Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

He should probably call Flynn and get his team over here, but first, he wanted to see for himself what was going on. Taking Alisa with him might be a bad idea, but after everything they'd been through, he couldn't stand to leave her behind, and she had already proved to be as brave as anyone he'd ever met.

Novikov definitely appeared to be dead in the photo, courtesy of who, he had no idea, but he had a gut feeling. Stephanie could tell them what had happened.

When they reached the front doors, he found them wide open. Whoever had taken out Novikov had made it easy for them to get in. There was no one in the lobby, so they took the elevator to the twenty-second floor, and the office suite listed in the text. That door was also conveniently unlocked.

He entered first, with his gun in hand. Stephanie was tied to a chair with her back to the door, facing the window, and Novikov was six feet behind her, lying on the ground. He checked Novikov first, looking down at the man who had evaded capture for three decades, the man his father had been obsessed with taking into custody, the man who had taken his father's life and had almost killed them.

Novikov had once been invincible. Now he was lifeless, his power destroyed, his evil curtailed. He hoped Novikov had seen the bullet coming and realized he was going to die, that he'd finally lost.

"Who's there?" Stephanie demanded, her voice filled with fear. She tried to twist around to see them, but she was tightly strapped to the chair.

He hated to admit it, but her fear pleased him. He had protected and cared about her from their partnership days to the aftermath of her injuries. He'd always been there for her. And until this past week, he had never had any reason to doubt her patriotism or her integrity. But she was not who she had appeared to be. He had completely misjudged her.

He didn't know exactly what she'd done three years ago, but he did know that earlier today she'd been with Novikov. She'd used her badge to get herself and Alisa's father into the building, onto the restricted floor where the vice president had been staying, and she'd also used that badge to kidnap the vice president, to kill a member of the Secret Service.

It was hard to believe she was the same person he'd partnered with. How had he never seen this side of her?

Standing up, he told Alisa to close and lock the door. He took a quick look into an interior office and bathroom. There was no one else in the suite. They were alone.

"Jason?" Stephanie said. "It's not what you think."

As he walked toward the back of her chair, he could see the view from the window in front of her. The hotel and mall complex were supposed to be on fire now, and Novikov had picked a good location to watch and enjoy his personal fireworks.

But the show hadn't happened. He must have been disappointed. It was surprising he hadn't left as soon as he'd realized time had run out on the bombs.

Perhaps Novikov's own time had run out before that.

Finally, he walked around the chair and faced Stephanie. She'd been hit hard across the face. There was blood around her nose and down her chin, and her eyes were worried, but also defiant.

"So, this is where you and Novikov were going to watch the buildings explode," he said. "How excited you must have been to see the fireworks, to know you were safe here in this room, while thousands were going to die or be dosed with a deadly toxin."

"Novikov forced me to help him. I was his victim and then his pawn," she returned.

"I don't believe you."

"I'm telling you the truth. He shot me three years ago. Why would I help him?"

"I have a better question. Why did you kill my father?"

She paled at his words. "I didn't. That was Novikov. He shot us both."

"You're lying, Stephanie. You were working for Novikov. You took my father to that motel alone. That's why you maneuvered Patrick and me into riding together that day. And when you got to the motel, you shot my dad." He saw the truth in her eyes even if she couldn't say it. "How could you do that?" he asked in bewilderment. "We were friends. You were my partner. We had each other's back. I saved your life."

"I saved yours, too," she reminded him.

"Why did you kill my father?" When she didn't answer, he added, "You know, you're not getting out of this, Stephanie. You used your badge to access a restricted floor. You kidnapped the vice president and were at least partly responsible for the death of a Secret Service agent. And you were here with Novikov. The proof is irrefutable, so start talking. I want to know what happened three years ago."

"Novikov forced me to kill your father. I didn’t want to, but it was him or me."

Finally, a confession!

"Was Novikov even in the motel room with my dad? Tell me the truth. You owe me that much."

She stared back at him, and then she said, "No, he wasn't at the motel, but two of his men were next door. I shot your father, but your dad got off one shot before he collapsed."

"My father shot you?" he asked in shock. "It wasn't Novikov? But my dad's gun wasn't at the scene."

After the shots were fired, one of Novikov's men came in and took our guns, so no one would know we'd shot each other. Novikov needed me to stay free of suspicion. And he needed your father to die because he had been a thorn in his side for thirty years."

"Did my father know you were working for Novikov?"

"He guessed it when we got to the motel. He looked right at me and said you're the mole. Then I pulled the trigger."

He shuddered at the image of his father knowing the truth and then being killed. He wanted to put his hands around Stephanie's neck and stop her from talking, stop her from breathing.

He paced around in a small circle, trying to get a grip on his emotions. Then he said, "What about Patrick? Was he working with you, too?"

"No. Patrick was getting suspicious, though. Afterward, he asked me a lot of questions. I had to make him look like the possible mole. No one completely bought the rumors I planted, but he became ostracized and siloed, and eventually, he retired. I thought I was done with him until a few days ago when he started poking his nose into what was going on. I was afraid he would get to you and put doubts in your head about me."

Her words made him realize another truth. "It was you who set up the shooting at the park, wasn't it? You sent a gunman to take out Patrick. I wasn't the target, was I?"

"To be honest, it would have been fine if you were both hit, but the money was paid on Patrick. We didn't know you were there until it was over."

"How long were you working for Novikov?"

"I started a few months before we became partners," she admitted .

"You worked for him the entire time we were partners?" That fact blew him away. "I talked to you about Novikov, about my father's longtime quest to bring him in. I shared information with you my father gave me. You betrayed me long before you killed my dad." He'd thought he was too cynical to ever be surprised by someone's criminality, but this one was hard to stomach. He had really misjudged her.

"You never told me anything I could use. I didn't intend to betray you, Jason, but when your father got close to finding Novikov before the courthouse bombing, I was ordered to take him out, and I couldn't say no. Novikov owned me. He had paid off my gambling and credit card debts. He had blackmail that could destroy my career, so we made a deal. I could do my job, but when he needed me, I had to follow his orders."

"It wasn't just my father who died three years ago. Lots of other people in the courthouse died or were injured. How could you live with yourself?"

"People die all the time," she said harshly. "I lost my parents when I was a kid, an aunt when I was sixteen, and my best friend at twenty. Safety is an illusion. You can't worry about other people. You can only worry about yourself. I grew up knowing I had to take care of myself. I had to be a survivor, and that's what I am."

"A survivor who kills people for money."

"Like I said, I do what I have to do, and I made my deal with the devil a long time ago. But I have paid a price, Jason. I'll never be the same physically after your father's shot affected my spine."

"Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? I'm glad he shot you. I'm just sorry he didn't kill you."

She flinched at his harsh words. "Is that what you're going to do now?"

"I don't know. What happened here tonight? Who shot Novikov?"

"There were two men. They were dressed in black track pants and black jackets, with ski masks covering their hair and their faces, dark glasses over their eyes, and gloves on their hands. One shot Novikov before he could get his gun. The other one grabbed me and tied me up. And then I heard another shot. I think that one was probably just for pleasure. Arseni was already dead."

"Did they say anything?"

"Not a word. They were here for less than ten minutes, and then they were gone. They left me to wait, to wonder what my fate would be." She paused, giving him a questioning look. "Are you going to shoot me, Jason?"

He was tempted. He really wanted to put a bullet in her. The hatred he felt for her was intense and overwhelming. There was no one here but him and Alisa. And she probably wouldn't care all that much if he killed the woman who had gotten her kidnapped.

Or would she?

His gaze moved from Stephanie to Alisa.

She looked back at him with uncertainty in her gaze.

"What do you think?" he asked her. "There's no one else here but us. We can say we found them both dead."

"We could say that," she replied. "I don't think anyone would be sad they were gone, not after what they've done."

"No one would miss them," he agreed, looking back at Stephanie.

"Then do it," Stephanie said. "But you won't be able to live with yourself. I know you, Jason. You can't kill without conscience. It's not who you are."

He raised his gun and pointed it at her head, seeing her flinch, seeing her suddenly realize she might be wrong about him, that he might actually kill her.

As the moment stretched out, he thought how easy it would be to pull the trigger, to not go through the trial, to not have to listen to her make up stories about herself, her actions, and what happened to his father .

But Stephanie was right. He couldn't kill without conscience. He wasn't a criminal. He wasn't evil.

He had told Flynn on the first day he'd joined the team that he wasn't out for revenge; he wanted justice. He'd been talking about Novikov then, but now it was about Stephanie.

"Dying would be too easy for you," he said. "You're going to pay for what you did. You're going to live the rest of your life in prison. You will get to spend every day thinking about the people you hurt and the choices you made. And I will be very happy I'm the one who put you there." He lowered his weapon. "I can't stand to look at you."

He walked around her, and as he gazed at Novikov, lifeless on the floor, he heard Stephanie start to cry. He felt completely unmoved.

The man at his feet was a monster, and the woman in the chair was one, too. Novikov was gone and Stephanie would pay for what she'd done. And this was finally over.

Pulling out his phone, he called Flynn. "I've got Novikov and Stephanie," he said. "I'm texting you the address."

"What do you mean you've got them?" Flynn asked in surprise.

"Novikov is dead. Stephanie is tied up," he replied as he texted the details to Flynn.

Flynn swore in amazement. "How did you make that happen?"

"I had some help. I'll tell you about it when you get here."

"The address is close by."

"They were going to have a great view of the fireworks."

"I'll be there in five minutes," Flynn said.

Jason put his phone in his pocket, took Alisa's hand, and pulled her into the hallway. "I'm sorry, but we need to wait for Flynn to get here before I take you to the hospital. It won't be long."

"You don't have to apologize to me, Jason. I'm so relieved Novikov is dead, and Stephanie is going to jail. "

"Me, too." He paused, gazing into her beautiful brown eyes with the golden flecks that were now shimmering with happy relief. "I thought about killing her. It would have been very easy."

"I knew you wouldn't do it," she said. "You have too much honor and integrity for that. But if I'd had the gun, I might have pulled the trigger."

He smiled at the fierce look in her eyes. "I don't think so, Alisa."

"I did it earlier today. I had never shot a gun in my life until this afternoon. I never believed in an eye for an eye, but I feel a little differently now."

"You shot that guy in self-defense. That's different." He paused. "I didn't kill her because I believe in justice and in the law. It's my job. It's what I do. It's who I am."

"I know. And you do your job very well," she said, putting her arms around his waist. "I feel like a huge weight has finally slipped off me. Novikov is dead, Stephanie will go to prison, and my father is free of his mortal enemy. That seems worth at least a small celebration, maybe a minute of your time before everyone arrives…" She gave him a questioning look.

"Maybe four minutes," he said as he cupped her sweet face and kissed her again.

It was a different kiss this time, one that wasn't inspired by the thought that this might be the last time, that tomorrow might not come. This kiss felt like a promise for the future.

But that thought was immediately followed by another, more rational thought, that once this whole situation was over, maybe they would be over, too.

He didn't want to think about any of that now. He just wanted to kiss her…until he couldn't.

Alisa and Jason walked into her mother's hospital room at ten-thirty. Her mother was awake and sitting in bed, but she had a robe over her hospital gown, and she'd brushed her hair and looked so much like her old self, it was amazing.

What was even more wonderful was the smile of relief on her face, having already heard from the nurse that her daughter was on her way in to see her. Jason had called the hospital from the car on their way over. She hadn't wanted her mom to spend one more minute worrying about her.

"Alisa," her mother said, opening her arms wide.

She ran across the room and fell into her mother's arms, hugging her tight, knowing how close they'd come to losing each other.

"I'm so glad you're all right," her mother added as Alisa sat down on the bed next to her. "My beautiful girl. I've been so worried."

"I'm fine."

Her mother's gaze moved to Jason. "Thank you for finding her, for saving her. You kept your promise."

"She saved herself," Jason said. "You raised a very strong and determined daughter. You have a lot to be proud of."

Her mother gave her a teary smile. "I am so proud of you, Alisa."

"I get my strength from you, Mom. How are you feeling?"

"I'm completely better. The doctor just kept me here because he wasn't sure where to send me." Her mother paused. "You look exhausted and battered, Alisa. Your face is swollen. Who hurt you?"

She had no intention of going into any of those details with her mother, who had suffered enough stress the last two weeks. "None of that matters now. I'm okay, and Dad is, too."

"The nurse said something about that, but I was afraid to believe her. What happened? Where is he? Can I see him?" She turned to Jason again. "I really need to see him, Jason. "

"I understand. I can take you to see him, but it's a complicated situation, Mrs. Hunt."

"Is he hurt badly?" her mother asked.

"No. He has a concussion, but they'll keep him in the hospital overnight for observation."

"And then?" her mother asked.

Jason looked to her for guidance.

She took her mother's hands, waiting for her mom to look at her. "There's so much to tell you, and I don't think we should go into it all tonight. I'm exhausted, and it's late, and it's a complex situation. But here's what's important. Dad was forced to do something bad, but he did good in the end, and I think that will be taken into consideration. There are a lot of facts to come out and investigation to be done, and we're just going to have to let it play out."

"I'm confused. Does that mean he's under arrest?"

"He's temporarily in custody, yes," Jason replied. "I'm going to do what I can to straighten this situation out, but it will take time."

"Okay. I just want to see him. I want to go down to his room. Can I do that? Can Alisa and I be with him for a little while tonight before he's taken away? Please."

"I can take you there. He's just down the hall. Do you need a wheelchair, Mrs. Hunt?"

"No. I can walk," she said. "I've been standing up a lot today, pacing around this room. When I realized Alisa was gone, I knew I had to get better faster, so I've been trying."

"You don't have to push it, Mom," she said as she stood up. "I can get you a wheelchair."

"I can do it," her mother said, swinging her legs to the side of the bed. "I need my slippers."

"I've got them." She put the slippers on her mother's feet and then helped her up.

Her mother was surprisingly steady, and that made her feel even better. Things were turning around for all of them .

They walked slowly out of the room. The security guard who had been watching her mother's room was no longer there now that the danger was gone. At the end of the corridor, Jason opened the door to her father's room and waved them inside.

Her father was sitting up in bed. He had a bandage on his forehead, and his face was even more bruised than hers, but he was alive and that was a miracle.

Her mother rushed toward him, practically falling into his arms. Her father put one arm around his wife. The other arm was handcuffed to the bed railing.

"Is the cuff necessary?" Alisa asked Jason.

"I would need to get permission from people higher than me to take it off, and that's not happening tonight. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Alisa," her father said. "I understand I may have to pay for what I did. I am ready to face whatever comes. As long as you and Pamela are safe, it doesn't matter what happens to me."

"Of course, it matters," her mother said, planting a loving kiss on his lips.

Her parents' overt displays of affection had often embarrassed her, but now she found it to be a beautiful thing. Despite everything, all the secrets between them, their love was as intense and pure as it had always been. Her mother had no idea what her father had done, but she loved him unconditionally. Maybe that made her a little foolish, but it was also incredibly sweet.

She glanced at Jason as her parents continued to kiss, giving him a helpless smile. "This is the way they are."

He smiled back at her. "They're lucky."

"I was lucky, too, growing up in the circle of their love."

"Can I stay here and sit with my husband?" her mother asked as she finally let go of her husband for a minute.

"I'm afraid not," Jason said, a regretful look in his eyes. "But you can come back in the morning. He won't be moved before eleven, so I'll make sure the nurse gets you when you're both awake, and you can visit until he's discharged. "

"I wish I could stay," she said, giving her husband another loving look. "I will come back as soon as I can."

"And I'll be here, my love," her father replied.

"The doctor said I could go home tomorrow, too," her mom added. "But I don't know where to go. I guess our house is gone."

At her words, her father stiffened. "Pamela and Alisa still need to be protected," he said. "Novikov will come after them."

She realized her father didn't know the latest. "Novikov is dead, Dad. He was killed tonight."

"Are you sure?" he asked in surprise. "He never even entered the complex. He was going to watch from afar."

"Yes, I'm sure. I saw him," she said. "And Stephanie is in custody."

"She's going to jail for a long time," Jason added. "We have also arrested several of Novikov's men, and now that Novikov is dead, as well as Dominic Ilyin, everyone wants to make a deal."

"Ilyin is dead, too? Thank God!" her father said with tremendous relief.

"Novikov's organization is done. He's no longer a danger to you or your family."

"I can't quite believe it. Who killed him? You, Jason?"

"No. I'm not sure who killed him, but his reign of terror is finally over."

"What about Henry? Alisa told me he was badly hurt. Does anyone know his condition?"

"I haven't gotten an update," Jason replied. "I'll do that tomorrow. I'm sorry to break this up, but it's late, and everyone needs to get some sleep."

Her mother gave her father another kiss and then got to her feet. "I'll see you as soon as you wake up tomorrow, Dan."

"I can't wait," her father returned.

They walked her mother back to her room. It felt a little odd to leave her there without a guard at the door. It was going to take a while for her to believe they were all safe .

After helping her mother into bed, she said goodnight and left the room with Jason, casting another anxious look back at the door. "Are you sure?" She couldn't help asking him.

He put his arms around her and gave her a hug. "I am very sure she is safe, and so are you. Let's get out of here."

"Where are we going?" she asked as they got into the elevator. "Are you taking me to my apartment or back to the safe house?"

"Where do you want to go? Either is fine."

She thought for a moment. "I want to go wherever you're going."

His eyes glittered with her words. "That's good because I want to go wherever you're going."

"My stuff is at the safe house. We'll have to go back there and get it at some point. Should we just go there?"

"Perfect."

She thought so, too, because they'd been living in a little bubble, and she wasn't ready for it to break.

A part of her wondered if she would ever be ready because she really cared about Jason. But, tonight, they could be together. She'd worry about tomorrow when the sun came up.