Chapter 52
Glass rained down as the hail of bullets continued.
Jack attended to Nate and tried to stem the tide of blood, but it was too late. His carotid artery had been severed. He bled out on the deck in a matter of moments.
Tears flowed from Ethan's eyes.
Casey shrieked in horror.
I moved to the hatch that opened to the side deck. Bullets peppered the wheelhouse, popping and pinging off the steel.
I angled my pistol through the hatch and took aim.
Two thugs blasted at the boat with Mac 10s, taking cover behind dock boxes. Their barrels spit fire and death.
Bullets whizzed through the air.
I returned fire, my pistol pounding my palm, ringing my ears.
Smoke wafted.
The tangy scent of retribution drifted from the barrel.
The dock boxes offered a little concealment. Not much cover.
I sent enough copper downrange to give one of the goons a bad day. He fell back against the dock, writhing and moaning until he bled out.
His comrade took off and ran down the dock. He hopped into a black Dominator GT waiting in the parking lot.
With a glance inside the compartment, I said, “Is anyone else hit?”
Casey shook her head, her skin white with fear. Her hands trembled.
Ethan sobbed over his uncle.
JD had already called dispatch for backup. EMTs and paramedics were on the way. The distant sound of sirens warbled.
I stepped out of the wheelhouse and climbed the gunwale to the dock.
Curious neighbors poked their heads out with fearful eyes.
I advanced to the perp, kicked his weapon away, and checked vitals.
The punk was long gone.
He wore a baseball cap backwards. Dark sunglasses shielded his eyes, and a black bandanna covered his face. Dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and a black jacket, he matched the description of the assailants who’d gunned down the Christmas carolers.
I pulled the kid’s bandanna down to get a better look at his face.
He was mid-20s with gang tattoos that extended above his collar.
I snapped a photo and texted it to Isabella.
She would be able to identify him in no time.
No doubt he had a criminal record. We could learn his gang affiliations and figure out what crowd he ran with.
There was no doubt in my mind someone at Valterion had hired these thugs to take care of their problem.
If Ethan was right, Valterion Capital was protected.
But a public scandal could sink their plans and bring down everyone involved.
They would stop at nothing to keep that information from getting out.
They were willing to kill innocent people.
They had proven that much. But I didn't realize just how far they were willing to go.
I was about to find out.
My phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. It came through on Memo—encrypted and untraceable. “Hello?”
A calm voice filtered through the speaker as I held the phone to my ear. “Deputy Wild. I’m so glad you answered. We have much to discuss.”
“Who is this?”
“That is of little consequence. What matters is what you do next."
That sense of dread filled my stomach. "What do you want?"
"I think you'll find that we both want the same thing.
As you are by now aware, certain information has been compromised.
Information that is best kept out of the public domain.
It seems our initial reaction to this situation was problematic.
It could have been handled with much more finesse.
I'll admit that and take full responsibility.
I should have overseen the process myself.
Instead, we hired amateurs to do a professional job. That mistake won't be made again.”
"I’ll ask again. What do you want?"
"This has become more complex than initially envisioned, thanks in no small part to your efforts. Sadly, in a few moments, you will have a terrible decision to make. I don't envy your position.”
That sense of dread grew. “Since you’re in the mood to confess, how about you come down to the station and give me the full story?”
“Don’t be so simplistic, Deputy. You know that’s not going to happen.”
"You're not going to get away with this.”
He laughed. "Yes, I am, and you know it. There really is no other option. You see, the powers that be will demand that I get away with this. What we’ve set in motion is the natural progression of things.
There is too much at stake for any other outcome.
Once you accept that realization, it will be easier for you.
" He paused. "I’ve come to the realization that there are two types of problems in the world.
Money problems, and everything else. Most problems are money problems. You throw money at them, and they go away.
No amount of money, on the other hand, can stave off a terminal disease that science has no cure for.
I pride myself on my ability to read people.
I wouldn't have gotten this far without that skill. Something tells me that you are not a money problem, am I right?”
"You would be correct," I said.
"Since no amount of money is going to make you go away, I have to resort to other means. It really pains me to do this.”
The sound of sirens drew closer. First responders would be in the parking lot any moment now.
"By now, you are fully aware of our capabilities. At my fingertips is the power to decimate any geographic area that I wish. Large or small. I can operate with pinpoint accuracy if need be.”
“Am I supposed to be impressed?”
“You should be. I think you will soon realize you have no other option but to comply.” He paused.
“What you are going to do is hand over the data that Ethan has acquired, along with all copies. Bring him and the girl to Spice Key at midnight, and we can all go about our business as if none of this ever happened.”
“And if I find that objectionable?”
"I feel bad even saying it, but should you fail to comply, something terrible might happen to the Children's Hospital. It could be as simple as a power outage or as devastating as a fire. Perhaps even a bomb planted by some terrorist organization.”
My jaw clenched tight, and my blood boiled. My hands balled into fists. I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle the guy.
"I'm going to find you,” I growled.
The voice laughed. “I’m not hiding. It's not just me you’re up against. You're fighting the system. The system always wins. You're smart enough to know that. You've learned that fact the hard way. Take this as a loss and move on.”
I paused, contemplating my next words.
"Do you think we haven’t been keeping tabs on you?
Do you think we don't know what you hold dear? Today, it’s the Children's Hospital. Tomorrow, it could be that lovely bartender you've got working for you. Perhaps that adorable redhead in the department that you’re so fond of. Believe me when I say I can get to everyone and everything that matters to you.”
That hung there in the most unpleasant way.
"If I cooperate, you're just going to kill us all.”
"And if you don't, I'm going to kill a lot more. The choice is yours.” Then he added, "I have use for a man like you. I have just enough leverage over your life. It might be worth keeping you around. You never know.”
If he were smart, he'd kill me at the first opportunity. If I ever got the chance, he was a dead man.
Red and blue lights flashed as patrol units screeched into the parking lot.
“I expect you to keep this conversation between us. Come alone. Just you and your partner. Bring the kids and the data. No need to ruin anyone else’s life. Meet in the clearing at midnight, Deputy,” he said before ending the call.