Chapter 15
Hawke
The team arrived and we set up. Then fifteen minutes ago one of the men drove my vehicle down the mountain.
I’m in position in the pantry that leads to the panic room. Porter’s in the attic loophole. The Guy’s a damn good sharpshooter, and three others have positions outside.
Vance’s voice comes over the com. “They just pulled into the yard. Allen and his uncle are getting out. Hold, someone’s with them.”
Laney cuts in. “That’s Hazel. How did they... She’s struggling. She’s not a willing accomplice.”
We’ve all got access to the same feed on our phones. “Abort. I’m locking down the cabin,” I snap.
“No,” Laney hisses. “He’ll hurt her. You’ll figure out how to work with this.”
I glance at the security video playing on my phone. Fuck. I knew this was a bad idea. She insisted on using herself as bait. When this is over, I’m gonna give her a bright red ass for arguing with me.
She’s got her vest on, her crutch and a cane beside her to make her appear more vulnerable. Her weapon is within reach. She’s a warrior I remind myself. And a survivor.
“Laney, shut down your phone just in case. You’ve got me on your earbud.”
They approach the door and Hazel knocks. Allen has a weapon at her temple.
“Wh—who’s there?” Laney calls out.
“Laney, it—it’s Hazel. I just want to see for myself that you’re okay. I’m taking another job across the country and wanted to say goodbye.”
“I can’t get to the door, but I can unlock it from here. Come in.”
“Laney, no—” Hazel tries but Allen has his hand on the handle and shoves Hazel into the cabin where she sprawls on the floor. He turns the weapon on Laney.
“You!” Laney exclaims. She attempts to stand, fumbling and falling back into her chair. Hell, if I didn’t know better, I’d think she was truly that feeble.
Allen laughs. “This is gonna be even easier than I thought.”
“Wha—what are you doing here? How did you find me? Who’s that with you?”
“My tag team.”
“Tag team?”
“My uncle. We like to party together. We’ve got the same—interests and tastes. It also gives us an alibi if we need it.”
“He was your alibi when they questioned you about my hit and run. He was the one you were ‘out of town’ helping.”
“Yeah. That worked. Just a couple doctored photos and a neighbor willing to lie for a little blow.
“You are a quick study. I did like that about you. Your IQ didn’t compare with my one-thirty-four, but you were okay. Just too honest and pathetic. The way you mooned over your brother’s friend. It was disgusting. That bastard is next.”
“Wha—what do you mean?”
“After I add you to my collection, he’s going to join you before I move on. No one gets to make a fool of me.”
“Collection?”
“Dead men, or women, tell no tales. We have a very special hiding place.
“You mean you hide the bodies together? Which one of you is the hedonist thrill killer? You or your uncle? Or is it both of you?”
“And that’s the trait I don’t like about you. You keep digging and digging. Seriously, you really think he could compare with me?” He nods toward his uncle who already seems to have lost interest. “I’m constantly bailing him out. I’m always helping him clean up accidents.”
“Accidents?”
“I’ve always had exceptional reasoning and planning skills.
Even at sixteen when some stupid bitch he was raping choked to death on his cock.
He didn’t know what to do, so he called me.
How do you think he’s gotten as far as he has in politics?
I’m making the backroom deals, tell him what to say and he’s the public persona selling it to his clueless constituents. ”
“So you have a little hidey hole for your handful of murders?”
Damn, she’s good. She’s keeping her cool and keeping him talking. The information that’s being recorded will put them both away for life.
“More than a few.” He smirks. “You know where it is. I took you there. We had a lovely picnic lunch looking out over the water. That’s when you confessed your love for your soldier friend.”
She pales. “The day you tried to force me to have sex. When you left the bruises on my neck. We... we were at the rock quarry. When we went back to my place you tried to force yourself on me.”
His face turns red. “And you kneed me, bitch. Then shoved me out the door and locked it.”
“We’re going back today. One last time.” He smiles, “For you. Stand up.”
“Ho—how many?”
“How many what?”
“How many women have your murdered?”
“Just women?”
“How many people?”
“When I wrote your name in my little black book last night you were number twenty-two. The confirmed record in our country is ninety-three. I’ve got years left to beat that number.”
“They’ll catch you.”
“Never. I’m too smart. Now get up.”
“No. You’re not getting away with this. You are not killing anyone else. You are not hurting anyone else. Neither of you.”
She slides her hand under the table where we hid her weapon.
No, babe. No! Before I can act there’s a crack and Allen spins knocking into his uncle. They both drop to the floor.
“Thank you, Porter,” I whisper into my comm.
“Buy me a beer,” he snorts back.
I rush out and grab my girl as the team pours in from outside followed by local officials.
Vance had notified State and local authorities, and they had arrived in time to watch and listen to the last few moments with one of our team outside.
Now they’re filling the room and taking charge. It will be hours before we’re alone.
Allen is on the floor screaming and whining that he’s bleeding to death. Demanding a doctor, a lawyer, claiming entrapment and that he’s innocent. His uncle made him do it. The officer cuffing him ignores him.
Porter helps Hazel to her feet and is making sure she’s ok.
“You did it, babe. You were amazing. You’re gonna get justice for all the victims. I’m so proud of you.”
She looks up at me, tears welling in her eyes, then overflowing. “Twenty-two. He did this to twenty-two people.”
“And you’re getting justice for them and closure for their families.” I hold her until they come to take her statement. Stepping aside, I text Frank and tell him it’s over and we’ll talk tomorrow.
Hours later shutting the door behind the last of the authorities, I cross to where my girl is huddled on the couch. For the last few hours while everyone present had been debriefed, I’ve watched her sink deeper and deeper into herself.
“Talk to me, babe.”
“I—I can’t stay here. But I can’t go home. I have nowhere to go that isn’t tainted.”
“Give me a minute.” I call Vance and make arrangements for one of the guys to stay and secure the site and we’ll return on the helicopter with the team. She falls asleep during the flight and barely stirs when we get back to Halo City. The guys help me get her to my apartment. I get her into bed.
“Don’t leave me,” she mumbles.”
“I’m here, babe. Not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me. Forever.” I snuggle in behind her.
She sleeps off and on for two days. Vance sends one of our trauma phycologists over to talk with her. After the doctor leaves, I hear the shower come on. I take that as a good sign.
I have her favorite pizza waiting when she makes her way to the kitchen. She walks straight into my arms. I just hold her.
“Thank you.” She looks up. “Thank you for understanding. For being here. I’m gonna be okay.”
“Never doubted it. You have always been strong.”
“What happens now?”
“Both Allen and his uncle are being charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, fraud, tax evasion, and the list goes on and on.”
“Did—did they find bodies at the rock quarry?”
“They are still working the site, but yes they found evidence of some. His kill book is proving to be the best evidence against him. Neither one of them are getting away with this.”
“I was the lucky one,” she whispers.
“Not lucky. You fought your way out. Time and again. And you gave closure to other families.”
“And us?”
I drop to my knee in front of her. “I love you, Laney. I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I’m tired of trying to hide it. I don’t deserve you, but I want you to be my wife. I swear I’ll be faithful and always put you first.”
“Yes. Because I have loved you just as long. I don’t want anyone but you. I can survive anything with you by my side.
“I don’t want to wait. I’ve waited long enough. You, me, a justice of the peace.”
“Your brother will be home in two weeks. We can do it then. Do you think you can be comfortable living here for a while?
Wrapping her arms around my neck she whispers in my ear. “Anywhere you are, is my home. You are all I need, all I’ve ever wanted, love.”