Silent Night Suspect

by Sharee Stover

Asia startled, then grew frustrated at herself for being so jumpy.

  Slade’s neck reddened, and he replied sheepishly, “Sorry. I was sure I’d seen him before.”

  “Never heard of him.” Her gaze darted between the men, unbelieving and slightly bewildered.

  Jonah grunted. “Without evidence to substantiate Zander’s outlandish claims, we couldn’t proceed with an investigation. You can understand why I wasn’t willing to just dive in. If his accusations weren’t verifiable, we’d all be finding new careers, or worse, mortgaging our homes for legal fees to keep out of prison.”

  “If you were certain Zander had the video, why not finish this?” Slade asked.

  “Zander’s allegations of corruption ran far above both our pay grades. His word alone wasn’t a reliable source.” Jonah hesitated, as if considering whether to share more.

  “I’m well aware of my husband’s drug-addiction problems, if that’s what you’re referring to,” Asia assured him.

  Jonah’s forehead creased. “I’m sure you endured the worst of his habit’s repercussions.”

  Asia glanced down and swallowed the lump in her throat, grateful when he continued. “Zander guaranteed he had evidence. The night we were to meet, he disappeared and wasn’t seen alive again.”

  A strange surge of resentment blasted through her. “Shouldn’t you have protected him? I mean, if he went to all the trouble to get the video, you were responsible for keeping him safe.”

  Jonah’s expression remained stable, but Asia caught the hint of sadness in his eyes. “Ma’am, because of Zander’s history, there weren’t a lot of options. He had to provide the proof first. He feared prison and Quenten’s repercussions, so he demanded the terms of our agreement in writing before sharing the information.”

  “And that took more time,” Asia concluded.

  “Yes. Zander ensured he had two copies, both in safekeeping, but refused to hand anything over without written confirmation to keep him out of prison. The papers should’ve been signed by District Attorney Grayson Kramer the morning Zander disappeared.”

  Slade pushed back from the table and paced. “Convenient.”

  Jonah continued, “Zander stated he had made alternative arrangements should something happen to him, but he never told me any of the details. It’s our belief Quenten discovered and subsequently destroyed the recording.”

  Slade shifted. Was he concerned Jonah was dirty? “I want to believe you. Tell me what’s on the video.”

  “As I’ve explained, I haven’t seen it. I understand there’s a meeting between the interested parties, and I’m hoping something that also proves the allegation about the mole.”

  “The scenes will require enhancements to lighten the footage. Donovan and Quenten are distinguishable. I’m unsure about the third,” Slade explained.

  Asia bit her lip. Slade hadn’t confessed Trey was already working on a copy. Was Jonah not trustworthy?

  “We’ve got access to some of the best computer techs in the world. If there’s any way to do that, they’ll figure it out.” Jonah glanced at the door.

  The hair on the back of her neck rose, and she looked over her shoulder. “Are you waiting for someone?”

  “No, but I’m sure you’re as uncomfortable with this clandestine meeting as I am,” Jonah replied.

  “Definitely, but I have so many questions. For instance, I’m confused. District Attorney Kramer—the same person demanding my arrest today for a murder I didn’t commit—was supposed to sign Zander’s agreement?”

  The men exchanged a look she couldn’t quite decipher.

  “Yes,” Slade provided.

  “He’s the other man in the video! The guy was dirty. No wonder he wants me arrested.” Asia’s stomach twisted into knots.

  Jonah nodded. “If the footage is as you describe and the techs can lighten the scenes so that the parties are distinguishable, it will confirm Zander’s accusations.”

  “I thought the mole was a trooper, but the man who kidnapped Asia is lying unconscious in the hospital after their car accident.”

  Asia exhaled relief that Slade didn’t include the part about her running away.

  Jonah leaned forward. “Have you identified him?”

  “Yes, and he’s got a rap sheet as long as the Mississippi River. A known criminal, not someone who works at the patrol,” Slade explained.

  Jonah nodded. “So we still have one more person to name. The mole is the one connection we’ve struggled to make. He’s succeeded in staying under the radar. Without the complete puzzle, our case will unravel. We need to ensure a full conviction of all involved. Does the video implicate him?”

  Slade shrugged. “Hard to say until the footage is enhanced.”

  “I see.” Jonah ran a hand over his goatee again.

  “Sir, may I ask some hard questions?” Asia asked.

  “Of course.”

  “Who killed Zander? And who killed Quenten?”

  Jonah steepled his fingers. “We believe Zander died as a result of Quenten’s interrogation methods.” His words were spoken carefully. “He got word about the video, I’m guessing via the mole. If my suppositions are correct, Quenten took matters into his own hands, believing he could blackmail Donovan. He thought he’d accomplished his goal until Zander slipped about making two copies.”

  Asia connected the dots. Zander was murdered before he released the location. She jumped up.

  The action had Jonah drawing his gun, and his chair toppled backward. Slade was at her side instantly.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” she said, eliciting exasperated grimaces from both men.

  “Don’t make sudden moves. It’s dangerous,” Jonah replied, adjusting his chair.

  Both men sat while Asia paced. “If you knew Quenten killed Zander, why haven’t you told Sergeant Oliver? And what about Quenten? I’m accused of murdering him!”

  “We have proof Donovan ordered Quenten’s elimination. However—”

  “What proof?” Slade interjected.

  “A recorded phone call between Donovan and a man. Whoever he’s talking to agrees to kill Quenten, but there’s nothing that points to the actual shooter. Thankfully, your amnesia created issues and gave me time to work on the recording. Well played, by the way.” Jonah smirked.

  “I wasn’t playing,” Asia snapped.

  “Asia’s tox screen showed scopolamine in her system,” Slade explained. “However, the evidence is stacked against her. Gunshot residue and her fingerprints on the gun.”

  “I accidentally grabbed the gun, but I didn’t knowingly shoot it,” Asia blurted.

  “I see. Except that with the scopolamine injection, your memory was compromised, and the gunshot residue indicates you did, in fact, shoot the gun.” Jonah leaned back.

  Asia slumped against the wall. This was hopeless.

  “Wait.” Slade flattened his hands on the table. “There was a partial print on the gun. The killer could’ve forced Asia to hold the weapon, then wrapped his hands around hers and taken the shot. That would explain the partial print, and the lab would have something to test it against.”

  “Only if the fingerprint matches one of the implicated men,” Jonah added.

  “This is unreal.” Asia’s knees buckled, and she dropped onto the chair.

  “There’s a puzzling component to all of this. Quenten was hit directly in the forehead. We can’t figure out why he’d just sit there,” Slade said.

  Jonah moved around the table. “The cartel used succinylcholine in many of their more lethal dealings. It paralyzes the victim but keeps them conscious.”

  “And unless it’s specifically tested for, it won’t show up in blood or urine samples,” Slade concluded.

  “Do you have the SD card?” Jonah inquired, as if the exchange had never occurred.

  �
��This is like a spy movie, and I’m waiting for the credits to start rolling,” Asia mumbled.

  “I’m sorry you were caught in the middle. Once you give me that SD card, I can wrap this mess up.”

  “And get her exonerated?” Slade pressed.

  Jonah gave her a solemn nod. “I hope so. Have your lab test for succinylcholine in Quenten’s system.”

  “I’ll do it first thing today.”

  Jonah could’ve demanded the video, but instead, he treated her with consideration. Asia withdrew the card and passed it to him. The appreciation in his expression spoke volumes as he tucked the card into his plaid shirt pocket.

  “All of this nightmare for that little piece of plastic.” Asia shook her head. “I still have so many questions.”

  “I can’t attest to everything Zander may or may not have done, but aside from his drug addiction, which he had under control the last two months of his life, his actions were heroic,” Jonah stated.

  Why wasn’t that a comfort?

  “I believe you’re one of the good guys, but understand that arrangements have been made for a copy of the video to go to the media should anything happen to either of us,” Slade explained.

  “Understood. I’ll get the evidence into the hands of the DEA administrator immediately. She can clear Asia of the charges and indict the guilty parties.”

  “So this is over?” Asia searched both men’s faces.

  “No, but it’s a great beginning. We still need someone in authority to acknowledge the accusations,” Slade answered.

  She held a hand against her throat. “I didn’t believe Zander. He really was trying to make things right.”

  Jonah met her eyes. “Yes, ma’am. I’m not defending his actions, Mrs. Stratton, but he did confess his love for you and regrets for endangering you. His biggest concern was for your safety.”

  His words released the shards of anger still piercing her heart. “He did?”

  Slade touched her shoulder. “Asia, I need to tell you something.”

  She gave him her full attention. “Zander came to me and told me he was in deep. He asked me to arrest him. He reasoned Quenten would think Zander had been caught instead of betraying him.”

  Asia blinked, processing the information. “But he—”

  “—hoped to go into WITSEC and testify once he had enough evidence. He didn’t tell me anything more than that.” Slade’s eyebrows furrowed. “I never should’ve agreed to it, but Zander was worried you’d be Quenten’s next target. That’s the only reason I complied.”

  “Zander had quite the escape plan figured out,” Asia replied.

  “Can you ever forgive me?” Slade asked.

  She tilted her head, taking him in—this man who’d endured her anger in order to protect his friend. And her. This man who’d demonstrated how much he cared by his actions and support. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

  “Listen, we should get moving and ensure this lands in the right hands.” Jonah stood.

  A snap outside jerked Asia’s attention. “Did you hear that?”

  “What’s wrong?” Slade’s eyes searched hers.

  “I don’t know.” She pressed her fingers to her lips, while uneasiness hovered. Was she paranoid?

  Jonah withdrew his gun and moved against the wall near the small window, peering out. He shook his head.

  Slade glanced down at his watch. They had to leave now, or they’d miss the check-in with Trey, and he’d send in the cavalry. “We need to go.”

  “Agreed,” Jonah said.

  The door flew open, flooding the cabin with sunlight that silhouetted the intruders. The first stepped forward and Asia blinked several times, heart pounding in her throat. “No.”

  “What a wonderful little meeting. Sorry we’re late.”

  ELEVEN

  Kent Beardly sauntered in, followed by District Attorney Grayson Kramer and DEA director Harold Donovan. The men eclipsed the cabin entry with their three-piece suits, arrogance and guns.

  “Put down your weapon, Gilade,” Donovan ordered.

  With a venomous glare, Gilade placed his Glock on the table and stepped away.

  Panic swarmed Slade, and dread filled his heart.

  They were trapped. He jerked to look at Asia, desperate to protect her, halted only by the three guns pointed in their direction. He needed to get closer to her. “Nice Sig Sauer, Beardly. Thanks for having the decency not to use your department-issued weapon.” Slade took a step closer to Asia.

  “My Glock’s too traceable. You figured that out, didn’t you, Mrs. Stratton?” Beardly laughed. “Move another inch and I’ll be forced to show off the Sig.”

  Slade gritted his teeth. They’d lingered too long in the cabin. Why hadn’t he forced them to leave? Why had he brought Asia?

  Kramer took three lengthy strides and closed the distance between them. “So, you’re Zander’s killer widow.” He laughed.

  Asia glowered at him but didn’t respond.

  “And you’re the two-faced district attorney spouting your zero-tolerance policy,” Slade countered.

  “You should’ve arrested her as you were instructed.” Kramer shrugged.

  “Are you all in this together?” Gilade hissed. “You played me?” He glanced between Slade and Asia.

  “No way,” Slade replied, strangely reassured at Gilade’s distress. The man wasn’t dirty.

  “Rule-follower Jackson? Never.” Beardly cackled. “You know one of the best things about you, Trooper? You’re so predictable and such a devoted big brother. Your sibling’s just not quite as smart, though, is he?”

  “If you hurt Trey—” Slade stepped toward Beardly, fists clenched.

  “Careful, Trooper.” Donovan aimed his gun at Asia.

  Slade froze, constraining the surge of adrenaline and anger.

  “How did you find us?” Asia asked.

  “Don’t short out your simple brain,” Beardly said. “We have brilliant minds at the patrol, and nothing is impossible.”

  Oh, please, Lord, bring help.

  Had Beardly gone after Trey? Slade’s heart ached at the possibility. No. His brother was savvy and smart. Beardly was using the manipulation technique to throw off his confidence, to get inside his head. The man didn’t know about the check-in time, and when Slade failed to contact Trey, he’d call for backup as planned. All Slade had to do was stall. Hope like a single candle in a hurricane illuminated inside him. Whatever happened, Trey had everything he needed to take down these monsters.

  As long as his brother and Asia survived, nothing else mattered.

  Asia gasped, and she pointed at Beardly, eyes wide. “It was you!”

  “Shut your mouth, Mrs. Stratton,” Beardly growled.

  “No, I remember now. You were there that night.”

  The room grew silent, everyone watching Asia, waiting for her to speak. “You knocked on my apartment door, just before I was going to go to bed. I peered through the peephole and saw you!” She pointed at Beardly again.

  “It’s too bad you didn’t recall that sooner,” Beardly taunted. “Think how it would’ve helped you. Now it’s too late.”

  Asia continued, “I recognized you from the funeral, so I let you in.” She clamped a hand over her mouth.

  Slade shifted toward her, but Kramer shook his head, gun trained on him.

  “You were so enraged, screaming at me about a video,” she whispered.

  “What else can you remember?” Slade pressed.

  “It doesn’t matter!” Beardly’s guttural roar sent a shiver up Slade’s spine. He shoved Asia into a chair and crossed the room, back to them. “Your memories are irrelevant.” His immediate shift into a controlled persona was creepier than his previous temper tantrum.

  The investigator’s mannerisms resembled a toddler and seemed to suck Dono
van and Kramer into the drama. The distraction allowed Slade to discreetly gesture for Asia to get down. She nodded and shifted closer to the wall.

  Beardly faced Slade. “You’re used to having blood on your hands, though, aren’t you? Having lived with Zander’s all this time.”

  Asia screamed, distracting Beardly.

  Slade took the opportunity and lunged, driving a punch to the smug investigator’s jaw. Beardly countered with an awkward roundhouse that slid off Slade’s arm and sent fresh anger surging through him. He lowered his shoulder and ran into Beardly’s midsection, tackling him. Beardly lost hold of the Sig, and it skidded across the cabin floor.

  In his peripheral, Slade saw Jonah attack Donovan. The momentary disruption gave Beardly an opening, and he delivered a blow to Slade’s kidney, radiating pain in his lower back and catching him off guard. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and Slade connected with a right hook, jolting Beardly’s face to the side. Fury emboldened him, and he drilled one final jab to the backstabber’s nose.

  A gunshot rang out above Slade’s head, stilling the brawl. He immediately jerked to see if Asia was okay. Her face had gone ashen, and Kramer gripped her injured arm.

  “That’s enough,” Kramer said, amusement in his expression. “Feel better, Jackson? Gilade?” Then to Beardly, “Invest in some defensive-tactics training. He would’ve knocked you out.” He laughed, pushing Asia, and she dropped beside Slade.

  Beardly’s face turned bright red as he stood, then stepped backward, distancing himself from Slade. Donovan kicked Jonah, who was sprawled out on his back.

  Slade pushed himself up, refusing to acknowledge the pain in his body.

  “Give me the card.” Donovan yanked Asia up by her injured arm, evoking a yelp.

  “Let go of her,” Slade warned, ready to take on the traitor DEA agent.

  Donovan rested the tip of his Sig Sauer against Asia’s temple. “Spare me your tough-guy talk.”

  “What are you doing, Donovan?” Gilade stepped forward but was stopped by Donovan’s glare and Kramer’s trained weapon. “You’re above this.”

  “No one’s above anything, Gilade. Aren’t you sick of working endless hours and watching three criminals emerge for each one you arrest? You can’t win. But you can make a lot of money with a little ingenuity.” Everything about Donovan said the man didn’t have a bone of integrity.