Deadly Encounter

by DiAnn Mills

  Jensen’s eyes narrowed. “A fraternity wouldn’t let us in. We weren’t good enough. So I figured out how to steal a few things. Never got caught.” He grinned. “Loved the thrill of it.”

  “I can see you’re brilliant,” Stacy said. “What else have you done?”

  He snapped his fingers. “I set up Walter M. Brown Investments. My uncle will be in prison for a long time.”

  “Won’t the stocks dwindle when the company’s reputation is ruined?”

  “I outlined every step. I’d buy the stocks when they were low and then rebuild the company.”

  “A win-win situation.”

  Jensen smiled. “Later I’d sell and have all the money I’d ever need for research. No more shoddy laboratory equipment. I’d build the finest research facility in the world. Others could study there too.”

  “Amazing.”

  He laughed. “Telling you the plan is refreshing. I’m brilliant. Thanks for building up my ego.” He patted Sophie. “All I ever wanted was to research ways to better the lives of dogs.”

  Stacy studied the man before her. Pity with a huge dose of fear trickled through her. Jensen’s intelligence could have been an asset to mankind. Had he been eager to learn like Whitt? Had his attachment disorder always been there?

  Her phone rang for the third time.

  “I’m tired of whoever’s calling you,” he said. “Answer it. Don’t try anything.”

  She lifted the phone from her purse and her fingertips met the gun, but Jensen had his weapon within inches of her. “This is Stacy.”

  “We’re outside the clinic.”

  “Hi, Dad. I’ll be there shortly.”

  “Jensen’s with you?”

  “Yes, I had my shower and grabbed a couple of things. See you soon.” She ended the call and stared into Jensen’s face.

  “Good girl. We’re walking out of here to your truck. Your job is to drive Sophie and me to Xena.” He gestured down the hall. “In another life, we could have been colleagues. Can’t have it now. I have a car parked down the street. We’ll look real cozy.”

  Stacy moved toward the entrance with Jensen a few feet behind her. She unlocked the door and stepped out with Jensen and the Lab. How could Alex stop him?

  Alex stood to the side of Stacy’s truck, and Ric concealed himself at the corner of the clinic behind him. Until a moment ago, a potential hostage situation hadn’t been verified. A SWAT team and negotiator were on their way, but with Stacy and Jensen leaving the building with the dog trailing after, it wouldn’t be in time.

  “Jensen, this is FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc. Put down your weapon.” Alex stepped into view. Stacy stood between him and Jensen.

  “I don’t think so.” Jensen sneered. “Looks like I have all the aces. You’re a fool if you doubt I’ll kill her. My track record speaks for itself.”

  “Not when you’re surrounded.”

  “I go, and the lady vet gets a bullet to the head.” He held the weapon’s barrel against her ear. “Call off your big boys. The lady and I have plans.”

  “What if one of them shoots Sophie?”

  Jensen tensed in the darkness. “You wouldn’t kill an innocent dog. That’s murder.”

  “Makes me no better than you, right? There’s no reason for anyone to get hurt. Why not lay the weapon on the pavement, and we can talk. I know you’re angry with Russell. Don’t blame you. He destroyed everything you ever dreamed of doing.”

  “We talk and you’ll call off the shooters aimed at Sophie?”

  “Sure. Hey, guys, relax a bit until Jensen and I work this out.”

  Jensen pushed Stacy toward the truck. “Open it, and get inside with Sophie.”

  She obeyed, pressing the unlock button twice. Had Jensen detected both doors were unlocked? Stacy and Sophie climbed inside. Ric stole around the corner of building toward the passenger side of the truck. Good, he could help her.

  “Tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best,” Alex said. “Providing Stacy is unharmed.”

  “Let’s make a deal, huh? Xena and a path clear to fly out of here from Hooks Airport.”

  “I’ll need time to make it happen.”

  The passenger door opened, diverting Jensen’s attention. Alex grabbed the man and pushed him backward onto the pavement. His weapon dropped with him.

  “Sophie!” Jensen struggled. “Don’t hurt my little girl. I don’t care what you charge me with. Just don’t hurt her.”

  Alex cuffed him. “Your dog’s safe.”

  “I want Sophie. Please, let me hold her.” He sobbed. “She’s all I have.”

  “You don’t deserve Sophie. You don’t deserve anything but a padded cell.” He whirled around to Stacy. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. He confessed everything to me.”

  He wanted to hold her, make sure she hadn’t been harmed. Later, he told himself. Later. Instead he yanked Jensen to his feet. “Jensen Phillips, you are under arrest for the murders of Lynx Connor and Howard Dottia, for spreading false information and hoaxes, for weaponizing a dog to be used as a weapon of mass destruction, for framing Russell Phillips for the crimes listed, and for anything else we discover.”

  Jensen stiffened and offered no response. He swung around, his cuffs flying off, and landed a blow to Alex’s face. Ric rushed toward Jensen, but he grabbed his gun and aimed it at both men. “I always have a plan B. Move away from the truck. Stacy, put Sophie back inside and toss me the keys.”

  “The keys are in my purse.” She reached inside. In a flash, she fired into Jensen’s right arm, forcing him to drop his weapon.

  Stacy reached for the backpack. “Don’t mess with a Cajun,” she said. “The serum inside here will save countless lives. You could have done so much good with your life.”

  Alex grinned. He’d never let this woman go.

  STACY BREATHED IN the impatience of waiting. Dexter and the LRN had worked eight hours diligently testing Jensen’s serum. Within his backpack had been a thumb drive detailing his research and the amount given to Lynx Connor, a half-strength dose with the instructions he’d need at least one more. In truth, Jensen used the dosage as a means of manipulating Connor.

  An hour ago, Whitt pioneered the hope of so many people and received an injection of the serum. Machines monitored his vitals. His temp dropped to 100 degrees, and his blood pressure rose to 85 over 54.

  She and Alex, along with her parents and Dexter, stood vigil. Many others flooded the waiting room, including church members, the media, and those who’d volunteered when the crisis was at its worst.

  Alex held her hand with the strength she’d come to respect.

  Whitt’s eyes fluttered. “Miss Stacy.”

  Stacy thought her heart would surely burst from her chest. “Oh, Whitt. You’re awake.”

  His gaze took in the people gathered near his bedside.

  “It’s okay,” she said. “I’ll introduce you to everyone in a minute. Just understand these are people who care.”

  “How did I get here?”

  She drew in a breath, taking in every inch of him. “Your dad found you.”

  “I don’t remember much.”

  She could barely control her excitement. “We have great news, Whitt. You’re going to be fine.”

  “A cure was found?”

  “Yes, an immunoglobulin, genetically altered to attack your infection.”

  “You’re okay too?”

  She brushed his blond hair from his forehead while tears of happiness flowed unchecked. “We are survivors.”

  “Xena?”

  “She’s been given a serum like you.”

  A faint smile met his lips. “Dad found me?”

  She nodded.

  “Grandpa McMann used to take me to those woods. Where is my dad?”

  Dare she reveal the truth? “In custody.”

  A cloud passed over his face. “Guess that part was real.” He glanced at Alex. “I didn’t deter you.”

  Alex laughed. “Nope.
”

  “Mr. Rayken, I’m surprised you’re here. Thanks.”

  “Wouldn’t have missed your recovery.”

  She kissed his forehead. “I have two people I want you to meet.” She turned to Mom and Dad and gestured for them to join her. “Mom, Dad, I want you to meet a very special young man.”

  “Since when did I hit the importance radar?” Whitt said.

  “When we realized how much we love you,” she said.

  EPILOGUE

  SIX WEEKS LATER

  “Move it an inch to the left,” Stacy said. “This is one of my favorites.” She stood back and admired the reception area of her new clinic.

  “That’s what you said about four others.” Alex pushed the framed picture of mustangs to where Stacy wanted it hung.

  “It’s not centered,” Whitt said.

  “Leave it to you,” she said.

  Whitt centered the picture. “There.” Alex stepped aside and Whitt hammered in a nail. “Glad this is the last one because I’m famished.”

  Alex laughed. “I’m just hungry. Burgers and fries are calling my name.”

  Whitt turned and grinned. “Two of each and a double-chocolate milk shake.”

  The two argued about the best burger place while taking the small toolbox back to Alex’s Jeep. Ever since Whitt’s hospital stay and Jensen Phillips’s arrest, Alex had spent every spare moment with them. A threesome just like she’d dreamed. They’d ridden horses, fished, gone to the shooting range . . . and drunk lots of Starbucks coffee.

  “Xena, Sophie, come on, girls. We’ll check out the kennel,” she said. “The men need sparring room to figure out lunch.”

  In quiet moments, Alex had told her about being betrayed by a woman who lied to him about her illegal activities, and she told him about KaraLee. The judge had awarded her custody of Whitt, and Whitt’s parents had signed over their parental rights. Her boy was debating visiting them in jail, and she encouraged it—when he was ready. Mom and Dad loved Whitt and wanted him for a weekend all to themselves. Dad promised to take him fishing in the bayou, and Mom would cook everything she could think of.

  Her life was coming together.

  She accompanied Whitt to a Christian psychologist’s office twice a week, and sometimes Alex joined them. Her precious boy was working through years of hurt and emotional scars. It might take a lifetime, but he wanted healing.

  Stacy stood back and drank in her new clinic’s surroundings. Larger. Cleaner. Newer equipment. Nothing she could afford on her own, but she’d swallowed her pride and allowed Mom and Dad to invest in her and Whitt’s future. She’d repay every penny, despite their protests.

  “Hey, Doc.”

  Alex’s voice sent shivers through her. She’d not admit it just yet. But soon. She turned to him. “Did you send Whitt to McDonald’s?”

  His brown eyes sparkled the way she remembered the night he showed up at her front door with yellow roses and popcorn Jelly Bellies. “I wanted some alone time with the prettiest vet in Texas.” He opened his arms and she gladly stepped into his embrace.

  “Got a call late last night from Russell Phillips. Jensen had a complete breakdown. His attachment disorder goes deeper than what was originally diagnosed. He’s reportedly catatonic.”

  “All stemming from his father euthanizing his dog?”

  “Appears so. The things parents do to their children.”

  “Sometimes unknowingly.” Like poor Whitt, but he was making progress. “I saw the stocks dropped on Phillips Security.”

  “But Russell and the board are holding on. Providing funds to manufacture the serum has helped rebuild his stellar reputation.”

  “Some will always criticize him for not recognizing Jensen’s instability.” The guilt of her own mistakes would stalk her for a long time.

  “That’s a fact of life when a person is in the media forefront. I was remembering something Russell said when we were in LA about Jensen performing magic tricks to entertain Sophie. I should have asked if one of those would be slipping out of cuffs. But my girl had my back.”

  “Lots of law enforcement had you covered that night.” She took a deep breath. “Never thought I could aim a gun at someone until I saw your life in danger.”

  “Hey,” he said, lifting her chin. “We won, remember? We have the means to cure the disease, and the developer is in custody.” He pulled her closer. “Will you be too tired for our dinner tonight?”

  “I’m looking forward to it. Sorta like being with my two favorite guys.”

  “Just checking. With house hunting yesterday and the clinic opening on Monday, I don’t want to wear you out.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Dexter and his wife are good people,” he said. “Their grandson will be there. A possible friend for Whitt. I see progress. The other night he opened up to me about his grandfather. Together, we’ll show him what real love is.”

  She loved the we term and snuggled closer. “I’m really glad. Ric and Taylor joining us?”

  “Yes. I might have fixed him up with the right woman this time.”

  “Thanks for being you.”

  “It goes both ways.”

  “Hey, I have an announcement too. I’m helping Bekah and her sons find a puppy. Whitt’s researching the best breeds, as though I might not have any knowledge about the matter.”

  He laughed, a deep-throated sound she’d come to appreciate. “Are we surprised? You’ve invested a lot of time with Bekah and her boys.”

  “I enjoy her company. Eventually I want to talk to her about Jesus. So proud of her taking over the Green-to-Go restaurants.” Bekah had reached out to the employees, asking for their input on policy and customer relationships. Many were staying on to help her.

  “She has strength, just took a tragedy for it to surface.”

  The dangers and the unpredictability of the future were certain, but she wanted to share every minute with him. She kissed him lightly. “I wanted to sneak that in.”

  “I plan to collect many of those for a long time.”

  “Is it the gumbo or the woman?”

  “Oh, it’s the woman and her sidekick, who’s smarter than both of us combined.”

  “You crazy Cajun couillon. How long is a long time?”

  His lips met hers. “How about a lifetime?”

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Dear Reader,

  Deadly Encounter took me on an amazing journey of discovering characters and exploring motives. The story idea came from a friend who is a Houston airport ranger. She wanted a book that spoke of their volunteer work. She’s from Louisiana and works with animals—like Stacy. I thought about the plot and a special heroine for months. Passion for the story would not let me go.

  I met Special Agent Alex LeBlanc when he entered the scene after Stacy rode onto the tragedy that put the story into motion. Hard not to like him with his Cajun charm and brown eyes.

  Whitt was birthed in my heart out of caring for every child caught up in lack of nurturing and subjected to bullying. He refuses to abandon Xena because he understands rejection.

  Canine brucellosis is a real disease that affects dogs, but the genetically engineered bacterial infection of my story is fiction.

  My characters learn to cast aside pride to know a God who is able to meet every need. We’re all guilty of thinking we can live life on our own until we discover the Creator of the universe has a divine and eternal plan that is perfect and beyond our imagination.

  Be blessed, my friends,

  DiAnn

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  Stacy cares deeply for animals, even acknowledging that she prefers them to most people. Can you relate to Stacy’s love for animals? Has an animal in need, like Xena, ever worked its way into your heart?

  Though he’s attracted to Stacy, Alex is wary about beginning a romance after his last relationship broke his heart and damaged his credibility as an agent. Has a past hurt ever held you back from starting something new?

&n
bsp; Stacy and Alex quickly bond over their Cajun roots, even as they clash over the case. How connected are you to your hometown or state? How much has it shaped who you are?

  Whitt’s high IQ often makes him sound like an adult, even a “little professor,” but his emotional immaturity can also make him seem younger than his age. Where do you see this tension as he makes decisions? What challenges do you think this will pose for Stacy as his foster mother?

  Stacy is torn between a desire to serve and improve her neighborhood and a desire to give Whitt a safe home. Would you have encouraged her to stay or to move? Why?

  Alex once had a relationship with God but has been distant from Him for some time. Stacy has a more active faith but still realizes she’s not as close to God as she used to be. How do both characters change over the course of the story? Has there been a time in your own life when you found yourself distant from God? What happened?

  Long before she began the legal process to adopt Whitt, Stacy took care of him when his parents abused and neglected him. In a similar way, Dexter and Eva Rayken stepped in to care for Alex after his own parents died. Is there someone who has served as a surrogate parent or mentor in your own life—whether in place of your parents or alongside them? How has that relationship benefited you?

  While Stacy has living parents who love her, their relationship is still slowly rebuilding after a long-ago breach. She believes that forgiving her parents is “a choice, an act of obedience.” Do you agree? Whom in your own life have you struggled to forgive?

  Whitt struggles to believe in God as a loving heavenly Father. Why is this concept so difficult for him to accept? How does Stacy’s role in Whitt’s life impact his view of God?

  What do you think is ahead for Alex, Stacy, and Whitt? Imagine their lives a year after the story’s end—what do you see?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  DiANN MILLS is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She currently has more than fifty-five books published.