“It’s okay, beautiful. I’m never leaving you. We have many years ahead of us. I promise.”
Callen wished he could hold her, but this would have to do.
“You’ll never lose me, Elizabeth. I’m here for you.”
He let her get it out. Callen knew she’d need a clear head in order to solve this. The last thing he wanted was her running around distracted.
“Oh, Callen James, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After a few minutes, the tears stopped.
“Lyzee?” he whispered, but there was no answer. It was crystal clear that she’d fallen asleep.
Callen was tired too. So, he closed his eyes, pushed the button on the bed, and lowered them. He could feel her against him, and that was drug enough for him.
Now he was at peace.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Morgue
They were sitting there working and eating pizza when Johanna’s tablet went off. One of the MANY searches hit on something, and that was a Christmas miracle.
They both looked over.
“We have a hit on the credit cards. Someone just used them to get food at the diner,” stated Brody.
“Call the Blackhawks. We’ll meet them there.”
With that, they raced out.
Finally, they had a hit.
This could net them the killers.
It looked like their luck was finally changing.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Hospital
When Ethan and Wyler got back, they found the duo asleep. It wasn’t like he was shocked. His wife was running on fumes, and Callen had been hurt.
Both of their bodies were stretched to the max.
“It looks like it’s just us, Dad,” Ethan stated, handing him a takeout container.
“When do you think Callen can head home?” Wyler asked. “I can take care of him there if you need me to play man sitter.”
Ethan grinned. “I was thinking of getting him shipped out of here as soon as possible. Once we leave, he’s not staying behind. We’ll have Christopher on the flight back to Damascus with him to make sure he’s stable.”
Wyler ate his food.
“You need to ship Callen and Elizabeth home right now.”
Ethan was well aware.
The only thing was, his wife would never do it. She’d chew his ass off if he ever suggested it.
“She’s stubborn,” he stated.
Wyler laughed. “She reminds me of my mother. She was so strong willed. That’s what granddad liked best about her.”
It was one of his favorite things too. If tenacious had a picture over it in the dictionary, it would be hers.
“Yeah, it’s sexy. I admit.”
“Your mom was like that too.”
Ethan glanced over. It was rare that Wyler went there. Catherine had been the love of his life, but he’d screwed up. Before getting married, he didn't understand how it could happen. Now he did.
Love made you do stupid things.
“Was she? I only remember her being sweet.”
“Oh, she was. When I met her, I fell hard. It was her gentle smile. When she pointed it at me, I couldn’t think.”
“But you cheated anyway. I don’t get that, Dad. I could never betray Elizabeth. I’ve tried to wrap my head around it for years, and I just can’t.”
“I was a fool. There’s not a day that doesn’t go by that I don’t regret it. We had a fight, and she kicked me out. We hadn’t been together all that long, and I was pissed. I let anger motivate me. I didn't head out with the intent to cheat, but then some woman smiled at me, told me I deserved better, and I fell for it.”
He listened. “Callen’s mother?”
Wyler nodded. “We started talking about Native things, drinking, and before I knew it, we were having sex. The entire time, I knew I was in trouble. I knew that this was going to be my downfall.”
“But you didn't stop?”
“No, Ethan, I didn't. I destroyed my marriage with anger. It lived in me, and I let it win. You need to keep that in mind,” he stated, knowing that his oldest son battled very similar demons every day.
Ethan listened, and he felt horrible for his father. He would be lost if Elizabeth ever told him to leave. God knew he’d come close a few times when he crossed that line.
“It took me many years, but I’m not sorry I did it.”
He glanced up.
Wyler pointed at Callen. “Out of my mistake, I was given a gift. It took me years to see it, but I was given one. If I didn't cheat on your mother, Callen wouldn’t be here. You wouldn’t be sharing your life with him, and I’d have three less grandchildren.”
Ethan stared at his brother. “You’re right. Back then, I really hated you, Dad, but I see what happened as a gift. Callen is more than just my blood. I love him so much. When I look at them, I don’t see my brother and Elizabeth. I see the loves of my life. I’d die for them.”
“I don’t say this enough, Ethan, but you’ve turned out just like my father. You have this calm about you, even when you’re stirred up. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of both of you.”
It took Ethan a long time to get those words. When they were said, he relished them.
“We’re proud of you too. You’re a good father and an amazing grandfather. Our kids are blessed.”
He smiled. “I’m the lucky one.”
Just as he finished his dinner, his phone rang. “Director Blackhawk.”
He listened.
Immediately, he glanced over at his wife.
“I’m on my way.”
Hanging up, he lowered his voice. “A credit card was just used at the diner we were just at. I have to go. We think it was the killer.”
It pissed him off that they just missed the killers by minutes. He wasn’t shocked. Ethan didn't doubt that they’d been tailing him.
“Don’t wake her.”
Wyler shook his head. “I won’t but she’s going to skin you alive.”
He pulled on his coat. “It won’t be the first or last time. When you’re married to someone as strong as her, you take that chance.”
Ethan would swallow her wrath later.
Keeping her safe was his only option. There was no way he was going to risk her now.
It wasn’t happening.
“Dad, hold down the fort.”
With that, he was gone, leaving the lead investigator behind.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Percy Warffe’s
House
They had just grabbed something to eat at the diner, and they were getting ready to drop off the latest present for the FBI. In the trunk of the stolen vehicle were the remains.
What amused them was that the two Marshals were sitting outside the house waiting. It was like they thought they were fools.
They had no clue as to who were the lambs and who were the wolves in this game.
But they’d find out soon enough.
As they watched them and ate their dinner, they planned to make their move, and soon.
“We’ll put the two in the house and take them. I want to make sure we have time to torture them. I want those two Marshals to suffer,” stated Clyde.
She didn't speak.
If she did, Bonnie knew she’d say something to give away her plan.
That wouldn’t do.
“We’ll park in the garage in the back and enter the house. They’ll come running. That’s when we’ll get them.”
She hoped so.
She wanted to make someone pay—specifically Clyde and the Marshals chasing them. While it would have been fun to kill Elizabeth Blackhawk, there’d be more time. When she freed herself of the baggage, she’d be back.
Once inside, they moved silently through the house. At the one window, they rustled the curtains.
They could see the Marshals.
The fun was about to begin.
/> Dakota saw it.
There was someone moving around in the house. Since the homeowners weren’t there, that meant one thing.
“We have Bonnie and Clyde.”
Finally, it was time to bring them in.
They both slipped out of the vehicle, pulling their guns as they approached the house.
With each step, they grew more and more nervous. They knew what these two were capable of, and that meant being cautious. Both Marshals also knew they should have called for backup. Not including the FBI was a bad idea, but they’d deal with their wrath later.
For now, they needed to do their jobs.
They also needed to split up.
Dakota pointed toward the back of the house and sent his partner that way. When he touched the doorknob, it was locked.
Holstering his gun, he got down on his knees to pick the lock. When the shadow fell on him, at first he thought it was his partner.
Then he realized it wouldn’t be.
Delaney wouldn’t circle back. That broke protocol.
He went to move, but before he could get to his gun, there was the telltale click. The Taser went off, and he was on his way out.
As the electricity surged through his body, frying his brain and nerves, he knew the truth.
He was screwed.
Delaney noticed that the door was open, and she opted to go inside. Pushing it with her foot, she knew that there was going to be some hiding places. If she kept her training in mind, she’d be safe. She and Dakota were accustomed to storming, not sneaking.
Around the corner she headed, keeping her body against the wall so no one could sneak up on her. When she found her way into the kitchen, it was empty. In front of her was an island, housing all the appliances.
Then she heard it.
Something rolled across the floor, catching her attention.
She only turned her head for a second.
When she did, she knew she’d made a mistake.
Something slammed into her hand, knocking the gun from her fingers. Then the person who was hiding leapt over the counter and was on her.
They fell to the ground.
She stared up at him.
His face was a mask of hate.
“Bitch, welcome to my party. It’s time to have fun.”
With that, he slammed her head off the floor so hard, the world went gray.
Delaney prayed Dakota was close.
She needed him.
They’d made a horrible mistake.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Diner
When he arrived, there were two people working behind the counter. They weren’t the two who were there when Ethan and Wyler had picked up the food.
“Where’s Tehila?” he asked.
“She and Simon cut out for the night.”
Ethan tried to process all of it. “Did anyone come in and buy food with a credit card?” he asked. “Is there a way you can check?”
The man actually laughed. “At this dive?”
He looked around for a security camera.
There were none.
“I can look it up in the register,” the young female offered. When she pulled up the tape, she searched for the charge. “We had one for forty three dollars about fifty minutes ago.”
“That was mine. What was right after it?”
“There was one two minutes later for twenty nine dollars and thirty cents.”
They’d been there.
Damn it!
He’d missed them by minutes.
That pissed him off.
“What now, boss?” Brody asked.
“We head back to the hospital. I have to wake my wife up and tell her that we missed the killers by minutes. She’s going to be pissed.”
“You didn't wake up Elizabeth?” Johanna asked, cringing at what would be coming for their other boss.
Someone was going to get an ass chewing, and if they were there, they’d be privy to it.
Well, crap.
This wasn’t good.
If Elizabeth Blackhawk was asleep and left behind, heads were going to roll.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Sunday Evening
Hospital
When he got back, she was already awake. As a matter of fact, so was Callen. They were sitting on the bed eating their dinner.
She was smiling until the two agents rolled in behind him. “Where were you?” she asked, glancing back and forth between the three of them.
Apparently, Wyler hadn’t told her where he rushed off to. This was going to suck.
“We had a hit on the credit cards. Bonnie and Clyde made a charge at the diner. I raced there to get them, but they were gone. They don’t have security.”
She stared at him, the fork halfway to her mouth. “So, you didn't wake me, and you missed them anyway?”
His face said it all.
As did his tense body language.
Elizabeth would have bitched up a storm had they been alone. She was lead, and this was her rodeo. Since he had people with him, she wouldn’t break him down in front of others. They were a team, and they had to hold it all together.
“Well, Cowboy, that happens.”
Everyone in the room stared at her like she had fifteen eyes and six heads.
Ethan didn't know if he’d gotten lucky or if this was some Christmas miracle. Either way, he was counting his blessings.
“There were two new people working, and I didn't get to ask Tehila and Simon if they saw anyone.”
She stopped eating.
“They weren’t there?”
“No.”
Elizabeth pointed at her agents. “Run them. I want everything, and you have ten minutes to do it.”
They dropped to the floor and whipped out their tablets. Her voice said it all.
“Doll.”
Ethan stared at her. “What?”
“The note that was left for me in the house after Callen was shot. It called me doll, right?”
He had to think back to it. Before he could speak, Johanna tossed him her tablet, so he could answer her question.
Ethan read it over to refresh his memory.
‘One down. You’re next. Be ready, doll.’
He still didn't get it.
“On that first day in the diner, what did Simon call her?”
“I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Doll.”
Ethan stared at her. “I call you baby, and Callen calls you angel. Hell, Dad calls you sweetheart. It could be a term of endearment. Lots of people might use it.”
She was well aware.
“Do you want to assume?”
He shook his head. “Hell no!”
Elizabeth hopped off the bed and began pacing. As her agents continued typing like their lives depended on it, Ethan’s phone chimed.
He glanced at it.
“It’s from Dakota. He’s calling in a scene.”
She was confused. “Wasn’t he sitting on a potential victim’s house?”
“Yes.”
She kissed Callen goodbye. “We’ll see you. Agents, you’re on dad and husband duty too. Watch their asses. If anyone puts holes in either one of them, I’m going to be your worst freaking nightmare.”
Callen laughed.
They didn't.
With that, she and Ethan raced out of there, calling their team.
The killers were moving fast.
This wasn’t good.
At all.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Percy Warffe’s
House
When they got there, no one was around. The Marshals’ vehicle was empty. Elizabeth assumed they were inside the building.
As the tech van pulled up behind them, she held up her hand. They were going to clear the house, and they needed their team to wait.
The last thing they needed was for Bonnie and Clyde to get their hands on them. She did
n't put it past them. They were escalating with messages to her, more abuse to the female victims, and dropping bodies with no time in between. After being stopped in the act, they had to be pissed.
As they moved into the house, she had her com open. “Tell me about this house,” she whispered to Chris Leonard. He was typing away in the van for her while the two agents babysat.
“It’s owned by Percy Warffe. He’s a local teacher, and has been at the school for a long time.”
Elizabeth focused on the front steps. The welcome mat was askew and there was blood on the wood.
“We have signs of a struggle,” she stated. “Something went down here.”
Ethan was around back. He didn't want to split up, but they couldn’t let them run.
“Elizabeth, you shoot first and question it later with these two. Got me?” he muttered into the live com. He didn't care who heard them.
She smiled at the tone in his voice. “Yes, dear. Just keep out of my way. I wouldn’t want to put a bullet in that sexy ass of yours.”
The sarcasm was crystal clear.
Chris snorted.
“Elizabeth!” he hissed, pushing open the back door. Glancing in, he didn't see anyone.
As he moved through the mud room, he paused to check out his space.
He smelled blood.
Lots of it.
“Elizabeth, boot the door. I’m in. Someone bled out in here.”
There was something definitely wrong. If the two Marshals were inside, they wouldn’t be hiding in the house. “Dakota! Delaney!” he called.
No reply.
His skin crawled.
This was bad.
As he moved into the dark kitchen, he could only see the room thanks to the moon shining off the snow.
It felt off.
Slay Bells Ring (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 12) Page 46