Chapter 9 Mitch #2
Mitch felt sick. A family that is corrupt, twisted, that they’d kill their own blood for revenge or power or whatever sick motivation drove them.
“What happened to Clayton Whittaker?” Mitch asked.
“Last I heard, he was in Barstow Security’s custody,” Ray told them. “And those people don’t mess around. Clayton won’t be seeing the light of day anytime soon.”
“They’re a shady bunch,” Lori muttered.
“While Barstow Security’s methods may seem a bit extreme,” Ray said carefully, “they’re that way because they help people who no one else will.
And I don’t mean criminals like the Lanes, the Whittakers, and the Standsteads.
” Mitch saw the surprise flash across Lori’s face.
“They help people who are victims of those types of people because no one else will help them. And to do that, they have to get their hands dirty.” He gave Lori a tight smile.
“They were helping your late husband, Mrs. Carlton. And they’re still helping his other, more legitimate business partner set things straight with all the mess left behind. ”
“I thought Trent and Tessa were doing that,” Lori said, confusion clear in her voice.
“They have help in the shadows,” Ray told her. “Not that one of those two is allowed to admit it.”
Mitch knew immediately that Ray meant Trent. Of course, Trent would have connections to an organization like Barstow Security. He’d have all sorts of contacts in the private security world.
“Why was Elias Dane here?” Mitch asked, bringing them back to the main issue. “What was he doing watching Seabird Cottage?”
“In order to get everyone who was a threat to the Lanes, and to get revenge for the death of Judge Whittaker and the capture of Clayton,” Ray explained, “Clara and her aunt had to ensure everyone was in one place. To do that, they needed to draw Elias Dane here to Nantucket. So Clara started making fake threatening phone calls to Sally, knowing that Elias would be the one she’d call for help. ”
“That makes sense,” Mitch said, the pieces clicking into place. “Then when he got here, he must’ve realized what was going on.”
“Yes, sir,” Ray nodded. “So he kept watch over Seabird Cottage and over Sally. Trying to protect them both.”
Something occurred to Mitch, and his eyes narrowed. “Why did you hit me over the head on the beach that day?”
“I didn’t,” Ray said firmly. “Clara did. I was trying to find Elias and draw him to the beach for a meeting. Only you appeared instead, and she panicked, having to abort her plan for Elias that day.”
Mitch nodded, understanding clicking into place. “So she confronted him on the beach. The day he got hit in the head.”
“Yes, sir,” Ray confirmed. “With the same weapon. Her bicycle pump.”
“Her bicycle pump?” Lori repeated incredulously.
“It’s no ordinary pump either,” Ray told them. “It’s more like a baton disguised as a pump. Solid metal core, weighted properly. Looks innocent attached to her bicycle, but it’s a weapon.”
“Clever,” Mitch had to admit. Who would suspect a woman on a bicycle with a pump attached innocently to the frame?
Ray’s expression crumbled slightly, and his voice grew rougher, more gravelly. “I never wanted to take Ryan, Tessa, or Dr. Simons.” He stopped, struggling to get the words out. “I had to. My sister, Heather...”
His jaw clenched so tight that Mitch could see the muscles jumping.
“We understand,” Mitch assured him gently. “We’ve been told about your situation. About what they did to Heather.”
Ray nodded, relief flashing across his face. “I’m actually here to turn myself in to Elias Dane, who’s woken up from his coma.” He gave them a tight smile. “He’s arranging for people from Barstow to transport me. And...”
He glanced back over his shoulder toward the parking lot.
“I have Clara in my car. I knocked her out with chloroform.”
“Now that’s karma,” Lori said with conviction, and Mitch heard the satisfaction in her voice.
The sound of footsteps made them all turn. Elias Dane was being wheeled into the waiting room in a wheelchair, flanked by two men in dark security uniforms. They moved with the precise, controlled manner of professional enforcement officers.
“That’s my ride,” Ray said quietly. He leaned forward, pressing a set of car keys into Mitch’s hand while softly telling him exactly where to find the vehicle in the parking lot.
“I’ve told them I don’t know where Clara is.
I thought she needed more than Barstow Security justice.
She needs real justice. Legal justice. Along with her aunt. ”
“We’ll see to it,” Mitch promised, closing his hand around the keys. “I give you my word.”
As Ray walked away, the two security guards moving to flank him, Mitch made a mental note. He’d step in for Ray. Would make sure the man got a fair shake, that his circumstances were taken into account. Would make sure Tessa knew everything so she could build the best defense possible.
The man deserved that much.
He turned back toward the waiting room just as a doctor in blue scrubs approached them.
“Are you here for Ryan Brandon and Tessa Ryder?” the doctor asked.
“Yes,” Mitch said immediately. “How are they?”
“Mr. Brandon has been patched up,” the doctor said.
“He tore his stitches quite badly, and he lost a fair amount of blood. But he’s stable now.
He’ll need to stay in bed for at least a week this time, and I’ve made it very clear that if he tries to escape again, I’ll have him restrained to the bed. ”
Mitch almost smiled at that. “Good luck with that.”
The doctor’s lips twitched. “As for Ms. Ryder, she was dehydrated, and we had to restitch her head wound. We’re keeping her overnight for observation, but she should be fine to go home tomorrow.”
Relief flooded through Mitch so intensely that it made him dizzy. They were okay. Both of them. Tessa and Ryan were safe and being taken care of.
“Can we see them?” Lori asked.
“Yes,” the doctor said. “They’re in rooms right beside each other. Third floor, rooms 314 and 315.”
“Thank you,” Mitch said.
The doctor nodded and walked away, already pulling out his phone to check something.
Mitch turned and looked at Lori. Really looked at her. She was exhausted; he could see it in every line of her face. But she was also strong.
“What a day,” Mitch breathed.
“I know,” Lori agreed, and their eyes met.
And suddenly, Mitch couldn’t help himself. All the fear and tension and worry of the past few days came crashing down on him. He pulled Lori to him and kissed her, right there in the middle of the hospital waiting room.
The world melted away around him. There was only Lori. The feel of her lips against his. The way she leaned into him. The way her hands came up to grip his shirt like she was afraid to let go.
A noise from the hallway pulled them apart a few moments later. Mitch leaned his forehead against hers, breathing hard.
“I don’t know how this is going to work,” he said quietly. “You living in Florida. Me living here. But I’m in love with you, Lori. And I don’t want to let you go.”
She was quiet for a moment, and Mitch felt his heart clench with fear. What if she didn’t feel the same way? What if she thought this was just adrenaline talking? What if—
Then a smile spread across her lips. “Then we’ll have to figure something out. Because I don’t want to let you go either. I love you too, Mitch.”
Mitch felt his chest expand with something that felt like hope. Like happiness. Like the beginning of something he’d thought he’d never have again.
He kissed her again, softer this time. Gentler. A promise of what could be.
When they finally pulled apart, Lori was smiling up at him, her eyes bright.
“Come on,” she said, taking his hand. “Let’s go see Tessa and Ryan. And then we need to deal with Clara Stark. Or Whittaker. Or whatever her real name is.”
“Right,” Mitch said, squeezing her hand. “Let’s finish this.”