by Aimee McNeil
The three cruisers behind Haffey’s vehicle pulled in, blocking off the driveway. The officers filed out of their cars with their weapons readied, awaiting her orders.
“Peters and Sanchez,” Haffey motioned toward the dark house. “Clear the house. The rest of you follow me.”
Haffey glanced at Sieks, who closed in by her side as they headed toward the garage. The music was the perfect cover to keep their approach quiet as she neared the side door. She could hear someone making noise from inside. Haffey motioned toward the others to ready themselves as she approached the door. They had no idea what to expect upon entry of the building. Haffey leaned away from the glass upper portion of the door to stay out of view from the interior and grabbed the handle. It wasn’t locked.
He nodded toward Sieks as she pushed the door in. She and Sieks stepped in with their weapons raised. She could see Baker across the shop, he was wearing white overalls covered in paint, with a mask covering most of his face, but she knew it was him. “Put your hands up, Trent Baker.”
The man looked terrified as she stayed frozen in place, watching the men file in his shop with guns pointed toward him.
“Put your hands up!” Haffey demanded.
Baker dropped his spray gun and made a grab for something on his work bench. “Don’t fucking move!” Sieks screamed, circling the car that sat in the center of the room. The room reeked of paint fumes and it made Haffey lightheaded.
Haffey noticed what he was grabbing for. A pistol was sitting among his tools. “Put the weapon down, Mr. Baker. Surrender and you won’t get hurt.”
He pulled the mask off his face and looked at Haffey. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled before lifting the gun to his head. Haffey made a lunge for him but she wasn’t quick enough. He pulled the trigger and she watched the side of his head explode.
“No!” Haffey screamed but it was too late. Blood sprayed all over the freshly painted car. “Oh god.” She covered her mouth as she took in the horrific scene. She pulled her hand away and noticed some of the blood splatter had gotten on her face. She frantically wiped it away.
Sieks walked up beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Here.” He passed her a cloth to help clean the blood.
Sieks addressed the others still in the room. “Search the property and see if we can find any sign of Haffey’s brother.”
Sieks guided her away from the scene and led her out of the garage. “Take a moment,” he said when they were alone.
“I don’t need a moment. I need to find my brother,” She passed Sieks back the bloodied cloth. She knew she needed to focus on finding her brother. That was the most important thing. She would worry about Trent Baker later.
They searched the house from top to bottom, leaving nothing untouched, and Haffey was growing increasingly restless. He had to be here, they were out of options.
“I found something!” one of the officers called from the doorway of the garage. Haffey immediately ran into the building. She ignored the bloody mess as she passed by into the office space, off the back of the garage. The mat was pulled up off the floor and a latch was opened to reveal a descending staircase.
Haffey used her phone as a flashlight and pulled out her gun as she started down the steep stairway without hesitation. Sieks was quick to follow her; she could feel him against her back.
“There’s a light,” Sieks said, pointing to a chain hanging down from the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs. She pulled it and the small enclosed space was illuminated. They were looking at a wooden wall and door that led into another area.
Haffey grabbed the door latch and slowly pulled it open. Holding her gun, she stepped inside. She could make out wooden crates piled up against the wall. She heard a small sound from inside, but the sound of footsteps coming down behind her drowned out any other noise.
“Be quiet,” Haffey whispered. Sieks turned around and motioned for them to stop making noise. She froze in place, listening. It was a soft moaning sound coming from inside the dark room.
“Carlos?” Haffey called out as she stepped inside.
The moaning stopped and she heard movement, a bucket being knocked over, and the sound of a chain rattling.
“Carlos?” she called out again, this time louder.
“Belisa.” Her name brought a rush of excitement. Her brother was still alive. Her worst fear was lifted from her shoulders and she gasped with relief.
“I’m coming,” she said as she shone her light up and walked further. The boxes opened up into an empty area where she could see her brother chained in the corner of the basement. He was badly injured from what she could tell in the dim light. The sight of him brought tears to her eyes, both of horror and relief.
Haffey dropped to her knees and threw her arms around him before placing her hands on either side of his face. The light from Sieks’ flashlight illuminated his swollen features but she could see her brother behind the damage.
“Get something to cut these chains,” she called out to no one in particular. She wanted to get her brother out of this horrible place and bring him home.
***
Haffey pulled the blanket tighter around Carlos’ shoulders as he sat in the back of the ambulance. The paramedic was examining him and bandaging his open wounds.
Haffey looked up and saw Sieks and another officer approach. Sieks nodded for her to join them.
“I’ll be back in a second, Carlos,” Haffey said, giving his shoulder a gentle pat.
He nodded quietly. She could see the tortured look in his eyes and knew that he was suffering more than physical wounds.
Haffey jumped out of the back of the vehicle. “What’s going on?” she asked.
“Peters spoke with some of the neighbors. They said that a about a week ago his wife and kids packed up and left late one night. It took everyone by surprise because the family looked like they were doing well before things took a turn. Darlene Baker was driving a brand new BMW and lots of delivery trucks had been arriving the last few months. By the looks of the interior of the house, they bought a whole lot of brand new shit lately.”
“A little unlikely for a small auto painting company to make that much profit in a short period of time.” Haffey pursed her lips.
“Maybe Darlene found out where the money was coming from and took off,” Peters added.
“Seems likely. Track her down and call me as soon as you do. I’m heading to the hospital with Carlos,” Haffey informed them.
“Sure thing,” Sieks said. He looked at Carlos, who was still being examined. “I’ll be by the hospital as soon as I clean things up here.”
“Thanks, Sieks.” Haffey offered a small smile.
“Of course. Now go take care of your brother and leave the rest to me.”
“I don’t deserve you,” Haffey said as she walked backward toward the ambulance.
“You’re right.” Sieks winked at her.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-NINE
Jackson
“No gun slinging for a few weeks.” The doctor secured the bandage on Jackson’s side. “Although by the look of that shoulder, I’d say you don’t listen well.” The doctor examined the recently healed wound. Jackson had forgotten about.
“Yeah, I’ve never been much of a listener,” Jackson confirmed with a frown.
“Well, surprisingly, it’s healing nicely,” the doctor said as he pulled off his gloves and tossed them into the garbage can by the door. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting that lovely young lady waiting outside your door, and if you have any sense at all, I’d say you’d better start,” the doctor said with an amused shake of his head.
“Thanks, Doc,” Jackson said.
“Of course.” The doctor gave him a nod as he slipped through the door.
“He’s all yours,” Jackson heard him announce to Lexie as he walked out into the hall.
Lexie’s beautiful face appeared in the doorway and Jackson felt the smile immediately capture his mouth. Every time he looked at
her it was like seeing the rising sun after a long, cold night.
Jackson grabbed his shirt off the examination table.
“I vote for leaving your shirt off,” Lexie said playfully as she approached him.
“Come here.” Jackson held his hand out for her. She placed hers in his and he pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her. It always felt so wonderful to hold onto her. Her fingers traced the edge of the bandage as she leaned into him.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, pulling away to look up at him.
“Nah.” Jackson brushed the hair from her face and pressed his lips to hers. He felt like he was home. The haunted part of him that couldn’t rest until Stodden was stopped was finally quiet. All the noise in his head was suddenly muted and he was left staring into the most beautiful eyes in world. He was never one to believe in luck, but in this moment it was hard not to. Though, his momentary bliss was short lived when reality started to shake its ugly head. Stodden’s words echoed in the back of his mind, reminding him of his true colors.
“Where is everyone?” Jackson asked.
“Waiting for you in Giles’ room.”
“Let’s go see the old man,” Jackson said, taking Lexie’s hand.
Nate was leaning on his crutches next to Teddy as they looked over papers that were scattered over Giles’ feet as he lay in his bed. Stephanie was sitting in the chair tucked in the corner with a cup of coffee in her hand. She looked completely enthralled in the conversation between Teddy and Nate. Dane was standing against the walls with his arms crossed, watching over the entire room.
“There he is,” Dane said when he noticed Jackson.
Everyone turned around to see Jackson and Lexie walk into the room.
“So you made it. Teddy and Dane were arguing who should get your job if you didn’t,” Giles joked. He was looking much better since the last time he had seen him. Jackson walked up to the side of his bed. “It’s good to see you, Jackson,” Giles said.
“You too,” Jackson replied.
“Giles is just being nice. What we were actually arguing about was who gets to console Lexie,” Teddy teased.
Jackson just shook his head in disbelief. “You are unbelievable.” He smiled. “What’s all this?” Jackson pointed toward the files.
“Nate had me look into something for him,” Teddy explained.
“My mother was pregnant when she was taken and the autopsy revealed that she had given birth just before her death,” Nate said in a rush.
“I’m sorry, man.” Jackson placed his hand on Nate’s shoulder.
“I think my brother is still alive, Jackson,” Nate confessed.
Jackson looked into Nate’s hopeful expression.
“Brother? What’d you find?” Jackson asked, glancing between Nate and Teddy.
“Six months after Nate’s mother was taken, the Mastens adopted a baby boy,” Teddy informed him.
“What makes you think he’s Nate’s brother?” Jackson asked.
Teddy picked up a photograph of Terence Masten and his wife next to their son on his graduation. “This picture is a few years old, but it speaks for itself.” He passed it to Jackson.
Jackson looked at the young man in the picture. “Holy fuck.” He looked up at Nate. The resemblance was remarkable.
“It’s enough to convince me to look into it,” Nate said with a nod of his head.
Jackson grabbed Nate by the back of the neck and pulled him in for a hug. “You let me know if you need my help.” Jackson patted him on the back.
“Thanks, man,” Nate said.
“I have some more good news,” Giles said. “The doctors said I’m free to leave this place, so one of you is taking me home.”
“Dane and I will take you. We’re heading back to Westford anyway,” Teddy offered.
Jackson wrapped his arm around Lexie’s shoulder. “We’re heading out, ladies,” Jackson teased. “We’re going back to the hotel to grab a few hours of sleep and then I need to get this girl home.”
“Are you coming, Stephanie?” Lexie asked.
“No, I’m gonna stay with Nate. I already broke the news to my parents, so I might as well wait out their wrath,” Stephanie said as she walked around the bed to give Lexie a parting hug.
“Mike’s mom called me. He’s been missing for a few days. Do you think we should be worried?” A line creased Stephanie’s brows.
“He’ll show up eventually. It’s not the first time. Did they check the clubs?” Lexie asked dismissively.
“Yeah, no sign of him. He was so angry. You don’t think he would do anything stupid, do you?” Stephanie asked worriedly.
“It’s Mike we’re talking about.”
“Oh shit.” Stephanie looked wide-eyed at Lexie.
“Listen, Steph. Stay here and help Nate. When I get home I’ll track him down. He’s been known to disappear on occasion.”
“Okay, you’re right. I’ll be home soon. We’ll figure it out, and don’t forget we have lots of boring to catch up on.” Stephanie smiled.
“Yes we do.”
CHAPTER FORTY
Lexie
When Lexie opened the door to her mother’s house she was met with Cherry’s beaming face.
“There’s my beauty,” Cherry gushed and threw her arms around Lexie before she even made it through the door. It felt so good to be home as she squeezed Cherry back.
“You look well, darling.” Cherry stepped back to get a good look at her.
“I am,” Lexie said. “How are you?”
“Fantastic, now that you’re back. All this worrying you guys were making me do was threatening to give me wrinkles.” Cherry patted the skin beneath her eyes in a dramatic display.
Lexie laughed as she walked into the kitchen. “I missed you, Cherry.” She took a deep breath, dropped her purse on the kitchen table, and collapsed into the chair.
“Where’s your hot piece of ass boyfriend?” Cherry asked, setting a wine glass in front of Lexie.
“He was making a phone call. He’ll be in any minute,” Lexie said as she sat her chin in her hands and leaned on the table. “I feel like I could sleep for days.”
“I’d join you for a glass but I have to get this hot butt to the diner. They can’t survive without me,” Cherry said with a wink. “I really like this small town. Everyone loves my twist on the famous pies and you know my mystery meat really fascinates the locals.”
“I bet it does,” Lexie said, grabbing Cherry’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “Thanks for holding the fort.”
“Any time,” Cherry said. “I love that little diner.”
“Did you hear from Evan?” Lexie asked hopefully.
“Not since he left, but he said as soon as he was allowed visitors he would demand we all come.”
“Good, he better,” Lexie replied.
“So glad you’re back.” Cherry kissed her on the forehead and grabbed her keys off the table.
“Cherry?” Lexie called after her.
“Yeah, sweetness?”
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Lexie smiled. “You know, we might never let you leave.”
“I hope not.” Cherry blew her a kiss before opening the door and slipping outside.
Lexie took a sip of her wine and noticed the bottle of nail polish in her bag. She picked it up and looked at it with a sad smile.
She pushed herself to her feet and walked into the living room, toward the fireplace. Her mother had a collection of some of her favorite things lined up on the mantle. Lexie looked at her mother’s favorite tea cup, pictures, books, candles, and the quirky little wood carving. All the memories of her mother washed over her with full-bodied emotion as she felt tears run down her cheeks. She missed her mother so much and the pain was still so fresh.
The door opened and Jackson walked in. “Cherry just slapped my ass,” Jackson said, shaking his head.
Lexie tried to smile but she couldn’t hide the sadness that was radiating from her. Jackson’s face fell when h
e noticed. “What’s wrong?”
Jackson looked up at the framed picture of Lexie and her mother and understanding dawned over his face. He wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder.
“I’m all right. I just miss her. I will always miss her,” Lexie admitted. “And just glad to be home.”
“I wish I could tell you the pain goes away,” Jackson said sadly.
“I know. It helps if I think about the good things. Like you. I’m glad you’re here with me,” Lexie confessed, leaning into him.
Jackson dropped his arm from Lexie, she immediately missed his touch. “I have to tell you something.” Jackson seemed nervous as he scratched his chin. “It’s about what Stodden said about the fire. He was telling the truth,” Jackson admitted.
“I know,” Lexie said, meeting his gaze. “I saw the look on your face when he said it.”
“I’ve done a lot of bad shit in my life, Lexie. A lot of shit I can’t undo, and that still haunts me. That night is one of many.”
“You can tell me when you’re ready,” Lexie suggested, knowing how difficult this conversation was for him.
“No, I need to tell you. You deserve to know what I’ve done.” Jackson searched her eyes and Lexie offered him encouragement.
“It was the day before I was arrested for the final time. Giles pulled me off the street the next day, but it wasn’t soon enough. I was still working for Black at the time as his fucking puppet. He told me what to do and I did it, no questions asked. He sent us to burn down a house. I didn’t think much about it. Black had always used extreme measures to send a message to anyone who didn’t obey him. He told us no one was home.” Jackson paused to take a deep, calming breath. “I sat in my car and watched the guys pour gasoline all around the house and douse the front step. I thought I saw movement in the window upstairs. I watched it for a moment but believed it was just my imagination.” Lexie could see Jackson’s eyes glisten as he looked at nothing in particular. He was lost in the haunting memory. “I still can still see the match light and then the flames completely engulf the house. I can still feel the heat on my face as I watched it burn.” Jackson closed his eyes. “I didn’t know there was a family in there until I read the fucking paper in the police station a few days later. “It hate myself for it. I hate myself for all the terrible shit I’ve done. I should have checked the house.” Jackson opened his eyes again and what Lexie saw scared her.