“A hundred then?” Gavin waited until Dean nodded, then ran down the steps and through the crowded parking lot, drawing attention from every reporter.
The second Gavin tore off, a second car came racing toward them. There was nervous excitement buzzing through the crowd, and after the shooting, they could only guess what kind of maniac would drive up to the police station like a madman.
“Shit,” Chief Dickson said, shaking his head. “He’s back.”
Summer watched as Grimshaw pulled the car into the parking lot as far as he could, then jumped out. He was gripping an envelope tightly in his hand and Summer realized where he’d disappeared to after the altercation in the chief’s office. He’d gone crying to Judge Lynch and pleaded his case. And by the look on his face and the death grip on that envelope, he’d gotten just what he’d set out for.
The crowd of reporters were throwing out question after question to the detective, but he was in no mood to answer any as he charged through the crowd, his eyes flickering between Chief Dickson and Nate.
When Summer looked over at Nate, he had a big satisfied grin plastered on his face. A stark contrast to the chief’s tight lipped glare at the man who’d undermined his authority. She knew the chief could remain calm and keep his cool, but it was Nate she was worried about. He was waiting, praying for the moment to knock the detective down a notch.
It was when Grimshaw stepped between the lines of reporters, standing at the base of the stairs that his hard black eyes dropped from the chief’s face, to the lifeless body at the top of the stairs. Instantly his glare was reduced to a look of shock. What had happened to John Scott seemed to be outside his realm of understanding. He looked completely dumbfounded at the prospect of all his hard work being destroyed in the time it’d taken him to get the court order.
“What the hell?” Grimshaw said, standing at the top of the stairs, gazing down at the huge crater where John Scott’s brain and skull had been.
Chief Dickson plucked the papers from Grimshaw’s hand while he was busy examining the scene. He unfolded them and gave a quick glance over while shaking his head. “You went to Judge Lynch. I can’t believe he authorized this. What the hell are you trying to pull here, Grimshaw?”
“What am I trying to pull?” He glared up at the chief. The bulging jaw muscles and pencil lips showed just how pissed he was. More pissed than when Nate had almost snapped his wrist.
“I was trying to keep our prisoner safe until we could try him for the crimes that we both know he’d committed,” Grimshaw said. “But you had to go and fuck it all up. Why couldn’t you leave the police work to the professionals and keep your nose out of my business?”
“Why you insubordinate piece of shit!” Chief Dickson crumpled the paper and dropped it beside John Scott’s body, then walked to the front doors.
“Chief,” Nate said. “What are we going to do with the crime scene?”
“We’re not going to do anything. It’s not in our jurisdiction anymore. Detective Grimshaw has kindly taken Mr. Scott off our hands, thanks to his friend Judge Lynch.”
Nate looked confused as he followed the chief into the station. “Our jurisdiction? But this whole city is our jurisdiction?”
Summer wanted no part in dealing with John Scott’s murder and quickly stepped around the detective, who was already eyeballing everyone in the area, and took Dean by the arm, escorting him toward the entrance.
“Come inside, Dean.” Summer tossed her hair back from her face as she stepped through the door. “You’re starting to look worse than shit.”
“Worse than shit? Is that possible?” Dean smiled. It was as if that perfect white smile had been hidden from her for years. She’d forgotten how the bottom front teeth were only the slightest bit askew. That littlest imperfection in his appearance reminded her that he was only human.
He stumbled and staggered from side to side as they headed toward the chief’s office and Summer knew if Dean didn’t take it easy, and soon, that he would pass out and have to be rushed back to the hospital. But that was the last place he would want to go. Even if he dropped unconscious here in the hallway, she knew the second he came to in the hospital that he’d make another break for it—and he’d be really pissed off, too.
“Come on,” she said, pushing the door open and guiding him inside the large office. She led him to the black leather couch that Chief Dickson used as his own small break area and laid him down. His colour was bad and his cold sweat didn’t make her feel any better about his chance of staying there.
“Have you eaten anything this morning?”
Dean lifted his right arm and motioned to the bruised area where he’d ripped the IV out. “They said it was liquefied bacon and eggs, but I think they were lying.”
“Always the smart ass.” Summer opened the small bar fridge, grabbed an orange juice and a chocolate bar from the chief’s stash. “But never very smart.”
“Smart enough not to stand behind that bastard out there.”
“Yeah, I’m glad the shooter only had one person in mind.” Summer shook her head. “Sorry. Is that wrong to think John Scott deserved to die out there?”
“If someone had to die today, I’m glad it was him.” Dean downed half the juice and started nibbling on the chocolate. “You think it was planned?”
Summer gave him a curious look. “You think it was just a coincidence that someone snipped the man the minute he stepped out of jail. They already tried to kill him while he was inside, and when that didn’t happen then they waited until he stepped outside and blew his head clean off his shoulders.” She shuttered at the memory. “But why would they want him silenced. What did he do to piss them off that they wanted him dead?”
Dean finished his snack and the colour was starting to return to his face. “First, he harmed you. Then he got caught. Maybe they decided that he was a loose end that needed to be tied up? Maybe whoever he was working for didn’t want to chance him copping a deal and incriminating them and figured he was dispensable?”
“So, if John Scott’s boss had him killed, and the kidnapper thinks he might be next, then the kidnapper can’t be working for the same guy that John Scott was.” Summer smiled. “He might be more forgiving?”
Dean lifted his shirt, exposing his stitches. “I wouldn’t count on it. He means business. He might not have the same ethics as John Scott, but he’s somehow involved with him and that makes him just as dangerous.”
The office doors burst open and Nate came rushing in behind the chief. He tossed a large canvas bag onto the back table then grabbed a handful of tissues and began blotting his bloodied knuckles, a sight Summer had seen often during their time together.
“That’s not the way we work around here, Nate! You better start following procedures or you’ll find your ass out on the street if you keep that shit up. Now, he’s going to file a complaint and this isn’t the first time they’ve been looking at you.”
“Let him file all the complaints he wants. It’ll never stick. He’s already been booked for attacking John Scott in the cell. The bruises and blood must have come from that fight.”
Chief Dickson dropped into his chair and motioned for Nate to take a seat. “This is the last time I’ll cover your ass. If you let your temper get the better of you one more time, it’ll be your last in that uniform. Is that understood?”
Nate bowed his head and agreed.
“Where’d you take off to?” Summer asked, laying Dean down on the couch and stepping across the room to the desk.
“Off the record,” Chief Dickson glanced at Nate. “We paid Seth Millar a visit. Figured that with John Scott dead, he was the only other link we have.”
Summer had wanted to pay Seth a visit herself, but there hadn’t been a free moment to deal with him. “But I thought he wasn’t talking?”
“Still isn’t saying much. The same old routine about doing it for you, Summer.” Nate flexed his hand. “I couldn’t get him to change his story, no matter what I said.
”
“Thank you, Nate. I appreciate your help, but you better lie low for the rest of this one. I’d hate to come back and be shackled with Jones as a partner.”
Nate never looked up, but she could tell he was grinning by the way his ears moved. He was definitely the best friend that she had. One who would risk everything to help her in any way she needed. She knew she could ask him to kill a man and he wouldn’t think twice about doing it. Nate was exactly the muscle she needed during the money drop. The muscle that would ensure she got Sabrina back, but she knew she couldn’t take him along. Knew that he’d become too emotionally involved in this case and his muscle would inhibit him from making the right choices.
The phone on Chief Dickson’s desk rang, startling Summer and making her jump. She fought to catch her breath, wondering if it was the kidnapper on the other line. She watched the chief step to the side of the desk and slowly pluck the phone from the cradle. Summer prayed that it wasn’t the kidnapper calling because she didn’t know how long it would take Gavin to get the money and she didn’t dare risk making the kidnapper angry. She’d already done it once today and she didn’t know how much more it would take before he snapped.
The shakes began to creep back into her arms, slowly spreading into her chest, causing her to twitch and jerk uncontrollably. “Who is it!” she blurted, unable to control herself anymore.
Chief Dickson shook his head and pointed to Dean on the couch. “Just a minute.” He covered the mouth piece, carried the phone across the room and handed it to Dean then turned to Summer. “It’s Gavin. He’s at the bank now making the withdrawal, but they need to confirm it with Dean first.”
Summer let out her breath. “They’ll let Dean have it, won’t they?”
“Should? It’s his money to spend, but I think they want to make sure Gavin’s not cleaning out the business on him.”
“Good call,” Nate said, getting to his feet and slowly making his way to Summer’s side. “I wouldn’t trust him with a pack of gum.”
Dean glared up at Nate as he spoke to the bank manager. His colour was getting brighter, but part of that may have been from Nate’s comments. When he handed the phone back to the chief, Dean struggled into the sitting position. “You may not like Gavin, and sometimes I don’t either, but he’s still my brother so keep your opinions about him to yourself while I’m around.”
Nate walked to the door and stared out through the small frosted window into the main station. “You honestly believe that he’s turned his life around and is walking the straight and narrow?”
“I have to believe in him. That’s what family’s for.”
“Mark my words, Dean. The only thing Gavin learned in prison is how to clean up his trail so not to get busted again.”
“We’ll see, Nate. Time will tell, and when that time comes, you’ll be eating your words.”
Nate turned and fixed Dean with a hard glare. “You just watch your step and make sure the shit doesn’t stick to your feet, cause if he’s dealing, you just might go down with him. We saved your ass the last time and stopped that shipment before it hit your property, but don’t think we’ll be able to do it every time.”
“Nate!” Summer yelled. “This is not the place or time for your theories. You’re entitled to your own opinions, but for right now, please shut the hell up.”
“Fine!” Nate met her glare then opened the door. “I can’t sit around here any longer. I’m going for a ride. Give me a call as soon as the kidnapper phones and I’ll scout the location for the drop and try to find a hiding place.”
Summer nodded as Nate disappeared out the door. Could she risk Sabrina’s safety and let Nate try to ambush the kidnapper? She knew it wasn’t a bad idea if only the hostage wasn’t her daughter. If it was someone else’s child she was sure that she would do the same thing as Nate, but how could she? How could she take the chance? The kidnapper had brought Sabrina along so he could release her, so why wouldn’t he do it now that money was on the line?
Chapter 13
“Go! Get in your room!” he said, shoving Sabrina through the door and into the mudroom.
Sabrina stumbled through the room, fighting to stop the sobs as she disappeared through the kitchen and into her dungeon.
He’d made a promise not to yell and scream at her, but after what had just happened, he didn’t care anymore. The whole plan was falling apart. It was supposed to be so simple. Free that sick fucker from jail then let the girl go. And he was all prepared to do just that, she was standing at his side, moments from freedom, when he heard the shot echo into the countryside.
He couldn’t believe anybody would risk killing John Scott right in front of all the cops and reporters.
The phone began ringing, igniting his fears. Only one person would be calling and he knew the caller wouldn’t be pleased with the turn of events. After peeking in the next room and checking that Sabrina was sitting calmly in the oversized chair, he pushed the button and answered the phone, but didn’t dare say a word until spoken to.
“You stupid ass! Why wasn’t the girl released?”
“They killed John Scott. I heard the gun shot and the woman confirmed it.”
“I don’t care. You know the deal. You know how it was supposed to go down.”
“But they—”
“Shut up! I don’t care if they’d cut him into a thousand pieces and begun serving his flesh to the mass of reporters there. We had a deal. Take the girl then release her after they let John Scott go.”
“But—”
“If you say but one more time I’ll personally come there and slit your throat wide open.” The man on the phone paused as if daring him to say the wrong word. “Now, I’ll say this only once. Release the child, then call the mother to come get her.”
“But, how do I know they won’t try to kill me like they did John Scott?”
“You don’t, but I can guarantee you’ll be dead by sundown if I don’t see that girl reunited with her fucking mother!”
“What about the hundred grand I asked for? There’s no sense in letting it go to waste.”
“Do I need to remind you that you’ve already been paid for this job? Asking for a bonus like that will only hurt your chances of survival, so just let the girl go and the mother will think you got cold feet and ran away.”
“I don’t know?” he said, moving to the window and glancing out at the front entrance. “It doesn’t feel right. That guy, John Scott, he trusted you to get him out of jail, but look at him, he’s dead. You were supposed to protect him.”
“Was I? Who said anything about protection? You’ve got a lot to learn about this business. I give an order and you follow it. There’s no reason for you to be using that fucking pea brain of yours. I call the shots and I made it completely fucking clear what you were to provide. Your services were complete, but for some reason you seem to be lingering around the water cooler. So unless you want to risk your life playing around, let the girl go. Or better yet, tell me where you’re hiding at and I’ll send someone to pick her up.”
“No—no need to do that.” He let the curtain fall back in place. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Just so you know. I’m an impatient man. So make sure it happens, and fast.”
Chapter 14
With Nate gone, Dean collapsed on the leather couch, and Chief Dickson coordinating the cleanup of the murder scene on the front steps of the station, Summer felt all alone while pacing back and forth inside the chief’s office. She checked the phone repeatedly, making sure it was still turned on and prayed that the kidnapper wouldn’t call until Gavin returned with the money.
Every time she passed the small frosted window, she glanced out, hoping to see Gavin’s car pulling into the parking lot, but ended up silently cursing him instead. She looked at Dean, resting comfortably on the couch and knew he should be back in the hospital. He did look better now that he’d had a chance to eat and rest, but he would expel all that strength the moment she tried t
o leave without him. She could already picture him ranting about being Sabrina’s father and coming with her on the drop, but none of that mattered if Gavin didn’t get back soon.
Hearing the sound of a car tearing through the parking lot, Summer opened the door and caught the back end of the car disappearing around the side of the building. She had to give it to Gavin, at least he had the sense to use the back entrance. Taking one last look at Dean, she disappeared out into the buzzing main room, then down the side hall toward the back door.
She was surprised to see a smile on Gavin’s face. After everything they’d been through, he didn’t seem to be holding any grudges for her putting him away in prison. It was like she’d told Nate, he did the crime and had to pay the time. She’d tried to explain it to Nate that what happened between them eight years ago was cool. She was only doing her job and if Gavin hadn’t been running on the wrong side, then he wouldn’t have been caught.
And, Summer smiled, she wouldn’t have met Dean at the courthouse during Gavin’s conviction. He had been the complete opposite from Gavin. Everything from his mannerism to his appearance, and she had been shocked to find out that they shared the same mother.
“I got it,” Gavin said, rushing down the hall and tossing the large envelope to Summer. “It’s all there. A whole fucking shitload of cash.”
“Thank you, Gavin. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me and Dean.”
“Hey, that’s what family’s for.” Gavin glanced around the corner. “Speaking of family, where the fuck is Dean?”
Summer hurried to keep up with him as he rounded the corner. “He’s resting in the chief’s office. He’s lost a lot of blood and probably shouldn’t even be here.”
“Tell me about it. I tried to talk him into returning to the hospital, but you know how fucking stubborn he can be. Especially when he’s feeling helpless and vulnerable.”
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