an hour ago. He’s been with her as much as he could since.”

  “And the video?” Elliot asked again.

  “Leaked, Chief Marshall. We’re working to find the breach. It may even be a cell phone video from a patient in the ER. We’re doing what we can.” Journey was there, with the answers Elliot wanted. Gabby was impressed.

  “My brother? Ms. Beck?” Elliot said once they were in the conference room.

  The blonde—Gabby had forgotten her name already, though she was sure she’d met her before—looked at Mel for permission.

  “Go on. We’re all family here,” Mel said. She held her hand out for Gabby’s. They clung to one another as much as possible.

  “I’ve confirmed that she’s still in surgery. I will get another update for you.”

  “Thanks,” Mel said. “Brynna…She hates hospitals. But Jilly insists this is the best.”

  “Jilly’s one of our best. We’ll do everything we can to take care of Brynna. I’ll make it my personal mission to make this as easy on her as we can. Why don’t you get comfortable in the conference room? I’ll see what I can find out.”

  Mel sat back down in the wheelchair. Elliot pushed her to the conference room down
the hall. Gabby knew her friend hated the chair—but it was faster, and less strain on Mel. Mel didn’t complain. She never did.

  It was a cushy little conference room, a small round table surrounded by expensive looking chairs, the couch, and a full coffee and pastry bar.

  None of it mattered. Brynna was what mattered.

  Gabby forced herself to focus on her breathing. On the fact that it was broad daylight, they were in a secure place, and Brynna was getting the help she needed.

  Elliot barked some orders at Journey and Evers, but Gabby didn’t catch them all. He’d handle things, wouldn’t he? She looked up at him. He was definitely good at being in charge, wasn’t he? Then they were alone in the conference room with Mel, just waiting…

  He stopped pacing near the head of the conference table and looked at her and Mel. He stared at her for a long moment then came to her. He knelt in front of both of them. “We’ve got them, sweetheart. Mel, we have them back. I’m not stopping until I have all the answers. Those answers are out there.”

  “Hell, Elliot—you’re one of the few people I’d trust to do just that.” Mel patted him on the cheek and let her hand linger. It sank in then—Mel respected Elliot, a great deal. Liked him. That mattered to Gabby for some reason. The connections. “I’ll stick here. You go check on your brother. Make sure he’s ok. I have a feeling we Becks may owe him a big one for this.”

  He looked over at Gabby and something passed through his eyes, an emotion she couldn’t quite identify. His hand wrapped around the one Mel still held. They were connected; she drew a little more breath in. “I don’t want to leave Gabby alone right now. Chance will find me as soon as he’s able.”

  “Elliot, he’s your brother.” And she—better than anyone else in the room—knew what that meant to him, and how worried he had been. How his hands shook when he didn’t think she was watching.

  “I know. But he’ll find me quicker if I stay put, won’t he? I’m staying here until we know about Brynna.”

  He held his arms open and Gabby practically dove at him.

  She pulled in a deep breath.

  Finally, she could breathe again.

  CHAPTER FORTY.

  ***

  BENNY didn’t know whether to curse or give thanks.

  Brynna wasn’t dead. At least not yet. What had happened to her out there? To Marshall?

  He wished that sonofabitch was dead. It would be one less hunting on Benny’s trail, after all.

  The entire building seemed to be in a flurry. Most everyone liked Brynna, and none had wanted to see her harmed.

  Benny had gone almost sick worrying about what those men might have done to Brynna out there. He had his opinions on one of them—the guy liked helpless young women. Brynna would be his preferred victim as it was. Add that she could potentially send them all to prison…it would be a wonder if Chuck didn’t focus entirely on making certain Brynna went out of this world in the most painful way possible.

  Benny had vomited at least a dozen times just thinking about it. But he hadn’t dared make a connection with his contact. Better not to have himself tied to them, just in case.

  The damned boogeyman was closer to the people in this building than they ever would suspect, wasn’t he?

  What if it had been one of his girls out there like Brynna? She and his Alyssia were about the same age. They had the same sort of innocence about them. Alyssia wouldn’t have had a clue what to do if lost in the woods with a real hardass like Chance Marshall.

  His blood froze just thinking about it.

  Not to mention Chuck and the others. If they had been after one of Benny’s daughters, he’d go insane trying to stop them. He would rip the bastards apart.

  He knew exactly how Kevin must have felt. The fear as only a father of daughters could know.

  Was Brynna going to live?

  He texted Detective Foster for an update. How much did Brynna and Marshall know? There had been at least three men after Brynna—how had Marshall managed to keep them both alive this long?

  And what in hell was Benny supposed to do now?

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE.

  ***

  ELLIOT’S brother found them five minutes later. Chance came in, a wild look in his green eyes. Elliot studied him for a moment—Chance’s clothes were covered with blood and dirt. One sleeve was completely missing. Chance’s face was bruised and nearly as dirty. Elliot had been in the game long enough to recognize signs of an altercation.

  And a serious one at that. His brother had practically had the shit beaten out of him, hadn’t he?

  Elliot grabbed his arm. He blocked Chance from the women on the couch. They didn’t need to see Brynna’s blood so line of sight. Didn’t need to see what had been done to his brother and speculate about how they would find Brynna when they finally saw her.

  Gabby and Mel didn’t need to see that blood and know it was Brynna’s. “Come on. Hallway.”

  “Brynna’s condition first.” Chance’s words were harsh. “I—I need to know how she is. They won’t let me back in there with her anymore.”

  The conference room door opened. Elliot stepped aside to let the rest of the Becks file in. There was one he didn’t recognize. He assumed it was the sister from St. Louis Gabby had mentioned.

  There was a dark-haired man about Elliot’s own age following behind her, though. One he recognized. The man held out his hand toward Elliot. “Chief Marshall, sorry we’re meeting again under the circumstances.”

  “Agent Lorcan, I didn’t realize you were a Beck connection.”

  “My wife is the eldest daughter. We got in late last night and stayed with Syd for most of the day.” Elliot knew the wife’s story then. Gabby had told him how the eldest Beck daughter had been kidnapped when she was nine.

  He’d worked with Sebastian Lorcan on a stalking case back in Garrity. It was a small world at the top of the TSP food chain sometimes. “How are Paige and Al and the rest?” he asked of the agents he’d worked with in the past.

  “Just fine.”

  “All this is just great, but how is Brynna?” His brother’s words broke into the conversation. “Tell me…how is she? The blood…?”

  Dr. Coulter stepped in the room in time to catch Chance’s question. “Mr. Marshall, I told you. Next-of-kin. It’s up to them to give out the information. Not me.”

  “I’m her father,” Kevin said. “How’s my daughter? You can share with all of us here.”

  “She’s still in surgery. There was some damage from the knife, but it was mostly superficial. The biggest concern was the bleeding. She did have to have a transfusion. And to combat infection, they’ve put her on strong antibiotics. She’s responding well. Very well, actually. She’ll be out for a few hours—most likely until morning. I’ve pulled some strings. I can’t get just anyone back there to sit with her, but Jilly is cleared since she routinely works the surgery floor here. I thought it might be best for Brynna not to wake up in the hospital without a familiar face nearby.”

  Brynna’s slightly younger sister nodded around her tears. “Of course. Thank you. Fin, I owe you one.”

  “No thanks necessary. I owe Bryn a few myself.”

  Chance turned and walked out of the conference room. Elliot followed his brother. They had a lot to talk about.

  ***

  ELLIOT nodded at Erickson when he passed the man in the hall. Erickson had assigned himself as Elliot’s guard dog since he’d strolled into the TSP the morning Chance had left for St. Louis. The other man followed him and Chance down the hall—two yards behind the ever present Magda Journey, who’d been waiting just outside the conference room.

  He trusted Agent Lorcan—otherwise he wouldn’t have left Gabby in there alone. He strongly suspected the other man was armed and willing to do what was necessary to protect his family, and Gabby.

  Chance left the conference room. Elliot followed. Their boot steps echoed on the tile floor. Chance walked straight out of the hospital into the pouring rain.
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  Elliot’s detail sped up their steps. He didn’t care. He was there for his brother. Chance stayed silent for the longest time.

  “Chance?”

  His brother spun around, a wild look in his eyes. Elliot tensed. “She’s going to be ok. She’s not going to die.”

  “That’s what they say.”

  Chance looked up into the rain. He stepped back under the awning. Elliot followed. “You’ll need my shirt. Damn it. It’s got DNA. You’ll need it with someone like that sonofabitch. Can’t let it get any more degraded than it has.”

  Elliot’s attention sharpened. “What happened out there?”

  His brother pulled his shirt over his head and thrust it into Elliot’s hands. He balled it up and tossed it back behind him. Journey caught it, like he knew she would. She’d see to it that it got to the right place. Elliot looked at his brother again, needing to get a good look at the damage. For his own piece of mind.

  His brother had bruises all over his chest.

  “Chance. Tell me.” In that moment, he didn’t give a damn if he caught the guys. He was just glad to still have his brother standing right there in front of him instead of rotting in the dirt just like Slade.

  Elliot looked at Journey, and jerked his head back toward the hospital. They needed privacy for a minute, didn’t they?

  He grabbed his brother and jerked him closer. “Don’t scare me like that ever again.”

  “Get off of it, Elliot. I’m alive.”

  “Almost three days, Chance. While I thought my brother was dead. I get a hug, whether you like it or not.” He didn’t want to cling, but…he hadn’t let himself think of what could have happened.

  “Sorry. Sonsofbitches didn’t make it easy. We had to rabbit out of there fast. We holed up in an old camp storm shelter just south of the Oklahoma border. Just waited out the storm mostly. Barratt and his friends caught us again on the way out.”