“You’re done.” Ben took a step forward. And froze, realizing the situation was worse than he’d thought.
The Director reached under the armchair, and pulled out Ben’s dropped gun. He awkwardly rolled back out of reach. The Director hadn’t been balancing, he’d been positioning himself. And now the weapon pointed at Katie and Aggi.
No. Ben launched forward, knowing he couldn’t stop the man from pulling the trigger.
Everything seemed to slow. He could see the unsub’s finger tightening, the minute shaking of his hand making the gun barrel wobble. Ben’s legs felt as if they were pushing through waist deep water.
Katie’s eyes were wide. She scrambled back like a crab on her hands and heels. Aggi’s lips were parted in an o, but she wasn’t moving.
Instead a piercing high tone exploded out of her mouth. A note in the upper soprano register that drove virtual nails into his ears.
The Director flinched, and fired. Ben’s hands closed around his arm, smashing the Director’s wrist hard on the edge of the coffee table. The bones under his grip broke, and the other man screamed. The gun fell away, crashing through overturned champagne flutes before tumbling over the side of the table.
Still holding on to the unsub’s broken wrist, Ben gave in to the impulse to smash his fist into the man’s face.
There was a satisfying crunch of crushed cartilage as the Director’s nose broke under Ben’s knuckles.
“Ben.” Katie croaked.
He lifted his head, keeping a firm grip on the unsub’s arm and collar. She held a second gun, probably the Director’s. She slid it across the floor toward him. Ben pushed both weapons out of reach.
The fight seemed to have gone out of the Director. The man moaned, and sobbed while blood poured out of his shattered nose. Or maybe the pills were finally taking effect.
Either way, Ben didn’t trust it. “Find me something to tie him up.”
Katie staggered to the bathroom, emerging with the long terrycloth belts from the hotel bathrobes.
Aggi stood very still in the center of the room, not moving to help. Her pale face dripped with sweat. Her hand pressed against her stomach. Ben swore as the red stain started to creep through her fingers.
“Shit! Help her before she falls down.” Sirens were approaching, but he couldn’t be sure ambulances would arrive along with the police.
“Aggi?” Katie dropped the long strips of cloth. She rushed to her sister, helping her to sit down on the couch.
“This hurts a lot more than I thought it would,” Aggi said through gritted teeth.
“I’ll call 9-1-1. Just don’t move.” Katie dialed with shaking fingers.
The Director seemed to have passed out, but Ben didn’t trust him. He dragged the limp body the few steps necessary to reach the ties. The terrycloth strips secured the man’s wrists behind his back, and hobbled his ankles. He finished both restraints with the tightest knots he could manage.
Reasonably sure the unsub would remain secure, Ben called his partner. “Ray, we got him. But we need help. Aggi’s been shot in the stomach. Katie was choked and beaten up. They need doctors.”
“Already on their way. Are you hurt?”
“I’ll live,” he grunted.
His eyes met Katie’s. She was safe. Injured, but alive, and able to heal. His sustaining adrenaline surge abruptly crashed, leaving him very aware of the growing aches from the last ten minutes. His shoulder throbbed, and his arm was starting to go numb.
The pain reminded Ben of the other injuries. “Keep pressure on her wound.”
Katie nodded, ripping a decorative cover off the couch arm to use as a compress. Ben sagged against the chair. Footsteps came closer, running down the hall.
“It’s clear. We need medical help in here,” he called out.
The first cop through the door didn’t take his word for it, as per standard procedure. Once he confirmed there was no outstanding threats, he radioed for the EMTs to come up.
“Is it really over?” Katie asked, her gaze seeking out his.
“It’s over,” he promised.
EMTs arrived with their gear, and promptly focused on Aggi. Their cool, unhurried movements reassured Ben. Aggi’s injury was serious, but not desperate. Katie left her sister’s side after the professionals took over. She crawled to his side, collapsing wearily beside him.
He put his arm around her, letting her head rest against his chest. The closeness satisfied his inner primal man. The woman he loved was safe and in his care. But he didn’t need to rely on his Neanderthal instincts. Her resourcefulness and intelligence amazed and impressed him.
He rested his head against hers. “Good thinking with the phone book and the hair clip.”
“I knew you’d come for me,” she said quietly.
“I’ll always come for you. No matter what.” He kissed the top of her head. “You’re stuck with me because unless you tell me to go away. I’m not leaving your side again.”
She lifted her head, revealing a brilliant smile. “Deal.”
Epilogue
Katie clung to her woolen blanket as the EMTs loaded her sister into the ambulance amidst popping paparazzi flashbulbs. The bullet wound would require surgery, but Aggi would be all right.
A few feet away, Ben gave careful instructions to the police about transporting and holding a spectre. He’d offered to let Katie give the briefing, given she’d been the one to discover their effectiveness, but she’d refused. Between the pain in her throat, and the remembered dread fighting the Director, she didn’t want to talk about it. Particularly not with the media shouting questions as they leaned over the police tape.
“You should let us take you to the hospital. Being choked is dangerous, and the damage isn’t always obvious.” A second set of EMTs tried to direct her toward another waiting ambulance.
“In a minute.” She longed to be by her sister’s side, but had no intention of leaving until the Director was in competent custody.
Shiny steel cuffs replaced the ad-hoc restraints on the unconscious Walter. He’d been checked over by the EMTs, only slightly hampered by the gurney straps. They’d discovered a host of long term health issues caused by vitamin deficiencies and extended confinement, reinforcing Walter’s claims of a lifetime of isolation and neglect.
It was strange to look away, and not immediately forget him. His powers obviously required him to be conscious. Asleep or drugged, he became just like anyone else.
“People will want to talk to him. Set up a remote video link, so they can remember what he said. Don’t give him access to a computer. If it’s electronic, assume he’ll be able to hack it,” Ben finished.
“Got it. If we have more questions, can we call you?” the officer asked, jotting down notes.
“Me or Special Investigations. I’ll be taking some leave for a while.” He smiled at Katie.
An understanding smile bloomed on the officer’s face. “Understood. We’ve got enough to take him away, and make sure he doesn’t go anywhere.”
Ben came to stand next to her, his warm arm snaking around her shoulder, and offering far more comfort than the stiff blanket. The paparazzi were dispersing, no doubt following Aggi’s ambulance to the hospital. Together, she and Ben watched the Director being loaded into a secure medical transport.
“Where are they taking him?” she asked.
“A maximum security prison. One with a lot of monitoring and physical locks to keep him locked up.” Ben drew one hand over his face, rubbing at his cheek and chin. “Are you okay I didn’t shoot him?”
Katie tilted her head in surprise at his question.
“I couldn’t shoot a surrendering man. I know some people might have expected a whole action movie sequence, including shooting the bad guy. Ray will be disappointed I didn’
t do it, and come up with a sound-bite worthy line for after. Though when I thought he’d killed you, I could have sent a dozen bullets into the bastard, and never thought twice.” Ben’s mouth narrowed and his eyes took on the fierceness of a bird of prey.
“You’re sure he can’t get out, and come after us?” Katie watched as the transport pulled away through the thinning crowd.
“He’ll spend the rest of his life rotting in a prison.” The satisfaction in Ben’s voice mirrored her own feelings.
“Works for me. He thought death would make a perfect moment last forever. I want him to feel every minute of his failure.” A vindictive sentiment, but she felt justified.
It might be exciting to know Ben would do whatever it took to protect her, including killing a man who had terrorized her. She was far more satisfied to know his integrity allowed him to step back from the emotionally-charged slope.
A new car pulled up to the hotel, and Ben stiffened beside her. “Orlund.”
The FBI agent emerged from the car, and immediately stalked toward them. “Do you have any idea of the damage you’ve caused?”
“I’m done talking to you.” Ben signaled to the hovering EMTs. “You need to get Miss Ballard to the hospital.”
Orlund continued to bluster. “I had every reason to be confident in my arrest—”
“Shut up,” Katie snapped.
He blinked at her in surprise.
“You don’t get to harass Ben, not when he saved my life and many other lives because the Director would have kept taking victims.” The words ripped out of her raw throat. “Be quiet, and get out of our sight.”
“I keep my promises, Orlund,” Ben rumbled. “You wanted to play hotshot, and get media attention instead of working your case. And in doing so, you put this woman in jeopardy. You should be more focused on salvaging your career than in attacking the two of us.”
“If you’re finished with the male posturing, can we help our patient?” The EMT sounded fed up with the whole situation.
Katie let them escort her into the ambulance, Ben following a step or two behind. Orlund seemed shocked into silence, not recovering before the metal doors slammed shut, and sealed them inside. The two EMTs sat up front, giving them privacy.
“I’d like to pretend otherwise, but it won’t be the last we hear from him.” Ben rolled his shoulder, and winced. “Given that my boss isn’t happy with my actions, I’ll probably be fired.”
Katie’s hand flew to her mouth. “That’s awful.”
“Actually, it might not be the worst thing to happen.” Ben’s fingers curled around her hand, lowering it back to her side. “Adler said I pushed you for a commitment because I wasn’t over my brother’s death. Afterward, I realized she was only partly right. It wasn’t just my brother’s death, but also his life.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I became an Investigator because of Peter, and what happened to him. I tried to be a hero like him. I joined the FBI to live up to his example.”
“But you’re good at it,” Katie whispered.
“I’m good at it, but it doesn’t make me happy. As Ray will tell you, I was competent and miserable. I don’t want to go back to that feeling.” He shrugged, and grimaced again, grabbing at his shoulder. “And by the way, that last door was harder than it looked.”
“I’m not the only one being checked out at the hospital.” She twined her fingers in his.
“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes twinkled. “What I’m trying to say is that even if I’m not fired, I have a lot of accumulated leave. I’d like to spend it with you, figuring out how we fit when we aren’t distracted by a psychopath stalker.”
“I’d like that, too.” She smiled, feeling suddenly shy but oh-so-wonderful. A ball of warmth uncurled in her belly.
“I meant what I said. I know what I want now, and that’s you. Everything else can be figured out later.” He leaned over her, and gently kissed her swollen lips.
“Hey, no making out in the rig!” one of the EMTs called out from the front.
Both Katie and Ben laughed.
She slid her hand around the back of his head, and stole another kiss. “I don’t suppose you grabbed my notebook, did you?”
He frowned in confusion, though his eyes still shone with happiness.
She traced his jaw and lips with her finger. “Because I feel a song coming on.”
THREE MONTHS LATER
“Hello, Los Angeles! We’ve had fun tonight, didn’t we?” Aggi shouted at the roaring crowd.
Watching from backstage, Katie smiled at the outpouring of affection and applause. Individuals were lost among the sea of bobbing and swaying shapes.
“Now I know you waited for this concert, but I happen to think it was worth it.” Aggi winked at her fans, the tiny gesture magnified on the fifty foot screens broadcasting her image to the farthest seats. “We’ve had a lot of excitement over the last three months, haven’t we?”
Another roar of agreement.
“Can you believe those pricks online said I shouldn’t wear a bikini again? Just because my stomach isn’t perfect anymore?” Aggi pranced across the stage. “Well, you know what I say, don’t you?”
“Forget that!” the crowd shouted.
“Exactly! I’m proud of my scar. I earned that sucker! And anyone who doesn’t like it isn’t worth my time. And if anyone tells any of you to hide something about yourselves, you look them straight in the eyes, and tell them to take a hike! And don’t any of you forget it!”
Wild applause and screaming. Katie wished she was going onstage in her usual place. But the doctors and her vocal therapist insisted her voice needed more rest. I don’t want to end up with a permanently raspy singing voice. It might sound sexy, but it’s hell on the vocal chords.
Aggi’s fans didn’t seem to care about the three month delay. She was here now, performing their favorite songs. They danced and sang along for track after track, screaming with delight at the costume changes, stunts, and effects. But as the concert neared its conclusion, Katie grew nervous. Ben had promised he would be here tonight. He’d flown to Denver to speak with his old bosses at Special Investigations and give testimony to the FBI about Orlund’s actions during the investigation. If he doesn’t come soon, he’ll miss it.
As he’d predicted, they’d placed Ben on indefinite leave, effectively a suspension. Ray offered to fight it, but Ben declined. He’d cooperated fully with the investigation. Despite Special Agent Orlund’s attempts to blame everything on Ben, the evidence revealed Ben had not only been right, he’d been a hero.
Special Investigations wanted him to come back, but Ben wasn’t interested in full-time work with them. The last offer included details on a consultant position. They’d discussed it, and agreed it sounded like a good compromise. It would allow him to use his skills to continue to help people, and earn an independent income. All without getting dragged down in the politics and grind of the job.
He should have been back before the concert started. Anxiety built up in her gut, whispering alarms into her mind. Could the Feds have decided to file criminal charges? Or had something gone wrong with the Director? She still had nightmares about turning around, and finding Walter behind her. The police had discovered evidence he’d watched her for nearly a year before contacting her. There were pictures of her in her sleep, at rehearsal, in the studio. No aspect of her life had gone undocumented.
That still unnerved her, the idea of someone dangerous so close and unknown. It was hard to feel safe, even surrounded by security.
But when she woke from those nightmares, Ben’s strong arms and comforting voice were there to soothe her.
“It’s been an amazing night, but we’re all going home soon.” Aggi’s announcement brought scattered boos from the crowd, and demands for an encore.
“Hold on, I wouldn’t walk off, and leave you all unsatisfied. You know me better than that.”
“They sure do,” Katie murmured, listening to them shout their adoration.
“Before I go, there’s a special song I want to sing. It’s been topping the charts since I released it last month, and I’m told every couple wants it for their wedding this year. It doesn’t surprise me. Do you know why?” Aggi only paused a moment to listen to the audience. “Because it’s a real love song, written by someone who found true love in life. And every time I sing it, I’m reminded that love only has to be right once for it to last forever.”
Happily ever after, just three little words
A fairy tale dream, like those mice and birds
But it keeps on happening, each day after day
And my doubts and my fears keep falling away
I wake up beside you, I sleep in your arms
I’m living the dream with all of its charms
“Hey. Sorry I’m late.” Ben’s growly voice announced his arrival. His warm arms slid around her, and she leaned into his broad chest as they swayed back and forth to the music.
“I’m glad you made it,” she replied. “What happened with the meeting?”
“Our old pal Orlund is being charged with killing the man who kidnapped you. I’ll be testifying at his trial.”
Our hearts grow stronger, beating as one
Loving each other, and we’ve only begun
“I was worried you would be too late.”
His lips brushed the sensitive line of flesh along her neck. “I’d never miss our song. Not when my girl wrote it for me.”
She suddenly felt very glad the concert was almost over, and they could head back to the hotel soon.
I can say ‘I love you’ and you only preen
Because you show me every day just how much I mean
Deadly Potential Page 31