The Keres Case (Heartfelt Cases Book 4)

by Gilbert,Julie C.

  “A win like that doesn’t happen often enough,” said Ann.

  “It was all thanks to me,” Nick joked, stealing the dip from Ann. “I’ll guard that, thank you.”

  “Giving Baker the activated locator was a big help,” Ann conceded, “but Patrick and Brad had already figured out where Ryker’s base was located.”

  “How?” asked Nick, feigning indignation. He grabbed a dipping chip and attacked the top of the treat he was holding.

  “Don’t you dare eat over that bowl, Nicholas,” barked Carol.

  The dip-laden chip stopped in midair.

  Ann snatched back the dip bowl and waved permission for her kid brother to continue stuffing his face like a pig.

  Nick mumbled thanks then repeated his question with his mouth full.

  “Nicholas! Your manners are appalling.” Carol grabbed the dip from Ann and took great strides toward the main party. “I’m joining the civilized people.” She waved over her shoulder to her abandoned children.

  “Did you understand me?” asked Nick. With his mouth still full of dip and chip fragments, the question came out nearly unintelligible.

  “Yes, Nick, but I have a toddler,” Ann said, rolling her eyes.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Never mind. Go refill the chip bowl.” Ann picked up the bag of chips Nick had been raiding and sent him after their mother. Having delegated both tasks she’d come into the kitchen to accomplish, Ann stepped outside and found a crowd sitting around the picnic table, with Baker holding court.

  “Ann! My favorite rescued hostage!” greeted Baker.

  “Baker!” Ann returned with a double edged smile. “Need more ice?”

  “Touché,” replied Baker, saluting her with the massive bag of ice he had pressed against his head. “That’ll teach me to try and free killers from their own dungeons. I’ve got to know what that guy was on. He packed a wallop.”

  “Nothing good,” Ann assured him. Her mind wandered back to the craziness of the day before.

  As soon as the SWAT medic had cleared her, she had found both her gun and the magazine for it. Once properly armed, she had another SWAT guy escort her to retrieve her shoulder holster and suit jacket. She had felt worlds better once back in proper clothing, even if it was still mud-caked.

  A SWAT team dispatched by Patrick had arrived and helped clear the rest of the building. Baker’s team already had Jack Carver in custody. They found a very distraught Rita Carver in one of the holding cells next to eleven terrified children ranging in age from four to thirteen.

  Malia regained consciousness in time for the FBI teams to hide their vehicles before another van pulled up to the underground garage. As the hidden doors swung open, the driver and his helper found themselves staring at six assault rifles and three handguns. Eight more traumatized kids were rescued from the back of the van. Seeing Malia move among those desperate and broken children had touched Ann. The girl could comfort with a smile, raise hopes with a glance, and spread peace with a touch. Ann—set apart from the victims by age and circumstance—couldn’t offer the understanding Malia radiated.

  Thinking of Malia made Ann want to find her. She spotted the girl sitting on the far side of the lawn talking to an older gentleman. It took Ann several seconds to recognize the man and understand what was happening. She could almost feel Malia’s Gifts being used to heal the gaping wounds in Dr. Carl Surhan.

  Finding Dara Surhan’s body in the freezer along with Chief Edward Finney, late of the Edinboro police department, had definitely been a low point in Ann’s day. In the excitement, she had almost forgotten about the poor man locked alive in the freezer, but luckily, the SWAT medic was able to stabilize Gordon Sykes. At first the man tried to claim he was Chief Finney, but the story fell flat in light of Finney’s body being present.

  Malia had identified Dara’s body, and Ann had identified Sykes. Nobody could immediately identify the rest of the freezer remains. Their discovery left a bittersweet feeling in each agent. On the one hand, six more families would finally get closure. On the other hand, the truth hurt and would dash daydreams of an earthly reunion.

  Do they know how lucky they are? Ann wondered, looking toward the pool where Mr. and Mrs. Tyler sat in lounge chairs, intently watching their daughters with expressions that said they feared this might be a cruel dream.

  Karen and Ellie sat together on the pool’s edge, giggling and kicking water at Connor Daniels. The young man raised his hands in false surrender then slapped at the water sending a huge wave crashing over the girls. They screamed and clung to each other, laughing louder.

  Hang on to her, Ellie.

  Ann wondered whether the Tyler family would be able to go back to a normal life after the whirlwind week of terror and relief.

  “Don’t worry about the Tylers,” said Patrick, slipping his arms around Ann’s waist. “They’ll be fine.”

  Patting her husband’s arms, Ann rested against his chest.

  “Don’t be mad,” he whispered. He placed a quick kiss on her neck.

  “Why would I be mad?”

  Squeezing her tighter, Patrick sighed.

  “Because I’m stalling while some lady wants to speak to you.”

  Some lady?

  The answer slapped Ann. She spun around in Patrick’s arms and poked him in the chest.

  “How do you know Rachel called?”

  Patrick tried to give her a smoldering, I-just-know look, but failed.

  “Some other lady dropped off your phone. You can ignore the thirty-two messages. They’re all from me.” He pulled her cell phone out of his pocket and held it up like it was on display. “Peace offering.”

  “You’re lucky I love you, Patrick Duncan,” Ann said, accepting the phone and kissing his cheek.

  “That’s all I get?” he asked, sounding wounded.

  “Rain check on the rest.” Ann rapidly retreated with her phone.

  A sense of familiarity stole over her as she closed the door to her father’s office and dialed her friend.

  Rachel picked up on the second ring.

  “Patrick’s stalling techniques must be weakening. I expected you’d be at least another five minutes.”

  “He accepted a rain check,” Ann replied. She could only sustain the levity for another few seconds before a serious question burst out. “Are you all right?”

  “I’ll be fine. The rest of this vacation should help.”

  “You’re staying?” Ann thought she might not have heard right.

  “Of course we’re staying,” said Rachel. “Never turn down a free vacation. Besides, Comfort Cottages moved us to the presidential suite and gave us an additional four nights for free.”

  “Generous of them,” said Ann.

  “I think they’d rather not be sued for letting guests be kidnapped. Something about bad publicity.”

  “How’s Jon?” Ann queried.

  “Better than yesterday,” said Rachel. “We had a tearful reunion in the hospital. Agent Lawson brought the kids over. I think we’re due for a few more long talks with Jason. Poor guy’s been through more than most people experience in a lifetime.”

  “Is Lawson still around?”

  “Yes, he’s playing guardian angel. Detective Wickerman left an hour ago. Why?”

  “Tell Lawson I’ve got a gift for him when he gets back.”

  “What is it?” asked Rachel.

  “It’s a flash drive, but I’m not sure what’s on it. Something relating to the case he was working on up here. That’s all I know.”

  “I’ll tell him,” promised Rachel. “How’s everything up there?”

  “Fine. I need to buy a new watch, since one of the bad guys chucked mine in the park.”

  “The nerve.”

  “Indeed, but it worked out in the end.” Ann didn’t really want to go into the tale of her own second kidnapping via phone. She cleared her throat to announce a conversation shift. “I have a gift for you too, courtesy of the bad g
uy himself.”

  “Oh,” said Rachel, keeping her tone neutral. “Not sure I want something from him.”

  “It’s your bracelet,” said Ann. “He had it stolen from evidence to mess with my head.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. I just wanted you to know I’m keeping it safe until you can claim it,” Ann assured her friend. She fingered the bracelet she still wore as a necklace. Her mother had given her a strange look, but withheld comments. Patrick had flashed a sad, understanding smile. Shaking off the melancholy feeling, Ann cleared her throat. “In happier news, my parents are hosting a party with twenty-five plus people touched by the case.”

  “Should I be jealous?”

  “From your presidential suite in Florida? I doubt it.”

  “Who’s on the guest list?” inquired Rachel.

  Prepared for the question, Ann reported.

  “My parents, my siblings, Baker, my kids, Patrick, the four Tylers, Connor Daniels, Rita Carver and her son, Kelly Kyte, her unborn child, and her twins, Dr. Surhan, Malia, Marina, two of the boys who shot at Patrick with paintball guns, and about half the Edinboro police department. The boys’ friend, Seth Johnson, is still recovering from the bullets Longhue put in him while aiming for Patrick.”

  “Is he going to be okay?”

  “Are you kidding? The kid’s a hero going into his senior year,” said Ann. “He’ll be more than fine, once he can get up and breathe normally.”

  “Breathing is nice,” Rachel said. “I’ve decided not to be jealous, though that does sound like quite the crowd. I don’t recognize most of the middle names. Care to explain?”

  “That’s a bit of a longer tale, are you sitting down?”

  “Lounge chair, bright sun, cool drink, nice view of the pool. I’m good,” said Rachel.

  “Wow, where’s your crew?”

  “Boys are in the pool, Caitlyn’s napping, and Jon’s rebuilding his spy kit and making a geek out of Lawson.”

  “Well,” said Ann, searching for a good starting point. “Rita Carver’s ex-husband, Jack, worked for the kidnapper who first took Rita’s son, Silas, to draw out a search party. Are you with me so far?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Okay, I’m taking your word for that. Karen Tyler was part of the search party for Silas. The kidnapper, a guy named Damien Caldwell who called himself Ryker, snatched Karen from the search party.”

  “This is the man who sent people after us?”

  “Yes. He’s dead now though, so you don’t have to worry about him.”

  Silence met her statement.

  “Rachel?”

  “Sorry, just thinking,” Rachel said.

  “Are you sure you want to hear the rest of this? You’ve been through a lot.”

  “I need to know,” Rachel declared. “I need to be able to look my husband and children in the eyes and say I’m at peace with everything. I’m not going to get there until I hear the whole story.”

  “The whole story’s going to take weeks to confirm. I can only tell you pieces now.”

  “That will do.”

  “Ryker and the people who worked for him ran a website called The Keres Legacy. From what I understand, they got money from a video game that allowed people to gamble on supposedly fictional crimes. Some stories on there must be fictional—at least I hope so—but some were scripted as recipes for murder.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “That might not even be the worst part,” Ann admitted. “Ryker was also a slaver. He bought and sold people, mostly kids, both to make money and to fuel the game murders. Most of his victims are from out of the country, but some, like Karen, were targeted to get a reaction from law enforcement and the media.”

  “He tried to draw attention to himself? That makes no sense.”

  “Sociopaths tend to think highly of themselves.” Ann paused, trying to not come off as admiring. “Ryker was good at the game. He played it for almost twenty-five years before we got him yesterday. He even replaced the Edinboro Chief of Police with an actor for a few years.”

  “How’d he manage that? Didn’t the man’s family notice?”

  “He didn’t have much in the way of family.” Ann shivered at the thought of being without family.

  “I can’t imagine not having family,” said Rachel, echoing Ann’s feelings.

  “You and me both, Rach. I can’t imagine losing all that either.” Ann shivered at how very close they’d both come to losing people they love.

  “Like the Dawsons,” said Rachel, knowing that Ann’s reflective tone meant she was thinking about that case. “Was this case connected?”

  “I think so. The evidence is circumstantial, but I think we can safely close the Dawson case.”

  “Congratulations!” Rachel exclaimed. “That’s another reason to celebrate.”

  “Agreed. I’m waiting for confirmation before calling Gabriel’s family.” The thought of that call frightened Ann, but she wouldn’t delegate the task to anyone, not even Patrick. She had so much more to tell Rachel, but the Carver, Surhan, Kyte, and Tyler angles of the story could wait for a face-to-face conversation. Ann hadn’t yet sorted her feelings about Rita and Frank. Obviously, they were under duress, but they had helped Jack kidnap her. Even if she didn’t press charges, the bureau would pursue the kidnapping. Ann couldn’t blame them. It would set a very bad precedence if the FBI simply forgave serious threats to its agents.

  Rachel’s gentle laughter reclaimed Ann’s attention.

  “You’ll do fine. You’ve been waiting years to give that family peace. No doubt it will turn into a celebration of life for a son they’ll never forget.”

  It’s time to let go of Gabriel Dawson.

  The realization frightened and thrilled Ann. The boy’s kidnapping and murder had haunted her for over six years. The sights, smells, and sounds of the day they discovered his tiny body could be recalled at any moment. At last, his parents would get justice.

  Choosing to focus on the good, Ann said, “Speaking of celebrations, I’d better get back to the party. It was nice talking to you, Rach. Go spend time with your family. Jon’s probably going to be hovering for a while.”

  “Mmmm. Tell me about it. I thought the man would go out and buy a leash.”

  “Don’t give him any ideas!”

  “Love you, Ann.”

  “Likewise. I expect a full vacation report when we get back to the D.C. area.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Epilogue:

  Sunset Memorial Park

  Chester, Virginia

  (About a week later …)

  “I thought we might find you out here,” called Patrick Duncan. He ambled slowly up the path, clutching Joseph’s left hand and cradling Amanda across his chest. A large backpack of supplies fit squarely across his shoulders.

  “We found you, Mommy,” Joseph declared in a loud whisper. He hopped up and down waving madly.

  The sight of her approaching family nearly released a fresh round of tears. Dashing a tear left over from the last round and blowing her nose on a tissue, Ann drew a deep, composing breath. Forcing a smile, she stuffed the tissue in a pocket and waved to her son.

  “I wasn’t really hiding, Joey.”

  Patrick’s half-smile said he knew better.

  Okay, so maybe I was hiding a little.

  Ann had risen with the dawn and driven out here to hold her own private memorial service. Later, there would be an official service where Gabriel Dawson’s parents, relatives, and friends would celebrate his short life and lay his spirit to rest, knowing his killer had met a fitting end.

  “What’s that?” asked Joseph, pointing to the headstone Ann stood before.

  Ann shot Patrick a questioning look. His return gaze said he’d handle it. Slowly handing Amanda off to Ann, Patrick put down the backpack, crouched behind Joseph, and placed his hands on the boy’s tiny shoulders.

  “It’s a gravestone for a boy named Gabriel. He was a f
ew years older than you. Somebody hurt him badly.”

  “Where is he?” asked Joseph, tracing the boy’s name with a finger.

  Do we really want to get into a death conversation with our toddler?

  “He died, Joey,” answered Patrick. “Only God knows where he went.”

  “Who’s God?”

  The question pained Ann.

  “God’s like another daddy, only better,” she said.

  “Better than Daddy?” Joseph spun and looked incredulously at both parents.

  His expression made them laugh.

  Patrick leaned close and whispered something in Joseph’s ear. The child nodded, then tore into the backpack, and pulled out a pitiful looking package wrapped in newspaper and held together with about a foot of clear tape.

  Running over to Ann, Joseph held up the package.

  “Surprise!”

  “Thank you, Joseph, but as you can see—”

  “Suddenly your hands are free,” finished Patrick, deftly repossessing the baby. He winked. “Open the gift, Mommy.”

  It took Ann half a minute to find a weakness in the taping job, but soon thereafter, she held a brand new bag of gummy bears.

  “Share!” Joseph shouted.

  THE END

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