Avenged

by Janice Cantore

“Yeah? What?”

  “Why I love my job, even though it can aggravate me enough to think I want a change from time to time.”

  Nick arched an eyebrow. “Why?”

  “Because we are the good guys. We catch bad guys like Correa and save the lives of innocent people like Ginny Masters. And even if there’s never a thank-you or it’s dangerous and scary, we’d do it again and again, because it’s what we do.”

  Nick kissed the top of Carly’s head. “Yep, that’s true. And this call is over now; this nightmare is 10-7.”

  •••

  The sky brightened with morning sunshine. Seaside Point was still smoldering, but over at Sandy Park, it looked as though things were completely under control. Normally, working graveyard, Carly loved this time of the morning as the city woke up and people began their day. Right now, she felt enormous relief and profound thankfulness.

  She leaned on Nick at the dock railing, watching the paramedics secure Masters to a gurney. Since Correa was more seriously hurt, he’d left first and now it was Masters’s turn. Carly and Nick moved to the side so she could be taken to a waiting ambulance.

  “She okay?” Carly asked.

  “Looks fine,” the EMT said. “Wet on the outside, dehydrated on the inside, and maybe a little hypothermic.”

  Masters was conscious, and when she saw Carly, she asked the medics to wait.

  “You saved me.” She tried to lean forward and rasped through the oxygen mask they’d put over her nose and mouth. “I hate you and you saved me.”

  “It’s my job.”

  Masters’s expression was unreadable as she lay back and was taken off the boat.

  “Hey, my favorite crazy cop!” Alex came running up. “I was afraid I’d lost the both of you.” He reached Carly first and gripped her in a hug. “Andrea would never have forgiven me if you’d blown up on Seaside Point.” He pumped Nick’s hand.

  Jacobs, Harris, and Romo were right behind the reporter.

  “I, for one, would like to know just what you were thinking, Trouble.” Jacobs stood with his hands on his hips.

  “Me too,” Nick said, pulling her close to him as they both stood on the dock.

  “I’d love to explain it all . . . over coffee.”

  The harbor guys opened their office and gave Nick and Carly some one-size-fits-all sweats to change into. Most important, there was a fresh pot of coffee brewing after they’d put on dry clothes.

  Over the next hour, Carly learned that Jarvis had been waiting for Nick to leave the station when the explosion occurred in Sandy Park. Because of all the confusion, he wasn’t missed until about the same time Carly was climbing onto Correa’s boat.

  “He rammed my car. I’m embarrassed to say that I was stunned, and Correa was there to drag me into the van,” Nick explained. “It happened so fast and he was so prepared . . . He had the drop on me and then he told me that he had you and if I didn’t comply, you’d die.” Nick took a deep breath and a gulp of coffee. “Next thing I knew, he had the suicide vest on me and was snapping pictures.”

  “Were you ever at Seaside Point?” Carly asked.

  “No. He dragged me straight to the boat. What made you look there?”

  “The white sink. There’s nothing white on the point except seagull poop.”

  “So that’s why you went James Bond and swam in?” Jacobs asked.

  “I had to act,” she said, gripping Nick’s hand. “I saw that picture and knew if I did what Correa demanded, we’d both die. I needed to surprise him.”

  “Which we did in the end.” Nick brought her hand to his lips. Carly fervently wished they were alone and not in a room full of cops, reporters, and harbor authorities.

  “Trouble—” Jacobs’s phone jingled. He paused to read the text. “Ah, good news from Memorial Hospital. Correa is stable. He’s not in very good shape, but alive.”

  “He’ll survive for his day in court, then. I won’t even mind trial preparation or testifying or anything.” Carly closed her eyes and leaned into Nick, happy to be near him until they were released to go home, clean up, and get some rest.

  On the way to the parking lot, Carly remembered that her car was at Seal Beach.

  “You swam from there?” Nick asked.

  “It seemed like the thing to do at the time.”

  Harris offered them a ride.

  Agent Wiley was climbing out of his plain car when they reached the parking lot.

  “Here’s the man who should have information about the two explosions,” Harris said.

  Wiley nodded. “Yeah, while you two were out having a swim, I was working.” His eyes twinkled and Carly realized this was the first time she’d ever heard Wiley crack a joke. “It’s all preliminary, but it looks like the explosion in Sandy Park and the one at Seaside were both caused by the same type of device, and both employed C-4.”

  “I sincerely hope that’s the end of the stuff,” Carly said.

  “Might be. We’ll know more when the investigation is complete. I heard just now that Correa is alive. I hope he’ll tell us why he set those devices.”

  Nick shook his head. “He was the angriest man I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine he’ll cooperate on anything.”

  Wiley shrugged and turned to Carly. “You are always in the mix, in a good way,” he said. “Have you made your decision about the task force?”

  Carly folded her arms, looked at Wiley, and realized that she could tell him yes, she had made a decision. She wasn’t certain when she’d decided, but she knew her answer.

  “I’m going to stay here and not go running off with a multiagency task force.”

  Wiley looked surprised. “Is that your final answer?”

  “Yeah, it is. I love Las Playas and the people in it. Serving this city is why I became a cop. This is where I want to stay.”

  “Fair enough.” He held out his hand and she shook it. “If you ever think you need more of a challenge, you know where to find me.” He gave her a mock salute as she and Nick climbed into Harris’s car for the ride to Seal Beach.

  48

  CARLY SAT BETWEEN NICK and Alex in a packed courtroom. The trial of Galen Burke had taken two weeks, but the jury had only been out for a mere two hours of deliberation before they announced they had a verdict. The packed courtroom quieted as the jury filed back in. Carly tightened her grip on Nick’s hand even as the DA turned and flashed a confident smile.

  After legalese that seemed to last a lifetime, they got to the meat, and Carly breathed a thankful prayer as “guilty” followed each and every charge read. She leaned back and closed her eyes, body relaxing as if she’d just had a wonderful massage.

  Nick leaned close, and she felt his warm breath on her ear. “You did it, babe,” he whispered.

  As soon as the judge accepted the verdict and set a date for sentencing, he banged the gavel, and the courtroom erupted in the noise of dozens of voices talking at once. Carly opened her eyes and accepted congratulations and thumbs-up from a lot of people. The DA stepped back, sat in the chair in front of her, and turned her way with a smile.

  “We did it. And I bet now Correa will cop a plea.”

  Carly tilted her head, ambivalent about that. She didn’t want him to get any kind of break, but she wasn’t interested in going through another stressful trial either. Correa was paralyzed from the waist down as a result of running his boat into the jetty. That in itself was a type of justice. Jarvis had died; his body was recovered a couple days after the crash.

  Correa wasn’t talking but had said a lot to Ginny Masters when he took her captive. She’d been a wealth of information for the prosecutors. Even though Burke was in custody, Correa had told Masters that he’d been working closely with him. The money in the foundation accounts had been embezzled from the harbor business Correa oversaw. Correa was ready to use every last dollar to get revenge and free his friend Burke.

  The pair’s desire for revenge set everything into motion. Correa admitted to arranging for the theft of
the guns and explosives. He’d used contacts from high school—people both he and Barton knew—and since that had gone so well, when Barton was released, he brought him into the plan. He claimed shooting the gang members to start a gang war and keep the police busy was Barton’s idea, but Masters didn’t believe him.

  Like Potter had said, Correa hadn’t wanted to kill Carly right away. He and Burke wanted to discredit her first and make her testimony worthless. But Dean Barton made too many mistakes. He never did exactly what Correa asked; he always improvised. According to Masters, Correa thought Dean had ruined all his plans, and he told her himself that he was the one who killed Dean.

  Carly knew that the FBI and the DA were working hard to find the evidence to charge Correa with everything they could. Besides the two dead gang members, two protestors had been killed in the explosion and fire in Sandy Park and dozens injured. He’d set that bomb in the hopes of attracting Nick. He had Potter’s scanner and was listening carefully to police traffic, so he knew exactly where Nick was that night. And of course there was the murder of Barton, the death of Jarvis, and last but never least in Carly’s mind, Jeff’s murder. The best call Carly had made in a long time was the call to Elaine to tell her that Jeff’s murderer was in custody.

  All in all, Carly would be satisfied to see him get life in prison and never see the light of a free day again.

  “Just make it the best deal in the interest of all his victims,” Carly said.

  “Will do,” DA Martin said.

  The courtroom had mostly cleared out. Carly and Nick stood.

  “Can I buy you guys a victory lunch?” Alex asked.

  “Not today. We have to get to the hospital.”

  Alex slapped his forehead. “That’s right. I forgot. Hector gets out today.”

  “Yeah, there’s going to be a little party for him before he leaves. Victor and his mother asked us to come.”

  “I hear he’s a miracle.”

  Carly nodded. “He’s walking and talking, and the hope is that his recovery will eventually be 100 percent. He doesn’t remember anything about the night he was shot and he’s still got a long road ahead of him, but he’s doing good right now.”

  “You’ll be at the dedication this afternoon?”

  Carly groaned.

  Nick put his hands on her shoulders. “Yes, she’ll be there.”

  •••

  The nurses and doctors at the hospital had been so impressed with Hector, they’d gone all out for his send-off party. A section of the cafeteria was decorated with good-luck signs, and there was a large chocolate cake with his name spelled out in candles. He would still need physical therapy—his right side was weak and he had difficulty concentrating—but he was about 80 percent and able to function, and he wanted to go home.

  Londy, Mary Ellen, and Victor were putting the finishing touches on balloon decorations when Carly and Nick stepped in. Along with the hospital personnel and all of Hector’s brothers and sisters, Pastor Rawlings was there and a couple of Ninjas Carly had seen in church with Londy once or twice. Erika and Ned were there as well. Half Baked had donated the cake and the coffee. Ned understood traumatic brain injury and had gotten close to Hector.

  Carly did a double take when she saw her supervisor, Sergeant Barrett, in attendance with his wife. Alicia Barrett was a physical therapist who’d been working with Hector. Carly had met her when Barrett brought her to church one Sunday. The couple was still separated but they were talking to each other—and seeing Pastor Rawlings.

  While Carly and Nick were pouring coffee, Hector was wheeled in to applause. It was hard to decide who had the bigger smile, Hector or Victor. Londy had told her how the boy was so excited to have his brother home that he’d cleaned up the room they shared and sold his iPod to buy Hector a welcome-home present.

  Hector was able to walk with a cane, so he got out of the wheelchair to take a seat at the table. The party went on, with hospital staff presenting various gifts to him that would assist in his rehabilitation. The last present he opened was the one from his brother Victor.

  Carly murmured with surprise when she saw it was a Bible—a nice one with a leather cover engraved with Hector’s nickname, Crusher.

  “That’s awesome,” she said to Londy.

  “It is. And you know what else is? Hector remembers one thing from the night he was shot.”

  “He remembers who shot him?”

  “No, he remembers D. He was praying and Hector asked D. to pray for him, too. D. said he would.” Londy choked up and took a minute to compose himself. “Anyway, he knows D. prayed for him and that’s why he’s alive. That made a huge impression on Victor.”

  “Has Victor joined your youth group?”

  “Not mine, but the one at his mother’s church. He’s learning. Now that Mr. Correa is in jail and the other guys are dead, and Crush is good, he figures prayer is cool. He wants his brother to help him learn to read the Bible, figures there’s more good stuff in there.”

  “He’s right about that,” Nick said, gripping Carly’s hand. “It’s about time for us to go change for the dedication.”

  Carly looked into his sparkling blue eyes, thinking she would try to talk him out of making her go. Being honored and given an award for doing her job would just make her feel uncomfortable. But in truth, she couldn’t say no to him. She’d follow him anywhere.

  About the Author

  A FORMER LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. A few years ago, she retired to a house in the mountains of Southern California, where she lives with three Labrador retrievers, Jake, Maggie, and Abbie.

  Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Avenged, the sequel to Accused and Abducted, is the third book in the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards.

  Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/JaniceCantore.

  Discussion Questions

  At the beginning of Avenged, Carly feels unsatisfied in her role as a patrol officer but then is unexpectedly offered a job on a federal task force. Why does this offer appeal to her? What are the potential downsides? Were you surprised to see what she decided? What would you have done?

  After a confrontation at a coffee shop, Carly faces some harsh, very public accusations from the media. Though her friends support her, she feels frustrated by the negative attention. Have you ever been in a similar position or had a friend in one? What would you do in her place?

  As a former gang member, Londy is in a unique position to witness and minister to his peers. What did you think of his character transformation from Accused, the first book of the Pacific Coast Justice series? What mission fields do you have in your life?

  Coffee shop owners Ned and Erika are surprised to learn Ned’s half brother has found them. But despite the threat Dean poses to his family, the couple is quick to forgive, though not endorse, his actions. What is admirable about this attitude? Is it appropriate? Why or why not?

  Several characters in this story are driven to avenge someone in their lives, including Carly, who hopes to see justice for a fellow officer’s death. What does Romans 12:19 say about revenge? What does that mean when it comes to modern justice systems?

  In chapter 19, Sergeant Barrett asks Carly some personal questions about her marriage and forgiveness. What did you think of her answers? How would you respond in a similar situation? Would your answer change depending on whether you were talking to your boss or to your friend?

  In chapter 30, Nick gets angry with Carly for not sharing her problems with him. Is he justified in his frustration? Why or why not? What does a biblical marriage look like?

  In Accused, Carly and Nick
had been separated and were planning to get a divorce. How have they grown as individuals and as a couple throughout the series? Are you pleased to see where their relationship is now? How would you write their story going forward?

  At a critical point in Avenged, Carly realizes she’s been fighting God for control in her life. What does she do to “let go and let God”? How might something similar play out in your life?

  What evidence did you see that Carly’s faith had grown in this book and from the beginning of the series? What lessons can you take away from her spiritual journey?

  AN EXCITING PREVIEW OF JANICE CANTORE’S NEXT BOOK, CRITICAL PURSUIT

  SEVENTY-FOUR PERCENT of abducted children who are murdered are dead within three hours of the abduction.

  The grim statistic rumbled around in K-9 Officer Brinna Caruso’s brain like a hand grenade without the pin. There was no evidence that six-year-old Josh Daniels had been abducted, yet the statistic taunted her.

  Brinna and her K-9, Hero, a four-year-old Labrador retriever, were part of a team of officers fanned out across El Dorado Park, the largest city park in Long Beach, California, searching for Josh. He’d disappeared from an afternoon family picnic two and a half hours ago.

  The huge park successfully created the illusion of wilderness, dense in some places, open in others. There were a thousand places to hide—or be hidden. Brinna normally loved the park, the smell of pine trees and nature, the illusion of pristine innocence and safety. Today all she could think about was how quickly innocence could be lost or, worse, stolen.

  Hero trotted ahead on a well-beaten path, panting in the summer heat. Brinna and Officer Maggie Sloan followed a few feet behind. Maggie had left her partner back at the picnic site with the boy’s family.

  “You are so intense it’s scary,” Maggie said.

  “What?” Brinna glanced from Hero to Maggie, who regarded her with a bemused expression. She wasn’t just another officer; she was Brinna’s confidante and best friend on the force.