Marcus: The M Series, Book Three

by Ryanne Anthony

  “No, Matthew,” Joshua shouts, stepping in front of him. “Stand down! You are too close to this! Let Richards and Parker do their jobs!”

  I look at Richards. “Call Wexler and let him know what happened here. He should know as soon as possible. His son...”

  “Sure, Marcus,” Richards murmurs. A man runs up to him and hands him papers, including a pink form.

  “And keep this security going,” Matthew commands. “I want Brown and Hunt to remain, everyone else needs to be rotated! Fresh eyes! Now!”

  “Get to the hospital Marcus,” Tom says. “Nathan is filling in Lisa; she went with Alissa to the hospital. We're all going as soon as he’s done.”

  “Wait,” Richards mutters. Matthew and I turn.

  “There was a second male involved,” Richards says, now reading the pink form.

  “A second male?”

  “Yes. Daniels has the record. And Marcus... well, here.” He hands me the pink form. It’s a lab report. I take it and Tom and I slowly read it.

  “What's it say,” Matthew says as he and Joshua walk over.

  “The blood on the backseat is Mariah's,” Tom reads. “There was no other fluids detected in the car so it’s possible she was still pregnant when they crashed. The blood on the steering wheel is not Vince's.”

  “What good does this do me now,” I look at Richards.

  “Keep reading, Marcus,” he says frowning.

  I look at the report again, and see what he wants me to.

  “Shit,” Tom yells and walks off. “Why did she lie?”

  “What,” Matthew asks, impatiently. “Who lied?”

  “That baby in the E.R. is not Mariah's,” I mumble. Our baby could still be safe inside her.

  For the first time today, I feel some relief.

  “This is good news, right, Marcus,” Joshua asks. “Adina could have been lying to Wexler. She sounded completely disturbed. Mariah could still be alive and pregnant.”

  “I called the parents. Everyone is coming here, Marcus,” Nathan says. “The women want to be with the children.”

  “That's best. Have them all together, they'll be better protected,” Richards says.

  “I agree,” I mumble as I hand Nathan the form to look over.

  “Damn it,” he yells as he reads it. “Now what?”

  Parker and Hunt stand off to the side, him holding her as she cries softly on his shoulder. I slowly walk over to them, with everyone following me.

  Parker sees us coming toward them and whispers something to Hunt and she immediately brings her head up, looking at me with trepidation.

  “Dr. Cannon, I–”

  I put my hands up. “Mrs. Parker, I cannot begin to tell you how...” I stop as I feel the emotion of almost losing my daughter today. “…grateful I am... we all are... to you for saving my little angel today. She wouldn't be happily playing with her brothers and cousins right now if it weren't for you and Brown.” My voice cracks as I say, “‘Thank you’ just doesn't seem...”

  “Anywhere near enough,” Joshua finishes for me.

  “If you're up to it, we still need to find Mariah,” Matthew says. “We would all appreciate your help but will understand if you need to stop.”

  “Of course I’ll keep going. I want to,” Hunt sniffs. “Dr. Cannon, I am very thankful Lila is okay.”

  I smile at her. “Any person that saves my daughter's life should call me Marcus.”

  “Okay, Marcus,” she murmurs.

  Parker holds her tighter and kisses her head. “Let's get your face cleaned and we'll get back to work, baby.”

  Hunt looks at me. “Five minutes, Dr... um, Marcus?”

  “Sure.” I turn to Richards. “Where's Brown?”

  “He was shot, Marcus. A tech took him to the hospital.”

  “How bad is it,” Matthew asks as the others sharply inhale.

  I start trembling. He took a bullet that was intended for Lila. He kept her calm and played with her while a bullet meant for her was lodged in his body. Goddamn it all.

  “I don't know. It hit his lower back as he fell on Lila,” Richards says. His phone rings; he walks away as he answers.

  Cars pull into the drive, signaling the rest of the family's arrival. Rachel jumps out first, closely followed by Mother then Evelyn.

  “Lila… is she really all right,” Rachel asks anxiously.

  “They're all fine,” I assure her. “Lila has a scrape from the fall. It's superficial, Rachel.”

  “What happened, son,” Dad asks.

  “Adina was shot in the shoulder. She attempted to...” I fall off, unable to finish.

  “She was aiming at Lila,” Joshua finishes quietly. “A guard jumped in and got Lila down. He took a bullet.”

  They all gasp in shock.

  “The guard,” Lil asks.

  “He's dead,” Richards says grimly behind me.

  “What,” Matthew shouts.

  “He collapsed in the car on the way to the hospital, they never revived him,” Richards murmurs.

  “NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOOO,” Hunt wails behind us as Parker grips and whispers to her.

  “What happened,” I ask staring at Parker and Hunt. Matthew turns me to him.

  “Marcus...” Matthew clears his throat. “Brown was Hunt's father. Daniels is her half-brother. This was originally Brown's company; he was retiring at the end of the year. Hunt and Daniels were taking it over, becoming an exclusive division of Richards and Parker Investigations. His name was Darren Hunter Daniels, senior. Brown was his code name and has been since he started the firm.”

  “Shit,” I mutter turning toward Hunt.

  A car screeches to a stop. Daniels jumps out and embraces a crying and sobbing Hunt. He bends a little and says something to her quietly, and she furiously nods her head. Parker and Daniels talk a moment while Daniels rocks his sister, rubbing her back as she weeps into a phone.

  “We should do something for them, Marcus,” Mother says beside me. “They saved our only granddaughter and that poor man paid with his life.”

  “Take care of it, Mother. Whatever you want to do,” I say.

  “I'm going to check on my grandbabies,” Rachel says. I nod, watching Mother and Lil go with her. I turn then Hunt leans into her brother and holds Parker's hand as they walk to us. They stand in front of me. Daniels tries to compose himself.

  “Daniels, you don't have to continue with the search for my wife. I wouldn't –”

  I stop when Daniels looks at me sharply, his eyes red and glossy. Even in the pain he is obviously in, I still cannot shake the feeling that I know him.

  “Sir, my father was –” he breaks and tightens his mouth as he looks away, searching for composure. Hunt tightens her grip and Parker grabs his shoulder.

  “Dr. Cannon, my father was always about the job. Outside of my sisters and I...” he pauses again. “Dr. Cannon, my sisters and I do not want to disrespect our father's memory by not seeing this through. We came on the job this morning, resolved to do whatever we could to find Mrs. Cannon. We'd all like to finish this job.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe you should walk away, Daniels,” Matthew says.

  “No, Matthew. My father wouldn't have and I'm not going to. This is what he taught me; us. After we see this through, then we'll take a break. Until then...” He pulls out a sheet of paper and hands it to Matthew. “The second male is a Carlos Francisco Guzman, a known pimp and dealer from Oakland. I believe he's the ‘goose man’ Chris Wexler spoke about. His last known address is a few blocks away from where Harold Beaufort works and he's a cousin of Flores. I have feelers out looking for him.”

  “All right, Daniels. Take a couple minutes with your family, and come back to Marcus' while we sort this out. Can you vouch for someone to take over for Brown here,” Matthew asks softly.

  He nods. “Already done. Before I go back to Dr. Cannon’s, I need to talk to my other sister. Is she still in there?”

  “Yes, she is and I don't think anyone has told her
yet.”

  “I did, Matthew,” Parker says. “I called her cell and Stacy spoke with her, as well. She doesn't want to leave Lila.”

  “Lila,” I ask, bewildered. “Who’s your sister?”

  “Sidra,” he says. Damn, that's right. Sidra Daniels.

  “All your nannies are trained through Daniels' company, Marcus,” Matthew says. “His company trains nannies to be security experts. I couldn't have it any other way. I needed all the children protected, at all times.”

  “Brilliant idea, Matthew,” Evelyn says, wiping her face. Her cell rings. “It's Russ. Give me a moment. He doesn't know what's going on.”

  I pull Matthew away and nod at Joshua to follow. “And you and Sidra?”

  He shrugs. “Don't fire her, Marcus. She's been beyond nervous about you finding out; she loves her job.”

  “I wouldn't, Matthew,” I assure him as a cell rings behind me. “My kids and Mariah love her. I think she's great.”

  “Good.”

  “You're dating Sidra,” Joshua asks. “Since when?”

  “A year now, exclusively. We've been back and forth for a few years.”

  “Hold it! Exclusively? Holy hell...”

  “Shut up,” Matthew mutters.

  “We got him,” Daniels yells. “My guy found Guzman! He's on the prowl, looking for new women. We need a proxy...”

  “I'll do it,” Hunt says.

  “No, you need to call your mother,” Daniels says to Hunt. “She was asking for you and Sidra; she’s possibly still at the hospital, waiting for you.”

  “Mom understands the job. So does Sidra. I’m doing this, Dannie, but I’ll call Mom as I'm getting ready. Understand?”

  He stares at her a moment. “Don't vamp out, but don't look a schoolmarm, either. How long would it take you to go home and get back to Dr. Cannon's?”

  “Maybe three hours. I only live half an hour from here but I still need time to fix myself up.”

  “No, come in the house,” Mandy says. “I'll give you something to wear and you can use my make-up. I should have some that will work on you, not that you’d need much.”

  “All right, Mrs. Cannon. Thank you.”

  “Mandy, and it’s no problem. Anything to get my sister back,” Mandy smiles and tears up. Joshua walks over to her and kisses her temple softly as he holds her.

  Monica murmurs, “We can all help you. How long do we have?”

  “I'd like to have her at Dr. Cannon's in an hour,” Daniels says.

  “Fine,” Mandy whispers. “If you're ready, Stacy?”

  “I am,” she sighs. “Call you mother, too, Dannie.”

  Daniels hugs his sister. She kisses Parker then walks off with Mandy, Evelyn and Monica.

  “Son...”

  “I know, Dad. You want to come back with us, right?”

  “Yes, son. I think the women and children are well protected here. Right, Thomas?”

  “Right. I'd like to help in any way possible to find my daughter.”

  “Let's go. Daniels what's the plan?”

  “Throw Stacy in his face and see if he wants to fuck her,” Parker says, glumly.

  “Ryan, she'll be surrounded. He won't get his hands on her,” Daniels says.

  “Still,” Parker shrugs.

  “Look, I'll pull rank and pull her out. I don't want her doing this any more than you do but you heard her and you know how she is when her mind is set.”

  “Whatever. Hodges can stay and wait for her.”

  “Hodges, wait for Hunt. Don't take your eyes off of her, got it? When they've finished with her in there, bring her back to Dr. Cannon's. We'll have a map ready then.”

  Hodges confirms then we pile into the cars, making our way back to my now-depressing home.

  Chapter NINE

  Surprises

  July 8, 2018

  We've been at my house for almost ninety minutes when Daniels finally tells us the plan as he and Parker gets equipment and plans ready.

  “Guzman is at a bar called the Grecian, a known pick-up spot. He’ll be there until he finds a suitable woman,” Daniels explains. “I'm told he lost several in a raid Friday night, so he's bordering on desperate. He was in the car with your wife, Dr. Cannon; he was driving. When my guy spotted him he had a splint on his nose and a lot of scratches. Mrs. Cannon really did a number on him.”

  I smile, bittersweet. “Good. I wish she’d had killed him.”

  “So do I,” Daniels agrees, quietly. “All of them.”

  “So we mic and fit Hunt with a camera, and Parker will be in a van outside, watching and listening,” Richards says.

  “I'm going, too.”

  Richards shakes his head. “No, Marcus, this is as far as you go. You too, Matthew.”

  Matthew glares at Richards. “Fine,” he shouts then gives me a 'yeah, right' look.

  I hear the front door close. Richards peeks out the door to see who's entering the house. I notice his eyes widen as clicking sounds on the floor.

  “Ho-ly... uh, Parker,” Richards calls.

  “What,” he answers.

  “Um... brace yourself, brother. Whoo!”

  “Why,” Parker asks. He stands from the makeshift desk. Tom, Joshua and Nathan stand to my left; Matthew, my right.

  Richards walks back into the room and smacks Matthew's arm. “Totally unprofessional and I know you're with her sister, but check this shit out.”

  A moment later, Hunt confidently walks in wearing sky-high heels and a blue mini-dress that dips low in her cleavage and hugging everywhere. Her face and hair look good, too. She looks like a model. Parker looks at her with a dream-like trance and I can see he is ready to devour her.

  “We decided I needed a female companion,” Hunt says. “So the ladies took a vote and decided who would accompany me. Besides, it’ll look more convincing if I had a partner.” She looks right at Tom. “Please don't be mad and let her do this. We'll keep her safe and get her out quickly.”

  Tom frowns. “Huh?”

  “Okay,” Hunt calls.

  A woman walks in with long curly hair and a perfectly made up face. She has on a short, black strapless dress and black heels. I look a little closer and tilt my head when I realize it's Monica. Ad exec Monica Harvey, who never wears more than gloss and business suits.

  “What... holy... Monica,” Tom croaks.

  “Let me do this for Mariah, Tommy. Please. I'll stay out of the way, I just want to keep Stacy company and help a little. I will be careful,” Monica pleads.

  “Jesus!” Tom blows a deep breath out and covers his mouth.

  “Yeah, I've been there, Tom,” Nathan murmurs.

  I look at my brothers and both of their mouths are wide open. I look over and see Daniels damn near drooling at Monica and that Dad and Thomas aren't immune either.

  “Tommy? Are you all right with this,” Monica murmurs as she walks to Tom.

  “Uh... yeah... I guess... but,” he stammers.

  “But what, Tommy,” Monica says softly, putting her hands on his chest, effectively giving him new breath.

  “You look really fucking fantastic,” Tom finally gets out.

  “Thank you.” She grins then kisses him.

  “Those two are going to act like they’re getting pregnant tonight,” Matthew murmurs. “Mark the date.”

  “He’s going to break something down there,” Joshua says on my left. “New set of twins are gonna be conceived.”

  “Yeah, so... Hunt... let me wire you. The camera is in the brooch... hmm... Parker you better do this,” Richards murmurs.

  “Damn, right,” Parker mutters, still staring. “Put this ring on. The mic is in these earrings.”

  “It's still me, Ryan, but I love this reaction. I will do this more often,” Hunt says putting the jewelry on.

  “I will, too,” Monica says.

  Tom stares at his wife for a moment. “Let me talk to you for a moment, Monica,” he says and hurriedly ushers Monica toward the foyer. The bathroom door clo
ses. I shake my head.

  “Scratch that…” Nathan chuckles. “Monica's about to get knocked up now.”

  “Unless he's downtown, having a hairburger,” Matthew deadpans. Joshua and I both smack him in the back of the head.

  “Okay. She's ready. Let's go,” Parker murmurs.

  “Wait a minute,” Matthew says, walking to the foyer. “Uh, Tom? They're ready, are you?”

  “No,” came a muffled groan. I think that was Monica. Hairburger, it is.

  “Awkward,” Stacy murmurs.

  She’s not a Harvey or a Cannon. She doesn’t know about the soundproof bathroom the adults are particularly fond of.

  Quite a few minutes later, Monica comes back, flustered and red while smoothing her dress. “I'm ready,” she squeaks then flees to the front door.

  “We'll call as soon as we know something. Okay, Hodges is going with us so Williams, Frost and Groves will remain here,” Richards says as the rest leave.

  Tom finally returns from the bathroom. Thomas laughs and pats his back hard.

  “That's my boy! Take care of your woman, just like your old man!”

  “Pops,” a red Tom mutters. “Have we heard from Ethan?”

  “Yes, the baby’s here. It's a boy,” Thomas informs.

  So far, Mariah and I have the only girl in the two families.

  I frown as Matthew eases a metal briefcase from under the table, hands it to an equally frowning Nathan and cocks his head toward the kitchen. As Nathan returns from the kitchen, I note the new security guys have their backs to us and are blocking the view to the front door. They saw nothing.

  “Marcus, I know this is a bad time, but I need a sandwich or something. I haven't eaten all fucking day. Come fix me one,” Matthew says to me.

  I shake my head, ready to protest. My brothers, and Mariah's, know we have a 'make yourself at home' policy with them. They’re all free to do as they would at home, anywhere in our home, except our bedroom.

  “Matthew–”

  “Come on, Cramp... I don't think I can make it much longer. I really could use some Rockford on it and I know you keep some in your fridge, as much as you love it.”

  “Don't you mean Roquefort, Mr. Cannon,” Groves asks.

  “Is it? All this time I thought it was Rockford, Marcus.”