Pride of a Hunter

by Sylvie Kurtz

  “Don’t listen to her,” Warren said in a bored voice. “Tie her up. Now!”

  Amber picked up the purse Jill had dropped and shoved it on the counter. She grabbed the roll of duct tape and came at Luci. “He won’t let me go to jail. He’s saved me before.”

  “He can’t talk his way out of murder the way he could a simple scam.”

  “Tape her mouth,” Warren said. “Then we won’t have to listen to any more of her garbage.”

  “He’s going to leave you here, Amber. It’s getting too hot. That dream boat you talked about? He’s bought it and it’s in his name only. Yours is nowhere on the paperwork.”

  “He doesn’t have a boat.” Amber wound the tape around Luci’s wrists. All the Pilates toning and conditioning was paying off. The little witch had one tight grip.

  Luci squeezed as much space as she could between her wrists. “Ask Jill. He bought it a few days ago. A nice forty-footer.”

  Amber’s glance darted to Warren and Jill. Eyes wide and throat working overtime, Jill nodded. “I paid for it myself. He was going to teach me to sail.”

  “It’s so you won’t be connected to me, Davina,” Warren practically purred. “That’s how we always work it.”

  Luci spread her ankles as far apart as she could as Amber wrapped tape around her legs. “Except this time, he’s planning on letting you take the fall by yourself. Someone’s going to have to pay and it’s not going to be him.”

  “Hurry up with that tape!” Warren’s voice rumbled with impatience. Luci gulped as the muzzle of his weapon jiggled restlessly against Jill’s temple. Jill was putting on a brave front, but even from across the room, Luci could tell she was shaking.

  “Whose handiwork is going to show up when all the money transfers are sorted out? Yours, Davina. Your computers. Your IDs. Your bank accounts.”

  Amber’s fingers fumbled, so she used her teeth to cut a strip of tape. She slapped it at Luci’s mouth and missed.

  “Who provided the fake IDs, Davina? You did. Why do you think he let you do all the dirty work?”

  Amber came at her again, teeth bared.

  “He set you up to take the fall, Davina. Just like he did all the other women he scammed.”

  Warren shifted his weapon from Jill’s head to her. His finger squeezed the trigger. Jill screamed and threw herself against the gun hand.

  “No!” Luci tried to scream through the tape and lunged up toward her sister. Her heart thundered in her ears. Everything slowed. Her tied body started falling forward across Amber. Jill’s scream echoed and reechoed against the living room’s high ceiling. The gun fired. Glass from the tall window behind Luci exploded. Warren threw Jill out of his grasp. Blood spread across her face, her hair and dripped onto the white carpet. Her body bounced on the floor, then lay still.

  Luci, taking Amber with her, crashed onto the table. Luci used the momentum to reel herself and Amber sideways onto the carpet. Amber’s head hit the wooden edge of the celadon chair with a thunk. Her breath whooshed out. Luci continued to roll off of Amber, then strained toward the spot where her sister lay.

  Jill! Jill! Jill!

  But Jill didn’t move.

  “PUT THE GUN down!” Dom kneeled at the broken window, weapon trained toward Swanson.

  “I don’t think so.” Swanson squeezed off two quick shots.

  Dom dove for cover behind the wall. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, kicking his heart into high gear, narrowing his field of vision. He slid his back up the wall and peered into the house. Swanson was in the pantry, using the boys as a human shield. His left arm was looped around Jeff. His right arm circled Brendan, the muzzle of the gun pressed into the underside of Brendan’s jaw. The boys’ tears tore at him.

  Where the hell was SWAT?

  “Warren, this is Dom,” he said calmly, trying to block out the fact that Swanson was holding a gun to Cole’s son’s head, that Jill was still and pale, blood pooling around her head, that Luci was lying in the middle of the living room making a perfect target. He swallowed hard. He didn’t have any choice. He’d have to talk Swanson down until he could get a clear shot or backup arrived. “What’s going on?”

  “Dom, help!” Brendan cried, his voice rippling with fear.

  “Shut up, you brat!” Swanson jabbed the muzzle deeper into Brendan’s flesh, sending a jolt of adrenaline down Dom’s spine.

  Dom crouched closer to the window opening. Holding Swanson in his sight, he used his peripheral vision to check on Amber and Luci. Amber lay unconscious for now. Luci’s green eyes burned with a potent mix of anger, fear and grit against her too pale skin. “Warren, I heard a shot a few minutes ago. How’s everybody doing in there?”

  “Everyone’s fine. And if you want it to stay that way, you need to leave.”

  “Warren, what’s going on?”

  “What does it look like?” Sarcasm oozed from Warren’s voice.

  “Looks like something’s spooked you and you’re trying to find a way out.” Dom checked his watch. Five minutes had passed since he’d called Seekers. What was taking the SWAT team so long?

  “Damn right.”

  “Let’s talk this out.”

  “It’s too late for that.”

  Dom tuned into the anxiety creeping into Swanson’s voice. Hostage takers were most likely to hurt someone when they were under stress. “We’ve got plenty of time, Warren. We’re in no rush.”

  “Like you said, I’m in a corner.”

  “Well, we can move that corner. As long as everyone’s okay, then there’s time to make something happen.”

  “All the time in the world isn’t going to change anything.” Strain fractured Swanson’s voice.

  “We can work something out. Let’s talk it out.”

  “You have no authority.”

  “No, but that’s what makes it great. As long as you show me some good faith and release the kids, I can let you walk out of here and you can disappear. All I care about is getting everybody out safely.”

  Swanson barked a mirthless laugh. “I’m going to die anyway.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “You won’t let me walk away.”

  “That’s Hollywood. Real life doesn’t work like that. The cops would rather see you walk out with your own power than have to go in there to get you. But I haven’t called the cops yet. This is just between you and me. Come on, Warren, show me some good faith here. Send the boys out and I’ll throw you my phone. That way you’ll know I can’t talk to anyone.”

  Dom couldn’t quite make out Warren’s mumbling, but the next thing he knew, Jeff was stumbling toward him. Dom urged the boy toward him with his hand and caught him as he nearly fell out of the broken window. He ripped the tape between Jeff’s wrists.

  “Do you see that house?” Dom pointed to the nearest neighbor away from the confrontation.

  Crying, Jeff nodded.

  “I want you to run there as fast as you can. Okay?” Dom said so only Jeff would hear. “Tell them to call the police. Tell them your mom is hurt and she needs an ambulance.”

  “I want my mommy.”

  “Shh. I know. I’m going to get her out. Don’t you worry. But right now, I need you to be really brave and get help for your mom. Can you do that?”

  With a look back through the broken window at his mother’s still body, Jeff nodded again.

  “That’s a good boy. Go on. Run to that house and stay there.”

  Jeff sped away on wobbly legs. Dom turned back to Swanson. “I made you a promise and I’m keeping it.” He threw in his cell phone through the window. It bounced on the carpet, then skittered across the kitchen floor.

  One down. But Swanson still held Brendan in his lap, his weapon under the boy’s chin. Sweat soaked Dom’s shirt in spite of the cold evening air swirling around him. He couldn’t allow Luci to lose her son. She’d lost too much already.

  “Do you need anything, Warren?” Dom asked, looking for something neutral to get Warren talking aga
in. “Talk to me. I can’t help you if I don’t know what you want.”

  “Make sure that there’s enough money to cover my mother’s funeral.”

  Dom ground his teeth. Swanson was making a living will, telling Dom that he wanted to die. “If you want your mother taken care of, you’ll have to do it yourself. Nobody’s going to die here.”

  “You’re armed.”

  “So are you. I’m trusting you not to shoot, just like you’re trusting me. But I’m going to show you my good faith by throwing my weapon away.” Swanson didn’t need to know he had a backup. Dom removed the backup .22 from the holster strapped at his ankle, then pushed the Glock Warren was expecting through the hole in the window. The gun fell to the floor where Swanson could see it, but not reach it without exposing himself. He shot Luci a quick glance and hoped to God she could get to it if necessary. “It’s just you and me, now, Warren. Let’s figure out how we’re going to get you out of here.”

  “Amber has the account number for the nursing home.”

  “You’re going to need to do that yourself. My only goal is to get you out of this house and on your way. Do you have money? I’ve got a couple hundred in my wallet. That should last you a couple of days. Jill probably has more in her purse. I can see her purse on the counter. Why don’t I have a look?”

  “You’re trying to trick me.”

  Swanson’s movements were getting jerky, as if he could no longer sit still. His voice grew much louder than needed. He was talking himself into suicide-by-cop. The piece of garbage wanted to die, but was too much of a coward to do the job himself.

  “I’m on your side, Warren. My truck’s right outside. Here.” Dom jangled the keys. “It’s all yours. All you have to do is let the boy go.”

  Swanson was coming out in the open, his weapon pinched at Brendan’s neck. “It’s time to say goodbye.”

  “I’ll trade you Brendan for the keys. You’ll be across the state line in less than five minutes.”

  Using Brendan as a shield, Warren moved across the kitchen toward Jill’s purse on the counter.

  “Take the wallet out of the purse,” Warren ordered Brendan.

  Hands still tied in front of him. Brendan reluctantly obeyed.

  Greasy eels of dread squirmed through Dom’s gut. Would Swanson take the keys and run? “Here’s my wallet.” Dom tossed the leather billfold so it landed on the floor away from the counter. Swanson would have to bend down to pick it up or order Brendan to pick it up. Either way, Dom prayed for a clear shot. Where was the local SWAT team? Where was Falconer?

  Then out of the corner of his eye, Dom saw Luci stretch her tied hands toward his discarded weapon. Fiery determination burned in her pupils.

  Dom had one chance to hold Swanson long enough in one spot for Luci to take a shot. He tucked the backup .22 in the waist of his jeans and rose. He held out his keys, pulse pounding like before the first kickoff of a football season, when the whole game waited on one whistle. “I’ve given you everything you need to get away, Warren. Let the boy go.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jill’s body lay crumpled on the carpet. Dark red stained the white fibers. Luci couldn’t reach her sister, couldn’t stop the blood. She was as helpless to help Jill as she’d been to help Cole. Jill, I’m so sorry. I tried to keep you safe.

  Luci’s pulse beat out of time. Her mouth was desert-dry. Why couldn’t she have let things alone? Why did she have to meddle? Hadn’t she learned anything? She pushed the self-defeating thoughts out of her mind. Jill needs medical attention now.

  Her fingers stretched toward Dom’s Glock. What if she missed? What if Warren killed Brendan or Dom? And if you do nothing, Luci, then what? Gritting her teeth, she molded her hands against the cold grip, index on the trigger.

  She took in the mask of rage darkening Warren’s face. One bullet. That’s all that stood between death and the people she loved.

  Watch and don’t blink. Be ready.

  Discipline. Control. Restraint.

  You can do it. You have to do it.

  Please, please, please. Don’t let Brendan die. Don’t let Dom die. Don’t let Jill die.

  She already had too many souls on her conscience. Dom loved her. And she hadn’t had the chance to tell him that she loved him, too. Loving was a risk, but it was worth it—even if it didn’t last. Her life was richer for having loved Cole. He was dead, but he’d always be with her through Brendan. And Dom was her promise of a brighter future. She wouldn’t let Warren snatch him away from her before they’d even had a chance. And she wasn’t giving up Brendan. Not for anything. She’d die first.

  Slowly, so as not to give away her intent, she rolled until she lay in a forward firing position.

  Brendan, oh God, her baby’s face was blank with fear. His mouth hung open in a silent scream. His eyes were so round, his skin so pale.

  Don’t you worry, baby. Mommy’ll get you out safe. That’s what she once did. She saved lives.

  But not this way. Not with so much on the line.

  Don’t look at Brendan. Don’t look at Dom. Focus on the target.

  Cold zero—that unpracticed leap-of-faith imprint on a target when the point of aim and the point of impact aligned—was the one shot she’d have at getting the job done. The shot she’d have to live with for the rest of her life.

  Backlit by the dying sun, Dom presented himself as a perfect target. Warren shifted, loosening his hold on Brendan. Brendan elbowed his captor in the privates and lunged away.

  Movement behind her.

  “Billy!” Amber shouted, moved.

  Breathe. Hold. Squeeze.

  Aim true, Luci increased pressure on the trigger. The world exploded. Her ears rang. The smell of cordite singed her nose. Warren fell, screaming and gripping his shoulder. Dom moved in and, with a quick move, disarmed Warren and knocked him out with the butt of the weapon. Before Warren could reawaken, Dom slapped on duct-tape handcuffs.

  Amber pounded on Luci’s back. Pain stabbed between Luci’s shoulder blades as Amber dropped on her and lunged for the Glock. It discharged. Plaster rained down. Luci struggled to keep the muzzle pointed away from Dom and Brendan. Amber’s fingernails ripped into the flesh of Luci’s hand, drawing blood as she tried to loosen Luci’s grip. Luci kicked, bucked and twisted, rolling Amber over. Using momentum, she struck Amber on the head with the full force of anger and gun grip. Dom grabbed Amber as she prepared to pounce again and trussed her up with duct tape.

  The sound of squealing tires split the air as the local police arrived. Ambulance sirens followed close behind.

  It was over. Dom and Brendan were still alive.

  Brendan catapulted himself at her. “Mom! Mom!”

  She released the weapon, ripped the tape from her mouth and scooped her bound arms over her son’s head. Sobs racked her chest as she held him tight. Refusing to let go of Brendan, she looked up at Dom. “Jill?”

  Dom bent over Jill. “She’s still breathing.” He rushed to the front door and yanked it open. “We need a gurney in here now!”

  Fight, Jill. You have to survive. Jeff needs you. I need you. Luci buried her son deeper into her arms. The adrenaline that had sustained her drained from her body and she started to shake. Brendan, Jeff and Dom were all alive.

  Please, she prayed, let Jill be okay.

  DOM PACED the waiting area of the emergency room at a local hospital, watching for Luci’s return. Luci’s parents, each holding one of the boys, sat nearby, as anxious as he was for a further update on Jill. The elevator doors at the other end of the waiting area opened, revealing Falconer.

  “How are they?” Falconer asked.

  Dom ran a hand through his hair and kneaded the tension tightening his neck. “Luci’s fine. Jill was lucky. The shot that hit her was just a graze. They’re going to keep her overnight for observation. Luci’s helping her settle in a room now, so the kids can visit. What about Swanson, or I should say Billy Wright?”

  “He’s still in surgery, but t
he doctors expect him to pull through. He’ll be under guard until he can be transferred to detention.”

  “What about Amber—Davina?” Spotting movement near the corridor, Dom cut his gaze in that direction. Disappointment sagged through him when Luci didn’t appear.

  “She’s in custody, singing like a canary. That’s one screwed-up woman. She really believed Wright loved her and planned to take her with him after he’d earned enough money for their ‘dream.’” Falconer shook his head. “He has enough money stashed away to finance several dreams.”

  “It was never about the boat.”

  “It was about payback for parental neglect,” Falconer agreed. “In addition to pretending he was a 49er, Wright also passed himself off as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, a professional skier, a paratrooper, a SWAT officer, a U.S. Customs agent, a college professor, a Navy SEAL and a private investigator.”

  Dom whistled. “He’s been at this longer than we thought.”

  Falconer nodded. “Posing as a federal law enforcement officer and making false statements to obtain firearms is going to get him several federal counts. He’s also going to face local charges in California, Washington, Oregon and Texas to start with. Others are likely to be added, including the murder of the private detective we hired for surveillance. He was found dead behind a Dumpster in a grocery store parking lot.” Shaking his head, Falconer grunted. “Would you believe Swanson thinks he’s going to get out on bail?”

  “Any chance that could happen?”

  Falconer shook his head. “With his ability to disappear, his flight risk is too great. They’ll hold him.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  Falconer clapped Dom on the back. “I’ll need your report as soon as you can get it to me.”

  Dom nodded. “Give me a day.”

  “You’ve earned it.” Falconer looked over Dom’s shoulder and gave one sharp nod. “Anytime Luci wants to join the team, she’s welcome.”