No Greater Hell (Lost and Found, Inc. Book 4)

by Jerrie Alexander

  “Do I sound worried? A cash exchange is fine if you prefer to wait. One of the boys wanted you to know it was done with respect.”

  “Tell him I appreciate it.” Ivan made a snap decision. “I need a couple of men.”

  “How many do you need?”

  “Start with two. Make one of them the dude who treated my brother the way I asked. Set them up in a motel close to the Lost and Found, Inc. agency.”

  “What the fuck is that?”

  “A company of private investigators. They could be trouble.”

  “You want the best, right? Might cost a little extra.”

  “Fine. Just get them here. If I need more, you’ll know.”

  Ivan ended the call. His frustration grew daily.

  Something he’d read in that stack of journals troubled him. He vaguely remembered hearing about the guy who’d kidnapped Holly just a couple of years ago. Why did the name ring a bell?

  ****

  The glaring hot sun didn’t seem to bother Jake, but the heat was cooking Holly’s brain from the inside out. Still, she was determined that nothing, including heatstroke, would stop her from helping spread the hay out in a long line so even the young ones would get their share.

  Standing in the pasture, she could see for miles. An occasional tree dotted the landscape but not enough to block the view. She couldn’t imagine a more beautiful place on earth. It reminded her of a comment she’d read somewhere. “In Texas, the sky comes all the way to the ground.”

  “Sorry. What did you say?” Jake tossed the last section of hay to the ground.

  “It was nothing. Just rambling about how breathtaking it is here.”

  A gust of wind caught Jake’s hair and rearranged the already messy style. The sun had lightened it, giving him gorgeous highlights, like the ones she’d paid dearly for over the years.

  She worked to keep her mind busy, but the memory of Jake’s hands on her body kept creeping into her thoughts. She had instigated the episode on the horse blanket. Had she been wrong to force his hand? Maybe they didn’t have a future. Right or wrong, she intended to seize the time they had together and enjoy every second—if he cooperated.

  Jake whistled and, like children when the recess bell rang, the cattle came running. Holly grabbed an armful of hay and helped feed the cows. One particularly pushy one came right up to her and ate from her hand.

  Daisy ran over and stood in front of her protectively. Holly bent down and scratched her head. “It’s okay, girl, I think they like us.”

  Jake chuckled. “It’s Alice. She loves being out here with them. They gather around her and vie for attention.”

  His cell buzzed. He pulled it from his hip pocket. “Donovan.”

  Holly rubbed her face with her hands and uttered a silent prayer that this nightmare was over.

  “What’s up, Rey?”

  Her hopes vanished as she watched Jake’s gaze harden as he listened. The nerves in his jaw twitched.

  “Yeah.” His eyes blazed like blue ice. “Thanks for calling.”

  Holly had to know. “What’s happened?”

  Jake’s expression shifted from anger to sorrow as he stuffed the cell back into his pocket and walked to her. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Suzanne Richards’s mother and sister have been murdered. They were found at Suzanne’s apartment in Dallas yesterday.”

  “No.” Holly sank into Jake’s arms. “No more.” The weight on Holly’s shoulders was unbearable. Tears flowed as if they had a mind of their own. Anger and despair mingled in her heart, pumping rage into her veins. “They didn’t know anything to tell that madman. And how did he know about them?”

  “He must have learned something from Suzanne before he killed her.”

  “No way. She would have never told him about her family.” A memory flashed. “Her sister had a little girl. Please tell me she’s okay.”

  “Let’s get back to the house. We’ll get in touch with Nate or Dalton and find out.” He pulled her against his chest. “Holly, this is not your fault.”

  “So you keep telling me.” This was too much. Her body felt numb as she let him guide her onto the four-wheeler’s seat. Daisy jumped up and sat extra close as if she sensed something was wrong.

  Jake joined her and began the drive back to the house. He was quiet and deep in thought. She didn’t press him. Instead, she allowed him time to process whatever was on his mind. When he stopped at the gate, his hand caught hers, preventing her from hopping off to open it. Then it hit her—he hadn’t told her everything.

  “What else did Rey tell you?”

  “Somebody broke into the coroner’s office and took Angel’s body.”

  “Who would want the body?” Holly’s stomach turned over. “The killer and the dead man must be related. Maybe they’re father and son? Brothers? The bastard couldn’t come forward to claim the body, so he had someone steal it. What for?”

  “The cameras caught three men dressed in black, but their faces were covered. They killed the night attendant and drove off in a stolen ambulance.”

  Holly stepped off the four-wheeler, walked to the gate, and opened it. “You go ahead. I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

  A frown creased Jake’s forehead. “You sure?”

  “Yeah.” She closed the gate after he drove away.

  Holly started the short walk back to the house. How had the killer known where Suzanne lived? Her laughing face, big heart, and plans for the future played through Holly’s memory. She pictured Suzanne, feet up after a long day at work, making notes in her…”Oh, my God.”

  Holly broke into a run. She was bursting with the news. She pulled open the screen and stepped inside to find Jake on the phone. “Jake, I have to talk to you.”

  “Hang on, Dalton. Holly just came in. I’m putting you on speaker.” Jake placed the cell on the table.

  “You okay?” Dalton’s voice was tinged with worry.

  “Yes. Listen, Suzanne kept a journal and usually had one in her purse. She had a stack of them in her bookcase. She’d make notes during lunch if something memorable had happened. She was planning on writing a book about being a nurse.”

  “Nobody has mentioned a journal. I’ll talk to Rey and get back to you.” Dalton disconnected without saying another word.

  “Jake, you know what this means if the killer has the journal. I don’t know how much Suzanne wrote about me, but I confided a lot in her.”

  “Did you discuss our chance meeting in Connersville?”

  “Sure, over coffee and donuts the next morning.” Holly had confided in only a few people about her kidnapping, and Suzanne had been one of them. “If this man was in Suzanne’s apartment and took her journals, he knows about you.” Holly rubbed her temples. “Kay’s name is probably in one of the recent journals. She occasionally joined me and Suzanne for lunch or shopping.”

  Jake didn’t respond. Instead, he opened the refrigerator, removed two bottles of water, and returned. His hand covered hers as she accepted the bottle, and heat exploded up her arm into her heart. The thought of him or Alice being killed for protecting her was more than she could bear. She would not be responsible for anything happening to him.

  “I have to go. Get as far away from you and anyone else I know.”

  “That’s not the solution.”

  “Then what is?”

  “We’ll figure it out together.” Jake leaned toward her. “If the killer knows about Kay and Nate, they have to prepare for his possible visit.”

  “Then let’s alert them. At the same time, I can tell them I want to leave here. This bastard apparently has resources. If he digs into the names in those journals, he’ll find out about you. Sooner or later he’ll show up here, and I can’t let that happen to you or Alice.” Holly’s nerves were screaming through her system. She paced back and forth. “I have no money. What if he has the ability to track my credit card? Okay, I’m being silly. He doesn’t know where I bank, but paying with cash would make it harder for him to
find me.”

  “Stop talking like that.” Jake snapped out the words, harsh and cold. “You’re not going anywhere alone. Let’s call Nate. Together we’ll work out a plan.” He picked up the cell.

  “I hate being part of a continuous phone call. That’s all we do, talk.”

  “I do too. We’re frustrated and on edge, and that’s a helpless feeling.” Jake put down the phone. He crossed the room to her, lifting her chin with his finger. “But you’re not alone.”

  The panic she’d been riding like a rolling wave dissolved as he leaned down and covered her lips with his. Strong arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly.

  “Oops.” Alice’s voice had Holly jumping backward. “Don’t mind me. I’m just passing through. Claude is taking me to supper. I’ll be in my bedroom for a while. “

  “Wait.” Jake held out his hand. “We have news and a phone call to make. All of it involves you.” He waved her and Holly to chairs at the kitchen table.

  “What’s going on, Jake?” Alice slowly sank to a chair.

  “More people have died.” Holly watched the fear in the older woman’s eyes blossom.

  Jake turned a chair around and sat. His strong jaw looked to be set in cement. His shoulders were straight, and his face was the definition of composure. Something had happened in the past few seconds. He looked even stronger and more confident.

  “Holly, you were right. So far we’ve existed between a series of phone calls. The recent events have changed that. Today we stop just existing and start planning. We have to be ready for what we thought was impossible.”

  He punched in a number on the cell.

  “Nate, we have a problem. You know about the two murders and the missing body?”

  “Yeah. It’s all over the news.”

  The call lasted a long time. Everyone argued against Holly taking off on her own. Leaving Alice alone was out of the question, even though she thought it a long shot that the killer would find her.

  “I think you two should go. I don’t want to know where,” Alice said. “There’s nobody going to bother me out here.”

  “Miss Alice.” Nate’s tone was soft and reassuring. “What if I send a couple of men who know how to care for livestock to manage the ranch?” Nate asked. “Both of these men are coming off an assignment and will jump at the chance to spend time in the country.”

  “They’ll be here to protect me?” Alice asked, shifting in her chair.

  “No,” Nate answered quickly. “They will be there to take care of the place. Is there somewhere you can go? Somewhere safe?”

  Jake’s hand reached over and covered his aunt’s. “Claude would keep you safe. Think he’d take you to his fishing cabin for a week or so? He doesn’t have to tell anybody where he’s going. He’s a smart man. He’ll come up with something.”

  Alice pulled her hand away. “I don’t know…all this cloak-and-dagger stuff sounds like something out of the movies.”

  “Will you at least ask him?” Jake glanced at Holly, and she read the concern in his eyes.

  The room was quiet as they waited for her answer. “Are you sure this is necessary?”

  “No.”

  “Then why—”

  “Let me finish.” Jake leaned closer to Alice. “The killer we’re dealing with is much stronger and has more information than we knew. He probably already knows about me. If he decides to locate me, he won’t hesitate to kill you.”

  “Which means we prepare for the worst,” Nate spoke up.

  Alice suddenly looked much older. Her normally straight shoulders slumped in submission. Holly couldn’t hold her tongue.

  “I am so sorry that I brought this trouble into your house. I shouldn’t have come.”

  Alice shook her head. “You cannot blame yourself for other people’s sins. This man is a murderer, and you’re not responsible for his actions.” She leaned back in her chair. “I’ll have to clear it with Claude, but I’m sure he’ll do what’s necessary.”

  “Then it’s settled. Jake and Holly will come here.” Nate’s tone didn’t leave room for discussion. “It doesn’t get dark until close to nine, so I can safely say Tank and Paul will be there today. Marcus will pick you up. Bring clothes and toiletries, nothing else.”

  Holly studied Jake’s face, wondering if he agreed. Or would he stay behind? Over the past hour, he’d changed right in front of her. His face had hardened. His back was straighter. And he was furious. The man she’d made love with was gone. Had the murders brought back some of Johnny Darling’s personality? Was that even possible?

  Nate spoke to someone, but Holly couldn’t identify the voice in the background. “Tank says they can be ready in twenty minutes, so look for them in, say, four hours.”

  “We’ll be ready.” Holly tried her best to sound positive. In her heart, she feared all they were doing was putting more people in danger. “Nate, Suzanne had a niece. Can you find out if she’s okay?”

  “A child protective worker stayed with her until her father came. I’m sorry. I should have mentioned her.”

  “I couldn’t have taken it if he’d killed the child.”

  “Holly, I hear the fear in your voice.” Nate had always been the perceptive one. “You’re one of the bravest women I know. You’ll be safe here. This son of a bitch better bring the SEALs with him if he wants to breach our security.”

  Again, Daisy had sat close to Holly as if sensing she was troubled. One paw rested on Holly’s foot. “Do you have room for one more dog?”

  Nate laughed. “Sure. Diablo is here a lot. We have plenty of room for them both.”

  A shiver rolled up her back as the call ended. Nate was right. She couldn’t let fear paralyze her. Not with so many lives at stake.

  “Alice, I am licensed to carry a weapon. If you have an extra pistol, I’d like to borrow it.”

  “I don’t own a handgun, but you’re welcome to take one of the hunting rifles from the gun safe in my bedroom.” Alice stood and left the room, returning with her purse and keys. “I’m going to talk to Claude. Nate, it was a pleasure.”

  “We’ll meet under better circumstances soon.”

  “Hang on, Nate.” Jake walked Alice to the door. “The ranch will be in good hands. I trust Nate.”

  “And I trust you to keep this place safe.”

  Holly went to Alice. “Thank you. You welcomed me with open arms and I can never repay you.” Holly pulled the woman close.

  Alice kissed Holly’s cheek and then opened her arms to Jake. He hugged her tightly for a long minute.

  “Take your time in town. Tell Claude I appreciate his help.”

  “You still with us?” Jake asked as he and Holly went back to the conversation.

  “Nice lady “

  “She certainly is,” Jake said. “Holly tells me your business has really grown.”

  “I’ve hired seven new investigators over the past two years. All former military and well trained before they got here.”

  Holly seized a pause. “Now that Alice is gone, I want to revisit her situation. This ranch is sacred to her. The two men can take care of the livestock?”

  “I would lie. Tank and Paul are country boys raised right here in Texas. They will stay until this is over. Let me get them started your way.”

  Jake nodded at her. “Good. As soon as they get here, I’ll show them around and explain the schedules.”

  “You’re sure the stress won’t be too much for Kay?” Holly couldn’t bear the idea of her problems upsetting her friend.

  “I think she’ll be calmer with you here.”

  “Then we’ll see you later tonight.” Jake ended the call.

  “I keep hoping I’ll wake up and this will have been a dream.” She almost retracted that to explain that didn’t include her time in his arms. But she sensed he wouldn’t have heard her.

  Jake stood and walked to the back door. Daisy jumped to attention and joined him. He pushed the screen open, and then looked over his shoulder. “Life w
on’t be just a series of phone calls any longer. I’m going to start a schedule for Tank and Paul. Why don’t you pack?”

  Holly watched as Jake walked to the barn. She went to her room, started pulling clothes out of drawers, and then remembered she had nothing to put them in. She returned to the kitchen and rummaged under the counter until she found Alice’s stash of plastic bags. The memory of her mother saving every bag she brought home popped into her mind. An ache in her heart reminded her how much she regretted that after her dad’s death, she and her mother had drifted apart. She hadn’t even been invited to the wedding.

  Holly quickly folded her few hanging clothes, removed everything from the dresser drawer, and stuffed it all into the bags. Her makeup and hair care products went into a bag by themselves.

  So this was it? Her life reduced to four grocery bags? Not that she had a lot of possessions—she’d never been one to care for material things—but now she couldn’t even go back to her own apartment. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at the bags on the bed. She angrily blinked them back. Digging deep, she mentally prepared herself for the days ahead and prayed the FBI would figure out who the killer was and put him away. She carried her bags to the kitchen and put them by the back door.

  Jake was walking back to the house, carrying a clipboard. The way he moved, the confidence in his step, and the grim, hard line of his mouth scared the hell out of her.

  The peaceful young man she’d run into in Connersville was gone.

  CHAPTER 19

  Jake opened the door for Daisy, then followed her inside. She trotted to Holly, who was leaning on the counter, and dropped down at her feet. He saw tears brimming in Holly’s eyes. Had the dog picked up on her emotional state? He realized the situation was getting to her, yet he was at a loss for words.

  “I’m sorry.” He waved his hand in the direction of four plastic sacks on the floor. “I should have remembered you’d need a suitcase or two for your clothes.”

  “The bags worked just fine.”

  Jake caught the heartbreak in her eyes. Holly was grieving over the recent murders. He wanted nothing more than to comfort her, to promise he’d make things right. But bold statements wouldn’t help. She’d have to sort through the heartache in her own time.