Bad Guys Don't Win (Janet Maple Series Book 4)

by Marie Astor

  “How do I know you’re telling me the truth?” Pierce asked. “Suppose you’re hiding something in those buildings? Suppose that kidnapping business Tommy’s had to cover up for us is true after all?”

  “No, it isn’t. I don’t have anything to do with it. Those buildings are empty. There’s nothing there but junk. I swear it,” Anton begged.

  “You’re going to give me the address and I’ll be the judge of that. And if something did go on in there, I’ll know and you will answer to me,” Pierce said in a voice that made the hairs on Anton’s back stand up. “I’ll take care of this, Tommy,” Pierce added, looking at Burke. “Don’t you worry about a thing.”

  Anton’s voice and hands started to shake—this wasn’t acting—he was scared to death. He hoped the FBI was listening. “You have my word—you won’t find anything there. My uncle and I are so grateful to you for getting us out of jail, and of course to you, Marshal Burke—”

  Burke grimaced. “Please, no need for formalities.”

  “My apologies. Please allow me to express my sincere gratitude. The way you staged the car accident and arranged for the ambulance with a hidden floor compartment for us to hide in was pure genius. Pure genius.”

  “Yes, we all know that, Anton,” Uncle Petr cut him off. “It hardly bears repeating. Apologize to Mr. Pierce!”

  Pierce narrowed his eyes, his gaze suddenly glued to Anton’s shoulder. “You shoulder is bleeding,” he said slowly.

  “Boys, check him. Quick!” Petr Kovar waved his hand, and Vladimir and Roman rushed over to Anton.

  Anton gulped, hurt by his uncle’s betrayal—at least now he knew he’d made the right decision by making the deal with the feds. The moment’s hesitation was enough for Vladimir to tumble him, smashing his back against the table and pinning him down, spread-eagle. Anton was unable to move under Vladimir’s steely grip—all that goat herding must’ve given him extraordinary strength—but then Anton was all dizzy from the drugs and the pain.

  Roman ripped off Anton’s jacket. “He’s been shot,” Roman said. “Why didn’t you tell us you got shot, Anton?”

  By now Anton was panting, his vision blurry and his head woozy. He’d done what he needed to do and now he hoped the feds would deliver their end of the bargain.

  Pierce drew his gun and pointed it at Anton. “Sweep him for bugs.”

  Roman tore open Anton’s shirt. “No wire. He’s clean.”

  Pierce pursed his lips. “What are you, daft? They make them microscopic these days.” He walked over to Anton and ripped the tie off his neck. “What have we here?” he asked, twirling the tie pin in his hand.

  Now, Anton thought, move in now. What are the damn feds waiting for?

  Pierce banged the pin against the table edge and the fake stone flew off. He took a pen from his pocket and drove it inside the pin. “Now this, this here, is a bug,” he announced, exposing the hidden wire mechanism.

  An icy smile appeared on Pierce’s face. “You’re dead, Anton. And so are you, Petr. You and your boys are all dead—”

  Pierce’s threat got drowned out by the sound of combat boots outside the door. After several gunshots, the front door was knocked down.

  So much for Pierce’s fearful bodyguards. Anton exhaled with relief—the feds had come through.

  “FBI, you’re all under arrest.”

  “You’re dead, Petr. You’re dead!” Pierce yelled, as two FBI agents cuffed him. “I’ll be out within a week and you’ll all be dead.”

  “We’ll see about that,” one of the agents muttered.

  “I’m with the U.S. Marshal Service. I’m here undercover!” Marshal Burke squealed like a pig, as one of the agents cuffed him. “This is an official investigation!”

  “Save it.” The agent grunted. “We got you on tape and on camera.”

  Anton felt the cold steel on his wrists and let the wooziness take over. He’d done what he could. What lay ahead of him was no picnic, but it sure as hell beat being made into soup by Edward Pierce.

  Chapter 20 – Three Months Later

  Janet took a deep breath as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Three months ago, she thought this day would never come. But here it was—in a few minutes she’d be walking down the aisle to become Mrs. Dennis Walker.

  All of her married girlfriends had warned her about the wedding jitters, but she’d never imagined she’d feel like this—butterflies were flying up a storm in her stomach. It was bad luck to see the groom the day of your wedding, and she hadn’t seen Dennis since the early morning of the day before. They had spent the night under separate roofs—Janet had stayed with her parents, while Dennis had stayed at their new apartment—and had been apart all day. Now, she wished she could just have one quick moment with him—one look into his eyes, one glimpse of his smile would be enough to wipe her worries away.

  “Let me have a look at my beautiful daughter.” Janet’s mother dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “You look absolutely stunning my dear,” she added. “Dennis is one lucky man.”

  “Do you really think so?” Janet asked.

  “Oh, yes, this dress looks like it was made for you. But what am I saying? It was made for you!” As a wedding present for Janet, Philip had his friend, Alexandro Caron, an up-and-coming designer who had just sold his entire line to Bergdorf and Goodman, design a custom wedding gown for Janet. The waiting list was almost a year long, but Janet got her dress in less than three months.

  “I wasn’t talking about the dress, Mom, although it is beautiful.” Janet eyed the delicate strapless bodice lined with countless pearls and the beautiful silk crinoline skirt that cascaded to the floor in heavy ivory folds. Initially she’d wanted to go for something much more simple, like a Grecian tunic, but when she saw the sketch Alexandro had designed, she couldn’t resist. “I was talking about Dennis,” Janet added quietly.

  “Of course he’s lucky to have you.” Her mom smiled. “He’s told me so himself.”

  “He did? You never told me.”

  “That’s right, I didn’t because I didn’t think it necessary. But seeing that you’re getting the wedding jitters, I’m going to tell you now. It was the night when you came over for dinner to tell us about the wedding reception. As I was doing the dishes after dinner, Dennis came to help and told me he was the happiest man alive to be marrying you and that he would always take care of you.”

  “He said that?”

  “I’m quoting. He also told me how sorry he was your wedding got derailed because of that crazy Kovar case and that he was never going to let work get in the way again. ‘Being with Janet is the one, most important thing in my life,’ he’d said.”

  Janet felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was truly a nervous wreck today. “I can’t believe he said that. That’s just so—”

  “Sweet and wonderful,” Janet’s mother finished the sentence for her. “He really is a very nice young man. I know the two of you are going to be very happy together.”

  “I know,” Janet said quietly. “This is what I have always wanted. What I’ve been dreaming of since I was fifteen—to fall in love and to have this fairy-tale wedding.” Janet smiled wistfully remembering her teenage dreams. As a family, the Maples used to frequent the Bronx Botanical Gardens, and the wonderful green retreat became her favorite place for life. She’d always dreamed of getting married there, surrounded by flowers and trees. Now that the day was finally here, she could hardly believe Dennis Walker was waiting for her at the altar of roses and lilies, just as she had always imagined it to be.

  “It’s just that now that it’s here, it all feels so much larger than life. I’m scared I’m going to wake up and it’s going to vanish, like a dream.”

  Her mom drew her into a hug. “I know, honey. Every bride feels like that on her wedding day. Actually, I should rephrase myself, only the most luckiest, happiest of brides feel this way on their wedding day. It means you really love your future husband.”

  “I know. I’m just so happy i
t makes me almost scared.”

  “Happiness is nothing to be scared of. But then neither are the hard times because when you know you have the man you love by your side, who loves you just as much as you love him, there’s nothing the two of you won’t be able to handle together.”

  Janet nodded. “That’s something I’m definitely sure of.” And she really was. If anything, the past few months had proved she and Dennis could make it to hell and back and still come out in one piece.

  Forget the Kovars, even a deadly underworld czar like Ed Pierce who made the roughest criminals shake in their boots, was no obstacle to Janet and Dennis’s wedding. The verdicts for Edward Pierce, Petr Kovar, and Roman Kovar had been announced last week. Edward Pierce would be serving a life sentence in one of the highest security prisons in the country. Petr Kovar had also been given a life sentence. His nephew Roman had received a sentence of twenty years. Anton Kovar had received a reduced sentence of five years in exchange for his cooperation with the authorities. Of all the Kovars, Anton was the only one who’d earned redemption. Yes, he’d done horrible things, but he’d done them out of stupidity rather than malice. Anton had also helped capture Ed Pierce, who’d been on the FBI’s most wanted list for over a decade, exposing a corrupt U.S. Marshal in the process. Tom Burke was still being investigated for his collusion with Ed Pierce, with the verdict to be announced shortly. The investigation had uncovered fake dental records Burke had planted to falsify the Kovars’ death, but there were many more instances of crimes Burke had committed while serving Pierce that were still being unveiled.

  At first Mila had balked at Anton’s sentence and Philip had threatened a private lawsuit to challenge the verdict, but an apology from Anton had convinced them to change their minds. Anton begged for forgiveness and said that as soon as his sentence was done, his only wish was to reunite with Jess and move to a quiet countryside. Jess was in steady recovery and as devoted to Anton as ever. She swore to visit him as often as she’d be allowed and to wait for him faithfully until his release. Philip had been outraged by Anton’s plea, but Mila decided to forgive Anton and convinced Philip to let it go. After all, Philip had forgiven Mila for her past, and she thought it right to forgive Anton—she said she could finally sleep at night and wanted to put the past behind her.

  Janet and Dennis had truly managed to pull it off—get the bad guys off the street and still have a dream wedding that would’ve taken at least a year to plan had it not been for Philip Barrett’s influential connections and Janet’s very dedicated and efficient wedding planner. Everything had come together so perfectly, it was enough to make her cry with happiness.

  “Janet, are those tears I see in your eyes?” Her mom gently lifted Janet’s face with her hand. “There’s no crying on my watch—not even happy tears. You’ll ruin your beautiful makeup and that makeup lady spent so much effort getting it just so.”

  “I know.” Janet smiled, willing the tears away. “I’m just being silly. I guess I’m not much for ceremonies after all. Dennis was right—maybe we should’ve eloped.”

  “Well, I’m glad you didn’t because I wanted to see my beautiful daughter on the most happiest day of her life.”

  “Mom! You’re going to make me cry again.”

  “No, I’m not. Come on, it’s almost time. Stand up and take a couple of steps. Your dad will be here at any moment to walk you down the aisle.”

  Just then there was a knock on the door. “Janet, you’re decent?”

  Janet didn’t get a chance to reply before wedding planner, Irene, and her friends, Katie and Lisa, swarmed the room. Mila concluded the procession. “We just wanted to stop by and wish you well,” Mila said shyly as she closed the door behind them.

  “All ready to go?” Janet’s matron of honor, Katie, asked. They had been friends since law school and Janet had been the maid of honor at Katie’s wedding.

  “Almost.” Janet touched her veil nervously. “How does it look out there?”

  “Marvelous, simply marvelous,” Irene said proudly. “I planned a number of weddings in my day, but this has got to be the best of them all. And everything got pulled together on such short notice! A wedding in the Botanical Gardens planned in three months! I tell you, I deserve a medal for this.”

  “And Philip,” Janet added quietly. Had it not been for Philip’s high-powered connections, Dennis and Janet wouldn’t have been able to get on the Gardens’ calendar so quickly.

  Mila smiled. “Philip was happy to help.”

  “It’s good to have friends in high places.” Irene winked. “Wait a minute here, what’s this huge rock I see on your finger?” Mila tried to pull her hand away, but Irene would have none of it. “Let’s see it.”

  “Irene, you got eyes like a hawk.” Mila reluctantly held up her hand. “I guess the cat is out of the bag now—Philip proposed this morning. I’m sorry, Janet. I didn’t want to spoil your day,” she added quietly.

  “Spoil my day? Why would you say that? I’m so happy for you!” Janet drew Mila into a hug. They had gotten close over the past months and Mila even hosted Janet’s bachelorette party at the recently re-opened Amy and Mila’s. Rather than rebuilding the old building, Mila and Amy decided to open in a new location and start fresh. “You and Philip are made for each other.”

  “I got dibs on planning the wedding,” Irene cut in.

  “You’ve done a great job with Janet’s, so I don’t see why not,” Mila replied. “But today is Janet’s day.”

  “Yes, sorry. I just got overexcited,” Irene apologized.

  “No need to apologize. If anything, I’m happy to share the attention,” Janet replied. “I think I’ve had just about all the attention I can handle for the day.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot!” Irene exclaimed. “The Vanity Fair photographer just got here. Isn’t it amazing?”

  “Vanity Fair?” Janet gulped. “Where did that come from?”

  “They’re doing a profile on Alexandro and wanted to feature the dress he designed for you. It was all very last minute. Alexandro asked my permission of course, and I saw no reason why you’d object,” Irene said brightly. “It’s every bride’s dream to be featured in a major fashion magazine.”

  Janet felt woozy. This was all getting a bit much. “But what about Dennis? What did he say?”

  “He was totally fine with it,” Irene assured her. “He’s doing great—his best man is taking good care of him,” Irene alluded to Peter Laskin who was as diligent in his best man duties as he was in everything else. After everything they’d been through, Dennis decided to make Laskin his best man and Janet thought he couldn’t have chosen better.

  Janet threw a helpless glance at her friends. “This wedding is starting to get a life of its own. Maybe Dennis was right. Maybe we should’ve eloped.”

  “Everything is going to be fine, Janet.” Lisa gave her a careful hug, not to rumple Janet’s dress, and squeezed her hand. She and Janet had been friends since high school. Their friendship had been rocky at times, and they had been through some crazy things together, but in the end they still managed to remain friends. “You’re marrying Dennis today and that’s the only thing that matters. Trust me—I know what I’m talking about. I’m an old married lady, remember?” Lisa quipped, alluding to her happy marriage to her husband, Paul. “Just wait till you have kids—that’s when the going gets tough. Now I’m just a stay-at-home boring mom.”

  Janet laughed. “A boring stay at home mom who helps her husband run a very successful marketing company.” Since she’d had the baby, Lisa changed career paths and now worked from home, helping her husband run his successful marketing firm. “And you look great, by the way, but I’m sure you already knew that, so quit fishing for compliments.” Less than a year after the birth of her son, Lisa was in just as great a shape as she’d been before the baby.

  Lisa waved her hand dismissively. “I’m so busy taking care of the baby—I don’t have time to eat. Skip is a tyrant—an absolute tyrant,” she quip
ped. “I bet he’s driving his babysitter crazy right now.”

  “Skip’s the cutest tyrant I’ve ever seen.” Janet had a soft spot for Lisa’s nine-month-old son and always brought him a little something special whenever she visited. “I’m so glad you and Paul could be here today,” she added.

  “We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Lisa said.

  Katie touched Janet’s shoulder. “We’re all here for you, Janet.”

  Janet took a deep breath. “I guess it’s time to get going.” She slipped her feet into her wedding shoes—an intricate creation of lace and satin with elaborate lace bows at the back of the shoes, making them look like a pair of wings. Janet rose to her feet and felt herself tilt in the three inch heels. “I can’t believe I let Alexandro talk me into these shoes. How am I going to walk down the aisle?”

  “You’re not. You’re going to float there on the wings of love,” her mom was quick to comfort her. “Come on, honey, I’ve seen you rock these shoes in your room—you were the picture of elegance and grace.”

  “Exactly—in my room, without anyone looking at me. But now there’ll be hundreds of people, and let’s not forget the Vanity Fair photographer. I can see the headline now: Bride trips in designer shoes. Alexandro Caron may have the eye for beauty, but not for practicality.”

  “Ha-ha. Very funny. Maybe you should consider a career as a reporter,” Lisa chimed in and Katie gave her a critical look.

  “Just remember—the only person who truly matters is the man waiting for you at the end of the aisle,” her mom reminded her.

  Janet took a deep breath. “I know.”

  “Come on, girls, give the bride some space,” Janet’s mother hustled Katie, Irene, Lisa, and Mila out the door. “Janet needs a few moments to collect herself.”

  “Good luck,” Katie whispered as she closed the door behind them.

  “Finally!” Janet’s mom exclaimed. “Some peace and quiet.” She had barely finished her sentence when there was another knock on the door.