33. Epilogue - Nat
Epilogue - Nat
Forty-eight hours later…
As much as I want to be in New York supporting Oakley and Walker—Gannon—I know it’s best if we keep the media targets going in and out of the hospital to a minimum.
Not that any of them have left the building since they entered it two days ago.
We all moved into Pa’s house when it became obvious the media wanted to get information from any member of the Rogues’ org.
I sent a directive through the whole org that until further notice we are on a media blackout. Including anyone who says all they want to talk about is the team winning the Cup.
Everyone knows that line is bullshit.
Because it isn’t just that Shelby Byrd was assaulted. She was beaten into a coma by a man who Gannon believed was his biggest fan. I don’t have all the details. Ray has been keeping me abreast of developments in the investigation, but the man has gone underground.
Even Amos can’t find him.
But it’s only been a few days. They’ll get him. I refuse to believe anything else.
“Gem?” Chase stops next to the chair I’m sitting in while I watch the kids on the outdoor playground Pa has set up on the grounds of his estate.
“Hmm…”
“When was the last time you had a drink?” He crouches beside me. “What about sunscreen? You’ve been out here awhile.”
“I don’t remember.”
“You need to take care of yourself as much as you do everyone else.” Gripping my hand, he tugs as he straightens to his full height. “Come on. Cami and Bex are going to stay out here with the kids.”
I glance over to see my best friend and her husband sitting in chairs at the table with the umbrella. Pa has a number of different seating options out here, covered and not. When I first followed the kids outside, there were clouds covering the sky.
Now there isn’t one in sight.
“Blake is making you something to eat too.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You still need to eat, Gem, especially now.”
We haven’t told anyone about the baby. Or that we’re married. We’re even sleeping in separate rooms so as not to cause a scene. Although I can’t imagine anyone will be surprised when we tell them.
It’s hard to hide what’s going on between us now that everyone is under one roof. And I’m pretty sure Pa has worked out the baby part. He handed me a packet of crackers from Oakley’s stash last night before I went to bed.
For my ‘upset’ stomach in the morning.
“We should tell everyone. As soon as Oakley calls today with an update on Shelby, we should tell them about the baby. Give everyone some good news.”
“We can,” Chase hedges. “Or we can wait a few more days until they bring Shelby out of her induced coma.”
Yesterday’s update was good. Shelby is getting better every day. The swelling on her brain reducing every hour, but they’re keeping her medicated. I can’t even imagine how Walker feels. Gannon. Oakley mentioned Gannon blaming himself for not forcing Shelby to move when he was first traded.
None of us were aware she was moving here this summer.
“Okay, let’s see what Oakley says, then go from there.” Chase guides me inside to the kitchen. Lowering his voice, he says, “Although I think Pa and Blake have worked things out.”
“Pa has.” When he looks at me, one eyebrow cocked, I explain, “He gave me some crackers to take to bed last night so they would be on my bedside table this morning.”
“Ah, right. Is the nausea getting better or worse?”
“Can’t tell. My stomach is churning with worry over everything so it could be that or the baby.”
“I knew it!”
Blake’s voice has me jolting back against Chase. “What the hell, woman! Scare me to death, why don’t you.”
Laughing, Blake wraps her arms around me, brings her mouth to my ear. “I suspected. After the finals in Vegas.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you two were different. And yes, I know your relationship has been evolving all along but those weeks after, during the Cup final series, there was something…I just got a hunch I guess.”
Pulling out of Blake’s arms I glance around to make sure no one else can overhear us talking. “We were just discussing telling everyone.”
“Some good news in the face of this horrible situation.”
“Yes, but I don’t want to until they bring Shelby out of her coma, and we know how she’ll do.”
“Oakley messaged us about an hour ago. Didn’t you read it?”
“No. I left my phone in here on charge.”
“Well, they took Shelby off the sedation meds this morning. Or they’re weaning her off them as of this morning.”
“I still think I should wait un?—”
“Yeah, might be best because if you read the text, you would know that Shelby was ten weeks pregnant when she was assaulted. She lost the baby.”
“Oh fuck!”
Chase’s growl makes me jump but it’s Blake’s words that has me pressing a hand to my belly and my eyes filling with tears. “Did Gannon…”
“I don’t know any more than that.” Blake shakes her head, her own gaze filled with tears. “I can’t even comprehend what this will do to the two of them.”
“Nothing good and everything bad,” Chase murmurs.
“We need to bring them home. Here. So they’re surrounded by family. Can we do that? Bring Shelby here?”
“Not yet. Pa said he’s looking into things. He’s talking to Oakley and Walker more than the rest of us, but I think Gannon is keeping a lot from them at the moment. Oakley only knows about the baby because she overheard a couple of nurses talking.”
“Oh, and she told us?” I can’t imagine how hard it is for Oakley and Walker to keep that to themselves. “Did they question Gannon?”
“I don’t know.”
“Sorry. Of course.” Blake would tell me if she had any other information on Shelby’s condition. “I don’t like not being able to help.”
“Keeping Micky occupied is helping. Not talking to the press is helping.”
I glance at Chase. “It doesn’t feel like enough.”
“Would Oakley ask for more help if they needed it?” Blake and I nod. “Then you’re doing enough.”
“Natalie.”
I turn to find Pa standing in the archway leading to the hall at the back of the foyer. My stomach drops at his expression. “Yes.”
“Ray Denim and Amos Powell are here. I took them into my office so you can have privacy.”
“I...” I reach for Chase’s hand. “I’ll be right there.”
With a nod, Pa disappears, I assume to inform our unexpected guests I won’t be long.
“I can come with you but maybe take Blake.” Chase’s words have me looking at him. Before I question him, he explains, “She’s part owner. I think she should be there for whatever the Rogues head of security and on retainer PI have to say.”
“You’re right.” I take a deep breath and turn to Blake. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Can you let Bran know I’m in a meeting and he needs to listen for Drew?” she asks, although it’s not really a request.
“Sure. Do you want me to get Cami?”
My gaze connects with Blake’s, and I can see she’s just as torn about that as I am. “No. Let us find out what’s happened for them to come here, then we can let her know if we need to.”
“Okay.” Before he moves away, he bends and drops a kiss on my forehead. “I’m here if you need,” he whispers before pulling away and walking back outside.
“As much as I want to dive into whatever that was, we have other things to deal with.” Blake grips my hand. “We’ve got this, Nat.”
“I know. I just wish we didn’t have to.”
“Come on. Let’s get it over with.”
By silent mutual agreement we let go and walk side by side in the direction of Pa’s office.
When we step inside, it’s to find both men standing, their faces giving nothing away.
“Hello, gentlemen.” I don’t bother with more pleasantries than that. “What happened?”
“I got a call from the brPD,” Ray says. “The alarm on Gannon’s apartment went off in the early hours of this morning. When the police arrived, the front door was kicked in and most of his possessions were trashed and scattered on the floor in every room.”
My gaze moves to Amos. “And you’re here because?”
“I followed Banks’ trail down here.” He looks at Ray. “I was on the phone to Ray when he got the call from the police.”
“Okay. Do they have him?”
“No.”
The quiet after that one word has the hairs rising on the back of my neck. “Out with it.”
“Banks left a message for Gannon on the bedroom wall.”
“What kind of message?” Blake asks. “A threat?”
“Yes.”
“And?” I can’t hold in my anger, my voice sharp.
“I think you need to go media blackout on Shelby Byrd’s condition. And move her to a secure medical facility.”
Ray’s words have me taking a step back. “What?”
“The threat wasn’t against Gannon. It was against Shelby.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Banks isn’t Gannon’s fan. He’s been stalking Shelby since she finished college,” Amos explains. “I can’t work out if she came across his path because of his proximity to Gannon or if he already knew her.”
“Have you told the police?”
“Yes. The NYPD and brPD have everything I’ve gathered. But I’m telling you now, I’m also passing the information on to the FBI.”
“The FBI? What the hell for?” Blake demands. “Surely this doesn’t?—”
“I think he’s responsible for a number of missing women.”
Amos’s words stop my heart. And I don’t even try to hide my need to hold onto Blake while I ask my next question. “Missing?”
“Presumed dead.”
“The assault on Shelby Byrd was interrupted,” Ray adds. “I believe he planned to kill her.”
“Fucking hell.” Blake’s fingers squeeze mine.
“All right. Give me a second. I need to think.”
I shove aside any panic and focus on what we need to do to protect Shelby. We need Pa to work out a way to get her here. I can have the medical rooms at the arena fitted to take care of her.
“I need my phone.” I turn to leave only to be pulled up short when Blake tugs on our joined hands. “What?”
“You can’t bring them here. Her. You can’t bring Shelby here.”
“Why not?” I glare at Blake. “We can lock her down in the arena, we have medical staff on the payroll, medical facilities we can use.”
“Banks is here.”
“We don’t know that for sure. He could already be on his way back to New York.”
“I don’t think so.” My gaze bounces over to Ray.
“You don’t?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
“And you?” I ask our PI who has never steered us wrong before.
“I think he’s sticking close to here. I think what set him off was Shelby packing up their apartment to move here.”
“So, where then? We need to move her somewhere safe. Need to stop this guy from getting to her again.”
“Miami.”
I eye Ray and wonder where the hell—“Oh! Can you arrange that?”
“Yes.”
“Do it. Keep me in the loop.”
“No.”
“What?”
“I won’t keep you in the loop. You will know when we leave the hospital in New York and where we’re going but there will be no contact with anyone once she’s released into my care. That includes with her brother.”
“You’ll take Gannon, though, right? You can’t leave him behind.”
“Yes. Gannon and Shelby will stay together.”
I glance at Blake, get a nod, and return my eyes to Ray. “Okay. Make it happen. I’ll get Oakley and Walker on video call.”
“Use my phone.” Ray holds out a phone that looks like any other, but I know it can’t be. He wouldn’t be insisting on me using it if it was.
Taking it, I turn to Blake. “Get Cami. And Pa. We can fill the men in later, but we’ll need Pa in on this call.”
“I’ll ask Mr. James to come in. I can talk with the men while you all get things rolling,” Amos offers. “I haven’t seen Micky in a while and I’m sure Sara would like an update on how he’s doing.”
“Thanks.”
When Amos leaves the room, Blake sighs and heads for one of the chairs in front of Pa’s desk. Flopping into she says, “I don’t give a shit what you say or think, Nat, I’m asking Amos to hunt this guy down.”
“I don’t think you have to ask that,” Ray answers.
“No?”
“No. He saw inside this guy’s trophy room.”
“I’m sorry?” “Trophy room?” Blake and I speak at once.
“Yeah.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “He hinted at it but I’m not sure either of you really took notice. Amos thinks Anton Banks is a serial killer.”
“A…” I shake my head. I have to. This can’t be real.
At the thought of Shelby Alcott, now Byrd, in the hands of—bile rises in my throat and I race for the trash can at the side of Pa’s desk.
“Ray, get everyone in here, including Amos. Ask Whitney, Cassidy, and Crystal to organize the little ones in the theater room to watch a movie.” Blake’s instructions are spoken above my head which is still over the trash can.
Pushing up, I draw in a deep breath. “I’m okay.”
“You are not. Sit your ass in the chair, Nat. I’ll grab you some water.”
Doing as I’m told, I lean back and close my eyes only to pop them back open again when my brain fills with horrible images. “How is this even happening to someone I know?”
“No idea.” Blake presses a cold glass of water into my hand. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a second.”
When my eyes focus on the room, I see I’m alone. Ray has obviously gone to do as Blake ordered. Blake is also gone to do whatever else she deems necessary.
How have we gone for the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in only a few days?
Forty-eight hours ago we were looking forward to a day with fans after winning the Cup in our first year competing in the NHL.
Now we’re faced with the possibility of a serial killer targeting one of our own.