“I’m glad you’re all together. I have some important news. First off, the tech department is pulling up the history on the cruiser’s GPS system. Mike should be calling any minute.”
Agent Tam breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, maybe we’ll find Jade before the day is done. Anything else?”
“There’s plenty more. Six months ago last Sunday, Jordan Taylor’s three-year-old daughter was crushed to death by a falling retaining wall. The pictures in the album were of her daughter, Emily. Of course, the photos stopped after the child died. Everyone that has fallen victim at Jordan’s hands was likely part of the crew that surveyed, designed, and built that wall.”
“And that’s why a cinder block or some form of cement was at every scene. Why dismember the people, and what about the 9-1-1 operator, though? What was Jordan’s beef with her?” J.T. asked.
“We haven’t found that out yet, but we will. We’re closing in on Jordan, and she’ll be in custody soon.”
“I wonder what brought on the killings now. Six months have gone by.”
“Not sure, Agent Sparks, but something triggered her rage. We have a call out to the therapist she was seeing. Maybe Dr. Phelps can shed some light,” Chief Boardman said.
J.T.’s phone rang in his pocket. “Excuse me.” He took a few steps farther down the sidewalk and answered. “Hello, Agent Harper here.”
“J.T., it’s Amber Monroe, Jade’s sister. She called. Jade is okay!”
“What in the world are you talking about? What do you mean Jade called? When?”
“She called Jack Steele, her old partner, probably because she had his number memorized. He didn’t pick up, so she left a short message that said she was okay. Jack didn’t have your number, so he called me.”
“How long ago did that call come in?”
“Less than an hour ago, according to Jack. I’m so relieved, Agent Harper. Do you have any leads?”
“We’re getting there, Amber. I need Detective Steele’s number. I have to speak with him now.”
Amber rattled off the number, and J.T. thanked her and hung up. He called Jack immediately to hear firsthand what was on Jade’s voicemail message.
“Hello, Jack Steele speaking.”
“Detective Steele, it’s Agent Harper. I know we’ve never been formally introduced, but let’s save that for another time. Amber Monroe just called and said Jade left a message on your phone. I need the details.”
“I’m still kicking myself for not picking up. The message was short, only seconds long. One brief sentence saying she was okay. The call disconnected right after those words.”
“Shit. Nothing else?”
“Not a thing. The call came in forty-seven minutes ago.”
“What about a number?”
Jack chuckled. “You’re FBI. You know better.”
“Yeah, wishful thinking, that’s all. The last time I saw Jade, she was working in the field office computer lab. She was trying to find out more about our suspect’s husband. I took her a coffee, and she said she was going to work for another hour then go back to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep. Nobody has seen her since. There isn’t even footage of her entering the hotel that night. Is there anything else you can tell me?”
Jack’s sigh was audible through the phone line. “That sounds like Jade.”
“Meaning?”
“It means you don’t know her quite well enough. Don’t get me wrong. She’s an ace detective, always has been. Jade has a renegade streak, likely learned by watching her old man over the years. Not that she goes off halfcocked, she’s very thorough, but not cautious enough about her own well-being. She’s gone rogue several times in the past.”
“Great. So it wasn’t like our suspect came after her. More the opposite?”
“Sorry, but likely. Jade either had an epiphany or found something she needed to check out. That’s usually what sets her in motion.”
“We don’t do things like that in the FBI.”
“We don’t, either, Agent Harper. Jade’s saving grace is she always solves the case and lands on her feet, even when putting her own life at risk. If I hear anything else, I’ll contact you directly now that I have your number.”
“Thanks, Jack, and I’ll keep you posted too.” J.T. clicked off the call and yelled out to the others. “Jade called her old partner just an hour ago. She said she’s okay, now let’s find her!”
The chief’s phone rang. He swiped the screen from left to right and answered. “I’m putting you on speakerphone, Colby. What do you have?”
“Hey, boss. I just spoke with the therapist, Dr. Phelps. He told me that Jordan has canceled her last two appointments and is on strong medications. He wouldn’t go into detail about her condition and cited doctor-patient confidentiality.”
“Yeah, yeah, I guess it isn’t important enough to issue a warrant, and we don’t have that kind of time, anyway. We already know she’s off her rocker and likely off her meds. Good work, Colby. Keep us posted.”
“Now we just need to hear from the tech department,” Bruce said. “Why haven’t any tip line calls come in yet? The segment on Jordan has to have aired by now.”
Tam jerked her chin at Bruce. “Call Adrianne and find out what’s going on. Don’t people watch TV during the day?”
Chapter 37
“We’re getting close, Jade. We’ll be there in a few minutes.” Jordan turned right onto Lincoln Street and went several blocks. “You’re going to stay here while I go inside. As soon as it gets dark, I’ll pull the van into the garage.”
Jordan looked over her shoulder at the agent gagged with tape and tied to the floor with rope. Jordan had removed the zip ties on Jade’s wrists and replaced them with her own handcuffs. The agent’s wrists, raw from the plastic restraints digging into her skin, were given a temporary rest. The looser handcuffs allowed room to weave the rope through and secure each side to the bolts in the van. Jade lay flat on the floor, splayed out and unable to move left or right. Jordan glanced back at Jade again and saw her looking out the tinted side window.
“Enjoying the view? It’s been a few days since you saw the sky and trees.”
Jade mumbled inaudible words through the gag and stared out the window.
Jordan slowed and pulled over to the curb then killed the engine. With her arm stretched over the bench seat, she spoke to Jade. “It’s going to be a few hours. I can give you the needle if you want to sleep for a while. The time will go faster.”
Jade shook her head.
“Suit yourself. I’ll be back later.”
Jordan pulled up the hood on her black sweatshirt and opened the driver’s side door. She scanned her surroundings then stepped down off the running board. The click of the fob and double beep told her the van’s doors were locked. She dropped the keys in her pocket and headed up the sidewalk.
“Damn it, I forgot my backpack.” She returned to the van and unlocked the back doors. “It’s just me again. I forgot something.” She reached in and grabbed the black bag, slammed the doors at her back, and locked the vehicle for the second time.
Jordan parked two blocks from Jeanie’s house. She didn’t want to hear any questions about the van. She rang the bell and waited on the stoop. Boozer jumped to the windowsill and scratched at the already mangled curtains.
Jordan scowled at the cat through the glass. “I hate you.”
Jeanie’s yell and the cat’s hiss and hunched back told Jordan the animal had been busted for shredding the curtains again. It disappeared from view as footsteps got louder. The door swung open.
A surprised expression crossed Jeanie’s face. “Jordan, I wasn’t expecting you this early.” She glanced out to the driveway. “Where’s your car, and why are you dressed that way?”
Jordan stepped around Jeanie without answering the question. “Who are you, the fashion police? Would you rather I leave?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Come in. It’s been way too long. You’re always in the middle of so
mething when I call.”
Jordan smirked. “You have no idea.”
“What’s with the backpack?”
“Girl stuff, that’s all.” Jordan hung the bag over the back of a kitchen chair and took a seat.
Jeanie sat across the table, facing her. “So, what do you want to do this afternoon? Have you been to the mall lately? We can start our Christmas shopping early.”
Being out in public wasn’t the smartest idea. And Christmas shopping? Jordan didn’t want to think about her first Christmas without Emily. “Nah, I’m not in the mood to shop.” She needed to hunker down until Kent returned tomorrow. “Let’s have coffee and catch up.”
“Ooh, that sounds juicy. Want to go out or stay in?”
“Let’s stay in. I’ve been a little on edge lately. I’m looking forward to Kent coming home in the morning.”
Jeanie scooped coffee grounds into the filter, poured water in the reservoir, and hit the green button. “Oh, I thought—”
“You thought what?”
“Nothing, I misspoke.”
“No you didn’t. Finish your sentence.”
Jeanie looked nervous. “Jordan, relax. You really are edgy, almost to the point of being combative.”
“Am I? I just wanted to hear what you were going to say. It was about Kent, wasn’t it?”
“Kent? Of course not. Why would you even suggest that? Come on. Let’s sit in the living room and catch up. The coffee is ready.”
Jeanie poured two cups, and with one in each hand, she took them to the living room and set them on the coffee table. Jordan followed closely at her back.
“I’ll turn off the boob tube so we can visit without that distracting drone.” Jeanie reached for the remote that sat on the entertainment center. She stopped in her tracks and stared at the television screen.
“What’s wrong?” Jordan asked as she sat on the couch. Something was off, and Jeanie’s body blocked her view. She did hear the words breaking news, though.
“Jordan?” Jeanie turned to face the woman that stared at her from across the room. Fear clouded her eyes. “Why are you on TV?”
In two strides, Jordan was at Jeanie’s throat and had her in a choke hold. She squeezed hard, cutting off Jeanie’s breathing. The woman fell limp under the pressure of Jordan’s forearm against her neck and slumped to the floor.
The breaking news segment continued. Jordan stared at her own face looking back at her. The anchorman continued with the segment, saying Jordan Taylor was a person of interest in a rash of killings throughout the greater Houston area.
Jordan grabbed her backpack and unzipped the outer pocket. A quick zap with the stun gun would silence Jeanie temporarily until she formulated a plan. She pushed Jeanie’s hair to the side and exposed her neck. With the red button held down, Jordan watched as the electric charges bounced back and forth between the posts and burned eraser-sized marks into Jeanie’s skin.
Jordan dropped to the chair—this wasn’t the way she imagined the evening playing out. She had much better intentions in mind.
Damn television, damn anchorman, damn Jade Monroe. Why can’t everyone leave me the hell alone?
The anger building inside Jordan sent her into a near-hysterical rage. She felt like a caged animal, and everyone’s interferences were making her task more difficult. They would pay dearly. In her rage, she balled her hand into a fist and pummeled Jeanie’s face. The unconscious woman lay on the floor with blood running down the sides of her cheeks.
“Where are your damn car keys?” Jordan screeched as she pressed her temples. The thick vein centered on her forehead bulged with a deep shade of blue. Her darting eyes frantically searched the kitchen countertop and the drawers for the car keys. She turned the corner to the mudroom. A board nailed to the wall held five coat hooks—two had Jeanie’s jackets slung over them. Jordan checked the pockets in the first jacket and felt the cold metal set of keys. “It’s about damn time.” She yanked them out and opened the door that led into the garage then slapped the light switch and hit the button on the wall to lift the overhead door.
Jordan looked over her right shoulder as she backed Jeanie’s car out of the garage and parked it alongside the driveway. With the door slammed at her back, she jogged the two blocks to the van and climbed in. She turned the key in the ignition and shifted into drive, then she pulled ahead and entered the garage. Once out of the driver’s seat, Jordan hit the wall switch to close the overhead then stormed to the back of the van. She flung the doors open and glared at Jade.
“You stupid bitch and your FBI friends couldn’t leave well enough alone. I just saw my own face on TV, thanks to you. And now?” Jordan laughed bitterly. “Now you’re going to be in a world of hurt once I get your ass inside the house.”
She climbed up on the bumper and entered the back of the van.
Chapter 38
“Shut the hell up, or I’ll put that tape back on your mouth. I don’t want to hear a peep coming from you.”
I cried out in pain as my arms were wrenched unnaturally behind my back. Jordan removed the handcuffs and zip-tied my wrists together for the umpteenth time, then she shoved me to the back doors of the van and told me to get out. With a giant misstep and legs that were tied together, I fell to my knees on the concrete garage floor.
“Get up and go in the house,” she said as she pulled the last two cinder blocks out of the van and placed them against the garage wall.
I groaned with aching kneecaps. “Where are we, and what are you going to do with those blocks?”
“It’s not your concern, now stand up.”
“How am I supposed to get up those steps with my legs shackled?”
“You have thirty seconds to figure it out.”
I scooted up each step on my butt until I reached the top, then I stood with my back against the door and turned the knob. The door swung open, and I toppled against the wall in what looked to be a mudroom and fell to the floor.
Jordan grabbed the zip ties between my legs and dragged me through the mudroom and kitchen then into the living room where I saw an unconscious woman. Blood glistened in her hair and stained the tile beneath her head.
“Oh my God,” I cried out.
“God’s busy doing other things. He isn’t going to help you just like he didn’t help Emily.”
“You still haven’t told me who Emily is,” I snarled. My eyes darted back and forth as I checked my surroundings. I tried to pick out something, anything that would help me get myself and this unknown woman out of our predicament. I had no idea who she was or whether she was alive. “Jordan, I know people that can help you with your demons.”
She reached down and grabbed a fistful of my hair and gave it a hard yank. “You don’t know shit. Now shut up.”
She delivered a swift kick to my side and knocked the wind out of me. I groaned and rolled into a fetal position to protect my body. A guttural sound came from the woman behind me—she was still alive. I turned to face her. A quick assessment told me her nose was likely broken. She’d be lucky if that was the extent of it. I looked across the room and saw the television playing. With my tear-blurred eyes, I stared at the screen and recognized the Channel 58 news anchor. I remembered the local news played the latest highlights at five o’clock, and that segment was all about Jordan. Now I knew what had set her off. I was thankful and fearful at the same time.
“Hey, over here,” I whispered when Jordan disappeared into the kitchen. “Turn this way. Look at me.”
The woman moaned in pain. Her face, covered in blood, was horrific, but her eyes widened in what looked like hope when she saw me.
“How badly are you hurt?”
She responded in a raspy whisper, “I don’t know, but it’s hard to breathe.”
I nodded. “Your nose is probably broken. Consider yourself lucky if that’s the worst of it. I’m an FBI agent. I have to find a way to get us out of here. Is this your house?”
She nodded as she tried to get up.
I shook my head. “Stay down. Don’t give her a reason to go after you again.” I heard Jordan approaching. “Shhh, close your eyes and let me handle this.”
Chapter 39
Bruce handed his phone to Agent Tam. “Ma’am, Adrianne needs to talk to you.”
“Excuse me, folks.” Michelle Tam leaned against the cruiser and answered. “Adrianne, what have you got? Are calls coming in?”
“Yes, ma’am, but they’re from Jordan’s neighbors, the same people we’ve already interviewed.”
“Seriously?” Tam let out a deep sigh. “Any others?”
“No, ma’am, but the local news at five just began. People tend to watch that as they’re making dinner. Hold for one second. Another call is coming in.”
Agent Tam waited and listened to elevator music for nearly a minute.
“I’m back, ma’am. That was Mike Walters from the tech department. Apparently he called Bruce’s phone, but it went directly to voicemail.”
“Because we’re talking on it. What did he say?”
“He has the GPS history ready. He asked for you or Chief Boardman to call him right away.”
“Thanks, Adrianne.” Agent Tam clicked off and yelled out to the group, “Mike has the cruiser’s GPS history ready. Give him a call, Mitch. It’s time to find Jade.”
The group congregated at the cruiser while Chief Boardman had Mike on speakerphone.
“Mike, what have you got?”
“This is the history going back twenty-four hours, boss. The car was stationary at the field office until eight forty p.m. At nine o’clock it stopped a few doors down from Jordan Taylor’s address.”
J.T. shook his head. “Jack said she probably wanted to check out something. Apparently she felt the need to park away from the house so she wouldn’t alert Jordan.”
“As in sneaking around?” Agent Tam asked.
J.T. shrugged. “It would seem so, ma’am.”
“Then where, Mike?”
It was at your location for less than a half hour then drove another twenty minutes and stopped. I pulled up the address, and it’s an All-Store storage facility.”
Snapped: An Agent Jade Monroe FBI Thriller Book 1 Page 16