“I’d like that. Thanks, Brooder, and uh, I should tell you, that chair you’re sittin’ on…”
“The one behind the desk?”
“Yeah. You might wanna get a new one. I’m about to tell the FBI there’s a gun in the seat.”
“No shit? What the hell is it doing there?”
“Long story. I’ll save it for the Feds. Just thought you should know.”
“Damn. Thanks. Well, I guess we’ll be taking off.”
“Bye, Tank, you take care of yourself,” Kat said, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. “Find yourself a nice girl and settle down.”
“There’s nothin’ I’d like better, and thanks again.”
They left the room and started down the hallway, and when they reached the elevator the doors were opening. To their surprise Johnny stepped out, and wordlessly he stepped up to Kat and hugged her.
“You okay?”
“Of course. Piece of cake.”
“The hell it was,” Marco remarked.
“You two have done a heck of a job here this morning. You didn’t just prevent the killing of a key witness, you got that key witness to turn States Evidence. Unbelievable.”
“Kat did all of that,” Marco declared. “I was just along for the ride, and you’d better get to Tank before he changes his mind.”
“On my way, and I’ll see you tonight, and Marco, take care of her.”
“I’m trying, but she doesn’t make it easy.”
As Johnny marched away they stepped into the empty elevator, and after the doors had closed, Marco brought his arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly.
“Damn, girl, you scared the crap outta me.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be, you were doing your job, and you were amazing. I just don’t know how the hell I’m going to live with you knocking out bad guys all over the place. That’s my job description.”
“You can knock the bad guys out any time you want!”
“I guess I just have to beat you to the punch…literally.”
“What now?”
“Now you drop me in that alley near my house,” he said solemnly, “and go on back to your place, and make sure you’re—”
“I know,” she said interrupting him, “make sure I’m not followed.”
“Exactly. I’ll see you up there later.”
“It’s been a breakthrough morning. I wonder if we’ll be as lucky with the raids tonight.”
“We’ve got the momentum on our side, and I think we’re finally going to catch HH, whoever the hell he is.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Marco knew Steve had agents keeping an eye on his house, and he had little doubt HH was probably doing the same. When he’d slipped into his backyard using the shrubbery as cover there wasn’t even the suggestion of a soul in sight, but when he’d opened his garage door and roared off on this bike, he’d spotted some suspect vehicles parked on the street, along with a panel van a few doors down, but none of it had fazed him. The lights and stereo in his house were on timers, so it would have appeared he’d been home by himself all night.
His day was spent fielding calls, spending time in the bar hanging out with the members coming to grips with the loss of their leader, and talking to the various vendors with whom the tavern did business. Kat had texted him to let him know she was focusing on Jason Dean’s past, and trying to learn what had happened to Ernie Williams, the young man whose fingerprints were on the gun.
Questions about Ernie and Tank stayed with Marco throughout the day, and though he kept expecting a phone call from Steve or Johnny with an update following Tank’s interrogation, Marco’s phone had remained maddeningly quiet. There had to be a connection between the two, but what was it? Was Ernie Williams now working for HH, but even if he was, how had Tank ended up with the gun, and why had Kratos stashed it in the seat of his chair?
It was late afternoon. Marco was getting ready to ride up to Kat’s and turn the management of the tavern over to Leo when his phone jangled. It was Kat. She wasn’t texting, which meant it must be important, and hurriedly walking outside he answered her call.
“You won’t believe this,” she exclaimed excitedly. “Are you ready?”
“Hell, yeah. I’ve been waiting all afternoon for news.”
“Ernie Williams is Jason Dean.”
“WHAT?”
“Their fingerprints matched.”
“I knew having Jason’s prints would come in handy, but I sure as hell wasn’t expecting that. When did you hear about this?”
“Just now. Johnny called. I told him I’d pass it along to you. It was Jason Dean who had that gun in his hands, but it begs the question, why the heck didn’t he wear gloves?”
“And why was it hidden in the chair? I sure hope Tank is singing like a canary.”
“I have news about that too. He’s no dummy,” Kat remarked. “He refused to say another word until a lawyer drafted up a deal. I guess they’re still working it out.”
“Dammit. I hope they at least find out the location of the chamber of horrors inside that mansion before tonight.”
“I hope they’re able to learn more than that. They need as much as they can before going into that creepy glass house.”
“I wonder how often Tank visited that place. His relationship with HH is a complete mystery.”
“On another subject, when will you be here?”
“Shortly. I want to leave while it’s still light so I can see if I’m being tailed and lose them if I am. Two of your wolf men are here. They’re going to lend a hand.”
“See, now you’re calling them that.”
“Okay, I admit it’s kinda catchy.”
“There are some agents here. They’re downstairs and they know you’re coming so they’ll let you in, and I’ll leave my apartment door unlocked, just let yourself in.”
“There are agents at the house already?”
“It’s not that early. It’s already nearing six o’clock and the operation starts around nine. That’s only three hours from now.”
“It’s six o’clock? How the heck did that happen? I’m on my way, gorgeous girl. Keep that pussy warm for me.”
“Oh, my gosh, the things that come out of your mouth…”
“Yeah, well, that’s one of my many charms.”
Ending the call, Marco moved back into the tavern, and in the men’s room he switched jackets and helmets with Frank, the red-headed agent who had watched over Kat the night before. Ambling into the parking lot, Frank climbed on board Marco’s bike and rode off. He was heading to a Harley Davidson dealer thirty minutes away. Watching from a side window Marco saw a red sedan pull out from the curb and follow. He waited until Frank and the car had disappeared from sight, then donning Frank’s helmet, he walked out into the parking lot, jumped on Frank’s bike, and roared off in the opposite direction.
Though feeling weary and slightly achy, Kat had spent the afternoon researching Ernie Williams, and she had just uncovered some information almost as startling as the fact that he was posing as Jason Dean. She couldn’t wait to share the news, but she had a tickle in her throat and had fallen victim to an unexpected coughing fit. Deciding to make herself some tea, she placed her laptop on the coffee table and rose to her feet, but suddenly feeling dizzy she fell back on to the couch. A strange prickling sensation was moving through her head, and she sat completely still, waiting for it to pass. It took a minute, and still feeling slightly giddy she slowly stood up and moved unsteadily into the kitchen. She filled the hot water kettle, then leaning against the counter she realized she wasn’t feeling well at all. Her joints hurt, a vague dizziness was still lurking, and she could feel the beginnings of a headache.
“Kat? I’m here?”
Hearing the welcome sound of Marco’s voice she let out a relieved sigh, and leaving the tea unmade she walked into the living room to greet him. He was placing his jacket and helmet on the chair by the sliders, and looking up, his
smile quickly changed into a frown.
“Hey, what’s wrong? You don’t look good?”
“I’m fine,” she lied, not wanting him to know she was under the weather.
Shaking his head, he stepped forward and brought her into his arms.
“Let’s try that again,” he said softly. “What’s wrong, and this time I want the truth.”
“I, uh, feel a bit funny, but it’s nothing.”
Pushing her back, he brought a hand under her chin, tilted up her head, and studied her face.
“It’s not nothing. Your eyes are red, and you don’t look right.”
As if to underscore his point she unexpectedly began to cough.
“Looks like my girl is getting sick,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry sweetie.”
“It’s not bad.”
“Get yourself into bed and I’ll—”
“Bed? What? No way,” she declared, cutting him off. “We have work tonight. I’ve been a lot worse than this and jumped into the fray.”
“But you didn’t have me to make sure you didn’t. You can’t be in a dangerous situation if you’re sick.”
“Marco, I’ll be fine,” she protested, turning to move back into the kitchen, “I know that you—” but before she could finish a wave of giddiness sent her reeling, and lunging forward Marco caught her arm just as she was about to keel over.
“Yeah, sure, fine,” he muttered, sweeping her up in his arms and heading into the bedroom. “You’re going to bed, young lady, and that’s an end to it.”
Laying her down, he quickly peeled off her jeans and shirt, pulled down the bedcovers, and bundled her under them.
“I’m going to make you some tea. What have you eaten today?”
“Uh…”
“I see. Right, I’ll be taking care of that, and as much as I like to think of you naked under the blankets, do you have a warm nightie or some pj’s?”
“Second drawer,” she muttered pointing to her dresser, then sneezed three times in quick succession. “The pink one.”
“Oh, my poor baby,” he murmured. “I’m going to get you some chicken soup and run to a drug store.”
“You don’t have to go to all that trouble.”
“Shush,” he said firmly, touching his hand to her forehead. “You feel warm. You’re probably getting a fever.”
“I do feel a bit clammy. I have things to tell you. Important things.”
“Tell me in a minute.”
Moving to the dresser he found a long pink nightie, and as he carried it back to her, he noticed it was almost threadbare.
“Kat, is this the right one?”
“It is, and I know it’s a hundred years old, but I love it. It’s silk, and it’s warm and soft and comfy. It cost me a fortune when I bought it.”
“Looks like you got your money’s worth!”
“And then some. It’s probably got a week’s worth of wear left, and I don’t know what I’ll do when it falls apart.”
“Which it looks as if it will very soon,” he chuckled, “but if it makes you you feel good, that’s what matters. I won’t tell anyone you’re sleeping in rags. What’s this very important news you have?”
“Ernie Williams, or Jason Dean, whichever you prefer. He was a whiz kid, a prodigy. He was recruited out of college by Genotone Pharmaceuticals, and he sure didn’t look like he does now. He was a total geek. You’d never recognize him.”
“Kat, that’s incredible. He must be one of the guys actually producing the stuff.”
“Exactly.”
“Have you told Johnny about this?”
“No, I just found out and…ooh…sorry…I’m going to…”
She was interrupted by a violent sneeze, and darting into her bathroom Marco retrieved a box of tissues.
“I’ll let them know,” he said carrying it back to her. “You stay put. No more anything except rest. I’ll be back with your tea in a minute, then I’ll zip down the hill and get you that soup and the other stuff you need.”
“I’m bummed. I was really looking forward to the action tonight.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but bugs don’t care about our plans.”
As he headed into the kitchen and finished making a mug of tea with a big dollop of honey, though he was sorry Kat was sick, he wasn’t sorry she’d be safely at home during the raids. He knew he’d have to get used to the woman he loved being in harm’s way, it came with the territory, but he wasn’t there yet.
Curtis Jones, one of HH’s men, walked nervously through the front door of the mansion. He had been tasked with keeping tabs on Marco D’Angelo, the new head of the Kratos Kings, and he had failed. Twice. The first time had been the night before. HH wasn’t aware of that cockup, and Curtis wasn’t about to tell him.
The night before he’d been posted outside Marco’s house. The lights had been on, but not once had Curtis seen a silhouette of anyone walk behind a curtain. It didn’t seem right, so he’d crept down the side of the small home and peered inside. It was the bedroom. The bedside lamp was burning but there was no sign of life. He’d moved to the back door and looked into the kitchen. Spotless, no dishes out, no sign of anyone having had dinner, and that’s when he’d realized he’d been had.
Right around six o’clock, when he’d seen Marco leave the tavern and climb on his bike, Curtis was determined not to let him out of his sight, but when he’d followed him to the Harley Davidson dealership, the man he’d thought was Marco had pulled off his helmet to reveal a head of bright red hair. Curtis had felt his heart sink. He was in serious shit. Now worried sick and walking through the gleaming living room, past the caterers and staff that were setting up for that evening’s party, he entered the library. Though he’d never met HH in person, the library was where he made his reports and received his orders, and when he’d called in with the bad news, he’d been summoned.
“So, Curtis, what the hell happened?” the deep voice demanded. “How did you lose sight of Marco D’Angelo?”
“He pulled a switch on me.”
“Explain.”
“Someone dressed in his gear climbed on his bike and took off. I thought it was him so I followed. I raced back to the tavern but he’d gone.”
“What did you expect? Of course he was gone you fucking moron. I assume Clarence is still watching the tavern?”
“Yes, HH. In case Marco comes back.”
“Your orders weren’t just to keep in view at all times, but to bring him up here tonight after the bar closed. Did you forget that?”
“No, sir,” Curtis said, totally unnerved. “I’m hoping he just went somewhere for dinner and he’ll go back there.”
“He won’t, but since you’re so fucking incompetent I’ll have to give him a reason to come here.”
“I’m sorry. I, uh, I let you down.”
“And you’re worried I’m going to punish you for fucking up?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Obviously I have to do something. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ll clean the playroom now, and I mean sanitize everything. By the time you’ve finished there, the red room will need attention. It’s six-thirty. Go down there at nine-thirty. There are some idiot dealers who need taking care of, so you’ll need the heavy plastic bags and tape, and plenty of the cleaning solution. You’re dismissed.”
As Curtis left the library he felt sick to his stomach. The heavy plastic bags meant there’d be body parts. Cleaning the red room was a gruesome chore, but things could have been worse, and he decided HH must have been in a good mood to have let him off the hook so easily. He regretted ever getting involved with the wealthy, high-end dealers. The money was outrageously good, but there was no way out, and every morning when he woke up, he wondered if the day ahead would be his last.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
It was almost time for the raids to start. The party was in full swing, and Steve’s men had covertly surrounded the mansion. The
five agents who were inside had reported they’d seen only weed in the main areas of the house, but believed the harder drugs were being offered behind closed doors away from the party.
A short distance from Kat’s place, Johnny’s men were perched on the hillside across the street from the home housing the prostitutes. Before they had taken up their positions, Johnny, accompanied by a female agent who was replacing Kat, had knocked on the neighbors’ doors and warned them that there’d be some law enforcement activity and to stay in their homes. The last thing they needed was someone calling the police because of suspicious activity on the hillside, or a local resident running out on to the street during the raid to see what all the noise was about.
Marco was still with Kat and about to leave. He’d waited as long as he could.
“I still think I should be there. I’d just sit up on the hill and watch,” she complained between her sniffles. “It’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not fair, but you’re all stuffed up with a sore throat and a fever. Besides, your sneezes alone would warn those oversized thugs we were about to bust down the door.”
The silly comment made her smile, but only for a moment.
“I hate that I won’t be there with you,” she said solemnly. “You’d better come back in one piece or I’ll be really ticked off.”
“I will, I promise, and if I wait much longer Johnny will have my head and I’ll give the DEA a bad name.”
“I’ll bet you’ll find a shitload of drugs in that house.”
“Probably, almost as many as you have,” he grinned, looking at the collection of cold relief medications sitting on her nightstand.
“You brought back the entire pharmacy.”
“Pretty much, now get some rest,” he said softly, switching out the bedside lamp. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
She watched him leave the room, then closing her eyes she snuggled under the covers. She felt like crap, and though she told herself she needed to rest, she was sure she wouldn’t be able to sleep until Marco returned with all the news, but an unexpected yawn swept her up, and she found herself drifting into a doze.
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