Chapter Eighteen
If they were correct, and Governor Arlo Forrester was the target, then Sean had his people in place, prepared for the signal to act. Provided they weren’t already too late.
After Olivia had been locked inside the ballroom when the hotel was set on fire, she’d been determined to see every single person responsible brought to justice.
Then it became a crusade to get Shepherd.
She never would’ve suspected the man she’d once considered a brother would become her greatest enemy.
If Sean hadn’t crossed the line yesterday, nearly killing Eli, she might not have the resolve for what needed to be done. In the truck, she glanced over at Eli, at his bruised and beaten face. But now she did. Sean was a threat to everything she held dear.
They pulled up to the Buckthorn Club, wearing ballistic vests, prepared for the unexpected. At almost the same time, Agent Trujillo and three of his field agents raced into the lot.
They converged at the entrance.
“We thought you would’ve brought an army with you,” Olivia said to Trujillo.
“No need. The governor already has the state police here as security for his event and I notified the officer in charge about the potential threat.”
They hurried up the grand staircase inside. The Buckthorn Club was practically empty, aside from a few staff members in black slacks and gold polo shirts.
Chance hurried to the registration table. “Has the tournament started?”
“Yes,” an older woman with gray hair said, seated alone at a table. “It started about thirty minutes ago.”
Everyone was on the golf course already.
“What’s the governor’s tee time?” Eli asked.
The woman leaned back in her chair, looking flustered. “It’s a shotgun scramble.”
“What does that mean?” Trujillo asked.
“All teams begin their rounds simultaneously, but from different holes on the course.” The woman glanced around the group. “That way everyone finishes about the same time.”
Trujillo flashed his badge. “What hole did the governor start on?”
The woman’s eyes widened. “The governor hasn’t started. His team began without him because he isn’t feeling well.”
Did Sean intercept the governor before he even arrived? Olivia hoped that wasn’t the case. If it was, they wouldn’t know where to look for him and wouldn’t be able to reach him in time. “Is Governor Forrester at the club?”
“Yes. He’s resting upstairs, in the library.”
Chance turned to the group. “It’s for members only. Somewhat isolated away from everything when this place is jam-packed. A good location to hold someone discreetly.”
“I’m sure his security thought it might be easier to safeguard him there,” Trujillo said. “Where is it?”
“This way.” Hurrying down the corridor, Chance led them through the club, winding toward the back part of the building.
“There’s no reason for Shepherd to go to this extreme if his goal is to put an end to the governor’s corruption,” Trujillo said.
“I questioned Reggie Purdom and Fred Lloyd at Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Purdom was the first to break, and after I offered Lloyd immunity, he confessed to Forrester’s scheme to clear the way for eminent domain so the resort could be built. The governor is already finished.”
“Shepherd wants more than to end the governor’s career.” Olivia met the agent’s eyes. “He wants his life. For his execution to be a lesson and a warning to others.”
As they reached an open set of double doors, Olivia spotted two state troopers standing guard at the bottom of a staircase. One had a goatee and the other a distinct mustache. They were unmistakable.
“Wait a minute.” Olivia quietly stopped everyone, gathering them off to the side, out of the line of sight from the stairs. “Those two men in uniform aren’t state troopers. They’re with Sean.”
“Are you sure?” Trujillo asked.
“I recognize them. They were on the farm, where Sean held me captive.”
Trujillo’s lips flattened into a tight line. The agent still appeared frustrated over being left out of the loop more than once.
Over the phone, Olivia conceded she should’ve done a better job communicating with him throughout this case, and he sounded as if he understood why they hadn’t told him about Shepherd’s offer of parley.
“Is there another way upstairs?” Trujillo asked.
“Yeah.” Chance gave a curt nod. “A main elevator and the service one.”
“Time is of the essence,” Trujillo said. “If the governor’s security detail has been compromised, we need to split up, but I also need someone to call the sheriff and my office to explain the situation so they can get out here ASAP.”
“I’ll make the calls,” Autumn said.
Trujillo handed her a business card. “Get an ambulance, too, in case the governor has been injured.”
As Olivia pivoted toward Autumn to remind her to be careful, she spotted Paige, the lovely brunette, wearing a Buckthorn uniform. “I know her, too.” Olivia pointed out the woman.
Paige turned her head, scanning her surroundings. Their gazes collided. The woman’s face went blank right before she took off running.
“We’ve got her,” Bo said. He and Takoda bolted after her.
The place was crawling with Sean’s people.
Where on earth were the real state troopers? What happened to them?
“I’ll start on the calls.” Autumn headed back toward the front of the club.
“Listen,” Olivia said to the others, “this group with Shepherd is experienced.” Not like the hotel staff.
Or the insiders at the carbon capture facility, who turned out to be Caleb and Paul, according to Trujillo.
Or the teenagers in the state park. “They have tactical training and will go toe-to-toe with you before giving in.” Sean’s people had that hardened glint in their eye and walked like they knew how to handle themselves.
At least Tak and Bo had taken out four gunmen at the farm, cutting down the size of Sean’s small army.
“Got it.” Trujillo nodded. “I’ll handle the fake state troopers.”
“I’ll head upstairs to the library,” Lenek offered.
“Agent Finch, you also go with them upstairs. Take the service elevator. Agent Chen, you’re with me.” Trujillo and the other agent approached Sean’s men by the stairs.
Chance double-backed through the club and took the rest of them down a small corridor that led to the service elevator. He pushed the call button.
Everyone drew a weapon. Five of them climbed into the elevator and rode it up one floor. Eli put a hand on her shoulder and met her eyes.
Without saying a word, she understood what he wanted to say. Be careful. No heroics. She simply nodded in return.
A chime sounded. The elevator doors slid open.
A man stood there, gun in hand, ready for them. Agent Finch lunged, grabbing the guy’s extended arm, and shoved it upward as the weapon discharged, the bullet hitting the ceiling. Chance seized the man’s other arm, and they forced him to the floor.
“The library is down the hall and around the corner,” Chance said, assisting Finch with getting the guy onto his stomach. “Double doors.”
Finch took out his handcuffs and restrained the man’s wrists. “We’ve got this.”
Another man charged from the other end of the hall. Clearly one of Sean’s in utility pants and combat boots, carrying an assault rifle.
“FBI!” Finch shouted.
The guy raised his weapon. Lenek responded, putting a bullet in his chest and dropping him.
“Go,” Finch urged.
Hurrying down the hall, they spotted Trujillo and the others on the ground floor in a fierce standoff at the bottom of the stairs. Everyone had their guns drawn.
“Drop your weapons!” Trujillo yelled.
“Not happening!” Goatee shook his head. “Drop yours, G-man, and you get to keep breathing!”
Rounding the corner, they saw the ornate double doors. Although there were no guards posted outside, whoever was inside the library must have heard the gunshots and were now on high alert.
Agent Lenek went to one side of the doorframe. Eli took the other with Olivia behind him. The two men communicated silently with hand gestures.
The agent counted down with his fingers. On one, Eli kicked in the door.
Finch swept inside the library, stepping to the left. “FBI!”
Eli went in next, going right. Taking a deep breath, Olivia brought up the rear, clutching her weapon at the ready.
Inside the library, Sean stood with his back to the right corner of the room, holding the governor in front of him, with a gun to the back of Forrester’s head.
A sound suppressor was attached to the muzzle.
In the other corner, behind a leather chair, was Brandon, disguised as a law enforcement officer, the barrel of his gun, silencer attached, positioned on top of the backrest.
Finch had taken cover behind a sofa, and Eli had done the same, using the couch on the other side of the room.
“Hold!” Sean said.
Keeping his finger on the trigger, Brandon did as Sean instructed, not firing.
But the sound of gunfire came from below.
“Olivia, you disappoint me.” Sean stared at her, his eyes full of menace.
“All you had to do was stay away. The governor was almost finished confessing to his crimes on video. Then I was going to quietly put a bullet in his head and leave. Now, how many others are going to die today because of your relentless interference with Lover Boy?”
“Get down,” Eli said to her.
She wasn’t entirely sure whether Sean would shoot her, but she doubted it. He could’ve let her die in the barn fire, shackled to the horse stall, if he wanted her dead.
Then again, that was before she’d brought the FBI into this. She had no idea how he’d respond.
“What happened to the state troopers who were supposed to be protecting the governor?” She slowly eased closer toward Sean. “Did you kill them and take their uniforms?”
“Come now, Dove. I don’t take innocent lives. Only those who deserve it. I’m the good guy, remember. Paige drugged them. They’re sleeping like babies, but they’ll wake with a doozy of a headache.”