Johnny grinned. “You’re welcome, ma’am.” He pointed toward a plate with cookies. “They’re fresh baked.”
Elizabeth wasn’t in the mood. “Thank you, but I'm good.” As she rode the elevator up, reception became better. Her phone came to life, downloading message after message. There were ten from Chris Leonard, and a few from Merry. Each and every one tried to warn her that the shit was about to hit the fan with Tony.
Yeah, she was well aware.
Well, at least they tried to give her a heads up. That was something.
Up in her room, she dialed her ME.
“Thank God! Tony found out! He’s out there wandering alone,” Christ blurted, before Elizabeth could even get a word in edgewise.
“Oh, he’s not wandering,” she stated. “He found me at the coffee shop and spoke his mind.”
“Shit! Are you okay, Lyzee?” Chris asked.
She laughed.
It wasn’t a funny one either.
“No, I’m dead to him. His words, not mine. Oh, and I’m a cold hearted bitch, but we all know that’s more fact than fiction anyway.”
Chris went to reassure her, but he was cut off.
“It’s okay. I knew this was a risk, and now I’m dealing with it. Like I said before, you’re to blame me for all of this. We’ll try and keep our team intact for as long as possible. If he wants to hate me, so be it.”
“He’s just hurt,” Chris tried to offer.
It didn't matter. Elizabeth knew this was squarely on her shoulders.
“Again, I knew this was a possibility, Chris. I knew the risk and I’m really okay. I’ve been called and accused of worse in my past. This is nothing.”
That was one hell of a lie.
Chris Leonard didn't believe her.
“I’m working at the hotel if the team needs me. Callen and Ethan are out in the field. I’m going to turn off my phone so I can work. I need to focus on the case.”
Another lie.
She wanted quiet.
Elizabeth wanted solitude.
“Sure thing, boss. Take it easy, okay?” He was worried for his pregnant friend, just as much as he was concerned for Tony. It was a precarious line to walk.
But it was the right thing to do.
There was no way he was going to sit there and let the people he called family implode around him.
It just wasn’t happening.
Chris Leonard was going to take care of this mess.
One way or another.
* * *
The Mad Hatter
Sunday Afternoon
It was odd to find a bar open on a Sunday, but in Belleville, the odd seemed more the norm. When they walked in, they found a few patrons there, and their presence drew their attention.
It looked like they weren’t going to go unnoticed.
It didn't really matter, since they wanted to get in, do the interview, and then get out. They had bigger issues to worry about than stares from the people there.
“Hello. What can I get you both?” the man behind the bar asked as they sat down.
“I’d really like a coffee,” stated Ethan.
“You want booze in it? We’re not really supposed to serve alcohol on Sundays here, but the sheriff generally leaves us alone as long as we’re well behaved.”
Shocking.
The man was bending the rules too. It was good to know.
“No, but make it two coffees. Then we can have a little talk,” Ethan stated, slipping his badge onto the counter.
“Where’s the owner?”
“That’s me,” he answered, swallowing the lump in his throat.
“What’s your name?”
The man stared at the shiny gold shield, and then up into his eyes. “My name is Barney Sweet, and I don’t want any trouble. We aren’t serving. I swear.”
“I don’t care about your alcoholic beverages, Barney. I’m here working on a case for the FBI. We want to discuss the dead victims we talked about on the news.”
He pointed at the TV on the wall.
“Oh, I knew you looked familiar. I just couldn’t place the face.”
Ethan didn't buy that for a second.
“What can you tell me about the night Magdalene Monroe disappeared?” Ethan rattled off the date, waiting for him to say anything.
After all, they heard this was the last place she’d been. Maybe the killer had found and stole her from the bar.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Miss Monroe is a minor. She wouldn’t be in here. We follow the law.”
Ethan glanced over at his brother. “Callen, do it.”
Standing, he pulled his badge out and cleared his voice. “I’m going to be going table to table in a few minutes. You all need to have your ID out and ready for me.” He pointed at a few young looking men having a beer. “You three specifically. If I find out you’re minors, our buddy Barney is heading to jail and getting shut down.”
Blackhawk watched the owner break into a sweat. “I don’t think the sheriff is going to be able to look the other way, especially after I prove you’re selling to minors. This would be out of his jurisdiction. I’ll be calling in ATF.”
The man swallowed.
“Listen, we don’t want to give you a hard time,” Ethan stated, “but if you don’t answer my questions, keep lying, and try to evade, I’m going to bust this place down to pet grooming.”
He nodded. “Okay, she was in here. Miss Monroe wandered in, had a few drinks, danced with a couple of men, and then left.”
“Who was all over her? I’ve seen her picture, and you can’t tell me that on a Friday night, some horny man wasn’t picturing her naked in the back of his truck.”
Again, he swallowed.
“Barney, spill it.”
The man did just that. “Russell Beston was all over her. She was dancing, and he was more than happy to feel her up while she was drunk.”
Blackhawk scribbled down his name, knowing it wasn’t the first time they’d heard it. Not only was he beating down a man who was having sex with Magdalene, he was trying to get into her drunken pants.
Interesting…
At least now they had another lead to tie this case together. This might help them track down the killer.
“You’re not going to tell the sheriff, are you?”
Oh, he was pretty sure that was never going to happen. “Tell him what?”
The man smiled. “You Feds aren’t all bad. Are you sure you don’t want a drink? It’s on the house.”
He stood. “Don’t push your luck. My good mood can come crashing to a halt pretty damn fast.”
The man nodded, not wanting to piss them off.
Outside, they climbed into the vehicle.
“Elizabeth?” Callen asked, knowing neither man wanted to leave her alone for long.
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
Heading out, they didn't see the person watching them.
They didn't notice the look of malice on his face.
They were too lost in the moment.
But he wasn’t.
No, he was ready to kill.
* * *
Somehow, Jaxon talked him into going back to the lab. It wasn’t really difficult, because Tony knew what he needed to do. If anything, he had to apologize to the people he worked with. While he was still mad, that didn't give him any right to act the way he did.
It was his work place, and he’d crossed a line.
The second he was in the door, Chris stood. Kicking the techs and Jaxon out, he faced down his friend.
“Chris.”
“Shut it. I have something to say to you, and you’re going to listen to me. You lost it once on me this week, and I let it go. I’ll be your target of anger if it means keeping our family safe. Today, you lost it on Elizabeth. That was so damn wrong, that I don’t even know where to start. We get that you’re screwed up over this, but you actually verbally attacked our pregnant boss.”
Yeah, he was well awa
re.
“You need to hear the truth, no matter what the consequences. You weren’t kept out. What happened was Elizabeth was building a wall around you to keep you safe. If that ended up not being your mother, she didn't want to needlessly hurt you.”
He was well aware.
“I just felt…”
“I said, shut up. The entire time, she knew this had the potential to blow up. You think everyone knew behind your back, but that’s not true. Merry and I were the only ones other than the bosses. We wanted to be ready if this was your mother. We didn't want you walking in and getting hurt, which happened anyway.”
He understood.
“This was a fine line to walk, and Lyzee knew there was a chance that she’d lose you. So, what did she do? She made sure your fiancée didn't know, in case you needed to lean on her.”
“I did need her.”
“Know what else? Elizabeth made herself the bad guy, knowing you’d hate her. She took on the entire thing, ordering me to not say anything. That way, when this went to shit, you’d still have your friends. She was willing to sacrifice her feelings for yours. That’s love, Tony. Not once was there intent to do harm. What you did was cross a line.”
He was aware.
“When you were shot, I wasn’t there, but the techs told me that she took off her own shirt to staunch the blood flow. I’ve been in that position, her hand up in my groin holding me to life. She didn't have to do it. She didn't have to fight for you, but she did. How many times did she save us? Out in the field, how many times did she stand in front of us, acting like a shield? When our jobs nearly cost us our lives, who loved us enough to go to bat for us, Tony?”
His eyes filled with tears, because Tony knew Chris was right.
“When your birthday rolls around, who remembers? In twelve years, when have you not gotten a card?”
“She does.” He knew Chris was right.
“When Jaxon left you, who sat at your bedside at the end of shift after working all day? Elizabeth. She wanted you to have company, just like we did for her when she was shot. That’s what a family does.”
The emotion filled him.
“When you were released, did you go home to your cold, empty house to be alone?”
“You know I didn't.”
“Yeah, and the reason you didn't was because they shuffled their family around to give you the apartment above their garage. I’m betting you had dinner with them every night, watched sports with Ethan and Callen, and were welcomed in as part of their family too.”
Yeah, he was.
They never made him feel like anything less than a part of their circle. It was why he healed physically. Without Jaxon, he wouldn’t have wanted to live.
“When you were ready to quit, who located Jaxon and set this whole thing up?”
He sighed. “Elizabeth.”
“Exactly. Not once has she ever done anything to hurt either of us. We’ve watched her grow from that newbie agent to someone who could be cold and callous in her job, and she never did that. When she left the FBI and came back, who did she offer the jobs at FBI West to without an interview?”
“Us.” And he was grateful.
“She’s tough, but under that is love. I think you know that.”
He did.
“It came down to the decision to hurt you then or later. She tried to protect your heart. Lyzee was willing to incur your wrath to keep you from falling apart for no reason. You may be mad, but because of what she did, you now have proof, and you can face the truth, not the what-ifs.”
Tony felt even more defeated. “I don’t know what to do now.”
He didn't think the man before him was talking about the skull and his mother.
“Simple. You find her and talk it out. You were always going to be let in, but privately. Not like this. I’m sorry you were blindsided, but it wasn’t our intent. We didn't want the memory of your mother to become fodder for the techs. We wanted more for you, and for her.”
Tony rubbed his eyes.
“Where is she?”
“At the hotel working on the whiteboard.”
He headed toward the door. “Are Callen and Ethan there?” he asked.
“It would serve you right if they were, since you tore into their pregnant woman, but no. They’re not.”
Well, at least there was that. He might just make it through the apology after all.
Heading out, Tony went to find his friend. There was so much he needed to say to her, most importantly that he was sorry.
* * *
She was awake, and he couldn’t wait to have his fun with her. Normally, with the other women, he just took them, regardless if they were conscious or not.
Not this one.
He realized that may have been his problem. He wasn’t treating them well. This time, he was going to remedy that.
Bonnie Anston was going to know that she was special.
As her eyes opened, he waited beside her, completely naked.
There was something sexy about the way her blue eyes fluttered open, searching the room for some explanation of where she was.
The previous night, as they traveled further out of town, she’d been worried. He didn't want to put marks on her, but in the end, he’d had no choice.
He had to hurt her.
But now, he’d make up for it.
“Where am I?” she slurred, trying to move her securely bound hands. She glanced up to see them restrained to the headboard.
“Home, love. You’re with me at our home.”
She didn't understand.
“We’re married now. You’re my wife.”
Okay, that sounded so wrong. Had she been drinking? Then why was she bound around her wrists and ankles?
“I waited until you woke up to give you some medicine to sleep better. I wanted you to be well rested for our night together.”
That sounded horrifying.
“What?”
“We’re going to consummate our marriage.”
With that, he rolled over onto the top of her body and began touching her.
Bonnie tried to scream, but his hand found her mouth. When he covered her nose too, she then began struggling for air.
“Don’t make me hurt you, sweetheart. Just relax and enjoy our baby making.”
Her eyes went wide. She struggled against the bindings, unable to get free.
“Hush, love. This won’t hurt a bit.”
When he slid into her, she closed her eyes and choked on a sob. She couldn’t believe this was happening. He looked so normal, so sweet, and gentle.
He was a monster.
And she was trapped in hell.
* * *
He knew it was risky heading to the hotel. Tony was well aware that Elizabeth could kick his ass right before telling him to pound sand.
After all, he’d deserve it.
Chris had been right. He’d let his anger out, only it was directed at the wrong person. He should have directed it more productively toward the killer.
Not his family.
Knocking on the door, he stepped back, hoping she’d answer it. If not, he’d sit there until someone did. Over the years, they’d been friends, and he didn't want to lose that. Not now, not ever, despite what he’d spewed in anger.
When the lock was unlatched, he wasn’t prepared for what waited for him. Elizabeth was indeed there, but she looked like hell. Her eyes were rimmed in red, tissues were clutched in her hand, and she looked like she’d lost her best friend.
Yeah, he sympathized, because he had too.
As she stood there in shorts, with her hand on her belly, she looked… fragile.
If he could feel worse, that was exactly the way to do it. He’d truly hurt her, and he was so damn sorry.
“Can we talk?” he asked, hoping she’d let him in. If Elizabeth didn't, could he blame her?
“Sure, Doctor Magnus. Come on in. I was just working on the case.”
It hurt her to have to use his
full name, but he was the one who told her she was dead to him. You couldn’t take something like that back. It would forever reverberate through her heart and memories.
It was burned into her soul.
“Thank you.” Following her in, Tony noticed that she didn't sit down. Instead, she took a defensive stance not far from him. She was braced for more angry barbs, and for that he was so sorry.
“We need to talk about today.”
“What’s there to say? I found out that your mother was in that grave, and I didn't tell you. I ordered my team to keep it quiet, breaking your heart. It was all me, Tony. I did it, so there’s no one to be angry at but me.”
“Your job sucks.”
Somehow, she found enough energy to laugh. “Yeah, trust me, it does. I wouldn’t wish this burden on my worst enemy.”
“I didn't mean what I said, Lyzee. I just felt like there was a big hole in my chest. Someone had to pay for putting it there, and you were a damn handy target.”
She didn't move or say a word.
“It was so very wrong. Chris put me in my place. I see now that you didn't want to upset me if you were wrong. I didn't think that you’d be trying to protect me, but I should have known better. I know you had Jaxon give her a face so I wouldn’t see the ugliness of it all.”
“It’s fine, Tony. You said what you felt, and I accept it. I’m your boss and nothing more. I’ll keep my distance and work on letting our past go. Like you stated, I’m a cold hearted bitch. I won’t force you to have to deal with the real me.”
He felt sick that he might not be able to fix this. “I don’t want that. You’re part of me. You’re my family, Lyzee.”
She took a step back when he moved toward her. “You can’t have it both ways. I interfered in your life and hid something from you. I get that pain. I just wish, Tony, that I could say that someone loved me enough to do that for me, other than Ethan or Callen.”
“Chris does. He told me to shut up and ripped me a new one. He’s so mad at me for hurling all that ugliness at you.”
“He always was my favorite.”
Tony glanced up, knowing there was only one way to go. “I’m scared, Elizabeth. I don’t know how to do this. I feel like I’m so alone now. Before, there was always this sick hope that she’d walk back into my life, telling me this was all some horrible misunderstanding, and now I can’t have that hope to hold me up. I don’t know how I’m going to go on.”
Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) Page 41