Epilogue
Phantom walked out the front door of the courthouse. He’d been in the courtroom for the entire trial. Hannah Cho was the daughter of a friend. A man who’d helped him when no one else was willing to risk the shitstorm that was his life years ago.
He knew Hannah. He’d met her when she was ten.
He hadn’t found out about her murder until he’d read the news about this fucking serial killer.
He’d contacted Dennis when he’d found out and asked if he needed anything.
He’d needed a friend to go with him to the trial. Phantom was there for his friend.
He guided Dennis away from the press, keeping them to the side of the circus that was happening on the steps.
He saw Marcus King. He’d known Marcus indirectly for a couple years.
He was Havoc’s cousin. Phantom held a new respect for the investigator now.
Watching him testify, watching how the case was constructed, how the defense had tried but failed to poke holes in the case notched Marcus King into another status.
“My plane doesn’t leave until tomorrow afternoon,” Dennis said as they reached the rental car they shared. “What say we go out and get drunk?”
“You can get drunk. God knows you deserve it. I don’t drink anymore.” Phantom got into the driver’s side and waited for Dennis to settle into the seat beside him. His friend frowned at him. “Since when?”
“Since the day I realized I deserved better for myself. And believe me, it was a hard lesson to learn.” Lycos had helped him, granted, but it was a lesson he alone had had to internalize and commit to.
Alcohol had been a way to escape the emotion that he’d buried deep inside him.
The anger, the frustration, the pain of a childhood that had made him into who he was.
The thing was … who he was turned out to be a survivor.
A damn strong one who now preyed on the monsters of the world.
Monsters like that fucking Hale, who’d killed Hannah.
If he ever got word that the fucker was released or had escaped, he’d hunt the bastard down and take him out.
Even if he wasn’t coded by the Council. Some things had to happen despite protocols.
As they pulled out into traffic, Dennis stared at him. “What?” Phantom laughed a bit self-consciously.
“I remember a rebel. A young man who wouldn’t let anyone do anything for him. A guy who was on the road to destruction. You’ve been here for me, sat through that trial, paid for my airfare and hotel, and haven’t let me buy a meal. What happened to that kid?”
“I grew up.” Phantom shrugged. “And it was because of you that I was able to do that.” As far as he was concerned, Dennis wouldn’t need for anything for the rest of his life.
He just wished he’d been more plugged in when Hannah had been killed.
Maybe he would’ve been able to find that bastard before he’d killed so many more.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” Dennis said and dropped his head back against the headrest. “I’ve been searching for answers for so long and now … It just seems … empty.”
“Are you going to call Terrie?” Phantom asked.
“She won’t take my calls.” Dennis sighed.
“She’s got a new life now. She’s happy with Brent.
I’ll let her find out via the media.” Hannah’s death had torn Dennis and Terrie’s marriage apart.
Dennis spent every waking moment looking for her killer.
That was what cops did. He’d solved seven cold cases while still working on Hannah’s murder.
“That Marcus King …” Dennis shook his head. “That task force. The methodology was unbelievable. I have a couple of cases I can use it on. I guess you’re never too old to learn new tricks.”
“You’re not that old, dude.”
“I’m eligible for retirement in two years. Believe me, I’m going to take it.” Dennis chuckled. He was quiet for a moment. “Casey, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, but I may not answer it.” Which was the truth.
“If I were to use that methodology on the Devon Twin’s murder … would I like the answers I find?”
Phantom glanced at him and smiled. “You use whatever methodology you want. It’s a shame what happened to those boys. Damn shame.” No, it wasn’t. It was well deserved and absolutely justified. At least in his mind.
Dennis stared at him for a bit longer. “Thank God,” he finally said. “I was so damn worried if I opened that cold case, I’d find things I didn’t want to see.”
“You do you, Dennis. Don’t worry about finding any of my skeletons in that closet. They aren’t there.” Phantom assured him. Because they weren’t there anymore. Lycos had made sure of it.
Phantom’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the number. “‘Scuse me,” he said to Dennis and answered the call. “What’s up, Brando?”
“We have an assignment. The brass is willing to give it to someone else if you need more time.” Brando knew where he was and that he didn’t have his comms in.
“I’ll be available tomorrow afternoon.” He was getting Dennis on the plane.
“I’ll have the jet waiting for you at 1500.”
“Sounds good.” He hung up the phone and looked at Dennis. “Sorry. Work.”
“Still working as a security consultant?” Dennis asked.
“Yep. Love the job. Lets me be me.” He winked at Dennis. “Can’t be anyone else, right?”
“Right. I couldn’t help but overhear … That guy said he’d have a jet waiting for you. Who exactly do you work for?”
“Guardian Security. The international division.” Phantom smiled when Dennis whistled.
“Damn, Casey. When I pulled you out of that shit hole, I was sure you were going to end up in jail for the rest of your life. Seems like you turned yourself around. I’m proud of you, son. Real proud.”
Phantom didn’t say much to that. Wasn’t much he could say.
He’d been heading straight to hell when Dennis and his badge had shown up that night.
But now he knew he’d never end up in jail.
Hell? Well, that might be a different story.
He glanced at his watch. Whoever the bastard was they were sending him to kill had better enjoy life to the fullest because his hours were numbered.