Avery stared at him. “What are you doing here, Finn?”
“I’m trying to make sure Quincy’s all right.”
“But why did you follow her here? Why are you in London?”
“Can we have this conversation later, please?” He gritted the words out and held himself stiff with his hands in fists at his sides.
“Fine.” Avery put her hands on her hips. “What’s the problem?”
“I asked her not to leave without me, and I can’t get her on the room phone. I’m worried.”
“Why?”
He lunged toward her, and Craig grabbed his arm. “Cool down, mate. I’m sure she’s fine.” He turned to Avery. “Scoot upstairs, luv, and get Quincy. Mark and I will hang here with this dude. We’ll hold him back since he’s pretty tightly wound right now.”
Avery left to go to the elevator, and Craig led Finn over to the couches where Mark stood. “What’s up? I have to tell you, that was not cool. The way you leaped at the girl. What’s going on?”
Finn reined in his emotions and forced himself to be civil. “I remember you. You’re Craig Miller, right?”
“Yeah.” Craig nodded. “I remember you, too. You’re the bloke who thought she was really sleeping with me, right? When I gave that stupid interview to make myself look like a ladies’ man.”
“Yes, I’m the boneheaded idiot. The one who threw away his life. Over what you call a stupid interview.”
Mark leaned around Craig. He held out his hand and said, “I’m Mark DeLand. Craig’s partner.”
“It’s nice to meet you both, and I’m sorry to be frantic, but I think this Percy Hicks is a loose cannon. Avery can be brick wall. She’s tried to stand in my way before, and I have no patience for that right now.” He paced a few steps. What’s taking Avery so long? She should be back down here by now.
He stopped pacing and faced Mark and Craig. “I’m really scared for Quincy’s safety. I hope I’m over-reacting, but I don’t think so. I know you two and Avery were trying to help her find the goods on Hicks, but I’m afraid he’s taken her.”
Craig gasped. “Why do you think that?”
“She promised me that she’d wait for me to tail her before she left for the wedding rehearsal. When she didn’t answer the room phone or her cell, I asked the woman at the desk, and she said she thought she saw Quincy leave with a man an hour or so ago. She wasn’t sure. Said she only saw the back of the woman, but she had blond curly hair.”
“Why weren’t you here when she left? And why haven’t you tried to go after her?”
“She told me she’d wait for me. I took ten minutes and went down to the coffee shop and grabbed a cream cheese Danish to go. Coffee, I can get here from the bartender, but I was hungry. Damn stomach betrayed me. Other than that, I was here.” Finn slammed his hand in his fist. “And I haven’t tried to follow her because I don’t have any idea where she went. Where the rehearsal hall is, where the place she sent you—”
Mark interjected, “Craig’s not accusing you of anything, man. Keep cool.” He touched Finn on the arm and pulled him down onto the couch. “Sit for a minute. Let’s think about this. Isn’t it odd that you took a small break and she leaves just then? Right at the same time? How weird is that? Do you think you were being watched yourself?”
“I hope I would’ve caught a whiff of that. I am a trained officer. Of course, I’m breaking the cardinal rule of trying to investigate a case that I’m personally involved in. I was so focused on Q, I forgot to watch my own back. That was really stupid.” He shrugged. “I guess I can see the reason for the rule now.”
“Maybe—”
Before Mark could finish his thought, Avery rushed up. “Finn, she’s gone. The dress she was going to wear to the rehearsal is gone. So she got dressed to go. We know that.”
Craig said, “Maybe she just went on and thought you were behind her, Finn.”
Finn shook his head, but before he could say anything, Avery held out Quincy’s cell phone. It was in three pieces. “This was on the floor. Like it was thrown and hit the wall.”
Finn stood. “Let’s go. Where was the rehearsal?”
Avery said, “St. Paul’s. In the chapel.”
“Let’s see if she’s there.” He grabbed Avery by the hand and tugged her toward the back door out of the lobby.
Mark said, “I’ll drive.”
* * * *
They all piled in the car, and Mark drove like a maniac through the traffic. When they got to the church, Finn said, “I’m going in with you, Avery.” He turned to look at her. “Since you’re a bridesmaid, you’re supposed to be there. I’ll be your date. If she’s there, fine. I’ll leave. If not, we’re going to search this city and find her.”
Mark said, “I’ll drive around the block. You come back out and tell us what’s up.”
Avery and Finn got out of the car and went into the church. Avery had to hold Finn back from running down the hallway to the chapel. She hissed, “Be calm. You don’t want to get arrested.” They finally got into the chapel and saw a group of people milling about. No Quincy in sight. Avery noticed Percy and whispered to Finn, “I’m going over to talk to him.”
Avery sidled up next to Percy and whispered, “Where’s Quincy?”
“You tell me. You’re her bridesmaid. I’m just the groom. She’s late.” He looked around. Made a big production of it. “Not here, as you can see. So, where is she?”
Avery shrugged. “I’ve got no idea. She was gone when I got to the room. In the dress she’d chosen to wear tonight. I expected to see her here. With you.”
Percy pulled her to one side. “You know I told you last night that I thought something was wrong between us?”
“Yeah. What about it?” She shrugged.
“I called to talk to her. Told her I thought something was wrong. She confessed that she couldn’t go through with the marriage. Said she felt different about marrying and moving to a foreign country since she went to jail. She said she wanted to stay in America. I actually think she’s on her way back to Miami. I don’t know that, but that’s what I think.”
“I don’t think so, Percy. She wouldn’t have left without a note to me. She also left her phone and luggage in the hotel. She would never fly home without her cell phone. Never.”
“Maybe she’s just off pouting somewhere.” He shrugged.
“You don’t seem too concerned.”
“She dumped me. No, I’m not concerned. I’m brokenhearted over it, but she’s embarrassed me for the last time.” He looked over at the others hanging around in the chapel. “And now I have to announce my grief to all of these people. My mother will be devastated. I really should be angry at your friend, and I guess when I get over my initial grief over the breakup, I’ll get to the anger stage. Isn’t that one of the stages of grief?” He quirked one eyebrow.
Avery hissed at him. “You’re a pig, and I hate you. I’m glad Quincy wised up and left your butt.”
She started to flounce away. He grabbed her arm and stopped her, held her arm tight and twisted it. “Who’s your friend over there?” He nodded toward Finn.
“No one. Just a friend.” She jerked her arm out of his grasp.
“Looks like someone I’ve seen before.” He grabbed her arm again. “Who is it?”
“A friend.”
“So don’t tell me, bitch. I’ll figure it out even if you don’t.” He squeezed her arm. “You may as well tell me.”
She jerked her arm away from him again. “No.” She stalked off, and she and Finn left. As they walked back toward the exit, they could hear Percy making his announcement. He sounded truly sad, but Avery knew he was a lying bastard.
When Avery and Finn came out of the church and hustled their way across the concrete steps, Mark and Craig sat at the curb in the car. Finn and Avery got in the back seat, and Finn said, “Quincy told me that you had a lead on the cache of weapons. Maybe she’s there. I feel it in my gut that he’s got her. I know it.”
Mark drove away from the where he had idled to wait for the others. “There’s three places he could have her. I think we need to split up and search them all.”
Finn said, “Yeah. I agree. I’ll take one, and the three of you stick together. I’m trained, so it’s better if you three are together. He can’t hurt all of you at once.”
“That’s a comfort.” Craig’s laugh was a short bark.
“You know what I mean. We need to get to her, and the more of you there are, the better.” Finn pulled out his officer’s notepad. He scratched two numbers on it and handed it to Avery. “This top number is mine. The other is the Interpol officer I’m working with on this case. His name is Franklin Longet. Call him if you see anything. And I mean anything.”
“He’s French?” Avery stared at the paper.
“Yes. He speaks English, though. It shouldn’t be an issue.”
Mark said, “We’ll go back where we were earlier today. I think that’s where the weapons are stashed. It had covered windows and seemed more secure than the other two places. We can call your Interpol man from there. You check the place where Quincy and Avery went the other night. Then, once we’ve checked those places, we’ll meet back at the place Craig and I were last night. If we don’t hear from you in an hour, we’ll come to the place where you’re going right now. We need to check in with each other every twenty minutes. We’ll assume if you don’t call that you’re in trouble and vice versa.” He looked at Craig. “Write those addresses down for Finn.” He handed his phone to Finn. “Put your number in my phone and Craig can put mine in yours.”
Finn took Mark’s phone and entered his number. He tapped Craig on the shoulder with it. “Looks like you picked a winner. As glad as I am that Quincy isn’t your type, I’m glad you found a good man for yourself.”
Avery grinned at Finn and tapped him on the leg. “Quincy would be so proud of you. I know I am.”
Finn chucked her on the nose. “Thanks, kid.”
Mark stopped at another curb and turned to Finn. “There’s a cab stand over there.” He nodded his head and handed him the paper Craig had written on. “Here are the addresses. Call us in twenty.”
* * * *
Finn practically leaped from the car and jogged down to the taxi stand. He was frantic to find to Quincy. Hope it’s not too late. I hope that bastard hasn’t killed her. His ass is mine if he did. Or even if he didn’t. He’s toast.
He jumped in the first cab available and gave the driver the address. The address he’d memorized the day before when he went to the same warehouse where he’d seen the Bentley drop off Percy. He didn’t want Avery to know he knew where it was, so he’d kept quiet in Mark’s car.
To the cab driver, he said, “I’ll double the fare if you can get there in under five minutes.”
The driver looked at him in the rear view mirror. “I’ll give it my best shot, gov’ner.” The man tore out and left half a tire’s worth of rubber on the street.
Finn pulled his Glock out of his shoulder holster and made sure the ammo clip was full.
The driver looked back at him again. “You’re not a London cop. You a criminal?’
Finn flipped out his badge. “No. I’m an American Federal Officer. You’re safe with me. I’m not going to shoot you. But you need to watch the road.”
“Didn’t think you were going to shoot me. I can tell a lot about a man by the way he talks to me. Us hacks are good judges of character. You’re an all right kind.”
Finn looked up from his gun. “Thanks man. I’m in a hurry to try to save a kidnap victim. Can you rush it?”
“That’s brilliant, man. Brilliant. Can’t wait to tell the wife.” The man put the pedal to the floor and darted between the other cars on the road. Good thing the man was a professional as he took a lot of risks.
Finn sat back in the seat and wished the car would move even faster. He knew the cabbie was doing his best, but it seemed like the car was barely moving. He felt like his time was running out. The longer the ride went on, the more scared he got. His heart clenched in his chest. I can’t lose her now. After all this time, she finally admitted she loves me. I need her. She can’t be gone. She has to be safe. I have to have another chance to make it right with her. I have to.
Chapter Sixteen
“See, the conquering hero comes! Sound the trumpets, beat the drums!”
Thomas Morell, English librettist (1703-1784)
As soon as the cab screeched to a halt in front of the warehouse that sat at the address Mark had given him, Finn had the door open. He tossed a hundred euros on the seat. “Thanks and keep the change.”
“Good luck, man,” the cabbie yelled at him as Finn dashed around to the back of the building to see if he could get in.
Finn made his way to the alley and crept around on his knees in the stench of the garbage back there, found the window with the loose screen and pulled it loose. He poked his head in and didn’t see anything, decided to explore further by going in and looking around. Once inside, in front of him was a massive wall of furniture, piled pell-mell about the place. He heard a noise, stopped moving, and stood very still as he tried to figure out what it was he’d heard. It was a kind of shuffling sound. What the hell is that? It sounds too large to be rats. What the hell could it be?
Finn didn’t want to show himself until he knew the source of the sound but finally decided he was going to have to chance it. No way to tell what it was without making a move. He sidled down the side of some large oak armoires, his Glock at the ready. It ate at him that there was no back up, but he couldn’t help that. No time to call for assistance. Not if Quincy was here and at the mercy of Hicks.
Finn made his way to the end of the line of armoires. He peered around them and saw a sight that made his heart soar and ache at the same time. It was Quincy, tied in a chair, trying to work her ropes free by twisting her legs to loosen the ropes.
She looked pitiful. Her dress was torn and one breast was exposed. Her face was gashed and swollen. One side was almost purple and looked to have a hand print on it. It seemed she’d also have one big black eye in a day or so. But she was alive. She was blessedly alive and still fighting to be free.
It was all he could do not to run to her. He had to be sure the place was clear first. He was torn between his training and his love for the woman who was clearly in distress.
He slid back before she could see him. I’ve gotta check out the other side of the room. Be sure it’s safe to go into the open where she is. Hope to God Mark comes with Interpol when he doesn’t hear from me. It already had to be past time to call in.
Finn pulled his phone out of his pocket to check the time and to be sure it was on vibrate. It would be a disaster if it rang now.
It took Finn about fifteen minutes to creep around the perimeter of the room. It seemed clear. The only problem was someone could have quietly come in to the other side of the room after he cleared it. Couldn’t be helped. An invasion force of one was not a good plan when there was a potential hostage situation, but there it was. You did the job as it lay.
He stepped out into the open, his Glock in his hand, safety off.
Quincy looked up, eyes wide.
Finn said, “I take it the engagement is off?”
She gasped in relief. “Thank God you found me. What happened? I thought you were tailing me.”
“I stepped out for less than ten minutes for a bite to eat and look what kind of trouble you get in, sweetheart.”
She burst into tears. “I’m so relieved to see you. Percy is crazy. He’s going to kill me. He said he was coming back to kill me. He’s going to play the jilted bridegroom at the rehearsal and then come back for me. He knows about my plan—”
Finn took a step toward her to untie her, and Percy spoke from out of the shadows. He leaned casually against the door jamb and pointed a nine millimeter at Finn as he interrupted Quincy, “I told Avery I’d remember where I saw you. You’re that cop I saw in Los Angeles. You in on whatever
plan my bride has?”
“She’s not your bride anymore, Hicks.” Finn stood casually with his own gun hanging down by his thigh.
“And she certainly won’t be yours.” Percy suddenly jerked his gun up and shot at Finn. Finn dodged the bullet and raised his own gun.
Finn shot at Percy who darted back behind the edge of the door where he’d leaned just a second before. Finn’s bullet pocked the door jamb.
Quincy screamed as another barrage of bullets from Percy’s hideout flew over her head.
Finn yelled, “Q. Can you lean over so your chair falls? You’ll be safer.”
Quincy leaned to the right, and her chair did tilt over. It knocked the breath out of her when she landed on the floor with a thud. She lay on her side, her feet loose from where she’d worked the ropes while Percy was at the chapel. Her surfer’s legs had made short work of the loosely tied ropes.
Finn made a step toward her. I’ve gotta get her away from the line of fire. She’s not safe. He could hit her.
Finn was concentrating so hard on rescuing his love that he didn’t react as fast as he should have. He darted to the right. His reflexes too slow, the bullet found its mark. Blood poured from his head. He collapsed and lay still. There was blood everywhere.
Quincy screamed. “Finn! Oh, God, Finn, get up. Get up.”
Percy walked over and kicked Finn. “Think your cop’s a goner, darling.”
She yelled again, “Finn, Finn.”
Percy walked over and sat her chair back up with her still tied to it. “There goes the big rescue plan. Too bad. He was trying so hard. Gotta give him credit for that.”
“You bastard. You’ll fry for this.”
“I don’t think so, my dear, no one will ever even know. Or if they do, I’ll make it look like a murder suicide. You killed him because he was trying to take you back into custody on the firearms smuggling charge and then, in remorse for what you’d done, you shot yourself.”
Chantal, Jillian - Surfer Bride (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 22