by Jamie Hill
He grinned. “That was amazing.”
She did a double-take. “Huh? What show were you watching? God, that was horrible!”
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her eyes. “Forget about him. He’s an asswipe who’s obviously been hardened by prison.”
“Did you hear what he said to me?” Her heart felt like it might burst.
Doug palmed the hanky and held her face in his hands. “Yeah, like I said, forget about him. Did you hear what he said? Peyton ran off and E got snatched.”
“I know they did!” she sobbed.
“Christi…look at me.” He caught her eye and spoke slowly. “He said Peyton ran off. How did he know that?”
Understanding dawned on her, and she grabbed the hanky to wipe her own face. “Yeah. How did he know that?”
McGuire stepped forward. “He’s obviously connected in there. His true colors are showing. I want you to collect yourself, then go back in and push some more buttons. What else we can get him to admit? Don’t mention his mistake, just give him a little rope and we’ll see if he hangs himself.”
Nodding, she dried her eyes and firmed up her resolve.
Doug spoke quietly. “You think you can do this?”
Christine set her jaw. “I know I can. He thought he could play me for a fool. We’ll see who the real fool is.”
“That’s my girl.” He squeezed her hand.
She stared at him for a moment as he realized what he’d said. A faint pink blush rose to his cheeks.
“I, uh, didn’t mean…well, crap.” He gave up trying to explain.
A genuine smile creased her lips. “I hope you did mean it. That’s the thought I’m carrying with me when I go back in there.”
He smiled. “Go get him.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the window. Larry was still yelling, fuming about being ignored, and practically foaming at the mouth. “Him?” She shook her head. “He’s an asswipe.”
Calm and collected, she felt like a new person when she returned to Larry.
His face was red and he sweated profusely. “What’s really going on here, Chris? Exactly what are you doing?” Spittle flew from his mouth.
She folded her arms across her chest. “If you’ll settle down, I’ll see if they’ll free one of your hands and bring you a soda. Would you like a Dr. Pepper?”
“They don’t have that here,” he snarled.
“Maybe not on your end, but there’s a machine for visitors out in the hall. Want one?”
He slowed his heavy breathing and looked at her. “Yeah.”
She turned to the woman. “Could you do that, please? And unlock a hand so he can drink it?”
“If you’re sure.” She left.
Christine sat. “It’s time to be honest here, Larry. A man claiming to be a Witsec Marshal took Ethan last night and said they’d be right back. That’s the last I’ve seen or heard from our son. The Chicago office got a message that he’s being ransomed, and you’d know what to do. Hell yes I’m upset, but I’ve had a bit more time to process this than you have. I have to keep going, and do whatever I can to get E back.”
She paused as the guard returned with a Styrofoam cup filled with ice and soda. The woman set it down in front of Larry, then reached for his handcuffs. Before unlocking them she said, “See that mirror right there?”
He nodded.
“On the other side of it are four men with guns, and it’s not bullet-proof glass. You make one wrong move toward her and it’ll surely be your last. Got that?”
Larry appeared defeated. “Yeah.”
“You right or left handed?”
“Right.”
She unlocked his left hand, and reconnected the other to the table. As she slipped out she added, “Behave yourself. I mean it.”
He reached for the drink and took a sip, savoring it.
Christine remembered how much he enjoyed Dr. Pepper, something they took for granted back in the day. “Feel better?”
Setting the cup down, he scrubbed a hand over his face, wicking away the sweat. “Yes. Thank you.”
“So I need to know, why do the kidnappers think you have the ransom money? We didn’t have squat by the time the feds got through with their investigation. We lost the house, the cars, everything.”
He gazed at her evenly. “How do I know any of this is the truth? What if the cops are just using you to try and get information from me?”
“Why would they do that? The kids and I were building a new life far away from here. I never thought we’d see Chicago again. Then someone found us, and started giving Ethan Cubs gifts. Peyton got a college brochure from UIC. And I received yellow roses on August 22.” She stared at him.
Larry raised his eyebrows. “What the hell? Who would have done that?”
“We assumed it was you, since you always sent me roses on our anniversary.”
He chuckled, but there was no mirth in it. “Are you serious? You sit there in decent clothes, telling me about your new life in a different town. And here I am, with two orange jumpsuits to my name. You talk about losing stuff. I’ve lost everything. I barely have a pot to piss in. You think I still have a credit card tucked away, and if I did, I’d use it to order you flowers?”
Embarrassment oozed through her. It did sound ridiculous. “Who would have done it, then? And why? All I know is that suddenly we were no longer safe, and had to go on the run. Think about it, Larry. Is that what you had in mind when you started laundering drug money for Valcor? Did you want us to live in fear from one moment to the next, because you’ve accomplished that.”
“Of course not!” he scoffed. “I wanted a better life for us. Something where we didn’t have to work so hard for every scrap we got. Something better for the kids.”
“There’s nothing wrong with hard work, and we had a lot more than scraps, Larry. When did you lose sight of that?”
He shook his head. “We’re way off topic, here. Ethan was taken last night? When was the note received? How do we know he’s still alive?”
“I won’t let myself go there. I have to believe he’s alive and okay, or I’d collapse and wouldn’t be able to function.”
“Like you did when Rusty died.”
Her chest ached. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Yes, I grieved for our son. He was an innocent child, he didn’t deserve what happened to him. But his illness was nobody’s fault. The situation Ethan is in is totally different. It is someone’s fault.”
He took another drink and drew a piece of ice into his mouth to chew on. “I had nothing to do with it. I’m in solitary confinement, for Christ’s sake!”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re totally innocent in all this. I hear you. I just don’t believe you. Did you take some money, Larry? Apparently, whoever you took it from wants it back.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She leaned forward. “You’re already in prison, nothing more is going to happen to you. Tell me where the money is, so we can get our son back.”
“I told you, I don’t know about any money. But if I did, do you really think the cops are going to turn it over to the kidnappers to save Ethan? You are a stupid bitch if you believe that.”
Panic rose inside her. He had a point. The officials wouldn’t turn millions of dollars back over to a Columbian drug cartel to continue funding their illegal activities. They were using her to get to Larry, while Ethan and her mother’s lives remained in danger. “Oh my God,” she muttered.
“Yeah.” He polished off the last of the ice and squeezed the cup to shreds. “Wish I could help you, babe, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He looked at the mirror and yelled, “I gotta piss!”
“Larry,” she murmured sadly, as the guard opened the door.
“We done here, or you want him back?” the woman asked.
Christine thought about the question for a moment. She gazed at her ex-husband and said truthfully, “We’re done.”
; Cuffing his left hand, the guard hoisted him by the arm and pointed him toward the door.
He didn’t speak as he walked out, just flashed his teeth at Christine in some type of pseudo-smile.
Her heart lurched as she returned to the other room, feeling like she’d failed in her mission.
Doug didn’t appear happy as she approached. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I didn’t get the information we needed.”
“You did just fine.” He took her arm.
She suddenly realized his irritation wasn’t directed at her.
“Can we go now?” he asked McGuire.
“Yes.” The prosecutor said a few words to the other men then they walked out to his car.
“What’s happening?” she whispered as Doug whisked her off.
He leaned down to speak quietly in her ear. “Save it until we’re alone.”
Nodding, she climbed into the back seat and once again remained in the middle so Doug’s leg had to touch hers.
No one spoke on the ride back to the federal offices.
Christine didn’t realize her leg was shaking until Doug reached out and palmed her knee.
The movement was so tender, so protective, for a moment she thought she might cry.
He stared straight ahead, his expression grim.
Back at Witsec, McGuire didn’t linger after he’d parked the car. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Yeah, I bet you will.” Doug helped her out and with his hand on the small of her back, led her quickly to his car.
“What the hell was that?” she asked, incredulous, as he started to drive.
“Nothing was as it seemed today. I realized that when Stewart said the police weren’t going to give the money back to the kidnappers, because he was right.”
“I thought about that, too. They wouldn’t—couldn’t… pay the ransom. So what was today really about?”
He glanced at her sideways. “I’m not sure. Something else is going on here. We need to get back to the condo and see if we can figure it out.”
Worry tinged with fear flowed through her veins. Seeing Larry had been the last resort. She was exhausted and frightened and seriously afraid of losing her mind.
They arrived at the condo and Doug drove straight into the garage. Anxious to get back to Peyton and her father, Christine hurried from the SUV. She opened the door and was greeted by her grinning son, catapulting into her arms.
Chapter Ten
Metropolitan Correctional Center
General Population
Chicago, Illinois
“Newsome, visitor. I think it’s your lawyer.” The guard unlocked the cell door.
Martin Newsome grinned at his roommate Raymond. “Second time this week. Might be good news.”
“Good luck, Scrubby.” The man grinned.
Newsome followed the guard to the first floor bank of visitation stations. A row of cubicles with chairs and telephones, separated from visitors by a Plexiglas window. Spotting his lawyer, he sat in front of him and picked up the phone. “Please tell me you have good news.”
“I have great news. The feds tossed Larry Stewart’s cell and found a disposable phone with plenty of incriminating evidence on it. He’s been connected the whole time in here, still giving orders. Arrogant bastard didn’t erase his voicemails, with people calling him ‘boss’ and talking about his ‘being in charge’. According to the prosecutor, he’s no longer the star witness at your trial. You’ll be the star witness at his trial, if you take the deal they’re offering.”
Newsome nearly wet his pants. “Deal? What kind of deal?”
“We’ll go to trial on Monday and ask for a continuance. Stewart will then be arraigned. His lawyer’s going to request some time to prepare his case, which could take several more months.”
Disappointment replaced the excitement that had been welling in his chest. “Several more months?”
His lawyer held up a hand. “I’ve arranged with the Witness Security Program to get you and your family in. You’ll be given different identities and a new place to live. You’ll have to come back for the trial, of course, but after that the prosecutor has agreed to let you plead guilty to minor charges in exchange for time served. Your case will go away.”
“Time served?” Newsome’s hands began to shake. “You mean it’s over?”
The man smiled. “It’s over. I’ve gotten permission for you to make one call. Would you like to phone your wife? You might want to tell her to start packing.”
* * * *
Chicago, Illinois
Doug wasn’t focused on the happy, well-rested faces of Ethan and Lillian. Blinded by anger he could only see red, in the shape of one Marshal Rivers. The man stood in the corner with a decidedly uncomfortable expression on his face.
“You have some explaining to do.” Doug charged at him.
“Hang on there, buddy.” Ben moved between them. “I’m supposed to tell you to call Chief Wilson ASAP and get briefed.”
He faced Ben. “Did you know about this?”
His friend shook his head vehemently. “I swear to God. I just found out when they showed up with Rivers a short while ago. Seems they spent the night in some swank hotel. The kid got sick from eating too much ice cream, but they’re otherwise just fine.”
Doug looked at Ethan, who was patiently accepting tears, hugs and kisses from his mom. He didn’t want to intrude, but he had to be sure. Kneeling by them, he placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Ethan, you’re really okay? Nothing happened to you?”
Ethan smiled at him. “I’m fine. Marshal Rivers said you and Mom knew all about the plan.” His face clouded. “I’m sorry that you didn’t, and you were worried about us.”
Unable to resist, Doug gathered him into a hug. Christine didn’t release her grip, so he ended up hugging both of them. “It’s not your fault, buddy. We’re just glad you’re okay.”
“My stomach hurts a little,” he confided.
Doug laughed. “I’ll bet. Rocky Road?”
Nodding, he made a face. “All I could eat.”
He ruffled Ethan’s hair and squeezed Christine’s shoulder as he stood. Moving in front of Lillian and Stan, he reached for the woman’s hand. “You’re okay too? Did you get your medicine?”
She nodded, her smile grateful. “I’m fine. We didn’t go home, but the marshal had someone bring me exactly what I needed. He said we were being followed, and it wouldn’t be safe to come back here last night so we went to a hotel.” She looked at her husband. “A very nice hotel. Room service and everything.” Looking back at Doug she added, “I never dreamed they were deceiving us. I trusted him as much as my daughter trusted you.”
Anger burned like fire in the pit of his stomach. “I understand. You did the right thing. We were very worried, of course, but you’re back now.” He eyed the protective grasp Stan had on her arm. Combined with the visor-tight grip Christine held on Ethan, he doubted an earthquake could separate the family again.
He spotted Peyton standing next to Ben, tears glistening on her cheeks. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Confused, but all right.”
He brushed a lock of hair back from her face. “That makes a bunch of us, kiddo. If you’ll all excuse me, I have some calls to make.” He eyed Ben as he headed for the kitchen. “Keep an eye on Rivers.”
Ben smiled. “No one’s going anywhere. Don’t worry. Make your calls.”
Once he was alone, he dialed the Chicago Witsec chief.
“Wilson.”
“This is Doug Jackson. I’d like to know what the hell is going on.”
“Marshal, I know you’re upset right now.”
“Upset? I haven’t calmed down enough to be upset yet. Did you arrange the fake kidnapping?”
“Of course not. The FBI planned it, and we had to go along.”
Doug couldn’t help yelling. “But you didn’t think you had to include me in the plans? What the fuck were your people thinking? The boy’s mother nearly lost her m
ind. Her father and daughter were beside themselves!”
“They needed her to be convincing when she talked to Larry Stewart, and that part of the plan worked. They got him, Jackson. His slip of the tongue set the chain of events into place. They found his disposable cell in a fake can of shaving cream. It’s loaded with usable information. The focus of the trial has now shifted from Martin Newsome to Larry Stewart.”
He couldn’t think about that now. His blood still boiled from the deception by the branch of the Justice Department to which he’d sworn an oath. “Fuck that.”
“Listen, take the night and get your bearings. I know once you calm down you’ll realize that the boy and his grandmother are fine. They were much better off in our hands than if they’d really been abducted.”
“Of course, but they were fine here with me, too. They didn’t need to be taken from their family that way. It was an unconscionable act, and I’m ashamed the Marshal’s Service was part of it.”
“Take the night, Jackson. We’ll be in touch tomorrow. But remember, this isn’t done yet. The trial is going to get bound over, and it’s likely to drag on for several more months. None of that family is safe.”
“Great. Just fucking great. Thanks for all the good news.” He punched the disconnect button on his phone, then speed dialed his chief in Topeka. His boss needed no introduction.
“Doug, I’m sorry. I’ve just been briefed. I swear to you, I had no idea.”
“I might be out of a job. I just yelled and cussed at the head of Chicago Witsec.”
His boss chuckled. “I’ll go to bat for you. What they did was shitty. We don’t treat our witnesses—or our marshals—that way.”
“Apparently the feds do.”
“Keep your eye on the big picture. They’re safe. The stunt got results, or so I’m told.”
“I don’t have time for the big picture. The only thing in my sights is this family, who by the way is not out of danger, yet. It’s been an intense week, and that God awful trick didn’t help matters. I’m not sure I can get past this, Chief.”