Chapter 46
With my barrel aimed at him, my finger felt the trigger. I shouted one more time. "Shane! Put the gun down!"
A flurry of bullets erupted from inside the master bedroom.
They hit Shane in the side, spinning him around. His weapon clattered to the ground, and Shane followed, moaning in agony.
The goon who shot him stepped onto the terrace. He aimed his rifle at Shane, ready to put the finishing touches on him.
"Coconut County!” I shouted, holding my badge high as we closed in with caution. Out of uniform, we could easily be mistaken for intruders.
The goon on the terrace glanced at us, then back at Shane. With two cops on the property, he thought better about shooting the assassin in cold blood.
JD and I made it to the patio and checked the fallen goons for vitals and cleared away their weapons.
They were both gone.
Jack called dispatch, and I stepped into the house and identified myself once again. I hurried across the living room, then took the stairs. I hustled down the hallway to the master bedroom, continuing to identify myself the entire way.
Vladimir lay dead on the silver carpet in a pool of blood.
I hurried across the room, checked his vitals, then stepped out onto the terrace.
The goon still had his weapon aimed at Shane.
"Coconut County! Put the gun down, now."
He complied, then backed away as I approached the assailant. I swept Shane’s rifle away, knelt down, and pressed my fingers against his neck.
There was no pulse.
I pulled off Shane's balaclava. His lifeless eyes stared at the sky. Rain poured down, turning the blood on the terrace into a pink swirl that flowed toward the drain.
My face tightened, and my throat swelled. I hated to see it end like this.
I backed away and stepped out of the rain with the goon. For all I knew, this was one of the guys that had kidnapped Riley. This could have been one of the guys that took me out to Crystal Key.
"He was trespassing on private property,” the goon said. “He shot my boss. I fired in self-defense. It was a clean kill. Justified."
There was no arguing with that. He just knew he wasn't going to jail.
"Is there anybody else in the house?”
"No. That's it.”
"What's your name?”
He hesitated a moment, then said, “Nikolai.”
I didn’t have probable cause to search the home. Vladimir wouldn’t be stupid enough to keep any illicit substances in his mansion anyway.
The distant sound of sirens drew near. Soon, first responders flooded the house. Dietrich snapped photos, and Brenda and her crew went to work. Paris Delaney showed up on the scene, gathering footage. A crowd of earlybird neighbors peered out of windows.
The rain slacked, and the sky began to lighten.
The sheriff arrived and made his way up to the master bedroom. He looked at Vladimir, then stepped to the French doors and glanced at Shane. He said to me, "How exactly did you two find yourselves here?”
"We tried to stop it. We were too late."
“Obviously.”
I gave him a recap of the situation.
“I distinctly remember telling you not to get involved in any more shootings this evening.”
“I didn’t shoot anybody. And it’s a new day.“
He gave me a look, and a solemn frown tugged his face. "Well, I guess this case is closed."
“I guess it is,” I said, sullen.
“Leave through the back. Avoid the press.” He gave me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before walking off.
Brenda approached. “Ballistics came back on that rifle you recovered in Pineapple Bay. It’s a match for the shooting at the Vault.”
“Thanks. Any word on the mohair fiber?”
“I’m still waiting to hear back. I’ll keep you posted.”
JD and I took a last look at Shane’s body before leaving the master bedroom. I wasn’t looking forward to breaking the news to Riley. She’d had enough pain already.
We snuck out through the back, walked the seawall along the canal, then circled around to the Porsche. We hopped inside, and Jack fired up the engine. He pulled away from the curb and banked a 180, avoiding the chaos.
Paris Delaney and her news crew stood out front, waiting to capture footage. Red and blue lights flashed atop patrol cars.
The sun crested the horizon as we headed back to the Avventura. The mood was somber. JD and I didn't say much.
We turned into the lot, and Jack pulled into his spot. We hopped out, hurried down the dock, and boarded the Avventura. Buddy greeted me with a wagging tail, barking and bouncing. I opened the salon door, knelt down, and loved on the little guy.
The boat was quiet.
I figured Riley had gone to bed.
I climbed up to my stateroom.
It was empty.
I made my way below deck and checked the guest quarters.
She was gone. Vanished.
In the galley, I found a note.