For Justice

by Jeannette Winters

  “A client? Are you sure?” Renzo questioned. There was no way Stone could be considering hiring Hydria. Yeah, she would be a perfect fit on Stone’s team, but she didn’t belong there or working for Turchetta’s Promise.

  “Positive. My brother-in-law sometimes does things that blow my mind, but I have to admit, he gets the job done. If he really thinks she is the one, then nothing I say is going to change that. Guess that’s why he fits in the family so damn well.”

  “I wish you knew her name,” Renzo said.

  “If it’s important, I can call him,” Alex offered.

  What Stone did with his company didn’t matter to him, but if there was a chance he was involving Hydria, he might change his mind. It can’t be Hydria. She said Steve was safe. Stone mailed her check back to LA. There’s no way. It has to be someone else. She said she was going home. That’s LA. Melissa had texted and called, asking him what he was going to do about Hydria. He wasn’t ready to tackle his sister though. One strong and annoying female was enough.

  “Don’t bother. I’ll find out when he gets here. Until then, why don’t you catch me up on what’s been happening.”

  Renzo spent the entire night reviewing reports with Alex. Things in certain areas had improved dramatically while others seemed to struggle. Greed was a powerful thing, and once criminals got a taste for the kind of money that had been flowing through their fingers, it wasn’t easy to get them to let go. Why go back to making an honest wage and living in poverty when you can live well by exploiting others.

  “I’ll head up north. If anything changes, and you need me here, you know how to reach me.”

  Alex extended his hand. “Good to have you back, Renzo. We wouldn’t be where we are today if you and your brothers didn’t come and help us out. No one thought it would be this big, this difficult. My father never did anything half-assed, so when he decided to fuck up a country, he did it all the way.”

  “All that matters now is what you guys are doing to fix it. From what I see, it’s getting there. Don’t give up.” Don’t let them win.

  Renzo headed out the door and found a few of Stone’s men waiting for him.

  “Mr. Henderson asked us to join you.”

  He knew Stone didn’t hire anyone without appropriate backgrounds. One of them looked familiar, like they’d crossed paths before. Renzo grabbed his gear from the back of Alex’s Jeep and tossed it into the other one. “Then let’s roll.”

  Renzo was looking forward to getting back in the heat of the action. His surveillance detail with David had been so tedious he barely functioned afterward. He needed an outlet for all this built-up tension, and dealing with scum-sucking rebel bastards was just what he needed. Sorry guys, but I’m in the mood for breaking shit, and it most likely will be you.

  Hydria was thankful the B&B owners let her spend one more night for free, but they explained they had paying guests arriving, and she’d need to vacate. It was expected but unfortunate. Add to the problem she needed to return the rental car the next day, and she could sit down and cry.

  She was tempted to go back to York. Steve’s place was vacant, and she could use his Jeep. They were family, and she knew he’d let her stay there without any questions. But when she was there with Renzo searching Steve’s place, it hurt too much when she had no idea where he was and if he was okay. My heart can’t handle any more right now.

  It’d been a long time since she felt broken on the inside. Maybe when her parents were killed in the accident or when she finally had to come to terms with Renzo breaking up with her. Either way she didn’t like this feeling. It was like her world was spiraling out of control. What next?

  She debated trying to call Renzo again, but each time he ignored her call it hurt more. Her friend list on the East Coast was limited. Actually I don’t have any. She needed money but wasn’t looking for a handout. She had waitressed when she was in college. That was an option but wouldn’t give her a paycheck to cover living expenses while she was there.

  Hydria sat in the car watching the waves crash upon the rocks. Like my life right now. But she’d experienced rough seas before and survived. She would again.

  It was time to face the facts. She needed to go home to LA. Her plane ticket had been a one-way only. She had also told Bennett she was staying in Rhode Island until he located Steve. Why did I think this would be easy? If it had been, hell, I could’ve done it myself.

  Her cell phone rang, and she recognized the number immediately. She had to answer but wished right now she wasn’t alone.

  “Hello.” She knew her voice trembled, and she hoped he didn’t pick up on it. As she waited, her heart felt as though it was in her throat, and she held her breath.

  “Can you meet me tonight?”

  “Yes. Would you like me to come to your office, Mr. Stone?” She didn’t care where it was, all she wanted to know was did he find Steve. If it was that simple, he would’ve told her on the phone. But whatever he was going to say, he wanted to do it in person.

  “No. I’ll text you my address.”

  As soon as the call ended she received his text. She wasn’t from the area, but it didn’t seem that far from his office, just outside of Boston. Why his home? I don’t understand. Maybe he feared she was going to break down crying and screaming and didn’t want it overheard. Hydria would never be prepared to hear Steve was dead, but she would save the tears for when she was alone. Because if Steve is really gone, alone is exactly what I am.

  She looked at her watch and figured if she left right away, she would be there a bit early, but that was better than late. Hydria no longer had a place to change so she stopped at a rest area on the side of the highway and did a quick change of clothes. It wasn’t fancy, but she didn’t want to show up at his home in a pair of shorts and a tank top. Now she had on a clean pair of jeans and a blue button-down blouse. At least she looked somewhat professional even if she didn’t feel it.

  If she had known rush-hour traffic could be almost as crazy in Boston as it was in LA, she’d have driven faster and left earlier. Instaed of being there early, she was now almost an hour late. She had to check the address twice. Holy shit. The house was a mansion. Boy, did I make the right choice by changing.

  She put the car in park and headed to the front door. Even before she could ring the bell, the door opened. It wasn’t Bennett though. It was a dark-haired woman with a toddler on her hip.

  “Hi, you must be Hydria. I’m Zoey, Bennett’s wife, and this is our daughter, Pearl.”

  Pearl was the spitting image of Zoey. “Hello. Nice to meet you both. Sorry I’m late. The traffic was—”

  “Bennett should’ve warned you so you could’ve taken an alternate route. It’s a nightmare when everyone is getting out of work. Come on in. He’s on the phone but should be with you shortly.”

  Hydria followed Zoey to the living room. It was massive with a piano at one end. Her mother had played and she remembered sitting on the bench and singing while her mother played. She had so many wonderful memories of her parents. She wished Steven had been older to vividly remember them as well. God, please don’t tell me all I have left is more memories. My heart can’t handle any more losses.

  “Can I get you a drink while you wait? I was making myself a cup of chamomile tea. I know it’s hot out, but I find it relaxing.”

  “No thank you. I’m fine.” For the moment. But depending on what your husband says, I might need something stronger than tea.

  “I’m off to put Pearl down for the night. Why don’t you have a seat, and I’m sure he’ll be right with you. It was nice meeting you.”

  Hydria forced a smile as Zoey left the room. She was too nervous to sit so she wandered around the room, looking at photos. It didn’t help seeing how happy this family was when she might be about to hear she no longer had one.

  “Stop worrying.”

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  Hydria spun around in shock. Her ears hadn’t played tricks on her. He really
was there. She dropped the photo she’d been holding, rushed across the room, and wrapped her arms around him. The sound of the frame making contact with the floor echoed in the room, but was muffled by the sound of her sobs.

  Steve. Steve. She continued to hold him so tight neither of them could breathe. Finally he pulled her arms away from his neck and said, “I’m okay, Hydria. You can stop crying now.”

  Hydria wiped her cheeks and responded, “I think I’ve earned the right to shed a few tears. I’ve been worried sick about you. Where have you been?”

  Steve took her hand and led her to the couch. “Sit down, and I’ll tell you what I can. Stone was able to pull together this quick meeting. But I don’t have long.”

  “Steve, I don’t understand. Are you in trouble?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been recruited to go deep undercover. No one, including you, can know what I’m working on. This meeting is only for you to see I’m alive and okay.”

  “And nothing makes me happier, but I received a call, a threatening one, to call Renzo off. Someone must know I’m looking for you.”

  “Yes. Your friend Renzo would move mountains for you. Hell, if my superiors hadn’t pushed the buttons and called you to make your guys back off, Renzo might have blown my cover. I get it, he’s serious about helping others, but Renzo went at it like my disappearance was personal to him. Since I only vaguely remember you mentioning him from work, I assume his dedication didn’t have anything to do with me, and everything to do with you.”

  This was too much to take in. Steve knew all along she was going out of her mind with worry and didn’t reach out to let her know it was for nothing. If she wasn’t so damn relieved to see him, she’d be pissed off. Nothing mattered at that moment. Not even Steve’s assumption about Renzo’s reasons for helping her. It’s simple. He was being paid to help.

  “Steve you have no idea what I’ve been going through.” What I’ve given up. Everything. My job, my money. And all for what? She needed to focus on the positive. He was okay.

  “I’m sorry, sis. I wish there had been another way. Even now I’m taking a big risk, and I have to leave.”

  “So soon?” She wanted to pull him back in her arms and hold him there. Hydria couldn’t think that he was going, and she had no idea when she’d see him again.

  “Yes. I’m sorry. But at least you know I’m okay. No one can know you’ve seen or spoken to me. Absolutely no one, understood?”

  “But Bennett knows.”

  “He knows more than you’d think. He’s a good man, and so is Renzo. They will take care of you if you need anything.” Steve gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, “Sorry sis, I’ve got to go.”

  “I don’t understand any of this. Obviously you know Bennett because we’re both here at his home. But how do you know Renzo?”

  “I’m your brother. Even though I’m off the grid, I’ve always made sure you were okay. I don’t have time to explain it all. Trust me. You’ll see me again, but right now, I have to leave.” He got up and headed toward the door.

  Hydria fought back the tears as she called out, “I love you.”

  Steve turned back and said, “I know sis. Just trust me; I’m okay. I love you too.” Then he left her sitting alone in the living room.

  She couldn’t bring herself to get up when Bennett entered. He came over and sat across from her. “We couldn’t risk texting or talking on the phone. I’m sure you understand.”

  Steve had said the words several times. Now she had to follow them and trust him. The only comfort in all this was Bennett had delivered Steve to her in person. Right now she’d never have believed it any other way. “Not really, but I’m trying. Whatever he’s doing must be damn important for him to do this.” To me.

  “He’s a brave man. You should be very proud of your brother.”

  She nodded. “I am. Thank you for this. For having me come here to see him tonight. Even though it wasn’t long, it was enough.” It had to be. She didn’t know where she was going next, but at least wherever she laid her head tonight, she knew he was alive.

  “I wouldn’t have been able to if Renzo hadn’t given me everything he had. I’ve known him for several years, and the Turchettas don’t quit. And his brother Gabe, that guy is extremely resourceful when it comes to getting into computers. Even the most protected systems haven’t proven too much for Gabe. If you hadn’t made that call to him, Renzo would’ve located Steve, and it would have turned out really bad. Not just for Steve, but for many others as well. That’s why Steve was forced to take the actions he did.”

  She was able to determine some things for herself, like Steve and Bennett were somehow working together. If Steve wasn’t able to provide any details, she was positive Bennett wasn’t divulging any either. But she asked because she knew Bennett would expect her to. “And there’s nothing more you can tell me either?”

  “No. I have worked out a way to communicate with Steve, but it has to be initiated by him. You won’t have to watch your back, so you’re safe. This will still be hard on you, but Steve knows you can handle it.”

  “I don’t know about that. I hate it when he’s away on missions. It’s funny, he’s not a kid any longer, but I still worry about him like he is. I’ll feel so much better when this is all over, and we can go back to our weekly calls.” Hopefully a closer relationship than we had before.

  “I understand that. I want to discuss something else with you, though.”

  Please don’t let it be about Renzo. “I’m not sure I can handle much more tonight. This was a bit of a shock.”

  “This might be as well. I hear you quit your job.”

  Oh yeah. Let’s talk about how much more I owe you. And oh, how I can’t afford to pay anymore. “I did, but don’t worry, Mr. Stone. I plan to pay you whatever else you charge. I would just ask if you could please give me some extra time.”

  Bennett arched a brow. “First off, this isn’t about money. Renzo had me return your check to you. It probably is sitting in your mailbox back in LA.”

  “He had you return my money? Why?”

  “That is something you can ask him. I assume it’s because helping you find Steve wasn’t business, it was . . . personal.”

  I’d ask him if he would took my calls. But she shouldn’t be angry with him. He really cared about her, and she didn’t believe it. “I guess he and I do have some things to talk about. You said that was first, what is second?”

  “Yeah. I have a proposition for you. Do you have a passport?”

  Hydria had no idea what he was suggesting, but she knew it wasn’t anything improper because she met his wife and she was stunning. “I do.”

  “Good, then I think I have a perfect job for you.”

  “Why don’t you tell me more about it, and let me be the judge.”

  Hydria couldn’t believe what twenty-fours could do. First not only finding out Steve was okay, but actually seeing him. And now, when she had no idea how she could afford to go home, a job was falling right into her lap. Maybe after this I should call Renzo because everything is coming up roses today. My brother believes Renzo is a good man, but I know he’d hate that I lied to Renzo. Perhaps never forgive me. Calling him most likely would be a waste of her time and breath. He didn’t pick up before, and she wasn’t sure he would pick up ever again. There are some doors that should remained closed, no matter how tempting it seems to open them.

  Chapter Eight

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  Hydria never thought she’d be working for someone like Bennett Stone, and surely not in the role he’d offered her. She wasn’t sitting behind a desk. He threw her right into the heart of it all.

  This job was nothing like working at the police department. Hydria wasn’t sure how to describe it. It felt like a cross between what armed security would do, and what Steve did in the Marines. Bennett had explained in detail why he needed her in Tabiq. It had sounded horrible, and she figured Bennett had exaggerated in order to make sure she was overly pre
pared for what she would encounter. It wasn’t as though she was ignorant of what was happening in the world, but she only knew what the news broadcast. Bennett told her she couldn’t believe what she saw on TV as it didn’t paint the real picture.

  She couldn’t imagine what Bennett had been trying to tell her a few days earlier on the plane trip over. It only became clear as she found herself walking the halls of the medical center. Hydria had been asked to act as the liaison/security for any women who came in for treatment for symptoms that might be caused by abuse. That was no different than in the States. There was abuse against women, men, children, and the elderly. She couldn’t remember the last time she had worked and not encountered at least one victim of such crimes.

  However there was a major difference, and she felt it immediately. The local authorities appeared to be on the women’s side but hadn’t always been. She saw fear in the victims’ eyes as they were questioned on what had happened to bring them to the hospital.

  Hydria took a different stance and used gentle tones and less intimidating body language in order to gain their trust. As she did, some of the women she assisted asked about Ziva Henderson. Bennett had explained Ziva’s role to her. Not only had she been born and raised in Tabiq, but Ziva had played an integral part in setting up and then taking down the head honchos. It was clear if it wasn’t for her and Alex Henderson, the people never would’ve trusted or accepted any help. She was told over and over again how much better things were now. If this is good, I can only imagine what it was like a few years ago.

  Hydria had dreamed of traveling to far off places and meeting people from all walks of life. She had her passport ready and waiting but had never used it. It was something she’d gotten when Steven joined the Corps. If he’d been stationed overseas, she wanted to be ready to visit him. Instead, he was deployed in places one couldn’t vacation, or at least shouldn’t. This would be one of those places.

  She saw Bennett walking down the hallway toward her. Hydria hoped she hadn’t screwed up already. She’d only been on the job a few days, but he’d made it clear there was no room for errors. If the people of Tabiq didn’t like her, she would be done and sent back to the States. From Bennett’s expression, he didn’t look happy at all.