If Collins had stayed in Mexico, none of the turmoil would be happening in his life. All the trouble started when he showed up after his father’s death. “It is time for you to return to Mexico. You have caused me enough tribulation.”
“I have something to take care of first.”
“No, get on your plane and fly back to Mexico now. That is not a request, it is an order.” Kane swept his eyes over the parking lot. Of course he knew he was being watched. He couldn’t see anyone, but he knew someone was close by watching him. He wouldn’t be able to go to the bathroom without someone knowing. For days they had taken photos of him every time he had left his house. It made him mad as hell to know they had been watching his house and he never suspected anything out of the ordinary. The FBI had seen Collins in his backyard. His life had been so perfect before Collins came back to Raleigh.
“You can’t order me to do anything. I will not leave until I have killed Grant and Josh Wilson.”
“You are going to ruin everything. Forget your revenge and go back to Mexico. Because of you, the FBI is breathing down my neck.” A pounding headache had Kane rubbing his temple. The thought crossed his mind to have Kevin kill Collins and dump the body somewhere no one would find him. But then Kevin was more of an organizer, not a killer. Collins would probably sense something was out of the ordinary and kill Kevin. Life wouldn’t run very smooth without him overseeing the meth labs. The man was a master at finding workers who knew how to keep their mouths shut. He was indispensible.
Talking slow and clear, Kane replied, “If you would have stayed in Mexico, none of this would have happened. They have nothing on me. If you are apprehended by the FBI, I don’t doubt for a minute you’ll make a deal and tell them everything.”
“I’ll take care of the Wilson brothers tonight. Tomorrow I’ll leave.”
Kane gritted his teeth to control his anger. Collins was the only man in his employment he couldn’t keep in check. No one else dared to challenge his orders. Much too arrogant for his own good, he had always done as he pleased. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Josh Wilson is smart. He might be waiting for you.”
Collins tossed back. “Stop worrying. I’ve got everything under control. I know what I’m doing.”
Kane slapped the flip phone closed. The man knew how to rattle his cage. He threw the phone against the brick wall of the retail store where it broke into several pieces. As he gathered the pieces and stuffed them in his pocket, he had an uneasy feeling. To make sure everything went off without a hitch maybe he needed to go with Collins. It would be risky but he feared Collins would mess up and get caught which would mean the end of his empire. Maybe it was time he stopped hiding in the shadows and took care of something himself for once.
****
It was after seven o’clock in the evening when Josh drove into Agent Robert Tilley’s drive. When he went to Tilley’s office to question him earlier in the day, his secretary told him he had called in sick. Hopefully, he didn’t know they were on to him. The fact he didn’t work today caused him to wonder if maybe he decided to skip town, but then his car was in the drive.
Josh heard the front door open. Carrying two suitcases, Tilley rushed out of the house followed by his wife carrying their son.
The second Tilley caught sight of Josh, his face paled. White as a piece of cotton, he stood staring at him with his mouth open in shock. Sarcasm edged Josh’s voice. “Going somewhere?”
He dropped the suitcases, stuffed his hands into his front pockets, and worked up a smile. “What are you doing here?” By the look on his face he knew he was in deep and serious trouble.
“You and I need to talk.”
Tilley twirled the ring holding his car keys on his finger. “We’re on our way out. My father has had a heart attack.”
“Let’s just cut straight to the heart of the matter. Could you be running because you’re in cahoots with Travis Kane?”
“Patty, go back in the house.” At first she stood there not moving. He snapped, “Now.” Naked fear showed in her eyes. Without saying a word, she turned and slowly walked back into the house with her son on her hip.
Tilley’s mouth curled into a snarl. “The man you suspect hired Chase Powers to kill Kathy Lassiter? Why would I be meeting with him?”
“Because you have been feeding information to Kevin Stevenson.” Even though he was fishing, Josh suspected Stevenson was the connection to Travis Kane. Problem was he had no evidence to prove his suspicions. “You told him Kathy Lassiter and David Lewis would be at the bureau.” Tilley opened his mouth to explain, but Josh snapped, “Don’t even try to lie. Things will go a lot easier if you tell me everything.”
Tilley raked his fingers through his dark hair. “I’m not saying anything until I speak with my lawyer.”
Josh was afraid he’d lawyer-up. He feared what Kane and Collins would do now that the FBI had put pressure on them. Instinct told him they would be out for revenge. “Whose side are you on? Are you an FBI agent or are you a murderer?”
“Murder, you think I killed someone?”
“Shirley Powers tried to kill Kathy Lassiter and David Lewis. You’re just as guilty as she is because now you’re an accomplice to attempted murder. I don’t know what other crimes you have committed. But I will not rest until every one of them has been uncovered. Talk to me, Agent Tilley. Tell me everything before it is too late. People’s lives are at stake.”
Tilley checked his watch. “Do you have somewhere you need to be?”
He held up a hand, took a breath. “I want to speak to a lawyer.”
“A lawyer can’t help you now. Do you think a man like Travis Kane will let you live? The moment he doesn’t need you any longer, you’re a dead man. I’m the only chance you have.”
Frustration darkened his eyes. “I swear to you I am not involved with Kane.”
“No, but Stevenson is. Evidence points to Stevenson being Kane’s man. You’re in with some really bad men, men that won’t hesitate to kill you.” Temper waged a war inside him. He needed Tilley to talk and he didn’t have time to waste. He grabbed Tilley by the front of the shirt and jerked him around. “If you mess with me I promise things will get ugly.” He pulled his pistol and pressed it against Tilley’s stomach.
Tilley went very still. “Uglier than this?” Terrified, he whispered, “You are a good agent Wilson. It’s not in you to shoot someone to gain information.”
“I’m desperate. Desperate people do crazy things. My family is in danger. If you don’t want to go to prison for murder, start talking. Fighting for calm, Josh prayed he would confess. “I’m giving you a chance to acknowledge you have been passing information to Stevenson. Come clean and I’ll do everything in my power to help you.” With every passing second, his heart began to beat more erratically.
Tilley huffed out a breath. “You’re too late to help me. I’m in too deep. Pull the trigger. It’s like you said, I’m a dead man either way.”
A number of tense seconds passed. “What will happen to your family then?” Tilley had a special needs son. His wife didn’t work so she could stay home and see to his needs. They barely got by on his salary.
Tilley held up a hand, took a breath. “Stevenson said he’d kill my son if I didn’t keep him informed of your plans. I had no other choice. You said you are worried about your family, well so am I.”
“You did have another choice. You could have come to me. Now you’re in some serious trouble.” Prickles of irritation scraped at the back of his neck. Hands trembling he dropped the pistol to his side.
Tilley began to fidget under Josh’s direct stare. “Please, Agent Wilson, you have to see things from my prospective. He threatened my son. I can’t let anything happen to him. They contacted me. Through no fault of my own, I was pulled into this chaos. I have to get my family somewhere safe.”
Josh wasn’t sure if he could trust him, but at the moment he was his only hope. “Did Stevenson call you?”
“Yes.�
� Shame showed in his face. He shifted his weight from one leg to the other as if nervous. “He told me to give you a call, lure you to a warehouse on Hamilton Drive. They have Beth Reynolds.”
The confession had him swallowing hard. Stone, cold fear shot through him. The need to prevent and protect was strong. His mind was in a whirl of confusion. For a fleeting moment he thought he was going to be sick. He fought the panic. “What time?”
“Eight o’clock.”
The words slammed into him. Josh peered at his watch. It was already seven thirty. There wasn’t time to come up with a plan. He flipped open his phone as he trotted toward his car. Over his shoulder he shouted, “Are you coming with me?”
“Not until my family is somewhere safe. Then I’ll come.” He turned and ran back into the house.
Josh slid into his seat as Grant answered his phone. “Travis Kane has Beth. They are at a warehouse on Hamilton Drive. Call Uncle Tate and have him meet me there.” Without any further explanation, Josh ended the call and tried to call Beth. He didn’t get an answer.
****
James Baker opened the door of the limo for Beth. She smiled and apologized, “I’m sorry you have to take me home. I’m sure you had plans tonight.”
“No plans. I was going to pop a frozen dinner in the microwave and watch a movie. Besides, the landscape is so pretty, I’ll enjoy the scenery. You forget I live in a condo surrounded by other buildings. A trip to the country will be a nice distraction.”
Beth knew she needed to sit in the back and catch up on some work but her mind was too distracted to concentrate. She threw her briefcase into the backseat and shut the door. “I’ll ride up front with you. I don’t feel like working tonight.”
He opened the front passenger door and Beth slipped into the seat. “Sounds wonderful.” She placed her purse in the floorboard at her feet. She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. It had been a long day and she was exhausted.
Traffic was light as they turned onto Market Street. Stopped at a red light, James asked, “How was court today?”
“Grueling. I had no idea working for a top law firm was going to consume my whole life.” Someone bumped into the back of the limo.
“I’ll be right back.” James opened the door and stepped to the back of the limo to see if there was any damage.
Beth looked over her shoulder and saw a man punch James in the face. She opened the door and jumped out. By the time she got to the back of the limo, James lay unconscious on the pavement. She placed her hand over her mouth in shock. The man hit them but attacked James. That didn’t make any sense. “Are you crazy? Why did you hit James?”
Someone stepped behind her. Beth swung around and peered into Randal Collins’ face. “Hello, Beth.” His hand wrapped around her arm and he began to drag her toward the car that had hit them.
Beth screamed at the top of her lungs and began to fight. She kicked, punched, and scratched at Randal’s hand. He only gripped her tighter. It never worried him in the least that they were drawing a crowd. People on the street stopped and watched as he shoved her into the backseat. No one even tried to help her.
The driver jumped into the front, threw the car in reverse. He shoved it into drive and they sped away. Beth turned and looked out the back glass at James’ prone body lying in the road. She hoped he was okay.
Chapter Sixteen
Josh parked his car a block away from the address Tilley gave him. Before he got out, he grabbed his binoculars which were in the glove compartment. Extra magazines for his pistol were packed into his jacket pockets. His wished he could wait for backup and go in with guns blazing, but that wasn’t going to happen knowing Beth was inside. He would have to find a way inside and hope to surprise Kane and Collins.
In front of the warehouse, Josh peered through the binoculars. There was a shooter positioned on the roof and one in a front window. More than likely Kane and Collins had a small army inside. Opening his phone, Josh called Uncle Tate. “Be careful. There’s a shooter on the roof and one stationed at a front window. I’m going to make my way around back and see if I can find a way to get inside.”
“No, you wait for backup. I’ll be there in a matter of minutes with Agents Bauer, Jacobs, and Daniels. That’s an order, Josh.”
“I’ll be careful.” He ended the call. He had no intention of waiting. He had to make sure Beth was okay.
He made his way to the back of the building only to find it was barred by a ten foot high fence with razor sharp wire on top. He climbed to the top and then threw his coat over the wire so he wouldn’t get cut. After scaling the fence, he jerked his coat loose, and dropped to the other side. Slowly he made his way through the alley leading to the backside of the warehouse. The fire escape didn’t look safe because some of the steps had rusted out. Taking his time, he made his way to the roof.
He could see the shooter facing the front side next to the street. His eyes swept the area looking for a weapon. He couldn’t very well fire his pistol because then Kane and Collins would know he was there. He found a metal pipe against a wall. He tiptoed toward the shooter. “Hey!”
The man turned his face toward Josh. He swung the pipe like a bat and hit him a powerful blow to the head. Removing the man’s bootlaces, he tied him up. Hopefully that would keep him from alerting the others. He shouldered the automatic weapon. If he were in a gunfight, it would be better than his pistol.
Josh opened the door leading to the floor below. Agonizing seconds passed as he listened for any sounds. He heard voices but he couldn’t tell which direction they came from. The gun pointed at the ready, he made his way down the old wooden stairs which creaked under his weight. Twice he had to stop and balance the gun while he wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. He hoped he wasn’t making a huge mistake by not waiting for his team. Uncle Tate was going to be pissed because he didn’t follow his orders.
When he reached the last step, he took a moment to listen. He could hear Beth talking. Thank God she was okay. He pressed against the wall and waited.
“You won’t get away this time. You should have gone back to Mexico when you had the chance.”
Collins shouted, “Did you think I would leave without killing Grant Wilson? He took Nina from me!”
Beth spat, “Nina was never yours. She has too much dignity to fall in love with trash. It didn’t take her long to realize you were evil. You’re sick in the head.”
One of the men standing on the other side of the wall made a sound of impatience before he snapped, “Will you two please shut up! Your bickering is driving me crazy!”
Josh recognized Kane’s voice. Knowing he was with Collins gave him a measure of hope. He wouldn’t be able to talk his way out of this one. At least they would be able to charge him with kidnapping. Josh peeped around the wall but he still couldn’t see anyone. He shouldered his weapon and crawled on his stomach to the cluster of yellow barrels in the next room. From there he could see Collins, Kane, and four other men, one of them facing the window. Beth was tied to a chair in the corner. She had a black eye. Cold beads of sweat formed along his brow. They should never have kidnapped Beth.
Kane peered at the Rolex on his arm. “It’s after eight o’clock. Where is Josh Wilson?” He moved to the dingy, dirty window and looked out. “I thought Tilley told him to meet him here at eight o’clock.”
“They’ll be here.” Collins cocked his head to the side. “Stop worrying. Tilley wouldn’t risk the life of his family. He’ll do exactly as ordered.”
“I’m getting sick and tired of you telling me not to worry, Collins. If this plan of yours goes awry, I’m the one that’ll pay with prison time.” With desperate urgency in his voice he asked, “What makes you think Josh Wilson will come alone?”
“I ordered Tilley to tell him he has information and won’t talk to anyone but him. He thinks Tilley has information about you. Agent Wilson wants to put you away so bad he’ll do anything. He knows without a doubt you are responsible for the hit on my fat
her. Because of the hit, two agents were killed. He wants you to get the death penalty.”
“Shut up, Collins. I’ve been able to fly under the radar until you showed up ruining everything.” His eyes shifted to Beth. “Because of this little plan of yours, I’ll have to kill the woman because she’s a witness. The more bodies I leave behind, the less likely I am to go free.”
Josh looked at Beth and saw a tear escape down her cheek. If he didn’t find a way to get her out of there, she would die. He needed a diversion.
He slumped to the dirty floor and crawled out of the room. He stood up and looked around. A barrel of trash stood in the corner. Pasteboard boxes were placed next to the barrel. It looked like some homeless people had been using the barrel for heat. A book of matches lay next to one of the pasteboard boxes. He ripped the pasteboard into pieces and placed it along the wooden stairs. Gathering what trash he could find, he dropped the trash on top of the pasteboard. He struck a match and watched it ignite. The dry paper flamed up in seconds. It wouldn’t burn long, but just maybe the men would smell the smoke and come to investigate.
Shouldering the automatic weapon, he crawled back into the room where Beth was tied in the corner to hide behind the yellow barrels. Now all he had to do was wait.
Still at the window watching for his arrival, Kane seemed nervous. It was obvious he wasn’t accustomed to doing the dirty work. He usually watched from the shadows.
Collins pulled up a chair and sat beside Beth. He wrapped a russet curl around his finger. “You have beautiful hair.” He leaned in and whispered something in her ear. He wished he could hear what Collins said.
She paled. “I’m not going to Mexico with you. Hell, you’re not going to Mexico. The FBI is breathing down your neck. Josh is too smart to fall for your trap. When he arrives, he’ll have his whole team with him. You’re going to get the needle.”
Kane turned and glared at Beth. “Shut her up or I’ll shut her up!”
Shadows of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Series Book 2) Page 25