by E. E. Borton
“She was young, smart, beautiful, and would never hurt anyone,” said Kate, kneeling down beside Brad. “She loved her parents very much and they loved her. She was going to do wonderful and amazing things with her life. Now you’re begging me to save yours.”
“I’ll tell the police what we did,” said Brad, fading. “I swear to God, I will. Please don’t let me die.”
“You took an innocent life,” said Kate. “You raped and tortured her for three days while she was tied to this post begging for her life. You dragged her out into the swamp and you fed her to alligators while she was still alive. You keep begging and pleading for God to help you. Do you believe in God?”
“I do,” said Brad, struggling to breathe.
“So do I,” said Kate. “I also believe in the devil. Do you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then it stands to reason that you believe in heaven and hell, right?”
“Yes.”
“Which way do you think you’re going?”
He didn’t speak, but Kate saw the answer in his terrified eyes. He lowered his head to the floor and started to cry. All three suspected he was trying to make his peace and plead his case with the few moments he had left in this world. They held little hope that he’d be successful in changing the verdict.
Silence fell over the cabin when his moaning and sobbing stopped. Brad would never hurt anyone’s child again. He took away all of Emily’s opportunities to experience happiness and love. He took away all of her tomorrows. They had no problem taking all of his.
“I guess his time was up sooner than I thought,” said Chief, looking at Brad’s lifeless body. “I suspect that wasn’t part of your plan.”
“No, it wasn’t, Chief.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Kate. I’m on board with you sending that sick soul to the netherworld. I just wish we could’ve made it hurt more.”
“That looked like it hurt a lot, Chief,” said Grey. “I don’t think we could’ve killed him slow enough.”
“She meant nothing to them,” said Kate. “They have no problem feeding someone’s daughter to alligators. The faster we reunite Bullet and Eddie with their brother, the better.”
“Brittany handed her over to them,” said Grey. “We may want to rethink our position with her.”
“I don’t think she had any idea that they were going to do that to her,” said Kate. “But I’ll make sure her and her parents do know. They need to get her some help, but she’s not back on our list.”
“What about Mark and the judge?” asked Chief.
“I already have plans for Mark,” said Kate. “I’m still on the fence with Cassandra. She’s going to pay for what she did. I’m not clear yet on the price.”
“What about this sack of shit?” asked Chief, pointing at Brad. “Do we sink him?”
“No,” said Kate. “We leave him just the way he is. I want Bullet and Eddie to find him. I want them both angry and scared.”
“Eddie, I’m not worried about,” said Grey. “I am with Bullet. He’s smarter and more dangerous than the others. We just executed his brother. It won’t take him long to figure out it was us. When he does, he’ll want his revenge.”
“I’m sure of it,” said Kate.
“Let’s get out of here,” said Chief. “This place stinks.”
Not much was said on the boat ride back to the rental house. Killing Brad apart from his brothers was unexpected. The timeline for the other two had become much shorter.
Kate agreed with Grey that Bullet was dangerous, but he wasn’t more dangerous than Judge Cassandra Hall. Kate understood the lengths a mother would go to protect her son – even if that son was a serial rapist.
They secured the boat and headed up to the house. Evan and Abby were waiting for them on the back deck. It didn’t escape either of them that they were a man short.
“Kate, are you okay?” asked Abby, as her sister walked into the light.
“It’s not my blood,” said Kate, following Abby’s eyes to a stain on her pants.
“What happened?”
“I need to get cleaned up,” said Kate, smiling and then walking past her.
“I need a drink,” said Chief, giving Abby a hug and then heading for the kitchen.
“I’ll take one too, Chief,” said Grey.
“Gotcha covered, boss. Anyone else?”
“Just bring the bottle,” said Abby.
“Brad told us what they did to her,” said Grey, taking a seat. “They raped and tortured her for three days in a shack straight out of a horror movie. They starved and dehydrated her before taking her out into the swamp.”
“And?”
“I think he’s waiting for this,” said Chief, handing Grey a glass of whiskey.
“Thanks, buddy,” said Grey, taking a long sip. “They threw her overboard like a sack of garbage. They went to Mud Lake. It’s infested with alligators.”
“Oh dear Lord,” said Abby. “Please tell me that she was already dead.”
“I wish I could.”
“What the fuck is wrong with these people?” said Evan, standing. “She didn’t do shit to them, and they fucked with her for a year and a half. All of them, Grey. I don’t give a shit anymore about anyone in this godforsaken town. They can all burn in hell for all I care. I’m being dead serious. Tyler, Brittany, Mark, Judge Hall, those psycho brothers, all of them.”
“I hear you,” said Chief. “Kate sent one of them tonight.”
“Kate killed Brad?” asked Abby, putting down her glass.
“We didn’t throw his blood on her,” said Chief.
“That’s not funny,” said Abby, glaring at Chief. “You two are supposed to be doing that, not her.”
“Glad you think that highly of us,” said Chief. “It’s not like she gave us much of a choice, little lady. Grey and I were on the boat when she gutted him.”
“Gutted him?” said Abby. “Those are the words you choose to describe what my sister did?”
“Would shanked or carved up like a Christmas turkey work better for you?”
“Easy, Chief,” said Grey. “We’re all a little amped up right now.”
“No, easy needs to be over for her,” said Chief. “Easy was over for us a long time ago. If she wants to be a part of this, then she’s the one who needs to ease up.”
“I’m sitting right here, Chief,” said Abby.
“I know exactly where you’re sitting,” said Chief. “You’re sitting smack-dab in the middle of this shit storm, and you have no idea what goes on out there. You sit behind a screen and watch us do the dirty work because you think that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. The last thing I need when I get back from doing it, is you telling me what I should say and how I should say it.”
“I didn’t mean –”
“Must be nice watching us from that high horse,” said Chief, standing. “Aw, screw it.”
He snatched the bottle off the table and walked down the back stairs towards the dock. With tears in her eyes, Abby stood as well. She looked at Grey and then went inside.
“Where did that come from?” asked Evan.
“I have a pretty good idea,” said Grey, grabbing his empty glass and standing.
“I guess the party’s over,” said Evan.
“I’ll see you in the morning, buddy,” said Grey, walking down the stairs. “Go get some sleep. You’re going to have a busy day tomorrow.”
Grey took his time walking down the stairs and through the backyard. He was gathering his thoughts and letting Chief do the same. It was rare for either of them to fly off the handle without a good reason.
“Permission to come on board, skipper” said Grey, standing on the dock.
“Granted,” said Chief. “I’m guessing you want me to fill that glass.”
“I do.”
“I hope you didn’t come down here to defend your girlfriend,” said Chief, pouring.
“Nope,” said Grey. “I’m here to defend myself. You’r
e not angry with her; you’re pissed at me.”
“You are a good detective,” said Chief. “I owe Abby an apology and she’ll get it. You on the other hand…”
“Don’t hold back, old man,” said Grey. “Get it all out.”
“Hell, that may be part of it,” said Chief. “I’m getting older. I’ve lost a couple steps and my aim isn’t as steady. That’s why I can’t do this without you.”
“You may have lost a couple steps, your hair, and your battle against cake, but your aim is rock steady. I couldn’t do this without you either, Chief.”
“Then start acting like it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Abby shouldn’t be here,” said Chief, shaking his head. “We never should’ve used her as bait to lure Greg to the house. She shouldn’t be a part of any of this.”
“Wasn’t my call, Chief. Kate signed off on it.”
“Bullshit,” said Chief. “That’s one argument you would’ve won. You want her here and I don’t blame you. Abby is a soft place to land after a day like today. She’s intelligent, sassy, and drop-dead gorgeous. Any guy would be lucky to have her, but here’s the rub. We’re out here kicking the hornet’s nest and dropping bodies in the swamp. We’re pissing off very, very dangerous people who are about to come after us, all of us. Shit just got more real, partner.”
“I know that, Chief.”
“Shut up, kid,” said Chief, filling his glass. “You two are acting like a couple of teenagers on a field trip. We all know you sneak into each other’s rooms at night and hold hands when you believe nobody’s looking. Kate thinks that’s cute and feels better knowing her personal jackhammer is looking out for her sister. Kate wants her around as much as you do, and you’re both wrong. Very wrong. I’m not telling you to end the relationship, but I am saying she doesn’t need to be here in shithole, USA, for you two to be together. She needs to be back in Miami where she’s safe. Then you become the only thing you need to worry about out here. Capiche?”
“I hear you, Chief,” said Grey. “Every word.”
“Good.”
“What I don’t get were the theatrics up there,” said Grey. “You could’ve gotten this off your chest a week ago. Hell, a month ago. Why tonight?”
“You don’t see it, do you?” asked Chief, leaning back and finishing his drink.
“See what?”
“Ask Abby to show you a picture of her when she was twenty. She and Emily could be twins.”
Chapter 42
Fingers
Grey and Abby talked for hours after the others went to bed. He did his best to soften the blow about the conversation he had on the boat with Chief. Abby didn’t want to leave her sister, but understood why they wanted her to be as far away from Boudreaux as possible. Grey extended his morning run to give her and Chief some alone time on the deck.
“Good morning, Chief,” said Abby, wrapping her hands around a warm mug. “A little chilly out here.”
“Not as chilly as I was last night,” said Chief, looking up at her and smiling. “Sit with me for a minute, pretty lady? I owe you an apology.”
“No, you don’t,” said Abby, taking a seat next to him on the glider. “I owe you one.”
“We’ll call it a stalemate then,” said Chief, putting his arm around her to keep her warm. “You’re different than the rest of us, Abby. You still have a sweetness about you. Me and Grey, we lost that a long time ago.”
“No, you haven’t,” said Abby. “I can still see it. Grey and I talked last night. I’ll be going home soon. You’re right, I don’t belong here. You guys can’t do your jobs if you’re worried about me all the time.”
“We worry about all of you, sweetie,” said Chief. “Trust me on that one.”
“It’s hard thinking about leaving her,” said Abby. “Things are so different between us now. She’s all about business, and she never talks about Caleb or Paul anymore. Did you hear her accuse Brad of murdering Emily’s son?”
“Yeah,” said Chief, giving her a squeeze. “None of us missed that.”
“I know why she needs to do this,” said Abby. “I just don’t like the thought of her doing it.”
“You’ll never understand why,” said Chief. “Just like I don’t. Grey doesn’t either. We’re all doing this for different reasons. Are you sure you know why Kate’s here?”
“To help the people who feel helpless,” said Abby.
“Not even close.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you trust me, Abby?”
“Of course I do.”
“What I’m about to tell you is going to be a hard pill to swallow,” said Chief. “I’m not being mean. I’m just being honest, okay?”
“Okay,” said Abby, sitting up. “Tell me, please.”
“Things are different between you and your sister because she needs things to be distant,” said Chief. “Kate is here because she can’t kill Diego again. What keeps her going is the thought of being a nightmare for monsters like him.”
“You’re telling me that she needs to kill?”
“No,” said Chief. “I’m telling you that she has no problem doing it when it needs to be done. You and Kate are never going to have the same relationship you had before she was attacked. Everything changed that day, Abby. Everything.”
“Then what kind of relationship are we supposed to have?”
“She loves you and always will,” said Chief. “That’s never going to change. But if you’re looking to try to get her back to the sweet, kind, gentle, loving sister you knew before, you’re going to fail. Bottom line, you’re going to fail.
“Diego killed that Kate. You need to build a new relationship with the new Kate. The Kate that needs to find those people who can’t help themselves. But also the Kate who is willing to end a life that needs to be ended. You need to accept that she is a killer, Abby. Just like we are.”
“Please don’t hold back, Chief,” said Abby, sitting back in the glider and pulling back her hair.
“If she didn’t have this drive,” said Chief, “this passion for making things right for other people, where do you think she’d be right now?”
“I don’t like thinking about that,” said Abby.
“If she didn’t have this, she wouldn’t have a reason to live,” said Chief. “You need to come to terms with that.”
“I have,” said Abby, exhaling. “I swear to you, I have. Forgive me if I’m having a slight issue with my sister needing to drown and stab people to keep her sanity.”
“Hey,” said Chief, patting Abby’s leg. “I’m here with her. So is Grey. We understand and we’re still right here with her. Don’t try to figure all of this out today. Give it some time, Abby.”
“Take care of her,” said Abby, standing. “Finish this and get her back home where she’s safe. That’s all I ask.”
“You know I will.”
Chief sat outside and finished his coffee. He worried that his tough love approach with Abby would cause tension between him, Grey, and Kate. He put those thoughts aside when Grey returned from his run and asked him to join the team inside.
“How are my boys doing this morning?” asked Kate, greeting them with a smile.
“Doing better now that the gear has arrived,” said Evan. “Getting inside the house is going to be a lot easier now.”
“You’ve already lost me, kid,” said Chief, pulling up a chair next to him.
“Sorry,” said Evan. “Kate asked me a couple of days ago if I could get you guys inside of Bullet’s house undetected. I said I believed I could, but I’d need a few things. Those things are here.”
“We’re going to add insult to injury,” said Kate. “Evan is going to send an anonymous message to Bullet. We’re going to tell him where to find Brad.”
“And Eddie and a few swamp thugs will go with him,” said Grey, “leaving the house more vulnerable.”
“Bingo,” said Evan.
“Two steps ahead, Kate,” said
Chief, earning a smile.
“According to Brad, a drug shipment came in a few days ago,” said Kate. “It’ll be two weeks before the next. You’re going to take it.”
“Finding his brother dead and his drugs missing is going to send him over the edge,” said Grey. “Are we ready for that?”
“We are,” said Kate. “Brad also told us he’s not worried about cops raiding the house. Bullet is more worried about rival dealers trying to take his stash. He keeps everything at the house. Evan, you’re up.”
“Everything,” said Evan. “Drugs, cash, weapons, and digital recorders that would put him and Judge Hall away for life.”
“He still has Emily’s recorders?” asked Grey.
“Again, according to Brad, he does,” said Evan. “Well, copies of the recordings. The digital recorders use micro SD cards. He made copies before he turned them over to Judge Hall. Brad said Bullet was using them as a bargaining chip in case she ever thought about ending their arrangement.”
“We know where they are in the house?” asked Chief.
“We do,” said Evan. “Pull up a chair, boys. You’re going to love this part.”
Evan opened a padded container and pulled out a device the size of a shoe box. He screwed a six-inch antenna into the top of it and handed it to Chief. He held it like an uncle being handed a baby for the first time. Evan smiled and pulled up a new screen on the monitor.
“You’re looking at a 3D rendering of this house,” said Evan. “I got the blueprints from the county database. This includes all conversions and upgrades as of this year.”
“Is this where I come in?” asked Kate.
“It is,” said Evan. “Our cell phones can’t be traced or accessed remotely. Unless they have access and can reprogram a Russian military satellite, nobody can track us. Kate has a cell phone exactly like Bullet’s. I chose it for effect. Go ahead and turn it on, Kate.”
“Okay,” said Kate. “It’s on.”
“Chief,” said Evan, “there’s a power switch on the side of that thing. Turn it on.”
“I see a light,” said Chief, grinning at his accomplishment.