“Any news?”
“I heard they’re flying her in by helicopter,” his assistant announced in a hushed tone.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Lyle groused. “Who’s they?”
“No one knows,” his assistant replied. “They don’t even know where she’s been the last four months. It’s like she fell into a black hole.”
“So as far as we know, she still intends to show up for the trial.” His expression turned serious as he nervously looked around. “She can’t make it into that courtroom,” the governor muttered firmly then cast a look at Agent Falcone across the crowded corridor from them. The governor indicated Holden to his assistant. “He’s looking a little nervous himself. Did you talk to our guy at the Bureau?”
“I’m afraid he didn’t know anything either,” his assistant gently informed him.
“How the hell could she disappear like that?” he demanded more to himself. “What about our welcome party?”
“Already on the roof.”
“That’s good,” Lyle replied and attempted to look calm, but it was obvious he was worried Jackie would make it to the courthouse alive.
Holden stood in the crowded corridor off to the side and glanced at his partner across the hall. Agent Fields talked with the prosecuting attorney, who seemed uptight about the start of the trial without his primary witness. Holden appeared calm but repeatedly checked his watch every thirty seconds. His star witness was running late without so much as a phone call. A seated prostitute rubbed her stiletto foot against his leg. Holden eyed the bleached blonde prostitute with some annoyance then moved away from her. Lyle checked his own watch, nudged his assistant, indicating the time, and grinned his approval. He noticed Holden across the corridor and approached him with a smug look on his face.
“Well, Agent Falcone,” Lyle announced cheerfully. “Where’s this star witness of yours? Running late?”
“She’ll be here, don’t worry,” Holden replied. “There’s plenty of time before the trial starts.”
“I’d say you’re cutting it close. She should have reported by now.” He appeared pleased with himself as the scheduled trial time was rapidly approaching. Things may have been looking up for the former governor, particularly if Jackie was a no show. “When I’m found not guilty, I’m going to have your badge,” Lyle announced cheerfully.
Holden wasn’t impressed and didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. He remained unusually calm even if he wasn’t. “I think you’re forgetting a very important detail. We found the bodies of one of our agents and the librarian that your thug killed and dumped in that dungeon death pit,” Holden stated firmly and stared down the governor. “The case against you looks pretty good even without our witness.”
“I don’t know anything about a dungeon or a death pit,” Lyle insisted with little sincerity. “I don’t think the prosecutor can prove that I did.”
“I’m sure you didn’t know anything about it,” Holden scoffed. “I know you didn’t count on us finding either the secret room or the dungeon beyond that. If you had, you would have done a better job at cleaning up all the blood leading us right to the death pit in the dungeon floor.” He shook his head with disgust. “Had that poor librarian known what she discovered was actually a dungeon and not a fruit cellar, she may have reported it to her supervisors. Your dirty little secret would have been exposed years ago.”
“This whole trial is ridiculous,” Lyle announced boldly as his frustration surfaced. “Even if Dexter did kill those people you say he did, that doesn’t mean I had anything to do with it. I’m not responsible for his shortcomings.”
“Shortcomings? We’re talking murder, Kempton. I’d hardly call that a shortcoming,” Holden announced. “You’re going to have a hard time proving you weren’t involved.”
“I believe it’s the prosecutor’s job to prove I was involved,” Lyle replied and attempted to regain his superior attitude. “Not the other way around.”
“What really astonishes me are all the decomposing bodies we found within that death pit,” Holden remarked while continuing his attempt at tripping up the governor. “Forensics is still trying to identify all the bodies. At last count, I think we were up to ten.” He studied the governor and raised his brow. “Amazing that the estimated time of death for each of the bodies was around the time the library was your governor’s mansion. Pretty suspicious, don’t you think?”
“You can’t prove I was involved in any of that,” the governor retorted, although the comment seemed to strike a nerve, causing him to perspire.
“Our witness will confirm you ordered the hit on a federal agent and watched while it was carried out,” Holden informed him. “Once we implicate you in his death, proving you knew about the bodies in the death pit will be fairly easy.”
“It’s that girl’s word against mine. And the word of a girl like that--”
“That girl nearly killed your guard dog with her bare hands,” Holden snarled defensively while staring down the governor. “You may want to show some respect.”
Lyle glared his annoyance to the comment, collected his assistant, and continued past him without further conversation. Both prostitutes, who had been sitting on the bench, were now standing and attempted to cozy up to the governor with their cuffed hands as he passed. He brushed them off as if they were dirt beneath his shoes. Their arresting officer quickly reeled them in. A helicopter was heard approaching. Holden looked to the ceiling and appeared tense. It was a long anticipated sound. It was the sound of justice. It was also a reminder that the woman he loved was returning to him. The same blonde prostitute placed her hand on Holden’s lower arm and cozied up to him. Holden eyed her with some annoyance. She had long blonde hair, a thick layer of carefully applied make-up, and an outfit that revealed too much cleavage and most of her legs. Holden brushed her hand off his arm and took a step away. He began pacing the crowded hallway while awaiting confirmation of Jackie’s arrival.
†
Several officers stood on the roof of the courthouse by the helicopter landing pad. The large, familiar helicopter approached, suspiciously hoovered a moment, and then gracefully landed on its mark. Several buildings away, a sharpshooter was positioned behind the ledge of the building with a high-powered rifle and scope trained on the courthouse roof. The closed helicopter door was visible through the scope. The sharpshooter tapped the wireless transmitter device in his ear.
“The chopper has landed.”
“Confirm it’s her,” a soft male voice announced through the shooter’s wireless ear transmitter. “When you have a clean shot, take it. Do not hesitate.”
“Roger.”
Once the helicopter shut down, the side door boldly opened. Ross, Beck, Kirk, and Gil jumped onto the roof and fanned out alongside the helicopter door. The intimidating men stood by the open door and scanned the area with an official air about them. The shooter steadied his rifle and watched through the scope with his finger on the trigger. He had a clear shot of the helicopter doorway and awaited the star witness’ arrival. When no one else got out, he appeared bewildered and tapped his ear transmitter.
“Sir--?”
“What is it?” came the same male voice.
A shadow loomed over the shooter, startling him. He quickly spun from where he was crouched before the wall. Zach stood over him with a devious, twisted smile and kicked him in the face. The shooter was thrown backwards with force and writhed on the roof floor in agony. Zach removed the transmitter device from the shooter’s ear, grinned while studying it, and then discharged a foghorn into it.
At the same time, within the courthouse, Agent Fields suddenly clutched his ear and tossed his earpiece across the floor. He could barely stand straight while holding his ear. Holden suddenly looked at Fields with surprise and immediately pulled his gun, aiming it at his partner.
“You’re under arrest,” Holden shouted.
Agent Fields looked at him and appeared stunned as he released his
ear. “What are you talking about?”
Several officers approached Fields with their weapons trained on him.
Holden picked up the discarded transmitter and placed it to his ear. “Hey, you there?” he asked as the officer’s handcuffed his partner.
“Did you get him?” Zach’s voice was heard through the ear transmitter.
“Yeah, we got him. Good job.”
On the nearby building roof, Zach stood by the roof ledge with his foot casually propped on it and the transmitter to his ear. He seemed to be enjoying the spectacular view of his Navy SEAL comrades standing at attention before the helicopter.
“Hey, Holden, would you be terribly upset if your shooter had a little accident?” Zach asked and appeared curious.
“You just cuff him and leave him for us,” Holden screamed through the wireless transmitter. “We want him alive!”
He held the wireless transmitter away from his ear to Holden’s raised voice. “Kill joy--” Zach muttered.
Zach casually looked over the ledge to the screaming shooter dangling by a rope attached to his ankle. “Honestly, that man lacks imagination.”
†
The prosecuting attorney hurried toward Holden in the crowded courthouse corridor as the officers removed Agent Fields in handcuffs.
“Where is she, Agent Falcone?” the attorney demanded in a state near panic.
“What do you mean?” Holden suddenly asked as his expression shattered. “She was supposed to be on the helicopter. That was the plan.”
“Well, she wasn’t there,” the excitable prosecutor fired back. “Find her!”
The prosecuting attorney hurried away. Holden removed his cell phone and pressed a single button. Monroe’s voicemail picked up before the phone even rang.
“This is you know who,” Monroe’s jovial voice said from the voicemail on the other end. “Leave a you know what--you know when.”
“Damn it, Monroe, where is she?” Holden growled lowly into the phone. “Call me back!”
Holden disconnected his call with disgust and possible concern. The same blonde prostitute stood beside him and touched his arm with her cuffed hand.
“Looking for me?” the prostitute cooed seductively.
“Aren’t you in enough trouble already?” he demanded and finally looked at the hooker clinging to his arm.
As he looked into her eyes, Jackie smiled lustfully at him beyond the wig and make-up. Holden stared a moment before realizing it was Jackie. She smiled and ran her hands along his chest while lustfully raising her brows.
“Play your cards right, Agent Falcone, and I’ll be cuffing you tonight.”
The police officer escorting the prostitutes grinned and pulled Jackie away from Holden. “Sorry, you’ll have to forgive this one,” Monroe suddenly announced from beneath the police officer’s uniform. “She hasn’t gotten laid in four months.”
Jackie smiled at Holden as Monroe pulled her away and collected the second prostitute.
Monroe looked back at Holden and grinned slyly. “Pretty hot, huh?”
Holden watched them walk down the crowded corridor. Jackie waved with her cuffed hands and blew him a kiss. Holden hid his smile while watching her posterior in the slinky, tight dress as she walked away. He groaned softly then hurried for the prosecuting attorney.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Holden and Jackie sat alongside each other on the secluded tropical beach while sipping champagne from decorative crystal flutes. A picnic basket set nearby but remained untouched. The trial had finally ended, not taking nearly as long as originally anticipated. Forensics discovered that the nearly one dozen decomposing bodies within the death pit were all known acquaintances of the governor. All had been shot to death and tossed into the pit during the time Lyle had been living at the mansion. Jackie stared beyond the beach to the peaceful ocean. She had been silent for a long time while Holden watched her where she sat. She drew a deep breath and finally looked at him.
“For a long time, I blamed myself for my father’s death,” she said gently while playing with her champagne glass. “I often thought there was something I should have done differently, but I don’t know what that would have been.”
“You know it wasn’t your fault, right?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I do now,” Jackie replied. “It took some time to come to terms with what happened to him.” She snorted a soft laugh and offered a tiny grin. “And a lot of help from some very dear friends.”
Holden stared at his champagne glass a moment then looked at her as she stared back at the ocean. “You don’t think the guy survived falling from the plane, do you?” He shifted uncomfortably. “I mean, you were over a lake, but he couldn’t have survived a fall like that, right?”
Jackie shrugged and remained uncertain. “He may have had mental issues, but he was still a former Navy SEAL. My father’s team dropped many times from those distances on missions,” she replied. “I’d like to believe he’s dead.” She finally looked at him. “It’s kind of strange. I went back to my father’s grave a week or so after the funeral, and I found a ring that looked a lot like the one he’d worn that day. I kept it for a while, thinking it belonged to someone who attended the funeral. When no one claimed it after a few months, I finally tossed it.”
“Let’s be honest,” Holden announced simply and leaned back on his elbows. “If he had survived falling from the plane, he certainly wouldn’t have left that sort of memento at your father’s grave. I sincerely doubt he would have been feeling guilty about what he’d done.”
“I sort of thought the same thing,” she replied then lowered herself on the blanket alongside him. She leaned on her elbow facing him while looking into his eyes and smiled warmly. “But enough of that. I’m finally free from the governor’s clutches, and I’d like to spend some time living for a change.”
“I think I can accommodate you there,” Holden replied with enthusiasm.
They leaned closer and kissed passionately. Further behind them, the helicopter was seen on the beach not far from where they lie. Even further back, it became obvious that the helicopter was sitting on the secluded beach of a tiny island no bigger than an acre in the middle of the ocean with nothing surrounding them.
†
Three years earlier. The cemetery was peaceful in the early morning hours. The sun had barely risen and the grass was still wet with morning dew. The elaborate marble headstone of Lieutenant Commander Jackson Remus and his wife, Beverly Remus, sat stately on the immaculate cemetery grounds. Several flower arrangements remained from the burial just two days earlier, giving the grave a bright, cheerful look. A shadow was cast over the headstone. Zach stood proudly before the grave wearing his best suit and perfectly shined shoes. He had a solemn look on his face and kept his hands clasped firmly in front of him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t make the funeral, Commander,” Zach said gently. “I know you understand, considering the trouble you and the guys went through so I could go dark.” He inhaled a deep, shaken breath. “My premeditated death aside, I did have other business that required my immediate attention. I know you’d understand how important this particular mission was.” He offered a tiny, devious smile. “And, maybe one day, we’ll swap war stories again, if they’ll let me in wherever it is you’ve gone.” His look again turned solemn. Zach saluted the headstone and fought the tears in his eyes. He laid something at the base of the headstone and straightened. “Now you may rest in peace, my friend.”
Zach turned and walked away. At the base of the headstone lie a severed finger wearing the decorative Purple Heart ring.
†
Present day. Former Governor Lyle Kempton, now dressed in his official orange, prison jumpsuit, was led in handcuffs by a guard past a long row of cells. Prisoners yelled profanities and whistled at him as they did with all ‘fresh meat’. The trial had just ended, and he’d been assigned his new home at the infamous penitentiary. He would never again leave the prison grounds, pending an app
eal. Lyle sneered his distaste toward the other prisoners and their juvenile behavior.
“I won’t be here long,” Lyle announced to the guard in a gruff tone while glaring at his dark profile beneath his cap. “You’ll see. I’ll be out of here by the end of the week.”
The guard pushed him into an empty cell and shut the cell door. It made a distinctive metallic clang. Lyle turned and placed his cuffed hands through the opening, allowing the guard to remove the handcuffs.
“I have friends in high places,” Lyle remarked gruffly.
The guard replaced his handcuffs to their rightful place and stood just outside the cell door. He studied the former governor but didn’t seem impressed by his words.
“Yeah?” the guard remarked while staring at him and finally lifted his cap to reveal Zach. “Well, that girl you tried to kill has friends in low places.”
Lyle glared at the guard and appeared puzzled by the unusual comment. Zach gave the governor the most sinister grin and added a throaty chuckle.
“I hope you haven’t forgotten our play date, Governor,” Zach teased beyond his macabre smile.
The governor’s expression suddenly dropped to the familiar voice and chilling words as horror showed in his eyes. “Guards! Guards!” he frantically cried out while looking around for signs of any other guards, but there were none to be found.
Zach chuckled evilly then casually walked away while whistling Chopin’s “Funeral March”.
Fade Out
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