“Bull.” Kay shook her head. Her wavy chocolate-brown hair swirled around her shoulders.
“You look beautiful. Pregnancy agrees with you. Even your hair seems fuller.”
“Don’t try to change the subject. You love him and he loves you. He’s either too guilt-ridden or too stubborn to admit it. You can’t give in to him.”
“I’m not sure I can change his mind.”
Kay leaned closer. “Has he remembered more of his past?”
“Yeah. Sometimes the memories come with a headache. But he’s at the point of not knowing whether it’s a real memory or something he’s been told.”
“He did some terrible things as Johnny Darling. Even if he wasn’t responsible, he’s not the kind of man who will use the tumor as an excuse.”
“You should have seen him in Connersville. He worked tirelessly and saved lives. It’s almost as if he feels the need to redeem himself.”
“And nobody can help him decide when he’s accomplished that.”
The door lock clicked, then opened, and Nate stepped into the room. “The conquering heroes have returned. You ladies can come out.”
He extended both hands, helping Kay from her chair. “In other words, you didn’t find anything.”
“Right.” He smiled down at his wife, and Holly’s heart clenched. “We were being watched, for sure, but whoever it was is long gone.”
****
Ivan rose from the stiff-back chair, preferring to stand rather than sit on the uncomfortable piece of wood. He shifted the scabbard riding on the back of his hip and struggled to maintain a look of interest in his current conversation.
He’d come upon this place quite by accident. A chance meeting with a grizzled old man at the gas station a few days earlier had been a stroke of luck. The man had just kept talking to Ivan while they filled their respective fuel tanks. His interest had been piqued when he learned the old bastard lived alone in an isolated area and seldom left the property.
Figuring it had worked for Lavon and RG, he’d followed the old man to his farmhouse outside of Dallas and killed him. Ivan was staying at a luxury hotel and wasn’t going to discuss business there, but this dump had the privacy he needed.
The weather-beaten mobile home had seen better days. However, the place sat in the middle of a patch of scrub oaks and bushes, shielding the place from prying eyes.
Ivan returned his attention to his spotter as he tried to explain why he’d abandoned his post. Preferring to not know the men personally, he’d learned first names only, and Benito was currently bemoaning the heat. Not once had he apologized for being seen or almost getting caught.
“That guard didn’t fool me. I knew the minute he spotted me. His back straightened and his pace slowed. Bastard tried to look casual as he glanced around, but I had already backed out of sight.”
“Tell me more about the guards.” Ivan would glean what information he could before sending Benito to meet his ancestors.
“They run in shifts, patrolling throughout the day. There’s always a few on duty.”
“Did you see any women?”
“Not while I was there today.” Benito’s hand shook as he handed Ivan a flash drive. “Here are the pictures I took before the guard spotted me.”
Ivan said nothing. The entire compound knew they had been under surveillance and would be on high alert. This incompetent bastard had fucked up and didn’t have the sense to know it.
Benito stood. He rubbed his hands on his jeans and shifted his weight to his heels. “So you want me to find a new place to watch tomorrow?”
“No. They will be extra careful from now on.” Ivan stood and walked to the door. The air conditioning barely kept the mobile home from becoming an oven. Benito’s nerves seemed to be sucking every ounce of cool from the air. “Our business has concluded.”
“I’m sorry it turned out this way.”
Ivan bit back a smile when Benito backed to his car with both hands at his sides, fingers spread. “Relax. I’m not going to shoot you.”
Benito smiled. “Sorry about that. Just being cautious.”
Ivan laughed and walked the man to his car. “Drive safely.”
“Will do.” Benito turned his back to open the door.
Ivan quickly drew his knife. The sharp blade pierced Benito’s flesh, sliding up through the kidney, into the liver, then punctured the diaphragm. He was helpless, unable to breathe, and would bleed out fast. Ivan shoved his body inside the car and slammed the door closed. He went inside the trailer and ripped the place apart.
He would not quit until Holly was pleading for mercy. It was the only way to end the nightmares he’d started having. Again and again, he dreamed about Angel’s death. The only way to make it right was for her to suffer the same fate.
Ivan returned to his hotel, showered, and then opened the flash drive Benito had given him. The drivers of the two pickups he’d mentioned appeared to be all male, but the angle was so shitty Ivan could only guess.
Calmly and with purpose, he moved to the next step. He’d located Jake Donovan’s only living relative, an aunt who lived on a ranch in a barren area of Texas. Ivan had to be sure the lunatic hadn’t discovered Holly in Connersville and kidnapped her again. He drove to a men’s clothing store, made his purchase, and returned to his hotel. He quickly changed, grabbed his fake ID, got in his rental, and started the four-hour drive from Dallas to Murdock.
****
Ivan eased off the gas pedal of the black sedan. He’d swapped his rental for a car more likely to be driven by a federal agent. Dust rolled up from the tires as he turned down the long driveway, coating its shiny paint job and making it look more authentic.
The house was a good couple of miles off the main road and appeared to only have the one way in and out, which made him a little nervous.
So this was Donovan’s new home. Ivan knew nothing about ranching, but the sheer size of the spread impressed him. Why anyone wanted to live this far from town was beyond him. Of course, after the shit Donovan had pulled and gotten off with a slap on the wrist, he should be keeping a low profile.
Before he’d reached the house, two men were standing on the front porch waiting. Ivan had pulled off the disguise at the sheriff’s office, but she’d been as dumb as a fucking brick. He’d have to be careful here.
He adjusted his tie, which reminded him of a hangman’s noose every time he put one on. It wasn’t something he’d normally wear, but he’d dressed for the occasion. The black suit, white shirt, and polished black loafers he wore screamed FBI.
He parked, got out, and nodded as he approached the house. “The young lady at the sheriff’s office called ahead, right?”
“You’re Ben…?”
“Salter.” Ivan flashed a black wallet with a fake ID and badge inside. He stopped and waited while trying to size up the two men.
The smaller of the two men stepped off the porch. He was maybe in his mid-thirties, but the T-shirt he wore said he was in great shape. “She said you were looking for Jake. How can I help you?”
The man hadn’t exactly identified himself as Jake Donovan, leaving Ivan at a disadvantage. Whoever the guy was, he was older and had brown hair, which was different than the pictures Ivan had studied carefully. And the gorilla on the porch was probably born larger than Donovan.
“I understand he was in Connersville after the storm. I’m looking into a couple of drugstores that were ransacked during that time. I’m talking to anybody who might have heard something.”
“Paul Torbin.” The man extended his hand and met Ivan halfway. Their handshake was swift and strong.
“Pleased to meet you,” Ivan said.
Torbin tilted his head toward the porch. “That’s Tank Jorgenson. Jake’s not around and neither of us can help you.”
“Neither of you were with Mr. Donovan in Connersville?”
“No. Somebody had to stay to work the ranch with Mrs. Donovan.” The one named Paul motioned to a chair on the porch.
>
“Is she around? Maybe he said something to her.” Ivan sat, wondering why he hadn’t been invited inside. The temperature was hovering at ninety-five, and his suit was getting hot. What was in there they didn’t want him to see?
“She’s not here either.”
Did he fucking look stupid? The man named Paul was lying through his teeth. Was Donovan hiding inside? Hiding behind his aunt? Or maybe they were trying to keep Holly out of sight.
“Mind if I wait for Mr. Donovan?”
“You can, but it won’t do you any good.” The big guy could actually talk. Without making eye contact with Ivan, he walked to the other end of the porch. “He and his aunt are on vacation.”
“Really? They just left you two here alone?”
“Yeah,” Paul said. “We’re in charge while they are away.”
Ivan wasn’t going to be blown off. He needed information. He stood. “Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but if you interfere with my investigation—”
“We don’t know anything that would help you,” Paul snapped. “Tank doesn’t take kindly to threats. You might better move on.”
These two assholes were either born suspicious or they knew a lot more than they were saying. He had to get inside that house. Had to know if she was there.
“I’m just trying to close a case. When Donovan comes home, tell him I’ll be back.”
“What did you say your name was again?”
Ivan stood without answering. They both reeked of either the military or law enforcement. He walked to the car. Opening the door, he positioned it between him and the two men. They reached at the same time he did, but he knew it was coming and that gave him the edge. He shot them both before they had a chance to fire their weapons.
Ivan jerked off the hot jacket and tie, throwing them in the backseat. He strode across the yard into the house and conducted a thorough search. Ivan found women’s clothes in one closet but nothing more than boots, jeans, and a couple of dresses. They had been shoved to the back and replaced with men’s clothes. A couple of the shirts he pulled from the closet had to be the big guy’s.
Which brought up lots of questions, like why were the hired help living in the main house? Where were Donovan and his aunt?
He searched the house and barn but learned nothing, his temper now hovering on the edge of sheer explosion. He was fucking tired of hunting Holly. She had to be at that compound in Dallas. He went into the barn’s small office and dug through the desk drawers and file cabinet but found no helpful information there either.
A small box of matches sitting on the desk caught his attention. He picked them up. On his way out, he lit a match and dropped it on a bale of hay sitting in the aisle. The sudden whoosh of flames startled him. Time to go. He jogged to his car and in minutes, the ranch and burning barn were far behind him.
“Fuck.” He slammed his foot on the gas pedal. He had a four hour drive in front of him. Between here and Dallas he would work on a plan to get inside that compound.
CHAPTER 22
Jake and Marcus stood close watching Daisy and Diablo get acquainted. They took turns walking around each other, sniffing each other’s butts. Daisy’s tail relaxed, lifting and swinging back and forth like a rope. She’d accepted the submissive role.
Jake scratched her behind the ear. “Let’s try them off leash.”
Marcus nodded, leaned down, and released Diablo. Jake unhooked Daisy. Both immediately took off running, leaping at each other, and, in general, celebrating a new friendship.
Nate joined them. “Marcus, are you up to an interview with a reporter?”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “You know the answer to that.”
“Marcus is camera shy.” Nate laughed and pounded Marcus on the back. “We had a couple of reporters and cameramen out when we first opened. The community was curious even though we’re a good five miles away from the city limits. I decided to at least try to ease their concern.”
“Diablo and I had business to take care of that day.”
“Chris just happened to need them at the shelter all day.”
“Who wants to come out?” Marcus asked.
“A WKGA reporter.”
“Where is that?” Jake couldn’t remember the last time he’d watched television, except for sporting events.
“Amarillo, I think. Kaycie will vet him thoroughly before he sets foot out here.”
“I thought everyone called her Kay.” Jake remembered her going by Kaycie back when they all were in college together, but years later, it had been shortened to Kay.
“Everybody but Nate.” Marcus winked at Jake. “It’s a lover’s thing.”
“Fuck you.” Nate grinned. “That’s her name.”
Jake picked up a tennis ball off the ground and called the dogs to come. From the way Diablo twisted, he knew exactly what was coming. Daisy just stared at him. Jake tossed the ball toward the back fence. “Go get it.”
Both dogs took off at a run. Diablo got there first, snagged the prize, and returned it to Jake. He scratched Daisy’s ears. “You’ll figure it out.”
“You should have been with us in Colombia when we first saw that dog. Marcus changed his life. Frankly, I didn’t believe Diablo could be rehabbed. Not after I saw the damage he could do.”
“You’d never know it now.” Jake threw the ball again.
“Just don’t speak Spanish around him.” Marcus whistled and Diablo brought the ball to him. “Even though it’s been a few years since he’s heard any of those commands, I don’t know what he’d do.”
“And I don’t want to find out.” Nate’s cell buzzed. “It’s Kaycie. Let’s go see what she learned about this reporter.”
Jake watched as the two dogs drank from the water bowl. He relaxed and followed Nate and Marcus inside. Gone were the cubicles that had done nothing to muffle private conversations. Everyone had their own office, complete with ergonomic chairs and glass-top desks. The whole setup was too uptown and elegant for his taste, but image and presentation were part of the package. He preferred the weather-beaten metal desk and file cabinet in his office at home.
“Conference room.” Kay’s face was ashen. “I have a Murdock deputy sheriff on the line.”
Jake got there and found Holly waiting for them. She was even paler than Kay had been. Tears streamed down her face. She mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”
Nobody sat. Nate punched the speaker button. “This is Nate Wolfe. I have Jake Donovan with me.”
“What’s wrong, Mac?” Jake braced himself for the worst.
“The two men working out at the ranch were shot earlier today. Jake, there’s been an incident at the ranch.” Silence filled the room for a long heartbeat. “Somebody set fire to the barn.”
“Son of a bitch. Are Paul and Tank okay?” Jake’s throat closed.
“Paul Torbin died on the front porch. Tank Jorgenson is in critical condition. He’d lost a lot of blood and is suffering from all the smoke he inhaled. He was transported to Connersville. They are better equipped to care for him.”
“The livestock?” Jake couldn’t utter the words mare or colt, hoping they were in the pasture.
“Looks like Jorgenson rallied and realized the barn was burning. He opened the stalls and got the livestock outside. The mailman spotted the smoke and called the fire department. Mr. Jorgenson had collapsed just inside.”
“What’s the prognosis?” Jake asked.
“He’ll pull through. The bullet passed through the side right under the rib cage. The biggest concern is smoke damage to his lungs.”
“I’ll get one of my men on his way to the hospital,” Nate said. “And I’ll notify his sister.”
“Thanks. I contacted Sheriff Welborne. Miss Alice wanted to come home but I assured her the animals were fine. I’m supposed to tell Jake they’re not coming home yet.”
“Thank you,” Jake said.
Kay leaned closer to the phone. “We’d appreciate it if you’d alert the hospital that
someone from our agency will be there to take care of all Tank’s expenses. He’s to get the best of everything.”
“I’ll do that right away.”
“Do you have anything else for us?” Nate asked.
“No. I’ll call if we learn anything.” The deputy ended the call.
Nate turned to Kay. “It was a good idea to send someone to be with Tank. Will you contact Jeff? Pull him off rounds and get him headed to Tank.”
“Right away.” Kay stopped on her way out of the room and squeezed Jake’s shoulder. “I’ll reach out to Paul’s parents. See what we can do to help.”
Nate nodded. “Tell them we’ll take care of all the expenses. I’ll call them later.”
Jake couldn’t sit any longer. He stood, walked back and forth. He was ready to explode. “The son of a bitch doesn’t care who he kills.”
“I agree,” Nate answered. “But it’s a good thing you moved Holly when you did.
He must have thought she was in Murdock with you.”
“Smart bastard took the trip to Murdock as a process of elimination.” Marcus had been quiet until now. “Now he’ll concentrate his efforts here.”
“It was Suzanne’s journals.” Holly turned to Jake. “It never occurred to me that I should ask Suzanne not to write anything down.”
“That wouldn’t have occurred to any of us.” Kay rejoined them at the conference table.
“Regardless of how he knows”—Nate dragged his hands through his hair—”he knows more about us than we do him.”
“That’s an understatement.” A pain pierced Jake’s temple. Flashes of the past flooded his brain.
“Jake?” Kay’s voice sounded far away. Hands massaged his shoulders. “What can we do?”
“I’m fine.” The pain subsided as quickly as it had hit. He glanced around the table at the worried expressions.
“You remembered something.” Marcus’s voice was calm and reassuring.
“Nothing whole, just bits and pieces, fragments of the things I did as Johnny Darling.”
“That’s in the past,” Marcus said.
Jake caught Nate’s gaze. He nodded his agreement. “Marcus is right.”
No Greater Hell (Lost and Found, Inc. Book 4) Page 19