Cade sighed. “Collateral damage, bro. Collateral damage is part of war. And this is fucking war!”
“Rob’s lucky it’s just a bullet graze to his shoulder. If they’d been better shots, I might be one man down and that would just piss me off even more right now,” Jordan said as everyone gathered in the Crandall House living room.
Once they’d gotten the police out of their hair, they settled in for the meeting, hoping to put the shooting behind them, at least for the next hour or so until they could figure out the next step.
“I think I’ve found your Mr. X. I got my hands on a classified file from the State Department.” Jordan glanced around the room. “Don’t ask. Anyway, Noah Parker had an associate he trained. And let’s be clear here, people. According to the file, Noah Parker was the best at what he did. He’d been an Army Ranger in Vietnam, a sniper, a damned good one.
“But one day he gets captured by the Viet Cong, spends six years in captivity. Once the war’s over, he sort of disappears, goes off the radar until he re-enlists in the Army. But at some point he becomes a private contractor for the CIA.
“Enter the associate. Together he and this guy took assignments all over the world, even worked under Presidents Reagan and the first Bush. It seems these two were a team and worked as such.”
“Name?” Reese snapped out.
“Trevor Dane. Got his start early as a petty enforcer for the IRA. When they were told to lay down their arms, Dane wanted out, saw an opportunity to get out of the nasty business he’d lived in for years and leave it behind once and for all so he could live in peace and quiet with his wife and child. The IRA saw it differently. To make their point, they went after him. Instead of killing him, they made the mistake of taking out his wife and daughter.”
“Ohmygod,” Kit said. “That file didn’t happen to come with any photos of his wife and daughter, did it?”
Jordan looked perplexed for about ten seconds and then replied, “As a matter of fact, there were no photos of either Parker or Dane. I have no idea what he looks like. That’s the way the CIA rolls or so I’m told. Why?”
Kit glanced at Jake. “No reason. I was just curious.”
“How did they kill the wife and daughter?” Quinn asked.
“It had been raining. Skid marks on the road showed the car had been forced off onto a narrow shoulder and then forced over a cliff. They think the car exploded though before it ever hit the water, which indicates it might’ve been the result of a car bomb. No one really knows for certain. The thing is they only recovered the wife’s body. The little girl apparently drifted away in the water…” Jordan’s voice trailed off.
“How horrible,” Quinn commented, as she too, glanced around the room at her friends, but her gaze stopped at Reese. “I guess everyone has a story, something horrible that happened to them in their past they’d like to forget. Losing his family like that, what happened to this Trevor Dane is not much different than what happened to Noah Parker and his parents.”
Reese eyed her curiously, trying to figure out what was still going on in that head of hers. She’d been acting weird since they’d gotten back, growing even more distant than she’d been that morning on the boat.
But for now, he forced himself to turn his attention back to Jordan. There was too much at stake to get distracted now.
“So at some point, Noah Parker must’ve come back to L.A., uncovered what Alana and Jessica had done, realized they’d capitalized on his parents’ estate and decided payback was the only way,” Reese ascertained.
“Ron Blake, the cold case detective at the sheriff’s department, told me that about ten years back a man came in and pleaded with them to re-open the Parker case. He talked to another detective, someone who has since retired. But Blake made a point to locate the detective who worked the case. He remembered the guy’s ridiculous theory though. The son accused the lawyers at BBG&G, his parent’s own lawyers, of being mixed up in their murders.” Jordan shook his head. “Nothing came of it. Of course, you know the detective didn’t pursue it.”
“Well, if we don’t figure out how to get rid of the Nutty Brothers, eventually one or more of us will end up dead,” Reese commented.
“Kit came close,” Quinn reminded them.
Jake went white, remembering how scared he’d been the day Collin had taken Kit out of the house. “Dylan and I have already drained their numbered bank accounts, at least all that we could find,” Jake told them. “And when they discover we’ve emptied the Icelandic accounts as well, you’ll get more of a reaction than that drive-by earlier, which I’m certain was in retaliation for putting an end to their domestic cash flow.”
“Imagine what they’ll do when they realize we also got to the stash of Krugerrands they had hidden in South Africa in a vault that belonged solely to Jessica Boyd. Once we found that stockpile, Jake paid a courier to go in, pick up the bags, and transport them to another location. The bags are still in Cape Town but under a different name,” Dylan added.
“We’re making progress,” Jake assured them all. “But we’ve hit a snag working on moving property holdings.”
“That’s a bit more complex and requires changing a slew of documents. Even online, we don’t do it right, miss a step and we risk leaving a paper trail they can track,” Dylan admitted. “But we’ll get there eventually.”
“In the meantime,” Jordan stated. “I agree with Reese. If we don’t figure out how to end this, it’s only a matter of time before someone dies.”
No one was more surprised than Collin when his brother turned the SUV off the PCH and headed into a wooded area full of hiking trails and canyons, popular with local nature lovers.
Since they were less than ten miles from their own beloved Enclave, Collin remarked, “Is it smart to get this close to home?”
“We need a place to get rid of Scott’s body. He’s no good to us like this,” Cade pointed out.
“You’re going to dump him out here in the wilderness? I don’t believe you. That’s not right.”
“Bury him. There’s a difference. You want a damned funeral, we’ll go that route on our own, have our own little private ceremony for him right here, perfect place, peaceful, nice. You know how he loved nature,” Cade snorted as the vehicle bumped along moving farther into the rugged canyons, unmarked trails.
“What does that mean? Connor’s still down at the coroner’s in some cooler. We haven’t even had his service yet. Scott said…”
“Look, I’ve been a little busy what with trying to get rid of Quinn and all to think about planning a memorial service for Connor. He’s gone. We’ve had how many funerals in the last six weeks?”
“Too many.”
“Exactly. I’m done with funerals for a while.”
“We could pay a regular mortuary to deal with Scott. Pay ’em enough where they wouldn’t ask questions.”
“No, we can’t.”
“There has to be a funeral home in town that won’t ask questions. This isn’t right, Cade. He’s our own blood, he’s…”
“I know what he is. I don’t have time to listen to your whining now, Collin. Grow a pair. Do you not understand they’ve taken our fucking money? All of it. I tried to withdraw two hundred dollars from an account no one knew about and there was no money, not a cent left.”
“How is that possible?”
“Those assholes are hackers. Isn’t it obvious? They’ve hacked into our accounts.”
As Cade drove farther away from the main road and into remote terrain surrounded by rock formations and natural-forming gullies, Collin began to get even more creeped out than before. When he noticed the gate straight ahead padlocked with a heavy chain, he squeaked out a question. “What is this place, Cade?
“A little patch of land I like to call my own Eternal Gardens. He drew a key from his pocket. “Now do me a favor and unlock the gate so we can offer curb service.”
Chill bumps ran along Collin’s arms. “You’re going to bury Scott out here?
”
“That’s the plan.”
Once the gate opened, Cade gunned the vehicle over an incline and into a clearing. The minute Cade brought the SUV to a stop and put the gear into PARK; he hopped out of the car. Opening the passenger side door, Cade took hold of his cousin’s shoulders, under the arms, and dragged his body out of the front seat.
With a bob of his head, he motioned to Collin. “See that underbrush over there? Bring me one of the shovels I have hidden there. Get the other one for you.”
“You have shovels out here?” Collin surveyed his surroundings, realized for the first time how isolated the area was. “What for? Wh…what are you gonna do?”
“I’m taking care of Scott. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Collin swallowed hard, suddenly afraid of his own brother. The intense look on Cade’s face was one he’d never seen before.
“Just get the goddamned shovels and help me.” He walked backward, dragging Scott over another hilly incline and down into a narrow ten by ten foot trench-like section between a grove of trees.
After retrieving both shovels, Collin made his way into the thicker underbrush and met up with his brother in the neatly dugout furrow of ground. By this time Cade had let go of Scott and stood over what looked like a squared-off glade of freshly turned earth.
Collin watched as his brother began to remove scrub California privet along with dead branches of hawthorn covering what looked like an already freshly dug grave.
Before Collin could say a word, Cade mumbled, “Had this already dug for Quinn. It’ll be okay. It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’ll dig another one just for you, baby, because I’m coming for you real soon, Quinn, real soon.”
He went on muttering as if to himself. “Shame, too, this is such a pretty place. Good thing I took to burying what belongs to me. Wouldn’t do to leave them dead in a bedroom where they can take all kinds of DNA evidence. If they can’t find the body there’s no DNA. If you leave them, someone else will come along and find them. Not a good idea. Boston should’ve been arrested, should’ve been charged, prosecuted.” He puffed out a huge sigh. “Just can’t trust the cops to do their fucking job anymore.”
The hairs on the back of Collin’s neck stood up. “So it was you who killed Claire Boston?”
The question caused Cade to snap out of his rambling. “Another slut who made the mistake of laughing at me.” He found that incredible funny. “Last thing the bitch ever did, too. But God did she put up a fight. I didn’t think she’d ever quit clawing at me. Had her damn scratch marks on my face for days afterward.”
He glanced up at Collin who stood staring. “What? You didn’t really think Boston killed her did you? Nah, he’s such a pussy. Help me get Scott into the hole, will you?” he asked as he stuffed Scott’s body into his makeshift grave and began scooping up loose soil to go on top.
Collin hesitated, but only briefly. He didn’t want to piss off his brother, especially not in this mood. Soon both men began their task of tossing dirt back in to fill up the hole. “You seem pretty goddamned comfortable putting someone in the ground,” Collin grumbled as he sweated in the June heat.
Cade said nothing, seeming intent on his chore, as if reliving a better, more gratifying episode.
“What is that smell, anyway?” Collin asked a little sick at his stomach.
But Cade went on as if not hearing anyone. “Here you go, ladies. This time, I brought you a man to keep you company since I’m going to be a little busy for a while. It’ll be just like old times,” Cade finally said, and took to muttering incoherently all over again.
CHAPTER 17
That night as they were moving what few things Quinn had brought with her into Reese’s bedroom, he decided to dangle his toe into perilous water. Because he was running out of time, he needed to take a few risks. “Quinn, were you ever told anything about your Native heritage?”
“No. Why?”
“Never got curious enough to ask Ella? I mean, don’t you want to know more about the circumstances surrounding your birth?”
She rolled her eyes. “Reese, even if I had bothered to ask, which I didn’t, what makes you think Ella would have told me the truth? She didn’t exactly have a history of sticking with the facts and since she never saw the need to mention it, I sure never asked.” She shrugged. “More like, she’d have made something up for sure, so what was the point in making a big deal out of it?”
“Okay. Good point.”
She finished hanging up her clothes in his closet, turned around to meet his eyes. “Now that we’re involved, is that something you’re interested in knowing more about, my Native American roots? You’re interested in my Irish ancestry? You knew before we headed into this thing I had a difficult childhood. If my history bothers you that much, if I don’t have the proper lineage for a high profile attorney…”
“Will you stop it? Just stop it. Did I say or do anything that has you thinking I want to dig around in your past for any other reason than simply trying to get to know you better?” He threw up his hands in exasperation. “Who the hell gives a damn about your lineage? Geez, you were a prickly pear before but…”
“You mean before you knew about my stepfather, before you knew what he did to me?” she accused.
“For God’s sakes, you’re the exact same person I took to bed.” Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair. “See, this is why I think you need to talk to a professional. That chip on your shoulder you’ve been carrying around for too long by yourself is starting to get pretty damned heavy and is starting to piss me off.” With that, he stormed out of the bedroom. leaving her with her mouth hung open.
“Arrogant bastard!” she shouted at his back. She most certainly did not have a chip on her shoulder. Did she?
At other times in her life plenty of people had looked down on her for no other reason than the fact she’d looked Native. Oh, God.
What was happening to her anyway?
She plopped down on the bed so she could sulk. Reese of all people did not look down on her. But she’d acted that way all day, ever since last night, ever since he had discovered her secret.
And she resented him for knowing.
About that time, Baylee came into the room carrying Sarah. “I just passed Reese in the hallway. Did something happen between you two? He looked upset.” She tilted her head and studied her friend. “You don’t look so good yourself.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“If it’s advice about men, you’re out of luck. They’re a strange breed, grubby, farting little boys, the lot of them. But then…no man on the planet understands why our breed feels the need to travel to the bathroom in a pack, either.”
It made Quinn’s lips curve but only briefly. “If you found out something bad about someone you cared about, something horrible, something they did, would it change your opinion of them?”
“Did they kill somebody?”
Quinn shook her head.
Baylee’s maternal instincts kicked in then, ever wary of anyone passing judgment on Quinn, she asked, “Did Reese pick at you about something? Because if he did, I’ll speak to him…”
That did make her smile. “No, Mom, it isn’t that.”
“Did you pick at him about something?”
“I guess I did.”
“Did he deserve it?”
“That’s just it, I don’t think he did. In fact…”
“Looks like you’ve got a big, fat, ol’ I’m sorry in your immediate future then.”
“Yeah, I guess I do. Here, give me the baby. I need to borrow your daughter. It’ll go better if I have a cute, adorable bundle in my arms.”
Baylee relinquished Sarah into Quinn’s waiting hands. “Wow, it must be bad if you need a prop.”
“I guess I have been acting like a jerk.”
“You? But Quinn Tyler is always so objective, so willing to listen to reason, so sweet-natured.”
“Oh, shut up. I said it was my fault, didn’t I?”
/>
“Boy, you must really like him to admit that.”
She sighed. “I fell into that trap. He wore me down. When you stop and think about it, this is really his fault. He knew I was a prickly pear. He called me a prickly pear, Baylee.”
Baylee smirked at that. “Why that bastard! How dare he say such things to you? Why the next thing he’ll call you is hard-headed.”
“I guess, I—care about him.” When exactly had that happened? She wondered.
Baylee could see that plain as day. It wasn’t like Quinn to show vulnerability to anyone, especially to a man. Not since a young Quinn made a mistake and let Cade in, albeit briefly, had she seen her friend so raw. “You spent time on Catalina. It’s the Island. That’s where it happened for me with Dylan. He wore me down, too.”
“I’m not used to…”
Baylee laid her hand gently on top of Quinn’s. “I know, but sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason to love.”
“I never said anything about love.”
“Hmm, that’s right you didn’t. My mistake. Now bring back my kid in ten minutes or less, okay? It’s nearly bedtime and I guarantee your prop will get cranky if she doesn’t get her bedtime snack soon. Get it?”
“Got it, Mom.”
Quinn found Reese outside on the back deck with his laptop open and his iPod buds in his ears, his fingers tapping to music. She laid a hand on his leg to get his attention.
He glanced up, saw she had Sarah sitting on her hip. His heart did that little two-step and then went straight into a West Coast Swing. He removed the buds from his ears.
Quinn sank down next to him in her own chair, settled the baby on her lap, or tried to. Little traitor that she was, Sarah immediately stretched out her arms for Reese to hold her.
He accommodated the baby by setting his laptop on the table and then scooping Sarah up out of Quinn’s arms.
“Little flirt, she didn’t waste any time going after my guy.”
Ending Evil (The Evil Secrets Trilogy Book 3) Page 19