Chapter 73
When Sean returned to The Bonnie, he drove slowly as he approached. The last thing he wanted was to be jumped by Johnson and his deputies if they’d gotten free. But he was really worried about Roger.
All the vehicles in the parking lot were still accounted for, but Sean pulled the sheriff’s cruiser closer to the entrance and stopped shy of pulling right up to the front door.
Sean exited the vehicle and then made his way over to the hotel’s entrance. He had his gun up and ready, prepared for whatever awaited him, and then, when he neared the entrance, he found something he didn’t expect.
Sheriff Johnson and his two deputies were dead. Shot through the head, most likely at point-blank range, judging from the bullet’s entrance and exit size.
And Roger was missing.
Sean was surprised the hotel owner had pulled the trigger. But if Roger was bold enough to murder cops, who was to say he couldn’t abduct a child for ransom money?
Noise from the guest rooms prompted Sean to head that way as he moved closer. It led him to room 109, the source of the hotel’s legends that lent it its mystique.
Sean approached cautiously, knowing Roger had a gun. It had been stupid for Sean to leave him unrestrained by his legs, allowing him to move around, but he had been so worried about getting to Jennie and the others that he wasn’t thinking straight.
The door to room 109 was cracked open. Sean stepped closer and pushed it open, and he saw the back of Roger as he stuffed money and drugs into a bag. He hadn’t noticed Sean yet, and if Sean played this right, then he would be able to end this without any bloodshed.
“Hands where I can see them,” Sean said.
Roger froze, back still turned, a brick of heroin in his right hand, while his left held open the duffle bag.
“We could split this, you know,” Roger said.
“There’s more than enough for either of us to disappear and do whatever we want.
And there’s even more hidden down in the speakeasy. I’ll show you where if you let me.”
“Not gonna happen, Roger,” Sean said.
“That’s what Sheriff Johnson said at first, too,” Roger said. “But he couldn’t deny such easy money. Not when it was staring him in the face.”
“And look how it turned out for him,” Sean said. “Set the money down, let go of the bag, and then slowly lace your fingers behind your head.”
Roger didn’t comply at first. But then he released the bag and dropped the money. But he still didn’t lace his fingers behind his head.
“I’m not gonna ask again, Roger,” Sean said. “Lace your fingers behind your head and turn around slowly.”
“I don’t think you’re going to kill me, Sheriff,” Roger said.
“Because you’re not the type. I’ve seen cops like you before, the ones who have a personal code.
You’re like them. You’re not going to gun me down just because you don’t have any other option.
That’s why you won’t take the money. But if you kill me, then you’ll never find her. ”
Sean winced. “You took Karla? Where is she?”
“Time’s almost up, isn’t it?” Roger asked. “The sun will be setting any minute now. Not sure you can afford to shoot me.”
Roger turned slowly but didn’t keep his hands laced. Instead, he kept them at his sides until he faced Sean. “What’s that girl’s life worth to you, Sheriff?” Roger asked. “My freedom? Seems like a fair trade to me.”
“Tell me where she is,” Sean said. “Then, only then, can we make a deal.”
“Can’t do that,” Roger answered. “If I know where she is, then I hold all the cards.”’
“And how do you think a dead girl is going to play with a jury?” Sean asked. “You’ll never get out of prison again.”
“I’ve already killed cops, Sheriff,” Roger said. “That ship has sailed.”
Sean considered this, already knowing the decision he was going to make. Sean lowered his gun. “Where is she?” Sean asked.
“I’ll text you the location after I’m in one of the squad cars and after you tell your FBI friends that I took off in the woods and you’re not sure which direction I went,” Roger said.
Sean didn’t move, and Roger shrugged.
“Clocks’ ticking, Sheriff,” Roger said.
Sean reached for his phone, keeping his eyes still focused on Roger. He didn’t trust the man. And that was why he kept hold of his gun.
And he was thankful that he did.
Because when Sean was just about to dial the number, with his phone in one hand and his gun in the other, Roger made his move.
The man reached quickly into the bag, grabbing a gun and pivoting his aim at Sean. He fired, but his aim was horrible, and he missed.
Sean didn’t.
The bullet struck Roger’s stomach, and the man dropped to his knees, losing hold of the weapon in the process. The look of surprise on his face was genuine.
Sean rushed to Roger, catching him before he collapsed to the carpet.
“Where is Karla?” Sean said. “Hey, Roger, answer me!”
Roger was shaking now, and Sean applied pressure on the wound. “I’m c-c-cold,” Roger said, teeth chattering with a fast clickity clack that he couldn’t turn off. “J-Jesus, I’m going to die.”
“Where is the girl, Roger?” Sean said. “I need to know where she is.”
“I…didn’t…do…” Roger coughed, blood spitting out of his mouth and spraying over the front of his shirt.
“Hey!” Sean shook the man, but his pulse slipped away, and he lay still.
Sean tried to perform CPR, but he couldn’t resuscitate the man. The gunshot had most likely struck his liver, and there was no coming back from that, even if an ambulance arrived now. He had already bled out.
Roger was dead, and if he had been the person responsible for Karla’s abduction, then her whereabouts died with him.