Secret Agent Father

by Laura Scott

  “I’m glad you’re in heaven now,” Cody whispered. “Goodbye, Mama. I love you.”

  When she and Cody finished praying for Trina, she led him away so others could approach. She was surprised when Rafe was the next in line, kneeling to offer a brief prayer for Trina as well, before coming back to join them.

  She blew her nose and he enveloped her in a warm hug. It was nice, but at that moment, she missed Alex. Reminding herself that Alex’s safety was more important than her needs, she took hold of Cody’s hand and led him through the crowd toward the back of the church.

  Suddenly she heard Cody gasp.

  She froze, glancing around in alarm. “What is it?” she asked.

  “I saw him.” Cody’s eyes were brilliant green orbs, dominating his small face.

  “Who?” she asked, even though she was very much afraid she knew.

  “The bad man.” Cody pointed through the milling crowd with a small chubby finger. “Over there.”

  Rafe swiftly swung Cody into his arms, so that his face was next to Rafe’s. “Where? Show me the bad man, Cody.”

  Cody clutched Rafe tightly around the neck. “I don’t know. I saw him, over there somewhere.”

  “But not now?” Rafe persisted, slowly moving from side to side so Cody could get a good look around. She scanned the crowd herself, looking for anyone who might match Cody’s description.

  “He’s gone,” Cody whispered, burying his face into Rafe’s neck.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Rafe soothed, rubbing a hand over Cody’s back. “If you see him again, let me know, okay?”

  Rafe carried Cody in his arms until he relaxed and wiggled to be let free. Rafe set him on his feet and Shelby kept Cody’s hand in hers, unwilling to let him get too far.

  Logan approached. “All right?” he asked.

  Rafe nodded. “Cody thought he saw the bad man, but he’s gone now.”

  Logan scanned the crowd. “There are a lot of people who could fit the description. I saw the Mayor talking to Russ Jacobson. Neither one of them seemed very happy.”

  “Maybe my father is still upset about Marilyn,” Shelby pointed out.

  “Could be,” Logan drawled. “I overheard the mayor and your father saying something about Bobby Drake. I got the impression that Marilyn had gone to the Mayor about Bobby’s death, but I can’t say for sure.”

  She felt sick at the thought of Marilyn cheating on her father with a rough guy like Bobby Drake. “Where is she?”

  Logan shrugged. “Haven’t seen her around at all, which is odd considering she and Jacobson aren’t divorced yet. I’d expect her to be here.”

  Shelby thought Marilyn’s absence was strange, too.

  “My pager is going off,” Rafe said. “I’m not on call except as emergency backup, so I have to answer this. Don’t go too far,” he warned moving a few feet away for privacy.

  Stephan chose that moment to approach and Logan drifted away. “Shelby, your father wants to talk to you when you have a minute.” Stephan glanced down at Cody. “Alone.”

  “Why?” She tightened her grip on Cody’s hand. She wasn’t going anywhere without Cody.

  Stephan shrugged. “He didn’t say, but I get the feeling he’s not too keen on your new boyfriend.”

  If Stephan wondered where Alex was, he didn’t mention anything. A gnawing concern filled her stomach. Was Alex right that her father had been protecting Marilyn all along? It was possible now that Marilyn had left him that her father was looking for a way to tell the authorities without condemning himself.

  And if so, she knew she’d offer to help.

  Rafe was still on the phone, so she glanced around looking for her father. When she saw him standing beside the front door, he caught her gaze and gestured her forward. Hesitantly, she glanced over at Logan, who stood only a few feet away, chatting with someone she didn’t know.

  Swinging Cody into her arms, she walked toward her father. She didn’t doubt that Logan would keep an eye on her. And Alex was outside, watching the main entrance. All she needed was a few minutes alone with her father.

  If he was in trouble, she’d beg him to turn himself in.

  Alex slouched against the side of the building across the street from the church, stamping his feet in the cold and remembering only too well why he hated stakeouts.

  Interestingly enough, he’d noted that Marilyn hadn’t bothered to show up at the funeral. In his mind, that only added to his suspicions. The mayor was there, along with several members of the Green Bay police including the Chief of Police, Benjamin Wallace. Seems like Jacobson had an important standing in the community.

  From where he stood watching the various men walking into the church, many of them could have fit Cody’s description of the bad man.

  The main doors opened and he saw Russ Jacobson emerge from the building. Alex frowned and glanced at his watch. Odd, that Jacobson would leave his daughter’s funeral early. Especially before the prayer service.

  His heart froze in his chest, when the door opened again and Shelby walked outside, holding Cody in her arms. Without any sign of Rafe or Logan, she fell into step beside her father, following the winding sidewalk, as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

  FOURTEEN

  Alex clenched his fingers into fists, a ball of fear clogging his throat. What was she doing? Had she lost her mind? Any minute he expected her to stop, turn around and go back inside, but instead Shelby, Cody and her father took the pathway leading all the way down to the street, talking earnestly.

  He had no idea how Shelby managed to get out of the church without either Rafe or Logan noticing her departure. He quickly texted messages to each of them, as he ducked over to the building next door, trying to follow the rambling path Shelby and her father made.

  Jacobson gestured toward the marina located just a few blocks down the street with one hand, and he imagined the old man was trying to convince Shelby to go with him, but Shelby stopped walking and shook her head, holding Cody to her side.

  “That’s it, Shelby,” Alex muttered to himself, as he stayed in the shadows, out of sight. “Don’t trust him. And don’t leave the area around the church.”

  But then she moved forward, walking up to meet her father, and the three of them took the sidewalk that led down to the marina. He wished he could tell what Shelby was saying to her father as they walked, their heads bent toward each other deep in conversation, but he couldn’t.

  Maybe she was trying to convince her father to give himself up to the authorities. The very idea made him sweat. She might not understand the magnitude of danger, but he did.

  He didn’t trust Russ Jacobson. Not even knowing he loved his daughter and grandson.

  Turn around, Shelby. Go back to the sanctuary of the church, he silently pleaded.

  He took several deep breaths to calm his racing heart. She wasn’t far from the church and Logan and Rafe would be there soon. Remembering what Shelby had said about putting his faith in the Lord, he murmured a quick prayer as he followed them down to the marina.

  Heavenly Father, please keep Shelby and Cody safe.

  Shelby and her father paused near the main building of the marina, deserted for the most part this time of the year. There was only a sliver of moon in the sky as darkness fell. Alex took a chance, crossing the street to get closer to the marina. When he reached the building, he stayed along the side, creeping closer until he could overhear what Shelby and her father were saying.

  “Okay, Dad, you’ve told me your concerns about Marilyn. And I’m sorry she cleaned out your joint bank account.”

  “I was a fool,” Jacobson muttered.

  To her credit, Shelby didn’t comment. “Marilyn wasn’t just unfaithful, though, was she? Come on, Dad. I want to hear the truth from you. The truth about the drugs.”

  “Drugs?” Jacobson’s voice sounded surprised. “Shelby, how in the world do you know about the drugs?”

  “I tried to tell you, I know what’s going on. And f
urthermore, we’re pretty sure Marilyn is involved in the drug smuggling, too. But Dad, it’s not too late. You still have a chance. You need to turn yourself in and tell them everything!” she pleaded urgently.

  Alex risked a quick glance around the corner to see Jacobson shaking his head.

  “No, Shelby,” he said firmly. “Not yet. I need more time to clear my name.”

  “There isn’t enough time,” Shelby insisted.

  “You should listen to your daughter, Jacobson.” A deep voice came out of the darkness, from farther behind them. Alex froze for a moment, until the figure came closer. A tall man dressed in a dark blue cop uniform stepped out of the shadows, and when he saw the man’s face, he felt a wave of relief.

  Lieutenant Eric Holden, Rafe’s contact within the Green Bay police department.

  “Shelby, take Cody and get out of here, now!” her father commanded.

  Shelby reached for Cody, but before she could move, Holden leveled his weapon, aiming directly at them. “Nobody move.”

  Alex stared in shock. What was Holden thinking? He should know better than to aim his weapon at civilians.

  “Step away from your father, Shelby,” Holden continued, his gun never wavering. “I don’t want you or Cody to get hurt.”

  “I’m the one you want, leave her alone,” Jacobson said, in a voice accustomed to being obeyed.

  “Dad? I don’t understand—” Shelby glanced between the two men, obviously confused. Eric Holden took a few steps toward her and she didn’t move away from the man who represented the law.

  “I’m sorry you had to see this, Shelby,” Holden said in a placating tone. “Especially on the night we’re honoring your sister’s memory. But I have to tell you, your father is under arrest for drug smuggling and murder. Your father’s wife, Marilyn, is dead. And we have irrefutable proof, Jacobson, that you killed her. You might as well turn yourself in. There’s no escape, not any more.”

  Shelby gasped, her eyes widening in horror. Alex watched the scene unfold. This was the moment he’d been training for, taking out the mastermind behind the drug smuggling operation. But something wasn’t quite right. He held his weapon firmly in his left hand, in case Shelby’s father decided to make a run for it.

  His gaze dropped to Cody. The stark horror etched on his son’s face made him freeze. His son was staring at Eric Holden, as if he were seeing a ghost.

  Or the bad man of his nightmares.

  And suddenly he knew. The bandage on the side of Holden’s temple confirmed it. He was the one who had attacked Trina. It had been him all along. No wonder they couldn’t crack the case. Holden, Rafe’s contact, was running the drug smuggling ring. And from the looks of things, he was right now setting up Shelby’s father to take the fall. For Marilyn’s murder. And for the drugs. The same way he’d arranged for heroin to be found in Trina’s bedroom.

  Just like he’d arranged for Alex to be attacked, when he’d gotten too close to the truth.

  “Grandpa!” Cody shouted, darting away from Holden and running toward Jacobson.

  “Cody, no!” Shelby cried out trying to follow. But it was too late. Jacobson grabbed Cody, hauling him out of harm’s way, but Eric Holden grabbed at Shelby. She slipped away, running toward the docks, hiding in the shadows of the boats that were suspended high above the water.

  Alex was tempted to fire, but didn’t want to let Holden know he was there. When Russ Jacobson ducked around the far corner of the building, carrying Cody out of harm’s way, Holden disappeared, taking off after Shelby. The stalemate was broken by the knowledge that Shelby would want him to see his—their—son.

  Alex peered through the night, his heart thundering in his chest, trying to figure out where he’d gone. He was faced with an impossible decision. Staying here to ensure his son’s safety or going after Shelby.

  After long tense seconds, he headed around the opposite side, to meet up with Jacobson and Cody.

  Silently praying. Lord, keep Shelby safe.

  When Eric Holden had nearly grabbed her, Shelby had almost collapsed in fear. In order to save Cody, she’d kicked off her useless pumps and ran.

  Visions of the gunman chasing Trina flashed in her mind. Maybe this was God’s plan all along, for her to live her final moments the way Trina had before she’d died. Trina had given up her life when she’d drawn the gunman away from Cody. And Shelby was willing to sacrifice herself to do the same.

  Her father’s yacht, the Juliet, offered some protection as she darted into the boat’s shadow. Tonight, the darkness wasn’t something to fear. It offered protection.

  She held her breath, straining to listen. She’d noticed Cody’s reation to Lieutenant Holden, so she knew he must be Cody’s bad guy. He’d murdered Marilyn and Trina, too. She’d be more afraid if not for the fact she knew Alex had likely followed them down to the marina.

  Alex would protect his son.

  Strangely enough, she wasn’t as worried about herself. Her normal fear of the dark vanished. She knew God was with her.

  She inched down around to the front of the boat. The sound of metal scraping against metal made her hold her breath, unsure which way to move. She waited, her eyes searching the darkness, struggling to come up with a plan.

  She needed to head farther north, to put more distance between Eric Holden and Cody. Surely Rafe and Logan would have arrived to help by now.

  All she needed was a little more time.

  Her feet were freezing without shoes and just when she’d decided to run, a figure loomed out of the darkness.

  “Gotcha,” Eric said, an evil, leering grin on his face.

  In a desperate move, she darted to the left, but he moved faster, grabbing her and hauling her against his hard chest. The acrid scent of cigarette smoke made her gag.

  The memory of the night she was attacked swelled in her mind. She could see his face from the corner of her eye and knew. This man smelled and sounded the same. Holden! Eric Holden had attacked her two years ago.

  “Don’t try anything,” he warned, his voice low and gravel-rough near her ear. “I have a gun.” He put the cold steel to her temple, as if she needed the harsh reminder. “And this time, I’ll finish the job right.”

  “You’ll never get away with this,” she said, trying to remain calm. “The DEA is on to you.”

  Holden momentarily tensed, his tight grip painful around her neck before he finally relaxed. “I have the law on my side. Your lovely sister figured that out pretty quick. She thought she could get away from me, the little fool.”

  “You killed her.”

  Holden didn’t deny it. “That brat of hers saw me from inside the car, when she fought me off with the tire iron. I would have tracked her down and killed her for that alone. I was so close to getting away clean, but it doesn’t matter.”

  “Why did you kill Marilyn?” she asked.

  “She’s nothing but a drug addict, weeping and wailing after I killed Bobby Drake. When I realized she was on the verge of ratting me out, I got rid of her.”

  “She met with the Mayor before she died. She probably told him all about you.” It was a shot on the dark, but she knew her arrow had hit the mark, when he tensed up again.

  “She couldn’t have said anything. She didn’t know I was involved until I killed her.”

  He acted like he was invincible. Shelby held herself still, swallowing her fear.

  “I can get rid of you, the brat and your stupid father, and still come out of this looking like a hero. I’ll set up your useless DEA agent as the guilty one. I’m a cop, I know how to plant evidence, making sure everyone will believe me.”

  Was Holden delusional? Did he really think he could keep killing people and get away with it? She noticed he didn’t mention Rafe and Logan, and prayed that meant he didn’t know about Alex’s backups. Instinctively she knew she needed to buy more time. Time for Rafe and Logan to find Alex. For the three of them to get to Cody and her father. Between the three of them, they’d take Eric Hol
den down easily.

  She wanted to live, to have a chance at a future with Alex and Cody. She’d just begun to realize how much she cared for Alex. If necessary, she’d sacrifice her life to save them both. She prayed it wouldn’t come to that.

  “Come on,” he said harshly. Keeping his arm locked around her neck, her back against his chest and the gun pressed against her temple, Holden dragged her to the main building of the marina. She stumbled as rocks stabbed at her feet.

  “Listen up, Jacobson,” Holden called as he approached. “I have your daughter. Bring me the boy or I’ll kill her.”

  Her father came out from around the corner of the marina building, holding his hands up high. She was relieved Cody was nowhere in sight. “Don’t shoot. Please, don’t shoot,” Jacobsen pleaded.

  “No!” Shelby struggled to get free, but Holden’s arm tightened painfully around her neck, cutting off her airway. Red dots swam before her eyes. For a moment she feared she’d choke to death right then and there.

  And while she didn’t mind going home to her Lord, she did wish she’d taken the time to tell Alex how much she cared about him.

  How much she loved him.

  He eased up on the pressure, and she drew lifesaving oxygen into her lungs.

  Soon, she’d make her move. He’d likely kill her but that didn’t matter.

  Dear Lord, keep Alex and Cody safe.

  “What are you waiting for?” Jacobson asked in a low, harsh tone. “Shoot him already.”

  Deep in the shadows, Alex trained his gun on Eric Holden’s face, holding his left arm steady by propping it against the building. From the corner of his eye, he noted Rafe had taken hold of Cody, trying hard to keep the boy quiet. Rafe had a wound on his head from when he’d been knocked unconscious, no doubt by Holden before he’d made his move, and he was still unsteady on his feet. Logan had gone back around to the opposite side of the marina, planning to trap Holden so that he’d have no place to run.