“We didn’t find anything,” she denied again. “There’s nothing there. Maybe he knew you were following him.”
Archer had apparently lost his patience. Stomping toward them a few feet, his lips turned down, he brandished his gun clearly trying to intimidate.
“Throw the gun away,” Archer commanded, taking another few steps forward. They were only a few feet away from each other now, the barrels of their firearms inches apart. “I’m tired of these games.”
Josh didn’t move a muscle even as sweat poured down his back and chest. The gun was the only thing keeping Archer at bay but this standoff wasn’t going to go on forever. Holding his ground was becoming increasingly difficult.
“This is bullshit. The dog and kitty doctor isn’t going to do a goddamn thing. You better step away from her if you don’t want her dead too.”
He was lying. Archer didn’t technically need either of them to look for the evidence. It might be easier with Willow helping but he had to know she wasn’t going to lift a finger to assist him.
No, they were as good as dead in Caldwell’s eyes. In the way and they knew too damn much. They were like Stephen Baxter, loose ends to be tidied up.
Josh’s arm was getting tired, the gun like a lead weight pulling his sweaty hand down. Gritting his teeth, he had to concentrate to keep still, no matter how much his muscles screamed in pain and fatigue. This was no time to fail and give up. If his arm hurt, Archer’s had to as well. Josh would stand here until his entire fucking hand fell off if he had to.
Bright headlights flashed into Archer’s eyes, blinding him as a car pulled into the driveway. Knowing he only had a fraction of a moment, Josh shoved Willow to the ground and lifted his right arm, bringing it down on Caldwell’s arm and knocking the gun away.
Archer let loose a roar that echoed in Josh’s ears right before the other man tackled him to the grass. They both landed with a thud that knocked the breath out of Josh who was on the bottom, but he managed to get in a punch in to Caldwell’s ribs that had the man struggling for oxygen. Grunting with effort, Josh took a nasty right hook to the jaw right before he gave Archer an uppercut to the solar plexus, feeling the air whoosh out of the other man’s lungs.
“Hold it right there, asshole. Don’t move a fucking muscle or you’re dead.”
Ellis. Finally. The vacationing cop was holding a gun to Caldwell’s temple. Josh took the opportunity to slide away and then pushed himself to his feet. He automatically sought out Willow and he found her being helped by Bailey.
Josh’s gaze raked the woman he loved head to toe but she was thankfully uninjured.
“Took you long enough.”
Ellis gave him a sheepish grin. “We took a wrong turn about five miles back and didn’t realize it for awhile. Sorry about that.”
“We’re good,” Josh grunted because his friends had shown up in the nick of time. He and Willow were okay and now Caldwell was caught.
Unlike Archer’s description, there was no rush, no feeling of power now that Josh had won the skirmish – with a little help from his friends. He had protected Willow and the greater good but there was no triumphant emotion coursing through veins. Willow was clinging to him, her arms around his waist as Chase came to his side and picked up the gun where Josh had dropped it on the ground when he’d been tackled. “He would have killed you, bro. No question. No one would have blamed you if you’d shot him. Once he got the evidence you were dead.”
Josh was glad that it hadn’t come to that. There was no question he could have killed to protect Willow but it wouldn’t have been his first choice. But what were they going to do with Archer? Call the police? And tell them what? A secret society was out there killing people and running the world? They’d be laughed out of town.
Now that his hands were free, he wrapped his arms around Willow, running his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her as much as himself. He needed to feel her, solid and real in his arms, against his body.
Ellis pulled Archer to his feet and slapped a pair of cuffs on him. He was like a Boy Scout, always prepared.
Peyton looked at Archer and then at Ellis. “Should we call the cops? Someone might have heard something.”
Pulling slightly away from Josh, Willow shook her head. “There isn’t another building anywhere close, but we probably should call the police.”
“I don’t want to pour cold water over that idea,” Josh said, pulling a shaking Willow closer. “But what in the hell are we going to say?”
More headlights had them all turning to see a line of three dark SUVs pull in behind their own cars. Huddling together, Josh held his breath, his arm wrapped closely around Willow, once again placing her behind him. He didn’t know who their new company was but after the night he’d had he wasn’t taking any chances.
There was a collective breath from all of them when Nigel Holmwood stepped out of the middle vehicle and strode quickly toward them, several large men at his heels. Stopping about ten feet from Archer, the older man seemed to quickly assess the situation.
He didn’t look all that surprised either.
“Uncle Nigel,” Bailey breathed, launching herself forward and into the man’s arms. He chuckled and gave her a hug, patting her on the back before guiding her back to Chase. “You’re alive.”
“I am indeed, my child. Once I saw Archer today I knew he was up to something. After years in Evandria, you develop a sixth sense about these sorts of things. I’m sorry I couldn’t let you know right away that I was alive but I didn’t want Caldwell to know.” He glanced at the cuffed man who had yet to say a word. “What do you have to say for yourself, Archer?”
Glowering, the prisoner just stared vacantly into the distance. “I have nothing to say.”
“You’re welcome to that defense in front of the Council but they may want more details of your crimes.”
Josh stepped forward even as Willow tried to hold him back. “He killed Alex, Frank, and Greg plus he was threatening our lives and also Grant’s.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Nigel’s British accent sounded more clipped than usual. “Did he get his hands on the evidence?”
Josh shook his head. “No, he didn’t.”
Holmwood inclined his head. “Good. Now did you find what Grant planted?”
Willow answered before he had a chance. “No, we didn’t. We looked everywhere too.”
Not allowing himself to reveal his surprise, Josh didn’t even turn toward her, simply nodding in agreement. They were the only two people who knew that the evidence was in their possession and it was probably best that it stay that way.
Trust no one.
Nigel nodded his head toward the warehouse. “Would you allow my men to search the building? They may find something you’ve overlooked?”
Willow looked reluctant, taking her time before giving her consent. When she did, Nigel sent in four burly men after Willow unlocked the door for them.
“Now as for this situation.” He glanced at Caldwell. “Have you called the police yet?”
“We were just about to do that,” Peyton spoke up. They’d all been rather silent as they tried to comprehend all that had happened today and tonight.
“No need,” Nigel dismissed. “I’ll take care of cleaning this up. The local police would have no idea what to do with him and he wouldn’t stay in custody long. Wealthy people rarely do, especially as we have no evidence of his crimes. Not the kind that would convince a prosecutor anyway. He needs to face a jury of his peers, which is exactly what will happen in Evandria. If anyone asks, you weren’t here tonight. You were at the symphony. Here are your ticket stubs.”
He handed them to Bailey but Josh wasn’t ready to relinquish all control over to some guy he’d only met a few times. What if he double-crossed them?
“You just happened to have six used ticket stubs to the symphony?” Ellis queried, his expression hard. “And I’m to just hand over a killer to you? How do I know that you aren’t working with Caldwell?�
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Bailey stepped forward, her brows pinched together. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s on our side, Ellis.”
Josh had to admire Bailey’s loyalty. He, on the other hand, wasn’t feeling the love for the older man. So far skeptical seemed the way to go.
“No offense, but how do we truly know that?” Ellis asked. “There’s no way to prove that we can trust him.”
Nigel chuckled, a smile playing on his thin lips. “I think there may be a way.”
Chase threw up his hands. “You can try.”
Nigel stepped forward to where Willow was now stationed near the warehouse door, leaning down to whisper something in her ear that Josh couldn’t hear. Her eyes widened for a moment but then she nodded, her gaze darting to where he stood.
“Give him Archer,” she said softly but firmly. “He’s going to take care of this for us.”
For a minute it didn’t look like Ellis was going to comply but then he sighed and handed the man over to Nigel, who nodded in thanks and smiled.
“You all need to get out of here. I have a team coming in to clean this area up. In less than twenty minutes it’s going to look like no one was ever here, I promise you.”
Grabbing Josh’s hand, Willow led him back to the car. They drove back to the house in silence, not saying a word. The entire evening had been beyond surreal and he had to keep reminding himself that it had really happened. They’d found the cell phone and they’d caught the murderer that had killed Willow’s husband.
Josh had a myriad of questions – mostly about why Willow trusted Nigel – but there was no point asking them when the others weren’t there. He could wait but only that long. By some unspoken agreement they all ended up at Willow’s house, sitting in the kitchen. The dogs had been roused by the noise of their arrivals and he and Willow each had a canine on their lap, getting a belly rub.
“Talk,” Ellis commanded, pacing back and forth, lips a hard line. “What the hell happened tonight? You didn’t get the evidence? Because we didn’t find anything at the civic center. I knew it was a bad idea to let you go to the warehouse alone. I blame myself for this. It should have been me in a showdown with Caldwell.”
“I blame you too,” Peyton sighed with a smirk. “Frankly, this is all your fault.”
Halting, Ellis gazed at Peyton open-mouthed. “How is this my fault?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, I was just agreeing with you. There’s no making you happy, is there? I argue and you get huffy. I agree and you’re all pissy. Make up your mind.”
Josh held up his hand. He’d had enough. “It’s not your fault. It was our decision to go to the warehouse alone. We’ve been all over by ourselves and I thought we’d be okay there too. I was wrong.”
“So what did happen?” Bailey asked, settling next to Chase on the loveseat.
In fits and starts between them, he and Willow were able to explain what had happened before they arrived. When they got to the part about finding the cell phone, Bailey slapped her thigh and looked livid.
“You lied to us and Nigel. You did find the evidence. What does it say?”
Willow sighed and rubbed at her temple. “We haven’t looked at the evidence yet. And I don’t think your uncle cared about the evidence as long as it didn’t fall into the wrong hands. Personally, I think he already knows what’s in it.”
That was news to Josh. “What do you mean, he knew? Is that what he was saying to you?”
She nodded, her hands wrung together. “Kind of. First, he told me that Archer was only following orders when he killed our husbands, which goes along with what he himself told us. That people higher up are the ones in true control. Nigel then said he was going to go one further and tell us something we might not have known. He said that he believes the same person who killed Stephen Baxter planted that package bomb that injured Peyton. He also said that he believes the gunshot when we were horseback riding was that same person. The rogue faction of Evandria thinks we’re getting too close. He said that none of us are safe and that we should leave Midnight Blue Beach immediately. Once members realize that Caldwell is in Evandria custody, things are really going to hit the fan. It will be chaos within the organization.”
Ellis’s face was red. “I bet the old fart knows a hell of a lot more. He’s known all along that Baxter killed Gwen but he said nothing. He’s known all along who tried to kill Peyton. Still silence. Sorry, Bailey, but I’m not sure that your uncle isn’t playing some deadly games of his own.”
Bailey’s expression was conflicted and she clung to Chase, shaking her head. “I can’t believe he would place us in danger but I agree his actions are suspect. What are we going to do?”
Ellis’s jaw snapped together and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t know about you all but I’m going after the sons of bitches that tried to kill Peyton. We’ve done pretty well so far without Holmwood’s help.”
Josh had the exact same thoughts. “I agree. We’ve disrupted the organization. If we back off they might not kill us but they’ll always be watching. If we don’t bring them down, we’ll always have them hanging over our heads.”
Willow’s lips were pursed and her color was high. “Sometimes I want to kick Alex right in the balls.”
“Ditto,” Bailey echoed. “If Frank were here, I’d kick him hard.”
“And Greg,” Peyton added. “He deserves a good swift knee to the ‘nads. He has another damn family so make that two knees to the groin.”
Although their late husbands absolutely deserved the assault, Josh couldn’t stop himself from crossing his legs in sympathy. These women were pissed.
Peyton crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s just like Greg too. Get himself into a bad situation and then drag me along with him. I was always bailing him out of scrapes.”
Ellis stopped pacing and looked around the room. “Are we saying what I think we’re saying? Because if we are then we need some sort of plan—after we get the hell out of this town, that is.”
Josh held up the cell phone. “First things first. Let’s find out what the evidence is.”
Willow placed her hand on his. “Actually, the very first thing should be to get the jet gassed up and head for Williamsburg. We can look for the evidence once we pack and get out of here.”
After Willow called the pilot and told him to get the plane ready, she met Josh upstairs. He’d thrown the few clothes and toiletries that he’d brought into his bag and now he was scrolling through the phone trying to find whatever message Grant had left them. So far, he’d come up empty.
“How long did it take you to pack?” She dragged a large suitcase from the closet. “It’s not fair. Women need more stuff than men. Did you find anything?”
“Not yet.” Josh closed one app and set the phone on the bed before standing and joining her in the closet. He pulled her into his arms and inhaled the fresh vanilla scent of her hair. After the night they’d had, he needed this. Just holding her made everything better. “Are you okay, honey? We had a close call tonight.”
She looked up at him and he couldn’t stop himself from kissing her, her hands cupping his jaw where it was bruised. “I’m good. You were kind of a super hero, getting that gun out of his hand and throwing some punches. My protector.”
“I’d die for you. I love you.”
He didn’t even hesitate to say it. It was true. He would have jumped in front of that bullet without a second thought to save her life.
“I’m glad it didn’t come to that. I love you too. So very much, Josh.”
He could hear the love and passion in her voice but even if he hadn’t, he could see it in her eyes, soft and golden as she gazed up at him. He could feel it in her touch but mostly he could feel and hear her heart beating in time with his own.
“You’ve found Alex’s killer. Can you…you know…move on now? With me?”
Her fingers threaded through his hair and she smiled an achingly tender smile that he hoped to see every day for the rest of his life. “I can
and I will. We’re going to have that future together. You, me, and about a dozen rescue dogs. Think you can handle it?”
He pressed his forehead to hers and smiled.
“Honey, it will be my great pleasure to try.”
Chapter Thirty
The captain announced that they could unfasten their seatbelts and move freely around the cabin. Willow popped hers open and went straight to the small refrigerator, pulling out two bottles of water, one for her and one for the two dogs who were in their kennels in the last row. She opened the wire mesh doors and filled their bowls, hoping they wouldn’t hit much turbulence. Scout was a good flyer but Brodie got motion sick. Ruffling their fur, she scratched them behind the ears, taking comfort in their soothing presence.
She’d put up a good front for Josh but inside she was still reeling from the earlier events at the warehouse. She’d been terrified Archer was going to shoot them and then she’d been even more frightened that he was going to kill Josh. It had been a shock when he’d shoved her to the ground and knocked the gun out of Archer’s hand. She was angry and relieved in equal measure – angry that he’d taken such a huge risk with his life and relieved that Archer Caldwell was now in custody.
Albeit Evandria’s custody.
Although she’d decided to trust Nigel Holmwood with Archer’s justice, she wasn’t as convinced they could trust the older man when it came to bringing down the people that wanted her and her friends dead. He seemed to know quite a bit of important information, and he wasn’t sharing it generously but doling it out in dribs and drabs.
But still they’d now managed to find Gwen Baxter’s killer and also Alex, Frank, and Greg’s killer. That had to count for something. The fact that they’d angered Evandria and were now stuck in the middle of an inner-organizational war was a nasty consequence. If they ever wanted to sleep peacefully again, they had to find a way to neutralize the people that threatened their lives.
Midnight Of No Return (Midnight Blue Beach Book 2) Page 21