HURT IN HER EYES
CALLEJ.BROOKES
HURTINHEREYES
Copyright©2024byCalleJ.Brookes
EISBN:978-1-940937-78-6
Allrightsreserved.PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedinanymanner whatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionexceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedincriticalarticlesorreviews. Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,businesses,organizations,places,events,andincidentseitherarethe productoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,events,or localesisentirelycoincidental.
Forinformationcontact: www.callejbrookes.com
BookandCoverdesignbyCJ BROOKES
FirstEdition:JAN2024
REED: 10987654321
Preface
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Chapter38 Chapter39 Chapter40 Chapter41
Chapter42
Chapter52
Chapter53
Chapter54
Chapter55 Chapter56
Chapter57
Chapter58 Chapter59
Chapter64
Chapter65
Chapter66
Chapter67
Chapter68
Chapter69
Chapter70
Chapter71
Chapter72
Chapter73
Chapter74
Chapter75
Chapter76
Chapter77
Chapter78
Chapter79
Chapter80
Chapter81
Chapter82
Chapter83
Chapter84
Chapter85
Chapter86
Chapter87
Chapter88
Chapter89
Chapter90
Chapter91
Chapter92
Chapter93
Chapter94
Chapter95
Chapter96
Chapter97
Chapter98
Chapter99
Chapter100
Chapter101
Chapter102
Epilogue
BONUSEPILOGUE
AlsobyCalleJ.Brookes
Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul. And sings the tune without the words. And never stops at all
EMILYDICKINSON
DARKNESS MARRED EVERYTHING ANYMORE THAT WAS A LESSON SHE’D LEARNED LONG AGO DR HALDYN HARRIS, HEAD OF THE FinleyCreekTexasStatePoliceForensicsdepartment,hadbeenhopingthingswouldgetbetter.
Theyhadn’t.
Thingsjustkeptgettingdarker. Everywhere.
Trustinthe TSPitselfwas gone for everyone workingintheir region. Haldyn knew people inthe buildingwhere she spentmostofhertimewerecorrupt Dirty Evil
Shehadn’tforgottenthat Itmadeitdifficulttoenjoythewarmer-than-averagelateFebruaryairasshewalkeddownMain Streetwithherbestfriend.
Powell hadmadeamassivepropertypurchasetoday.Onethatwas significant.For all ofthem. One she and Haldynand theirfriendshadbeenwaitingonforalongtime Haldynhadconcerns Herbestfriendwasstrugglingwithsomething Powell justhadn’ttoldherwhatitwasyet.
Haldynstoppedwalking studiedtheshorterwoman.Yes,Powellhadsomethingonhermind.
Powell lifted one hand, held her long, darkhair outofher eyes as the wind blew. Powell’s eyes widened. She stopped walkingforamoment Stared “There’sErickson Keepwalking” “What?”
Haldynturned.Theywerenearthecourthouse,andthatwas theverydistinctive,verybeautiful, DetectiveGunnarErickson rightthere.Hermouthtwitched.PowellandGunnar theyhadabitofasmallwargoingon.
Ithadjustgottenworsetwomonthsagowhenthey’drunintoeachotherinWyomingwhenGunnarhadbeenconsultingona case.Powellhadbeenvisitinghertwinbrotherwhohadrecentlyrelocatedtothesameregion.They’dbeensnowedinatthe innupthere.OverChristmas.Together.PowellhadassuredHaldynshe’dkepttoherendofthehall andGunnarhadkeptto his
Somethinghaddefinitelyhappened.Powelljusthadn’ttoldherwhat.Yet.
Now,Powellrefusedtoevenbeinthesamegeneralvicinityasthatgorgeousman.“Wecouldinvitehimtolunch.”
“Youarehorrible.Keepwalking.He’s seen us.”
Haldyncouldn’thelpit.Sheturnedandwaved.Powell yelpedandgrabbedHaldyn’s hand.“Quitit!He’ll wantto come over!Icannotdealwiththat man rightnow.Nottoday”
“Buthe’ssobeautiful”Hewas Andmorethanthat GunnarEricksonwasoneofthefewTSPdetectivesHaldyntrusted Hewasalsooneofthekindestmenshehadevermet.Powelljustdidn’tseemtoseethat.HaldynthoughtPowell shouldjust givein actuallygooutwiththatbeautifulmanwhowassohotforher.ButPowell…saidno.
Gunnar called her name. Haldyn stopped walking. She was about to call a greeting back, despite Powell practically jumpingfromfoottofootinpanic somethingPowelldidoccasionallywhenshewasfreakedaboutsomethingmajor when thesoundofbrakessquealinghadherpausing.
She turned. Adark blue van blocked the crosswalk now. One that hadn’t been there before. Four men jumped out, all dressedingreenuniformsandballcaps
Theycameather AndtheycameatPowell
Justthatfast
Haldynscreamed.Powellscreamed.Otherpeopleyelled.
AmangrabbedHaldyn,yankedonherarmsoharditpopped.Shetwisted,bucked.Foughtashardasshecould,screaming. PowellstartedscreamingHaldyn’sname.AndforpeopletohelpHaldyn.Tohelpthemboth.
Strongarmswentaroundher.Haldynfoughtashardasshecould. Therewerefourofthem.
Fightingjustwasn’tenough.
Peopleyelled Gunnaryelledhername,too Haldynbitthemanholdingher Hecursed Onelargehandlandedagainsther cheek,sendinghersprawlingtotheground.
Thenshewasinthatvan,withanothermanleaningoverher.
Haldynsawthefistcomingatherfacefartoolatetogetaway.
Sheheardaman’scursing,demandingtoknowwhythey’dhadtodothattoher,beforethedarknessjusttookheraway.
SHE WAS IN A VEHICLE IT WAS MOVING THAT WAS THE FIRST THOUGHT SHE HAD WHEN SHE REGAINED HER SENSES HALDYN openedhereyesbeforeshecouldstopherself.Allshesawwasdarknavycarpet.Shestillhadherglasses buttheywereat anangle Shetriedtocatcheverythingthemenweresaying Itwashard Herfacehurt Herstomach,whereonemanhadkneed her.Anotherhadhishandsonherthroat.Juststrokingherskin.Rhythmically. Caressingher.
Terrorfilledherevenmorethanithadbefore.Thewayhewastouchingher…shefoughttheurgetovomit.
Hishandcameup.Somethingstucktoherskin,thesideofherneck.“Thismightbeaneasierway.Ilearnedwiththelast bitchwetookthatchloroformdoesn’tworksowell”
Heleaneddown,wrappedhishandoverHaldyn’smouthandnose Heshookher Shetriedtofight butthey’dsecuredher hands infrontofher.“Gotosleep,beautiful Dr.Harris.Whenyouwake, youand me we’ll have some real funtogether. I promise WhatwillgoodoldDanhavetosaythen?Usedgoodsaren’tsogreat,arethey?”
Dan DanmeantDaniel TheheadofMajorCrimes Danielwouldcomeforher Haldynknewit Assoonashelearned,as soonasGunnartoldhim.Danielwouldcomeforher.Hewouldn’tstopuntilhefoundher.NeitherwouldGunnar,ortherestof MajorCrimes She knew that Shejusthadtoholdon Gunnar hadseenwhathappened Gunnar wouldgether help She had absolutefaithinthosetwomen.
“Thebossisgoingtobepissedwedidn’tgetthemboth.How oftenarethosetwobitchestogether?”another manwitha deepervoicesaid “Beenwaitingfordaystogetthemwhentheyweretogether,justtoloseonelikethat”
“Howlongdoesittakeforthisdamneddrugtowork?”theonenexttoher morecultured said Shetriedtoconcentrate, toignorewhathis hands weredoing.
“Don’tbepawingatherlikethat.”Older,gruffer.Lesseducated.Somehow familiar.Haldyntried,butshecouldn’tplace hisvoice butshehadhearditbefore Sheknewshehad Shejustwasn’tgoodatidentifyingvoicesandneverhadbeen “Cut thatout.Getyourfilthyhandsoffofher.Yousomekindofsickpervertorsomething,too?Ain’tnofuckingsenseinthat.”
“Justdrive.I’lldowhateverthehellIwantwithher.Rememberwho’sincharge.”Theculturedvoiceagain.He sounded socold Terrifying “Youanswerto me, remember?”
“Yeah,andweallknowwhoyouanswerto,don’twe?Damnedpansy Notmuchofamanifyouneedtopawatawoman whileshe’sknockedoutandhelpless.Can’tyougetsomeanyotherway?”
“Thatdrugtakesaminuteortwo.I’veonlyknownofitbeingusedonce.InthatEastmanthingthatwentdown.Afriendof mine playedwithit Speditupabit Yourguessisasgoodasmine,”thedeepervoicesaid “Lookather Damnedbitchis fightingit. Didn’t think she had that much fight in her. The way she struts around all cold and stuck-up the way she does. WonderwhyMcKellenwantstotapthatasssobad?”
does itmatter how muchofa cold bitchshe is atthe office? Ibetthis womanis a lotoffunbehind closed doors. Her type alwaysis Likeanimalswhennooneiswatching”Cultured,again Thatman shehatedhim Theiceinhiswords,hishands onher.Haldyntriedtonot think aboutwhathishandsweredoing.Shehadtofocus toremember.Soshecouldtell Daniel, andGunnar,andtherestofMajorCrimes.Theywouldbecomingforher.Daniel,Gunnar,Dom,Jake,Murdoch,evenJarrod wouldcomeforher.
EventhoughJarroddespisedherandshedespisedhim.
She’dgiveanythingtoseeJarrodFostercomingforherrightnow,too.
MajorCrimeswouldcomeforher.Sheknewit.
“Ibetshehasfireinher.Lookattheredinthathair.Beautifulwoman.Drivefaster,asshole.Onlytakesfifteenminutesfor whatIwantnow Ihavetime”
“Keepyourfuckingpawsoffher,damnit Ididn’tsignuptowatchyoudothattoawoman”Theoldermanwasangry She couldhear it. She knew she knew him. Haldyntried to force her eyes to openagain. Butshe couldn’t. “Have some damned standards Ain’tnofuckingsenseinthat Can’tyougetawomanwithouttyingoneupfirst?”
Herbodyfeltlikelead
“Justdrive,asshole Justdrive,”theculturedvoicesaid Buthishandsstopped Forthemoment Ashearguedwiththemen aroundhim.
No.Notargued.
Gavethemorderstheydidn’tlike.Butfollowed.
Shetriedtorememberwhattheyweresaying,rememberlittledetailsthatmighthelpidentifythemlater.ForMajorCrimes. ForDaniel Danielwouldcomeforher Findher
Daniel,andGunnar alltherest Theywouldn’teverstopuntiltheyfoundher
AndPowell?Powellwassafe PowellhadmoreresourcesthanallthebranchesoftheTSPcombined,throughherfamily PowellandPowell’sthreebrothers theywouldlookforher,too.Peoplewouldlookforher.Sheknewthat.
Haldyntoldherselfthatasherbodygrew heavierandheavier.Asshe felt thatoneman’shandsstrokingherneck,lower. Shewantedtofight,butshecouldn’t
Butherhead cloudy Shefoughtthedrug Shecouldn’tbreathe Fromthedrug,fromthemanholdingherdownnow
Therewasnothingshecoulddotogethimoffofher Nothing
Nomatterhowshefought
Someonecursed.Anotheryelled.Theyjustgotloud
Shetriedtoopenhereyesto see why,butshecouldn’t.
Ahardjerksentthemanontopofhertotheside.Hiskneecaughtherinthechest.Ithurt,butshecouldn’tmoveaway.She couldn’tmove.
Sheknew…thedrug…
“Whatinthehell!”Culturedvoice.
“Someone’srunningusoffthedamnedroad!”Olderguy “Whatthefuckisgoingon?”
Anothercrashsounded Haldyn’sentirebodyjerkedfromtheimpact
“There are at least three ofthem,” a new voice said Higher pitched, almost feminine, but not He hadn’t said anything
before.Shehadn’trealizedhewaseventhere.Wasthatfourmen?Ormaybefive?Haldyncouldn’tthink.
Shecouldn’tescape,ifshecouldn’tthink.
“Therearefiveofus,youbitches.Keepittogether.”Cultured.Five therewerefive.Shehadtorememberthat. Five.
“Wecan’taffordafirefightnow,”Culturedvoicealmostgrowled.“Getoutofhere.Run,damnit.Our cars aren’tevena quarterofamilefromhere Anyonegetscaught,andyou’redead Youwon’tgetachancetosayafuckingword I’llseetoit myself.”
Haldynsomehowrolledsharplytothesideasaloud thud almostshookthevanapart.Thesoundofdoorscamenext men yelling Lotsofmen
Foramoment,shethoughtitwasGunnar Itsoundedlike Gunnar
Gunnarhadseen hewouldbethetypetocommandeeracarandchasethemdown Cowboy-style Rescueher,nomatter what.Gunnarwould.GunnarandtheboysofMajorCrimes they’dsaveher.Haldynhadcompletefaithinthem. Thensunlightstabbedherintheeyes.
Strongarmspulledherfromthecarpetedfloorofthevan.Haldynfeltthem.Shetriedtofight.Herarms…lead.Therewasa hardmuscledarmbehindherback,anotherbeneathherknees
“There’satransdermalpatchonherneck,boss Thosedamnedbastardsdruggedher,”theoneholdinghernowsaid “She’s almostundernow.”
Haldynfeltsomethingpull.Theskinofherneck.
“It’s offnow.” Adifferentvoice was there then. Calmer.More refined and cultured, too. “It’s okay, Haldyn, you’re safe now Hurry, gether to the car Ihave no doubtthose bastards will return And the lastthingIwantto do now is getcaught anywherenearthismess.”
“Wecanleaveherhere.Call911,”anothervoicesaid.Oneclosertoher.Shefelttheman’schestrumbleashespoke.He washoldingher “Bastardstookoff Theyhadothercarsparkednearhere”
“No Bringhertothecar Iwon’ttaketherisktheycomebackfor her first Or thewrongTSPrespond We all know the chancesofgettingagoodcopinthistownareaboutaslikelyasCongressgettingrealthingsaccomplished.Haldyn’ssaferwith us now Hurry Gethertothecar”
ThatwasthelastthingHaldynheardbeforethedarknesstookhercompletely
FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JUSTIN ALBRIGHT ALBRIGHT’S DIM BULB OF A BROTHER ALEX RUSH ALBRIGHT’S UNCLE Bennett Russell. Billionaire Handley Barratt. Millionaire pharmaceutical manufacturer Banks Claireson. City councilman DennisLeeArnold CouncilwomanJenniferHenedyandherdumbasshusbandDr WallaceHenedy Millionaire entrepreneur VictorScottandhisassholesonKyle.
Andlast,butnotleast,thelatestmega-villainofFinleyCreek.
Dr.GregoryEastman’sphotographwentonDetectiveJarrodFoster’scaseboardnext.
His theory staredbackathim innonlivingcolor.Everyoneonthatboardexcepttwomenweredead.Funnycoincidence, that
Hestronglysuspectedthey’dallhadsecretssomeone else hadkilledtoprotect Maybeeventhelastguystanding?Itwas possible.Itwasevenprobable.Butproving it andfindingtheguy notsoeasy.Jarrodhadbeentrying.
“Findanythingyet?People aroundhere are right,aren’tthey? Youdo obsess over this guy.” The amused feminine voice camefrombehindhim Jarrodturned
Helosthistrainofthoughtforamoment Thathappenedwhenanunsuspectingguylookedat her Hewasjustnowstarting togetusedtoit.
Standingintheconferenceroomdoor,staringateverythinghehaddonesofar,was his newestpartner inMajor Crimes. LieutenantHeatherHollyColeson oneofthescariestwomeninexistence Oneofthehottest,certainly butdefinitelyoneof thescariest.
ThereweremultitudesofincrediblyterrifyingwomenattheFinleyCreekTSPnow.Morethantherehadbeenthreeyears ago, right before Major Crimes was formed That was for sure Most of those demon women worked in the forensics department. Two of themworked Major Crimes now. Heather Coleson and Lila Dodson a pair of beautiful women who terrifiedeverymanwhogottooclose
Theylikeditthatway
Butthismostterrifyingonewas his partner
Oneverycasebutthis one
ThiscasewasJarrod’s.Completely.
HeandHeatherwerethe Major Crimes: Cold Case divisionnow.
Jarrod appreciated her opinions no denyingthat. ScariestwomaninMajor Crimes, yes. Most intelligent cop inMajor Crimes evenafteronlyamonthorsoofworkingwithher,hewasabsolutelycertainofit.Thewomanwas brilliant Heather’s mind was phenomenal. The package was phenomenal. No denyingthat. But so was the bite “Not obsessive. Determined.Youcanlook.Butyoucan’ttouch.”
Hewantedtoknowifshesawtheconnections he did.Shecouldn’tofficiallyworkthecasewithhim herfamilymembers hadbeenvictimsofthecasesinvolved,they’dhadsomereallyshittybadluck,her family buthewantedtoknow whatshe thought.
Heatherverywellcouldseeconnectionshecouldn’t.Thewomanwasgoodatseeingconnectionsinrandomthings.Scarily so
She stared at the board Reached up and touched Eastman’s face That sick bastard had stalked Heather’s family for decades.AndnearlykilledhersisterandseveralofHeather’snieces.“Youthinkhe…wasapartofthisunderworldtheoryof yours”
“Ithinkhewasatentacleofit,yes Ithinksomeoneoutthereknewwhathewasapartof Thiscityistoodamnedsmallfor whathewasdoingtohaveoccurredinacompletevacuum.Ijustneedtofindthatsomeone.That’smyultimategoal.IfIfind thelynchpin,Icanunraveleverything”
“Ihopeyoudo AndIhopewegetachancetofrythem”Alookofpainpassedoverherface herbeautifulface Heather wasfiveten,athletic,andtoned,ifabitontheskinnyside,withlongdarkhair,paleskin,killerdarkeyesandaphenomenal smile
Now,gorgeousshemayhavebeen butthatwholescariestwomanintheTSPthing,itwas real Andhadhimkeepinghis handsoff.Nomatterwhat.
Hesawwhereshewaslooking.Bigsurprise.GregoryEastmanwastheboogeymaninHeather’snightmares,hesuspected. “Thatbastard nearlydestroyedus Ifsomeonewashelpinghim,thenIwantthemtopay,too”
“Handsoffmycase,though”Jarrodsentherafirmlookofhisown Theywerestilltryingtofigureoutwhowasfullyin chargeoftheColdCasedivision.Itprobablyshouldbe him, sincehehadbeentherefirst.But…well…shemightbealotbetter atdealingwiththeheadacheofbeinginchargethanhewould Maybethey’djustflipacoin Or taketurns Eventually “I’m watchingyou.”
He had been something was bothering that scary creature. He’d noticed it that morning, when she should have been payingattentionwhentheywerediscussingthepotentialtransfersWichitaFallswaspushingonMajorCrimes Everyoneknew theguywouldbeaplant.WichitaFallswasspyingagain.Therehadbeensixpotentialnamesreadoff,withbios.Danielhad askedforobjectionsorifanyoneknewthepeopleinvolved
Heatherhadstoodup,saidsheknewallsixandtheywereallbadnews
Thenshe’dsatbackdownandgonesilent Shehadn’tsaidanotherword Noonehadpushedher,butJarrodknewDaniel wouldcornerthiscreatureaboutthosenameswhenhecould.
Heatherhadpaledandpulledintoherself.Jarrodwasstilltryingtofigureoutwhy.
Unlessshewasafraidshe’dbetransferredouttomakeroomforthisnewguy.
Thatwouldneverhappen.Major Crimeshadvotedtokeeptheir petHeather,after all.Shefit.Like she was meanttobe therewiththem,nomatterwhat.
“Iwantcopies ofwhatwas foundinhis computer.I’ve putina requesttospeakwithyour pal Marshall.Itinvolves my family.Ishouldhaveaccess.Idon’tlikebeingstonewalledlikethis.It’sbeenalmostfourmonths whataretheywaitingfor?”
MajorCrimeshadlimitedaccesstotheEastmancase twomonthsbeforethiswomanhadtransferredin.Onlyahandfulof peoplecouldaccessitatall.Itconnectedtothegovernorandamultibillionaire,afterall.
Heather wasn’t one of those people with access. It pissed her off. Jarrod was more on her side now. She deserved
answers,too.Shejustwasn’tgettingthem.
“You’ll get it eventually. I’ll talk to the chief and McKellen myself. But to be honest, there isn’t much there. Even encrypted I’mnotsosurewehaveallofhisrecords Itjustdoesn’tseempossible Theguyescapeddetectionforthirty-five years Iseriouslydoubteverythinghehadwasrightthereinthathouseonthoseharddrivesandahandfulofmemorycards.It justdoesn’tmakesense”No hewasn’tstupid Eastmanhadhadmoreevidencesomewhere Jarrodwasstillsearchingforit “You’llkeeplooking?”
“I won’t stop” He meant that What Eastman had done to Heather’s family sickened him Heather and her sisters, her nieces theydeservedtoknowthetruth.“AssoonasIknowthefulltruth,I’llshareitwithyoumyself.Evenofftherecord,ifI haveto I’mstillworkingit Ipromise Youhavemyword”
Hedoubtedshebelievedhim Nother Heatherkeptawallaroundherself,kepteveryoneinthepostatadistance Except herkidsisterthatworkedintheforensicslabasofaboutamonthearlier.
Heatherhadmajor Keep Away signsalloverher.TheFinleyCreekboyswerestilltryingtogetpastthem.Ifshewasgoing tobeMajorCrimesforlong,sheneededtoopenupalittle
Jarrodwasn’tafool withtheTSPbeingascorruptastherumorssaid,someself-preservationwasprobablyneeded For one’sownsafetyanyway.ButHeathertookthattotheextreme.
JarrodwasstilltryingtofigureLieutenantHeatherHollyColesonout.
JustlikehewasstilltryingtofigureouttheelusiveconnectionbetweenallthemudthatnowcoatedFinleyCreek. “Sowhatisthestorywiththiswomanhere?”HeatherpointedtothephotoofJenniferHenedy.“Irecognizetheotherfaces, buthers ”
He told her Talked to her about his theories Until the blue light above the conference roomdoor flashed He paused Tensed.Thatwastheemergencysignal.Usedonlyinlife-or-deathsituationsfeaturingmembersoftheTSP.
Everyonedroppedeverythingwhenthatlightwentoff.Instantly.
Somethinghadhappened.Somethingbig.Thatparticularalarmwasonlyusedinthedirestofsituations.Ithadn’tevenbeen used once inthefiveweeksHeatherhadbeenhispartner “Let’sroll That’stheall-handscallforMajorCrimes”
His gunand his badge were onthe table Jarrod scooped themup and pulled the private conference door closed behind them.Lockedit.Itwouldstaythatwayuntilhehadhisanswers.
DanielMcKellen,hisboss,wasthereinthebullpen.Prowling.Lookinglikeawild,cagedanimalatthemoment.Almost panicked Therewereothersfrommajorcrimesthere,now Allwhowasavailable
Somethingbad Itwassomethingbad
Danieldidn’tlooklikethatwhenitwasn’t
Someonewasinserioustroublenow Jarroddidamentalrollcalloftheirpeople
TherewasDomAcardi,MurdochLake,andLilaDodson.SeanCallumandMikeEverswereontheirphonesonopposite sidesofthebullpen.MiguelRodriguez,theheadoftheMajorCrimes:Homicidedepartmentstood,largeandmenacing,behind Daniel’sshoulder Hewastextingonhisownphone
Therewasrealfuryonthatman’sface.WhoeverhadpissedoffMiguelwasonborrowedtime.Thatmancouldterrifythe devilwhenhelookedlikethat.
Heather headed toward Miguel. Theyknew eachother, had worked together before. She was comfortable withMiguel. Jarrod had his theories about those two whenever he saw themtogether. He just hadn’t confirmed themyet. Heather was
different withMiguel.Moreopen.Alittlemoretrusting.Shelaughedmore.Alotmore,whenshewaswithMiguel,orhewas around
Hekeptcountingtheirpeople
GunnarEricksonwasmissing AndsomeofthebozosfromtheotherMajorCrimesdepartments
“What’sgoingon?”Heatherasked “Abduction,”Danielbitout
“Who?”Jarrodasked ThelookinDaniel’seyeswasoneJarrodwouldneverforget Wildpain,rage,fear Itwasallthere “Haldyn TheytookHallie” Haldyn Shit
“TheyalmosttookPowellBarratt,”Domadded Danielalmostsnarled “Gunnarwasthere,acrosstheroadwhenithappened Heinterruptedbeforetheattackersgotboth women.HehasPowellwithhimnow.” Haldyn.
TherealbaneofJarrod’sexistence.Heatherdidn’tholdacandletoHaldynHarriswhenitcametogettingunderJarrod’s skin Thatwomandrovehiminsane Andnotinagoodway Theheadoftheforensicsdepartment,thekeeperoftheevidence Sacred goddess guardian queen of the vault, Murdoch had nicknamed her before It was an accurate description She definitelylookedlikeaGreekgoddess pale,cold,andsnotty,evenwhilebeingdamnedbeautiful.Untouchable.
Dr. Haldyn Devyn Harris. Abducted. Hell,thatwomanwouldbepracticallydefenselessoutthere. Whoeverhadtakenherwasonborrowedtime.
“Whatdoweknowsofar?”
SHE HEARD SOMEONE BREATHING NEXT TO HER FACE ALMOST FELT MOVEMENT RIGHT NEXT TO HER FACE TERROR SHOT straightthroughher.Haldyndidn’tknowwhereshewas.Buttherewassomethingalive, rightnexttoherface.
Haldynopenedhereyes.
Thereweredarkbrowneyesstaringather.Lessthantwoinchesaway.Haldynstaredrightback.Atthelittleboywhojust stoodthere Hecouldn'thavebeenmorethanfour "H-hello Whoareyou?"
"Hi,"hesaidquietly,shootingalooktowardthedoor Shewasonabed Abedcoveredwithachild'scomforter “Hi You wakenow?”
"Hi,buddy.I’mawake.What'syourname?"Haldynsatup,thenwinced.Shewasprettycertaineveryinchofherbodyhurt orachedinsomewayoranother Butshewasalive Herhandsweren’tboundanylonger,andsheseriouslydoubtedherlittle captorcouldoverpowerher.Maybe.Shefelt…horrible.
"Beck."Hejustblinkedather,astuffedtoyinhishand.Heturnedhisheadlikehewasstudyingher."MyusedtobeHarry. NowmyBeck Younotmynewmommy"
Shecertainlyhopedshehadn’tbeenabductedtobethiskid’s new mommy
Shewantedkidssomeday,maybe,butnotlike this Everypossiblescenarioranthroughherhead Landingonthatcasetwo yearsagowhereatwenty-two-year-oldwomanhadbeenabductedbyacollegeprofessoratFCU.
Tobehistwo-year-old’s mommy. Whethershewantedtobeornot.
Haldynhad seensome reallydarkthings inher workinforensics. That wouldn’t be the worst she’d seen. But no. She wasn’tgoingtopanic "No MynameisHal,Beck Isyour daddyheresomewhere?"
Heshookhishead."Henotmydaddynomore.HeGrandpanow."
Haldyntried to clear the cobwebs. Her bodystill feltheavy, like she’dbeensedated. Sheremembered exactly how that hadhappened.Shewouldneverforget.“Okay.Canyoutellmewhy?”
Heshruggedexaggeratedly."Igotonewmommy’shousenow."
"Who is your mommy?" There had to be parents somewhere. Or someone responsible for this kid. The roomwas well maintained, and itwasn’tsmall. The furnishings were ofthe highest quality. And there wasn’t a tablet or anyother wayto connecttotheinternettobeseen.
Anyidea she had ofsendinganSOS to the TSPwent right out the window. Well, maybe she could go out the window instead.Andjustkeepwalkinguntil shefoundhelp.Or aphone.Well,maybe she would justgo outthe window,ifthatwas whatittook."Isyourmommyhere?"
"No.Mymommynothere."
Shewasn’tabouttoplaytwentyquestionswithapreschooler.
"Beck,whoisherewithyou?Whoisthegrown-up?"Therehadtobeanadultsomewhere.Orhadsomeonecarriedherin hereandjustleftherwiththiskid?She’dseensomeseriouslystrangethingsinhertimewiththeTexasStatePolice,but Awomanbeingheld captive bya four-year-old would probablytake the cake Ifthe TSPever rescued her, she’d never heartheendofit.
"You are.GrandpasaysIgonewmommynow.”Hewaslookingatherlikeshewasseriouslymissingsomething.Andlike hewasjustwaitingforhertocatchon He remindedherofsomeone Shejustcouldn’tfigureoutwhoyet Itwastheshapeof theeyes,shethought.Thecolor.
"Didhe?WhereisGrandpaexactly?"
Thelittleboyturnedtowardthedoor.Hereachedupandturnedtheknobwithalittlehand.Itwasn’tlocked.Heopenedthe door,stoodthere andyelled "Grandpa,Hal'sawake!Hal'sawake!Herisawakenow!Iseesherandtalkedher!"
Andthenherlittlecaptorjusttookoffdownthehallway,wearingWonkusMcBubblespajamas.Haldynmadeasilentvow. Shewasgoingtofigureoutwhatwasgoingon,andifatallpossible,shewasgoingtohelpthislittleboy.
Becausetherewasjustsomethingnotnormal aboutthisatall.
Thatwasconfirmedwhenatallmaninhissixtiespushedopenthedoornext.Hestoodinthedoorframeandjuststared. Haldynstaredrightback.Shesankontothebed,andjuststared
Okay,shehadn’texpected this Sheknewwhohewas
EveryoneinFinleyCreek,intheTexasStatePoliceingeneral,knew him They'dbeenlookingforhimforyears,afterall Butshedidn'tletonthatsherecognizedhim.
Shedefinitelyrememberedhim.He’dbeenather college graduation,for heaven’s sake.He’d congratulated her and then hugged Powell close, told Haldyn’s best friend in the world how proud he was of her Of Powell and Haldyn both And Brandt.Brandt,Powell’stwinbrother he’dhuggedBrandt,too.Toldhimhelovedhimandwasproudofhim.
He’d givenHaldyna thousand-dollar check. Ithad formed the bulkofher savings accountfor years. Notto mentionthe scholarshipshesuspectedhiscompanyhadfundedthatshe’dsuddenlyreceivedtwomonthsaftershe’dconfessedtohisonly niecethatshewashavingtroublemakingtuitionwhenshewastwenty.
She’dalwayssuspectedthismanrightherehadbeenbehindit.
“Good.Iseeyouareawake.IhopeBeckdidn'tscareyoutoomuch.Hewasn’tsupposedtocomeinhere,buthe’savery curiouslittlemonster He likes tostandrightnexttoyouandjuststare atyouuntil youwake up Rightnexttoyour face It's rathercreepytowakethatway.Hisolderbrotherusedtodothat,too.ThefirsttimeBeckdidit,IhadtowonderifHoughton everdoesthattohisMelody Itisseriouslyweird You'llhavetoaskhersometime”
“Powelldoesthat Shefreakedmeoutwhenwewereincollegeandshe’ddothat”
Helaughed “Yes,Iremembershedidthat,too Imissthatgirl”
Powell Houghton Melody Thatjustconfirmedit
ThisreallywasHandleyBarrattlookingathernow
Themissingbillionairewantedonchargesinconjunctionwithkidnappingandmurderandawholeotherhostofthingsshe couldn'trememberoffthetopofherhead.
HandleyBarratt,Powell’sfather’soldestbrother.
She somehow doubted he was behind those meninthe blue van. He never would have done anythingto hurt his niece. She’dbetherlifeonthat Someofherfearlessened "I'lldothat WhyamIhere,Mr Barratt?Whereis here exactly?”
“Please, Haldyn, it’s Handley I’ve knownyoufor over a decade, after all What do youremember? How do youfeel? You’vebeenoutforseveralhours;Iwasn’tcertainhowlongthedrugthose…bas…badguys…gaveyouwouldlast.”
Hechangedhiswordfromthecurse becausetherewasalittleboypeekingaroundhimnow.ClutchingHandley’sknee.A little boywithbigbrowneyes and anadorable grin AgrinHaldynhadseencountless times before He was bouncingfrom littlefoottofoot,likehewasexcitedaboutsomething.
Haldyn’s heart lurched when it hit her. Those were Powell’s brown eyes and most mischievous grin. Powell did that excitedbouncingthing,too Hewasamini-boy-Powellrightthereinfrontofher Powell’sbabycousinstaredathernow "Iremember" Her hand rose to her neck The skinwas roughthere Where the patchhad been Haldyn's head hurt No doubtaboutthat.Sherememberedmenattacking.AndPowellscreaming.“IsPowellokay?Whereisshe?Issheokay,whereis she?”
"It’sokay,Haldyn Youaresafeherewithme Youhavemyword Powellisfine,sweetheart Shewasscoopeduprather quicklybyatallblonddetectiveandgottenoutoftheway.ThatdetectiveisElliotMarshall'sclosefriend,Ibelieve,thoughhis nameescapesmeatthemoment”
Of course She would never forget the sound of that man calling her name Or seeing himfighting his way to her and Powell. “That was Gunnar Erickson. We crossed the street so he couldn’t flirt with Powell. I think something happened betweenthematChristmaswhenshewasinWyomingvisitingBrandt,butshewon’ttellmewhatyet Shejustturnsbrightred andturnsthesubject.”
“Really now? Interesting. I didn't push my luck with being recognized. Powell was safe. You were not. Under those circumstances,mymenandIchosetofollowyouinstead Andthemenwhotriedtotakemyniece Thereisareasontheywent forher.I'mgoingtofindit.Andmakethempayforhurtingher,forhurtingyou.WhenIcan.Then...Ihaveaquestofmyownto complete Iamsorry,Haldyn Iknowyoumustbeterrified Butyouwillbehomesoon Ipromise”Hesatinarockingchair nexttothebed.Therewasastackofchildren’sbooksnexttoit.
"Andme?WheredoIfitinwiththis?"Nosensebeatingaroundthebush.Hehadherhere forareason.Haldynwasjust tryingtofigureoutwhatitwas
“You,mydearHaldyn,aretheanswerIhavebeenlookingfor”
MADISON PEERED OVER HOPE'S SHOULDER AS THE YOUNGER WOMAN REWOUND THE SMALL BIT OF SECURITY FOOTAGE THAT HAD beenfoundonthebankacrossthestreetfromwhereHaldynhadbeenabducted.Thefootagewasn'tgreat,butifanyonecould getheightand weightdescriptions usingtheir software, itwould be Dr Hazel Hope Coleson Hope was incrediblygood at usingsoftware inways Madisonjustwasn't.Madisonwasn'tlosttotheironyofthat Hope's nephew whomHope had only met a couple oftimes, head ofLucas Tech, had created the software theyused now Hope made it do things she suspected DavisLucashadneverintended.
"Anything?"
"Isee four men, eventhoughonlytwo or three are visible ata time," Hope said. She pointed to the screen. "There are differentgaits,forsure I'llgetheightandweightinaminute ButthereareatleastfourthatIcanisolate Whichmakessense therewasalsoadriver.Idoubthegotoutofthevan,though."
Fourmenandadriver.Justlikethenightofthechoirhallshootingwhensomemonsterhadshot her intheback.Andnearly killedthreeofherbestfriends Madisonresistedtheurgetorubonehandacrossthescaronherback Italwayspulledwhen shethoughtaboutthatnight.Sheknewitwaspsychosomatic.Butitfeltrealtoher."Therewerealsofourmenwho...Eastman." Eastman.ThatmonsterwhohadtargetedHope’sfamilyfordecades.
Hope'seyesmethers."Iknow."
"Runthesoftwareagainstvideothatday?"Madisonsuggested,absolutelysickwithfearforHaldyn."Icandothatsoyou don'thavetowatchit"
Hope'seighteen-year-oldniecehadbeenoneofthevictimsthatday Hopeshouldn'trunthatvideoanyway HernieceZoey hadbeenavictimthesamedayasMadisonayearearlier.Inthechoirhallshooting.Withanondescriptvan.Madisonwasn’t losttothesimilarities
Hopeprobablyshouldn'tbetheonetorunthevideosthroughthenewsoftware,honestly ButHopewasthebestatusingit andHaldyn'slifecouldhanginthebalance.HopecouldmakethedifferenceifshecouldseesomethingMadisoncouldn't. She’d rather just get Haldyn back WithHaldyn missing, Madisonwas the head of the lab right now She’d make the best decisions she could, and deal withanyfalloutlater. "Runthe video we tooktodayagainstEastman's ambushvideo and the videofromthechoirshooting Seeifanyoneissimilar I'llsignoffonit"
"HowwillthathelpusidentifywhotookHal,though?"Hopeasked Madisonjustshookher head "Idon'tknow Itmaynotbe connectedtowhathappenedbefore Iknow that Butthe more informationwecanget,maybeitwillleadtosomethingelse."
Itwasalongshot,butrightnow,itwasalltheyreallyhad.
DR HALDYN HARRIS WAS A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN WITH ALMOST FLAWLESS, ALABASTER SKIN HER HAIR WAS LONG AND PALE withjustenoughredtohintatfire.Hereyeswerebigandintenselyblue.Frightened.Shehadwornlittlewire-frameglasses, glassesthatnowrestedonBeck'snightstand
Handleyhadalwaysthoughtshewasaremarkableyoungwoman Notjustbecauseshewasbeautiful butthatthatbeauty wentsouldeep.Thatmatteredinthisworld.Theglasseshadsomehowstayedonherfaceeventhroughherordeal.Andithad beenanordeal Therewerebruisesformingonherbeautifulfacenow
Handleyfoughttheragethatkindled,seeingthosebruises
He’drememberedherasjustayounggirl,terrifiedofherownshadow,thefirsttimePowellhadbroughthertotheranch forafamilydinner.Sooverwhelmedandshy.
Hehadalwaysthoughtshewasasweetgirl,andhehadbeenquitefondofher hisratherreservedniecehadhadsomuch troublemakingclosefriends,beforeHaldyn Theyhadbeencloseforyears
HisfondnessforHaldynhadjustgrownthroughtheyears
Handleywouldfindthosebastardsresponsibleforthebruisesonherfaceandmakethempayforwhattheyhaddonetoher WhattheyhadintendedtodotohislittlePowell.Powellwashisonlyniece,hismiddlebrotherMason'sonlydaughter.
ThesweetheartoftheentireBarrattfamily.
Handleyhadlovedhersincethedayshehadbeenborn.
Sotiny.Soprecious.
Haldynwas the sister Powell had never had. Powell could be quite anxious. Afraid, thoughthat girl would never let it show.Alwaysthinkingshehadtobe tough likeherbrothersandcousins."HowlonghaveyouandPowellbeenfriendsnow? Severalyears,correct?”
"Since our sophomore year atFCU. Elevenyears.She's myclosestfriend. As close as a sister to me. She’s goingto be terrifiedforme.”
Henodded.Herwordsechoedhisownthoughts.Butthetimehadcome.
“Don’tbe afraid ofme, Haldyn. Iwill never hurtyou." He knew exactlywho she was, and not just his niece’s closest friend.Andeventhoughitbrokehishearttodowhathewouldnext,itwasbestforallinvolved.Hejustcouldn’tdowhathe neededtodoanylonger.Thiswasbest."Thenthatsolves our littleproblem,doesn'tit?One Ihave beentryingto figure out howtofixforalongtime.I’vebeendelayingit.It’soneofthehardestthingsIhaveeverhadtodo.But…Ithinkitisbestfor himinthelongrun.”
He could hear his youngest songigglingto the theme songof that damned Scraggle-Popps Beckloved so much. It just cementedwhatHandleyhadtodo.
"Whatproblem?"
“I’llexplaininamoment”
Heleanedoverandpulledherhandsintohis Herhandwasbruised possiblybroken andraw beneathhis The marks across her feminine fleshangered him. He wished he couldjustdrive her straighttohis brother’s home where she could be protectedbyPowell’sfatherandbrothersforever Buthecouldn’tdothatnow Hehadtoomuchheneededtofinish first A vowhehadmadelongago."Iamsorrytheydidthistoyou."
"Didyouknowwhotheywere?Orwhytheydidthis?”
Handleyshookhishead,justwatchingher.Tryingtoascertainifhecouldtrustherwiththemostimportantpartofhisworld now Hethoughthecould Shewas asign Thatthiswasthe right time Nomatterhow ithurt “ThatIdonot Ijustknow I wasthereattherighttimewhenyouneededsomeone.IamgladIwas.IwouldneversitbackandwatchsomeonehurtPowell or you,Haldyn Iwas notgoingtoletthemgetawaywithwhattheyweredoing Notwithher All thatis neededfor evil to persist,mydear,isforman goodorbad todonothing,afterall.”
"Where are we, Mr. Barratt?Is thatHoughton's younger brother? He looks justlike him.” The girl was challenginghim. Handleyhadtoadmireherspirit “Well,helooksmorelikePowell,doesn’the?”
Hehadalwaysadmiredherspirit evenifshehadkeptithidden
“Yes,thatisexactlywhothatchildis”Handleywasgoingtodowhathehadtodoforhisson Helovedhissonssomuch Andalwayswould.“Ihaveplansforyou,Dr.HaldynHarris.Youowemeadebtnow.”
“Justwhatdoyouwantmetodo?”Herheadwentback,andalookofrealchallengecrossedherbeautifulface.Andthen shejustlistened
AsHandleydidwhathehadto,eventhoughitwasgoingtobreakhisheartintwo
SHE’D THOUGHT MAYBE HE’D HAVE HER DELIVER A LETTER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT A GIFT TO HIS SON HOUGHTON MAYBE IT hadbeenafewyears,afterall,sinceHandleyBarratthadgoneonthelam,andeverything.Atoken,afamilymementoeven,to thegrownsonhe’dleftbehind
Butthis?
Well,shewasdefinitelydeliveringsomething, allright
Andhewasdefinitelyheavy
Beckwasafraid Crying Hiswholeworldhadchanged,andhewasafraid Beck’slittlesuitcasewasbangingagainstherback Ithadastrap,orsheneverwouldbeabletomanagethis
ThebodyguardhaddroppedherofftwoblocksfromtheTSP Justtwoblocks Haldyncouldmakeittwo measly blocks Herarmstightenedaroundthelittleboyshecarried.
Hisfatherhadtoldhimgoodbye probablyforever.AllBeckhadknownwasthathewaspartingfromtheonlyparenthe hadeverhad.HandleyhadtoldBeckthathisnewmommyanddaddywouldtakecareofhimforevernow.Nomatterwhat.
Handleyhadpromised.HehadtoldBeckthelittleboywouldliveinawonderfulplacewithwonderfulpeopletoloveand takecareofhim.
Whichhe would. Handley’s son Houghton, Houghton’s wife, Melody, and her family they were good people. People Haldynconsidered friends
Butthis?Thispoorlittleboy.Hejustdidn’tunderstand.
Ithad brokenHaldyn’s heartto watch Fugitive or not, Handleyloved his son The depthofhis love Haldynwouldn’t everforgetit.Heknewhewasn’tthe best thing forBecknow.Buthewantedwhatwas. ThatmeantFinleyCreek.
ThatwaswhereHaldyncameinapparently.
HarrisonBeckBarratt was onlythree years and two months old. Fromthe wayhe spoke, she suspected he was highly intelligentandadvancedforhisagedevelopmentally Andvery,verytall Justlikehis father andbigbrother Rumor hadit thatHoughtonBarratthadbeenthatway havingmetthetechgenius,shehadtoagree. That manwasoneofakind.
SheheldthebabybrotherofoneoftherichestmeninAmericainherarmsasshecarriedhimtotheTSP.
After she’dbeenabductedfromherprevious abductors bythe richman’s crazywanted-fugitive father. Itsounded like a badlywrittenaction-adventurenoveltoher
Twoblocks
Haldynhadoneplanandoneplanonly getlittleBecktoChiefElliotMarshall Elliotwoulddowhateverittooktomake certainBeckwassafe.TheTSPwasfilledwithcorruption.Thisinnocentlittleboywasworthbillions inthewronghands. Herarmstightenedonhim.
Shewasn’tgoingtoletanyonehurthimnow.
Beckrestedhisheadonhershoulder.Shejustheldhim.Sangtohimquietly,eventhoughbreathing hurtlikehell.
Handleyhadbeenexplicitinhisinstructionsforthelittleboy.Andthepacketofpapersinthatsuitcase.Shedidn’tknow thelegalityofitall,butHandleyhadmadeitclearhewastransferringfulllegalguardianshipofhissonBecktohiseldestson Houghton, and Houghton’s wife Melody. He had told Haldynhimself he wasn’t equipped to raise another child at his age. Especiallyinhiscurrentcircumstances.Beckdeservedmorefromlifethantolivewithanageingfugitive.
HoughtonandMelodyBarratthadnocluethispreciouslittleboyevenexisted.Buthe’dbetheirresponsibilityassoonas Haldyncouldgethimtothem.Theirworldwasgoingtochangeinaninstant
HandleyBarratt’sviewofthewaytheworldworkedwasa tiny bitskewed. Itwasalljustcrazytoeventhinkabout.
Displaced billionaires didn’tjustdrop randompreschoolers offonelder sons’doorsteps via womenwho had justbeen abducted.
AtleastnotinHaldyn’sworld.
Haldynjust kept walking, thoughher brokenribs hurt. Her face hurt where those menhad slammed their fists into her. Carryingthirty-fivepoundsofsolidboywasn’thelping
Thatlittlebluesuitcaseoftorturekepthittingherintheback
Witheverystepshetook
Haldynjustkeptgoing Onefootinfrontoftheother Itwasonlytwo blocks Shecoulddothis
Finally,shecouldseethestoneandglassbuildinginthedistance
Then thefrontdoorswiththefamiliarTSPemblemrightthere
Tearscoveredhercheeks She they weresafenow Safe
Shepushedopentheglassdoorstothelobby SheknewtheTSPbetterthansheknewanyotherplaceintheworld
Shewassafenow Beck wassafenow
Someoneshoutedhername Sheturned Toseeawomanrunningtowardher
“Mads call Mel ”
“What?”
“CallElliotMarshall.CallMelodyBarratt.Call…MajorCrimes.”Ithurttobreathe,justlikeithadhurttowalk.Butshe wasmostlysafehere.Now.“Ithinkmyribsarebroken.Myhand.”
Madisonturnedandgaveasharpwhistle.Ithadheadsturning.
Oneofthoseheadswasafamiliarface.
Dom Acardi OneoftheMajorCrimesmajorpainsshe’dknownforyears.Andcouldtrust,nomatterwhat.Domwasright there.
Shewassafe.Theywere safe.
Beckwascryingsoftlyandpracticallystranglingher.
Madisonwasthere,herhandstakinghimfromHaldyn,eventhoughheprotested.“Hello,littleman.I’mMadison.What’s yourname?”
“Hal,Hal.HoldBeck.”Oh,hewasbreakingherheart.“Hal.MywantHal!Don’tleaveBeck,Hal!Hal!”
“We’regoingtogetHalsomehelp,bub.Areyouhungry?Thirsty?Thereischocolatemilkinthebreakroom.Ipromise,” Madisonsaid,rockinghimwhilehecried.“We’llgetsomeforyouandforHaldyn.It’sokay,buddy.It’sokay.Ipromise.”
“His name…is Beck,” Haldynsaid as Dom’s arms wentbeneathher knees and he lifted her. She rested her head onhis broadshoulder.
Shewassafenow.AndsowasBeck.
Theyweresafe.
Haldynfinallygaveintheexhaustionandpain,awareofBeck’scriesrightnexttoher.
“Whereinthehe worlddidyoucomefrom?Harris?Whoisthiskid?”
Beforeshegaveintothedarkness,shemetanotherman’sshockeddarkgrayeyes.JarrodFoster.Sheneverthoughtshe’dbe happytosee him “Foster givehimtoMelody Hebelongswithhernow He’s Melody’s now”
JarrodFosterandMelodywereextremelyclose JarrodwouldtakecareofBeck,too “HisnameisHarrisonBeckBarratt He…belongswiththeBarrattsnow.HegavehimtoMelodynow…”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Wherethehellhaveyoubeen?”
Thelastthingshesaw wasJarrodFoster’seyes.Beautifuleyes,hehadsuchbeautifuleyes.Whyhadn’tsheever noticed thatbefore?
Shewassafe
Beckwassafe
Thatwasallthatshe’dreallywanted
JARROD LOOKED AT THE WOMAN SLEEPING IN THE HOSPITAL BED AND BIT BACK A RUSH OF ANGER SO STRONG IT ALMOST HAD HIM growlingrightwherehewas.Hehadn’tcalmeddownsincethemomentshe’dbasicallycollapsedinDom’sarms.
Therehadbeenalookonherbeautifulfacehewould never forget.
They’dbeenlookingforthiswomanforalmostsevenhours.OnlytohaveherwalkstraightbackintotheTSPwithakidno oneknewadamnedthingaboutinherarms Batteredandafraid andcarryingakid Fromoutofnowhere
Shewasbeatentohellandback Therewasabruiseoveroneofhereyes Herlipwassplit Twotinybluestitchesheldit together.
Thereweremarksonhersoftneck,startingrightabovehercollarbone.
Fingerprint-shapedbruises.Whereatleastonemanhadgrabbedher.Pawedather.NothinghadpissedJarrodoffthatmuch inalong,longtime
Whenhecaughtupwiththeguywhohadhurther,Jarrodwasgoingtoriptheasshole’sheadoff Startingrightabovetheguy’scollarbone
He’dbreakeveryribtheguyhad,justforthetwocrackedonesshehadnow.
Shesleptdeeply.
Buttheyhadher back. Theywereluckytogetherback.Everyoneknewthat.
Theyhadn’thadasingleleadtogoonwhileshe’dbeenoutthere.Shehadjustbeengone. ShehaddeniedaSART sexual assaultandrape exam.She’dstateditwasn’tnecessary.She’dinsistednoneofthosebastardshadtouchedherlikethat. Hedidn’tknowifhebelievedherornot.Therehadbeeninlookinthoseeyes.Therewerebruises.He’dseenbruiseslike thosebefore.Bruiseswhereamanhadheldawomandownandhurther.Furythreatenedagain.
Shejustlookedsohelplessthererightnow.
“Shestillout?”Someoneputahandonhisback.Heturned.Heatheragain. Thatwomanwaseverywhere.
Likearash.Justpoppingupeverywhereandcausinghivesintheunsuspectingmalepopulation,thatwoman.Justlikethe firsttimehe’dseenher
She’djustshownuponeday,withElliotMarshallbyherside ElliothadlookedatJarrodandsaid surprise, here’s your new partner. Form a Cold Case division. Get to it. Andthatwasthat.They’dsnarledateachotherconstantlyfordominance thefirstthreeweeks Stilldid,somewhat Itwasaworkinprogress
“IknowyouandDr Harrisdon’tgetalong Hardtomiss” “Wedon’t Nodenyingthat Butthis?Thisjustpissesmeoff”Thegoddessoftheevidenceshouldnotlooksodefeated So battered.“Wehaveahistoryofdespisingeachother,butwe’vereasonablymellowedsincethechoirshooting.We’vebeentoo
busyhuntingforcommonenemiestoshootarrowsateachothersincethen,mostly.Butshedidn’tdeservethis.”
“I’vebeentoldyouhaveanalmostpersonalvendettaagainstHandleyBarratt.AboutthatBeckfamilythingthreeyearsago. Thattrue?”
TheBecks Closestthingtoareal familyJarrodhadhadinyears They’dbeentargetedbyassociatesofHandleyBarratt years ago. They’d almostbeenkilled. HandleyBarratthad escaped. Jarrod’s former partner, Melody, had married Barratt’s onlysonHoughtonBarratt oneoftherichestmenintheUnitedStates duringthatwholeshitstorm
Shewashappynow TheBeckswereallsafenow
ButHandleyBarrattwasstilloutthere
Jarrod couldn’t find that sonofabitch anywhere He’d definitely kept looking since the guy had left Melody crying in a hospital chapel three years ago. Jarrod had almost convinced himself the billionaire was ona Mexicanbeachsomewhere, livingthehighlifewithhotseniorladiesandlaughingaboutthechaoshe’dleftbehindinFinleyCreek
Wrong
BillionaireBarrattwasstillaround Aroundlongenoughtohavepaperworkprintedfromtheinternetwithhiswishesfor hiskidonit.TherehadbeenaMexicanbirthcertificatefortheboyinthatbag,too.ListingoneHandleyBarrattashisfather. Allniceandtidyandeverything
Apparently,Barratthadbeencloseenoughtobewatchinghis family Toswoopinandsave his niece’s bestfriendwhen abductors hadtakenthe womansohandily.“Iwon’tdenyit.I’dpartner withthe devil himselfifitmeans catchingthatman. Findingoutwhathe knows Hebelongsinjail accessoryafterthefact,ifnothingelse”
“Thiswomanlivedbecauseofhim That’shardtooverlook Theworldisacomplicatedmixofgrays,Foster Notblack andwhite.Youmightwanttorememberthat.”
He scowled. She had a point. And a bit of a chip on her shoulder where the TSP and the Becks were concerned. No denyingthat Itwasunderstandable,too HersisterandniecehadbothalmostdiedduringthatEastmanshitstormthreemonths ago.She’dsaidonceinhishearingshedoubtedtheywouldhavegottenthembackifthe rich guys ’family includingSydney Beck,Houghton’ssister-in-law hadn’tbeentaken,too
“Weshouldwakeher,”Heathersaidquietly “Youwantthehonors?”
“I’mawake,”asoftvoicecamefromthebed “ButsinceIrecognizethatman’svoice,I’mcontemplatingjustnotopening myeyes.Forareallylong,longtime.Andhopinghe’lljustgoaway.Where’sBeck?Isheokay?”
“AbetterquestioniswhoisBeck?”Jarrodasked,movingcloser.HeathergrabbedHaldyn’sglassesandhandedthemtothe womanonthebed “Andhowdidyougethim?”
Blueeyesstaredathim,fromapale,beautifulface Onewithbruises Thosebruisesburnedrightthroughhim “BeckisHandleyBarratt’sson”
Shestruggledalittletositupinthebed BeforehecouldstophimselfandletHeatherdoit,Jarrodputhishandsaroundher andhelpedherup.Hishandslingeredonhershoulders.
HaldynHarrisdidn’tfeel all thatsubstantialtohimrightnow.Theexactopposite.She’d always seemed so delicate and prissyandwimpytohimintheentiretimehe’dknownher
Thequeen-needing-her-peasants-to-serve-her-every-whimtype
Thekindofwomanwho needed amantoprotectherorsomething
His momhad beenlike that. Her three sons were just dragged alongwithher fromhero to hero, townto town. Until
they’deachsaid enough onebyone.Andstopped.
“Where’sDaniel?Ithoughthe’dbeherewhenIwoke.”Sheslippedthoselittleglassesonandjustblinkedathim.
“He’sbusy.Tryingtofindtheguyswhodidthistoyou.That’shisjob.”HisbossatMajorCrimesandHaldynHarriswere exceptionallyclose SpeculationaroundtheTSPwasthatthey’dbeenhavinganaffairforyears
Heatherelbowedhim Senthimaglare “Don’tbeajerk,Foster”
“It’shisnaturalstate,Heather I’veknownthatforyears EspeciallywhereI’mconcerned WhereisBeck?Ishewiththe Barratts?”Thereshewentagain,sayingthingsabouthimwithoutinflection,allinthatquiet,reservedlittlevoiceofhers.Like shecouldn’tevenbebothertogetangryathimanymore
Gettingangryathimwasbeneaththequeenorsomethingnow Shehadn’tgottenangryandloudwithhiminmonths Since rightafterthechoirhallshooting.
She’dlostalotofherfirethen.Jarrodmissedit.
Hewasn’tcertainwhathethoughtofthisnewquietlittlequeenthingshehadgoingon.Hecouldn’tfigureheroutnow.He hatedpuzzles
“Theykepthimhereatthehospitallastnight MelodyBarrattandherhusbandareinMexico,andshouldbehereinafew hours.”Heather nudged Jarrod outofthe way, thenpatted Haldyn’s hand. Fusseda little. Itsurprised Jarrod. Heather didn’t seemlikemuchofthefussysort Apparently,hewaswrongaboutthat “HestayedupinPedslastnight MysisterJoyarranged it.DetectiveDodsonstayedwithhim,too.”
Jarroddidn’tmisstheinstinctiveflinchwhentheHeathergottooclose.
HaldynHarrishatedtobetouched.Everyoneknewthat.
Well,exceptbyDaniel.AndmaybeGunnar.Thatwasit.Shewasadamnedicicle.Hewasconvincedonehundredpercent. Queensusuallywere “Weneedtofindoutwhathappenedtoyouafteryouweretakenofftheroad”
“Ofcourse I’mnotsureIcanbemuchhelp,honestly Therewere four Maybefive”Sheshivered,glancedtowardthe window.Thehandinasplintcrossedoverherchestasiftoprotectherselffromthememories.“No,I’mprettycertaintheone man,theleader,said five Saidtherewere‘fiveofus’”
Heatherhelpedhertakeadrink Hispartnerfussedwiththeblanketsoverherabit HeatherhadonlybeeninFinleyCreek a shortwhile, he thought. Buthe’d seenher withHaldynHarris and her evil ladycronies around the precinctseveral times sinceshe’dtransferredin
Mostlikelybecause Heather’s wickedlycute little sister Hope now workedinthe forensics lab,andhadfor aboutthree weeks.TheColesonsistersweretwohighlyattractivewomenwhogotlooks everywheretheywent.EveninTSPpolos.
ThosetwoColesonswouldbringtroubletotheTSPsomeday.Jarrodwascountingonit.Helookedathisbiggestsourceof troublenow “Menorwomen?”
“Men Thirties mostly Ithink Butone maybe older, fifties possibly He was the driver, Ithink Theywere all strong, though.Ingoodshape.After…Iwasinthevan,theyheadednorth.Afterthat…theydruggedme.Transdermalpatch,here.” Therewasarawspotonherneck.Hestudiedthesoftskinforamoment.Herskinwasdelicate,pale.Softlooking. He was goingto find those bastards and shove his fist downtheir throats. Multiple times each. Once for each of the bruiseshecouldseerightnow Queensshouldneverhavebruiseslikethatontheirdelicateskin Orhavethatfearintheireyes likethat.“Thenwhat?”
“Itriedtolistentowhattheyweresaying.Andtotheir voices.Somesoundedveryfamiliar.Ijustdon’tknow why. One
saidsomething…aboutmeandDaniel.”Shejustkeptshivering.Damnit,hehatedtoseeherlookinglikethat.
“Whatdidtheysay?”
“Tauntingme. AboutDaniel mostly. Aboutour relationship. Said somethingaboutme…walkingaround the TSP…” Her eyesmethis Hesawtheknowledgeinhereyes Whatshesuspected “Iamprettycertainheworkswithus Atleasthimand maybeoneortwooftheothers.Theysoundedsofamiliar.I’ddefinitelyheardatleasttwoofthembefore.”Thefearinthose blueeyes no,hewouldneverforget Thebastardswereonborrowedtime Jarrodwasgoingtomakesureofit “Ijust I’m notverygoodataudioidentificationofanything.”
“Itwasn’trandom.”Noonehadhonestlythoughtitwas.Abductionsinbroaddaylightwithadozenwitnessesjustdidn’t happen Notinacitythissize
Shetookanotherdrink Jarrodgrabbedablanketoffthesmall genericnightstandnexttothebed Hecoveredher withit, tuckingituparoundhershoulders.Shejusteyedhim,movingherarmsoutoftheway.Headjustedthebraid,soitwouldn’tbe pulled Herhairwaslikesilk
“Thankyou,”shewhispered Butshekeptshivering Damnthosebastards Hewasgoingtofindthempersonally “Where’sPowell?Issheokay?”
“Yourfriendwenttoasafehouseimmediatelyafteryourabduction Weweren’tcertainifshewasatargetornot,”Heather said.“Gunnarhasher,actually.”
“That’snotgoingtogoovertoowell.Not…Gunnar.She’sbeenavoidinghimlately.Sheabouthadapanicattackwhenshe saw himtoday yesterday Shewasdefinitelyatarget Thedriver Iheardhimsaythattheboss was goingtobeangrythat theyhadn’tgottenbothofus,”Haldynsaid.“Theywantedbothofus.Theyhadbeenwatchingus.Togetus together. Onesaid that,too”
Shewasstillshivering,damnit Jarrodfeltcompletelyuseless Heopenedthecabinetnexttothebed Haldynjustwatched him. Buthe found whathe wanted. Two more blankets. He covered the queenofthe lab withone quickly. “There. Damned roomislikeice”
Shejusteyedhimwithmistrust Likeshealwaysdid Partiallyhisfault,buthehadajobtodo
“Thankyou Theotherguy,theoneincharge,Ithink,saidthedealwastheygot both ofusortheywouldonlygethalfthe money.WhentheythoughtIwasout.Iwaslistening.Toseeiftherewereanynamesused.But…thereweren’t.”
“Whywouldsomeonewantbothofyou?”PowellBarrattwasanextremelywealthywomanwithmassivetiestotherichest familyinTexas HaldynwastheheadoftheforensicsdivisionoftheFinleyCreekTSP,thedaughterofacopandawaitress
Therewouldn’tbemuchoverlapthroughtheircareers Ransomwasapossibility Theycouldhavetakenbothwomen and killedthe one withouta lotofwealthbehindher tosenda message forcingthe familytopayupfor Powell.He’d worked a caselikethatbefore Butthatcasehadbeenclosedoverayearago “Whatareyoubothinvolvedin?”
Therehadtobesomething Somethingtheywerebothwrappedupin,allthewaytotheirprettylittleeyeballs Nothing was everthatrandom.
“Work.That’s aboutthe onlythingwe are involved in. She has her businesses, and Irunthe lab. We bothspend a good fifty-plushoursaweekjustworking”
