Ultimate Kill (Book 1 Ultimate CORE Trilogy) (CORE Series)

by Kristine Mason

  “Wait.” Gina held up a hand. “Vince, you actually made it to the ultrasound?”

  Hell, yeah, he did. He’d made a promise to his wife that he’d be there, that whatever the results they’d work through them together.

  “When he walked into the room, he was a sweaty mess,” Anna answered for him. “His clothes were dusty and I remember thinking, geez, he must’ve run to make it on time.”

  “Yeah, the explosion knocked the glass out of the hospital entrance and knocked me on my butt. For a second, I sat there shocked. I mean I was just inside the truck.”

  Gina made the sign of the cross. “Thank God you weren’t.”

  “That was my first thought. My second, was that I needed to get to Anna. With all the explosions that day, I didn’t know if there’d be another one, maybe in the main hospital. Figuring they might evacuate the building, I wanted to be there for her.”

  His wife set the untouched plate of cake on the end table next to her and took his hand. “After he walked into the room, a nurse rushed in and said what happened. I looked at Vince and…” Tears misted in her eyes.

  He propped the plate on his stained khakis and held her hand with both of his. “It’s in the past.”

  “I know, but when I think of how close I came to losing you.”

  “I’m sorry I brought this up,” Gina said, her tone laced with regret. “I didn’t mean to dredge up bad memories.”

  “It’s okay.” Anna sniffed and sent her cousin a small smile. “Every time we talk about the explosion, it makes me more grateful for everything we have and less worried about what we don’t.”

  That was the truth. Vince gave Anna’s hand a squeeze. For months before the explosion, he’d been so caught up in worrying about money, bills, work, his college courses and giving his family a bigger house, he’d forgotten what was truly important. He’d forgotten to appreciate the gifts God had given him—his beautiful wife, his sons and a healthy new baby on the way.

  An hour later, after everyone had left and his sons were watching TV, Vince asked Anna to come to their bedroom.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “I have one last gift for you and it wasn’t something I wanted everyone else to see.”

  She laughed. “Good Lord, Vince, the kids are still up and I’m as big as a house. You can’t possibly want to fool around right now.”

  He hadn’t thought about bringing her upstairs for sex, but now that she mentioned it… He shook his head. Later. “I don’t care how big you get, I’ll always want you. For now, open this. And if you play your cards right, after the boys go to bed I’ll show you exactly how much I want you.”

  Chuckling, she took the envelope he’d opened earlier that morning, and slid out the contents. His smile grew as her eyes widened. “Is this real?” she asked.

  He moved behind Anna. As he wrapped his arms around her, he looked over her shoulder. “Very real,” he said, staring at the five hundred thousand dollar check signed by Ms. Liliana Hunnicutt.

  *

  CORE Offices, Chicago, Illinois

  3:47 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time

  Dante Russo sat in the corner of CORE’s evidence and evaluation room eating the cake Ian’s daughter had made for Rachel’s surprise baby shower. Normally he loved anything sweet and anything Celeste baked. Unfortunately, being surrounded by baby stuff had the rich chocolate and banana cream cake souring in his mouth. While he was thrilled for Owen and Rachel, he couldn’t help the stab of jealousy or the unwanted memories of the baby shower his ex-wife’s family had given them six years ago.

  Ian entered the room wearing a scowl. He locked eyes with Dante and headed in his direction, waving off Celeste’s offer of cake. Dante cracked a smile when she stuck her tongue out at her father’s back, then watched as she took her four-month-old daughter from her husband, and his coworker, John Kain.

  “Now that everyone has cake, let’s start opening presents,” Celeste’s sister, Eden, said, propping her six-month-old daughter onto her hip.

  As Owen handed a very pregnant Rachel the first gift, Ian stopped in front of Dante. “I’d like to know who authorized turning my evidence and evaluation room into a showroom for Babies ‘R’ Us.”

  “That would be your daughter and Eden.”

  “I see.” Ian scowled and glanced around the room. “What the hell is that thing sitting on top of my twenty thousand dollar printer?”

  “That would be a diaper pail.”

  Ian let out an exasperated sigh. “If a client walked into the office they’d think we’re running a daycare as opposed to a criminal investigation agency. Now I know why Hudson was so eager to take on his last assignment.”

  “I highly doubt Hud chose to go to Cleveland to avoid a baby shower.” Since Hudson had married Eden, he’d done everything he could to fight for cases within driving distance from Chicago. The former CIA agent doted on his wife and six-month-old daughter and hated being away from them. Dante knew for a fact the only reason Hudson took this particular case was to help out an old friend.

  “Regardless, they could have done this elsewhere.” Ian looked toward the door. “Here come the newlyweds,” he said as Jake and Naomi entered the room.

  Jake carried a gift over to Owen, while Naomi took a seat next to Celeste. Although Naomi hadn’t lost the wrist splints, he noticed the way she curled her finger around Celeste’s daughter’s chubby little hand. Which was great. There had been concern that she might lose some dexterity in her fingers after the way her wrists had been slit.

  “You keep referring to them as newlyweds,” Dante said. “Sounds like you’re bitter they eloped and didn’t invite you.”

  Ian shifted his gaze to him. “I have better things to be bitter about. But, in my opinion, eloping is a cheat. The couple might have a marriage license and an Elvis impersonator as a witness, but for the family and friends, it’s as if it never happened.”

  “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” Dante set his plate on a nearby table under Rachel’s beloved white board. “I can assure you that, one, they were married at an island resort with, according to Naomi and Jake, about fifty sunbathers as witnesses—not an Elvis impersonator. And, two, they are legally married. Considering they’d been separated for five years, I thought what they’d done suited them. Why drag out a long engagement?”

  Ian glanced to the door. “When I need philosophical advice, I’ll let you know,” he said, then nodded to Jake as he approached them. “It’s good to see Naomi. How’s her therapy going?”

  Jake smiled when he looked at his wife of two weeks. “Great. She has a couple of more months before she can go back to regular activities.”

  “How’s she dealing with everything else?” Dante asked, knowing the guilt from the bombings had been hard for her.

  “Touch and go. Thank God her name was never released.”

  When Dante glanced to Ian, his boss quickly looked away.

  “Yes,” Ian began, “I was very pleased the FBI left Naomi as an anonymous informant. Harrison Fairclough, too. Neither deserved to have their names linked to Christian Hunnicutt.”

  “No, they didn’t,” Jake said, looking across the room at Naomi. “I still can’t believe what Hunnicutt’s wife did for the victims from the bombings. I know she could afford it, but still. Five hundred thousand dollars?”

  Once Liliana Hunnicutt had found out what her husband had done, she gave a check for five hundred thousand dollars to each family affected by the bombings. The grand total—over two hundred million dollars. She also paid for the millions of dollars’ worth of damage the explosions had caused.

  “I spoke with Martin Fitzgerald last week,” Ian said. “Liliana Hunnicutt will legally change her name back to Liliana Stewart, once the sale of BH-Xpress is complete. She’s doing the same for her children.”

  Jake leaned against the corkboard and watched Rachel unwrap her next gift. “That doesn’t surprise me. She
had him cremated and his ashes dumped in a landfill. There’s no headstone in the family cemetery, either.”

  Dante hid a smile. Very fitting for a man like Hunnicutt. The megalomaniac narcissist had cared about no one but himself. No one mourned him or celebrated his life. Actually, he’d heard his widow had hosted a party to celebrate his death.

  “Fitzgerald also told me the FBI finally finished excavating the property surrounding Hunnicutt’s Virginia plantation home. In the labyrinth at the back of the estate, they uncovered the skeletal remains of twenty-six victims. Based on the clothing found, they believe some of the victims were buried there as far back as the 1920s.”

  Jake crossed his arms and shook his head. “Sounds like Hunnicutt inherited more than money. Speaking of which, Liliana came to see Naomi and offered her one of her checks. Naomi never wanted anything from Hunnicutt and didn’t want the blood money Liliana offered. She turned it down and asked that it be placed in a fund for women who are victims of stalking. Liliana not only did, but doubled the fund.”

  “An excellent solution.” Ian glanced toward the door again. “I’ll be right back.”

  When Ian walked away, Dante asked, “How’s Naomi adjusting to Chicago?”

  “She’s doing great,” he answered and shoved his hands in his pockets. “In a few months she should be able to start working again. In the meantime, she’s been busy either entertaining my family or decorating our condo. Thank God for my mom. That first month, Naomi couldn’t use her hands at all and I couldn’t always be at home. I think Naomi loves having my mom around. As much as I love having her around, too, now that Naomi can use her hands, I’m looking forward to having the place to ourselves.”

  Dante grinned. “I’m sure. Starting off a marriage living with your parents can’t be a lot of fun.”

  Jake chuckled. “Don’t go there because— Who’s the woman with Ian?”

  Dante looked to the door, just as Ian walked in with a petite woman with long, dark straight hair. With the slight tilt of her almond shaped eyes he detected a hint of Asian descent. “I have no idea.”

  “Oh, look,” Rachel said from across the room. “A gift from Uncle Ian.” She held up a breast pump. “How thoughtful.”

  Ian stopped. His eyes widened a fraction, while his face flushed. The young woman at his side whispered something to him and he nodded. “It was on the baby registry and I prefer practical gifts,” he said, then led the woman toward Jake and him.

  “Lola Tam,” Ian began, “this is Jake Tyler and Dante Russo. Dante is the agent I told you about.”

  After Lola shook Jake’s hand, she offered Dante hers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, eagerness brightening her unique, hazel eyes. “Ian told me all about your background. A former Navy SEAL. How exciting. I’m really looking forward to training with you.”

  Training? Great, he was stuck with another new recruit. While he didn’t necessarily mind, up until a few months ago he’d had Jake tied to his side, which had made it difficult to pursue his personal investigation.

  “Yes,” Ian began, “Dante will show you everything you need to know about CORE. Hopefully you’ll be ready to work in the field on your own within about a year.”

  A year? Hell, no. “With my training, hopefully sooner,” Dante said, and caught the appreciation in the young girl’s eyes.

  “Come, Lola,” Ian said. “Let me introduce you to everyone else. I can assure you our evidence and evaluation room doesn’t usually look like this. We’re a top-notch criminal investigation agency.”

  The rest of Ian’s words faded as he and Lola moved toward the others. When Dante met Jake’s gaze, he said, “Don’t go there.”

  “What?” Jake asked. “Sorry, but you’re single and she’s not ugly.”

  He was also still in love with his ex-wife. “I’m old enough to be her father.” At forty, he preferred a woman closer to his age. Thirty-five worked. He also preferred a particular blonde with dark brown eyes and a smile that made his heart pound. Picturing his ex-wife, Jessica, and remembering how things had used to be with them, filled him with a sense of loss. Or maybe being surrounded by baby stuff was what had him down.

  “I’ve done my duty for today,” Dante said, tossing the plate of cake in the trash. His cell phone vibrated. He pulled the phone from his pocket and quickly read the text.

  I know who took our daughter.

  His hand shook and his gut twisted with both unease and excitement. He and Jessica had been down this road more times than he’d care to remember. He couldn’t allow himself to hope, because when those hopes were stomped on by reality, the grief was unbearable and it was like losing his wife and daughter all over again.

  He glanced at Rachel, who held up a tiny pink dress. Remembering seeing his little girl in something similar, he looked back at the text.

  I know who took our daughter.

  Dante rushed from the room and to the elevator. He didn’t know if Jessica was on another wild-goose chase, but if there was a chance, even a small sliver of hope his ex was right, he’d do everything in his power to find their child.

  And then he’d make whoever took her pay.

  THE END

  Look for Dante’s story August 2014…

  Ultimate Fear

  Book Two of the Ultimate CORE Trilogy

  Other CORE Titles Available by Kristine Mason

  Shadow of Danger

  Book One of the CORE “Shadow” Trilogy

  Four women have been found dead in the outskirts of a small Wisconsin town. The only witness, clairvoyant Celeste Risinski, observes these brutal murders through violent nightmares and hellish visions. The local sheriff, who believes in Celeste’s abilities and wants to rid their peaceful community of a killer, enlists the help of an old friend, Ian Scott, owner of a private criminal investigation agency, CORE. Because of Ian’s dark history with Celeste’s family, a history she knows nothing about, he sends his top criminalist, former FBI agent John Kain to investigate.

  John doesn’t believe in Celeste’s mystic hocus-pocus, or in her visions of the murders. But just when he’s certain they’ve solved the crimes, with the use of science and evidence, more dead bodies are discovered. Could this somehow be the work of the same killer or were they dealing with a copycat? To catch a vicious murderer, the skeptical criminalist reluctantly turns to the sensual psychic for help. Yet with each step closer to finding the killer, John finds himself one step closer to losing his heart.

  Get Shadow of Danger here!

  Shadow of Perception

  Book Two of the CORE “Shadow” Trilogy

  What happens when negligent plastic surgeons receive a taste of their own medicine…?

  Chicago investigative reporter, Eden Risk, receives an unmarked envelope containing a postcard ordering her to watch the enclosed DVD…or someone else dies. No Police. After Eden watches the DVD, a gruesome, horrifying surgery, she turns to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, for help. Only she hadn’t expected that help to come with a catch. Her former lover, Hudson Patterson, has been assigned to the case.

  Hudson would rather have another CORE agent handle the investigation. Two years ago, he’d screwed things up with Eden…bad. And as more DVDs arrive, Eden and Hudson find themselves not only knee-deep in a twisted investigation, but forced to deal with their past, and the love they’d tried to deny.

  Get Shadow of Perception here!

  Shadow of Vengeance

  Book Three of the CORE “Shadow” Trilogy

  Welcome to Hell Week. You have seven days to find him…

  At Wexman University, male students will do anything to get into a top fraternity. They’ll prove their worth during Hell Week by participating in various physical, psychological and even juvenile pranks. But those shenanigans aren’t so funny when pledges start disappearing. What kind of evil has stalked this small Michigan university for the past two decades? Theories range from obscene scientific experiments to grotesque satanic killings…
but they’re all wrong. The murdered boys serve a single purpose…the ultimate revenge.

  Rachel Davis, forensic computer analyst for the private investigation agency CORE, has been itching to leave her desk behind and work in the field. When her brother Sean, a student at Wexman, is found beaten and his roommate kidnapped during Hell Week, she gets her chance. Only her boss insists former U.S. Secret Service Agent, Owen Malcolm, helps her with the investigation. Owen is the last person she wants on this assignment. She’d been secretly half in love with him for over four years, until the night he’d crushed her ego and destroyed her hopes for any kind of future with him.

  For his own reasons, Owen refuses to risk becoming involved with a coworker. Now that he and Rachel are stuck working side-by-side to solve this perverse investigation, he’s having a hard time fighting his attraction to her…an attraction he’s tried to deny from the moment they met. But time is ticking. They have seven days to find the missing pledge and catch a killer. Seven days before the body count rises and the pledge ends up another victim of Hell Week.

  Get Shadow of Vengeance here!

  Contemporary Romances by Kristine Mason

  Kiss Me

  When is a kiss…

  After a series of bad relationships, Jenna Cooper wants a sex buddy—no-strings, no emotional involvement, and absolutely no expectations of commitment. She sets her sights on Luke Sinclair. A player and commitment-phobe, he’d make the perfect boy toy. Only Luke’s tired of playing the scene and wants a serious relationship with Jenna, not a series of one-night stands.

  …More than a kiss?

  When Luke makes Jenna an offer she can’t refuse, the sexual tension between them combusts and their emotional chemistry becomes too hard for Jenna to ignore. They both end up with more than either bargained for, especially when Jenna’s wild past is exposed and threatens to tear their relationship apart. Now Luke will do anything to make things right between them, but knows it’s going to take more than a kiss…