Chapter 21

21

Colin paced behind Nick in the small lab where he was still reviewing log files. Reid and Dev had gone out to canvass the areas around the building to see if anyone had seen Brooklyn, and if so, which direction she’d headed.

“Here. This.” Nick jabbed a finger at his screen. “It could be just the thing we’re looking for.”

Colin stopped behind him and stared at the screen. “A bus schedule?”

“She looked it up. Leaves from outside our building, and she could’ve hopped on it.”

“Okay, say she did.” Colin dropped into the chair next to Nick. “Buses have security cameras on them. We need to see the feed from this bus, but I doubt that there’s anyone at TriMet who’ll let us look at it.”

“No problem,” Nick said. “I can access it.”

“How are you going to do that?” Colin stared as he waited for the answer.

“Better you don’t ask, but let’s just say, hypothetically, I could get such information by accessing the TriMet security system.”

“Ah, right. Not exactly legal. It would’ve been problematic when I was an agent, but if it helps us find Brooklyn, I don’t care what records you access.” Colin thought about it for a moment. “But can you do it and not get arrested?”

“I’ve done it before. I can do it again.” Nick’s eyes narrowed. “The arrested part I don’t know, but Brooklyn’s worth the risk.”

Colin couldn’t be more thankful for this guy than right now. He was risking everything for her. “Hey, thanks, man. I’ll owe you big time.”

“Then let me get to it so I have something to hold over your head.” Nick grinned and started typing. “It’s most obvious you have a thing for her.”

“No point in denying it.”

“I’m glad.” He continued to type. “She deserves to have someone in her life.”

“I agree but don’t know if that’s me.” Colin wished he could say it was. With Brooklyn’s sweet goodness in his life he could let go of the vile things he’d seen at the FBI. Even could imagine having children with her, but that wasn’t the only issue standing in his way. “I have my mom to take care of right now, and that’s got to be my top priority.”

“A guy can have more than one priority, and I’m sure she would understand how important it is to you.”

“I couldn’t ask her to take on such a responsibility just to be with me.”

“Have you seen her with your mom? They seem to get along just fine, and Brooklyn has a big heart. Huge.”

“But that was when she was thinking it was a part-time job. I don’t know if she’d feel the same way if it was a till-death-do-us-part kind of thing.”

“I’ve known her for a long time, and I can tell you if she loves you, she will do anything she can to help you. That includes caring for your mother.” Nick glanced up. “She wants a family of her own, too, and once we have Tarver behind bars for good, she’ll be free to pursue that.”

Could Colin hope it would work out okay? Trust that if God meant it to be, it would happen? Maybe. “We have to find her first.”

Nick changed his focus back to his computer. “Cool your jets. This isn’t an instant thing, as you should well know.” His fingers crawled over his keyboard. “I’m almost in. Give me a minute of quiet so I can finish faster.”

Colin stood back, but it was pure anguish to just wait, so he texted Dev.

Any luck finding someone who saw her?

Not yet.

Another lead that wasn’t panning out. Colin paced. Back and forth. Back and forth. His mind racing with horrible possibilities of what might be happening to Brooklyn if she was with Tarver.

“Okay, got it. She took a bus all right, and I’ve got the details.” Nick jumped up. “Let’s move.”

They raced for the garage and Colin’s SUV. As soon as he had the vehicle heading for the exit, he used the infotainment system to text Dev and ask their location so they could pick them up. Dev replied immediately with corner streets.

Colin turned in the direction of the guys and found them exactly where Dev said they would be. They climbed in the back, and Colin updated them on their progress. They continued down the road to the bus stop.

Colin peered around at the decaying neighborhood. “Not the kind of area I would like Brooklyn to have gone alone at night.”

“And why here?” Reid asked. “Nothing but an empty lot and run-down convenience store.”

Colin peered out the window. “Looks like the convenience store has a security camera. We might be able to see if she met someone or where she went.”

He killed the engine. “You guys wait here. Don’t want to overwhelm the clerk.”

He slid out into the sunshiny morning and caught a whiff of fried bacon. His stomach rumbled as they hadn’t taken the time to eat. He followed the smell across the road to the store and pushed the door open. A bell above tinkled.

A customer stood at the counter, the man behind the desk was short and dark-skinned. Perhaps of Spanish descent.

“Thanks, Antonio.” The customer picked up the bag. “Can’t start my day without your breakfast burrito. Only guy I know who puts fresh bacon in a burrito.”

The customer left, and Colin approached the counter and forced himself not to bombard the guy with questions. “Your burrito as good as he says?”

“Better.” Antonio laughed.

“Then give me four of them, and I’ll grab some coffee too.” Colin went to the coffee bar to pour the cups, his hands shaking as he did. Not only did they need to eat, but buying something could help him convince Antonio to show him the video.

He put the paper cups into a holder and took it to the counter where Antonio had laid the generously sized burritos.

“I didn’t come in for the food,” Colin admitted.

“Didn’t figure you did.” Antonio cocked a thick black eyebrow. “You a cop or something?”

Colin wasn’t surprised by the question, and he would tell the truth as he suspected this guy was sharp enough to see through a lie. “You have a good eye, but no. Former FBI.”

“Yeah, you have that cop look about you.”

“Is that a problem?” Colin kept his gaze pinned on the guy when he wanted to jump over the counter, grab him by the throat, and force him to help, instead of spending valuable time getting to the answers he needed.

“For me, nah. Not in this neighborhood. Good to have protection around. Unless you need me to snitch on someone. I ain’t no snitch.”

“No snitching, but I was hoping I could see your video for the wee hours of the morning.” Colin continued to play things down, but his insides screamed to move this along. “A woman under our protection has gone missing, and we think she got off a bus across the street at around three a.m.”

“Oh yeah. Yeah. I was here. Saw her.” He set his jaw and challenged Colin with it. “But how do I know you’re not some crazed boyfriend trying to find her or some other nut trying to do her harm?”

“You only have my word for it and that I was former FBI. My colleagues in the car are former law enforcement, too, and one guy works with the Veritas Center. You ever heard of it?”

“That fancy, schmancy lab that no one in the neighborhood knows what they do?”

“Do you want to know?”

He shrugged. “Depends on what they do.”

“They mostly process DNA for private individuals and crime scene evidence for law enforcement.”

“DNA, huh.” He planted his hands on the counter. “Always wanted to do DNA for me and my family to see if we could find missing relatives who entered the country from Mexico.”

Could Colin use the lab for leverage to get to see the video? “If I arrange for a tour of the facility and free DNA for your family will you show me the video?”

“Sure.”

“Then consider it done.”

“I need some proof of the Veritas thing first. Still don’t know you’re not bluffing.”

“While I pay for this, I’ll get my friend to come in.” He ripped his phone from his pocket and fired off a text to Nick to come inside and bring some evidence of his employment at Veritas.

Antonio tapped his cash register, and Colin swiped his credit card. As Antonio was bagging the burritos, Nick pushed inside.

“You better be buying whatever is making my mouth water.” He laughed.

“I am.” Colin gave him a pointed look, asking him to play along and not push this guy to shut him down. “Apparently, Antonio here likes to put bacon in his breakfast burritos.”

“Something I can get behind for sure.” Nick pulled out his wallet and drew out a business card to hand to Antonio. “I’m a partner at the Center. Work in computers.” He flipped open his wallet again and displayed an ID card.

Antonio nodded. “And are you the one who can authorize free DNA tests for me and my family?”

Nick looked at Colin. “Guess you struck some sort of deal to see the video.”

“I did.”

“Then if free DNA tests are what it takes to see the video, I’m your guy.” Nick smiled.

“I mean no disrespect.” Antonio slid a paper and pen across the counter. “But I’d like that in writing.”

“No problem.” Nick grabbed the pen and noted the information, then signed it. “Call or email me tomorrow, and I’ll get the process started.”

Antonio snatched up the paper and shoved it in his pocket.

“Where’s the video?” Colin asked, losing patience now.

“In the back. I’ll have to lock up to show you.” Antonio came around the counter, clicked the deadbolt on the front door, then made a sharp pivot toward a door on the back wall which he had to unlock. “Gotta keep things secure in this neighborhood. Wish we could move our business somewhere else, but the landlord is saying we signed for ten years when I know we didn’t. Can’t afford a lawyer to help get us out of the lease.”

“Maybe I can help with that once we’ve found the woman we’re looking for,” Colin offered.

“Yeah, me too,” Nick said. “I know a really great lawyer.”

“For real?” Antonio gaped at them. “Why would you do that?”

“Why would we not if we can be of help?” Colin said.

Antonio shook his head as he stepped into a small storage area with shelves filled with merchandise lining the walls. “No offense again, but ain’t used to white guys like you.”

“Then we need to change that,” Colin said.

Antonio led them into the dark and dank room that smelled like mold or mildew to a small office that was also locked. He opened the door and dropped into a squeaky desk chair to wake up a computer.

He pulled up the right file, and it captured Brooklyn stepping off the bus and heading into the deserted lot.

“What on earth is she doing?” Colin mumbled as he watched her enter the dark lot and just stand there.

“Yeah, I kinda thought that was odd, too, when I seen her do it. But then the truck appeared, and the guy got out to search her, so I figured it was a cop, and she was okay.”

“Truck?” Colin asked, feeling his stomach go queasy again.

“Hang on, and you’ll see.”

And he did. The jacked-up pickup pulled forward.

“I think it’s the same vehicle that the guy who tried to break into the compound drove,” Colin said. “But without plates I can’t be sure.”

“Would make sense if it’s Tarver,” Nick said.

A man slid down. She backed up to him, and he skimmed his hands over her body in an intimate way that said he thought he had a right to be touching her.

Colin gritted his teeth.

“Can you zoom in on the guy’s face?” Nick asked.

“Can do.” Antonio enlarged the picture.

Nick stared at the screen. “It’s not Tarver.”

“Not Tarver.” Colin gaped at the image. “But who then?”

Nick cast a horrified look at Colin. “Luka Albertelli.”

“The organized crime boss?” That panic threatened to take Colin down again.

“Yes,” Nick said.

Colin’s mouth dried, and he couldn’t say a word.

“You should be able to enlarge it and get the license plate,” Nick said.

Antonio did as directed, and they had a clear shot of an Oregon plate.

“I’ll need you to email that video to me,” Nick said.

“I’m not sure I know how to do that.”

“Then get up and let me drive this thing.” He nearly shoved the guy out of his chair and took control.

Nick was thinking clearly, where Colin had allowed the shock to take control. He shook his arms to get his blood flowing and get rid of his brain fog. He couldn’t determine if Brooklyn was in more danger with this crime boss than if she’d gone to meet Tarver. And why would she meet Albertelli anyway? Did it have something to do with the death of his brother? If so, what?

“Done.” Nick got to his feet and looked at Antonio. “Thanks, man. This woman is one of my best friends, and your video is the best lead we have in finding her alive.”

Antonio’s forehead creased. “So that guy who frisked her isn’t a cop, then?”

“No,” Colin said. “He’s the furthest thing from one, and we have to find her before he hurts her.”

Before he hurts her. The words kept pounding in Colin’s head on the way to the SUV. He had no appetite and could barely stand the smell of the burritos now. He only hoped and prayed that Nick had a quick way to track down that jacked-up pickup, as Colin was fresh out of ideas on how to find the man before he hurt Brooklyn.

God’s peace covered Brooklyn like the sun warming her body, and she flung out her arms to let more of the rising sun’s warmth caress her skin. To aid in believing in a great God who could bring the sun up every morning. Surely, if He could do that, He could protect her from the monster-sized jaws of a jaguar. She drifted into a lovely warm trance of God’s love.

Something slammed into her back. Shoving her toward the floor. She whipped her hands down just in time to prevent face-planting. She hit hard. Her breath evaporated.

“I don’t abide praying in my presence.” Luka’s acerbic tone came from behind.

His foot. That’s what hit her. He’d kicked her as if she were a piece of garbage. He cared so little for her as a human being, she was certain he would toss her in with the big cat.

“Get up,” he demanded. “We have work to do.”

She didn’t move as she panted to catch her breath.

“I said get up.” He kicked her in the side with a heavy booted foot.

She screamed in pain and rolled to her side to pull her knees to her chest. Nausea assailed her, and she breathed hard to stem it off.

“Quit being such a big baby.” His tone was much like that of the jaguar that was reacting to the yelling with low warning growls. Threatening and intimidating. “Now get up or you’ll get another one to the back.”

Certain he would follow through, she slowly moved, the pain in her side like a hot poker, ripping through her skin. Her insides. Had he done internal damage? Maybe not, but she would surely bruise from it.

She staggered to her feet and clutched the wall to remain upright. At least mostly upright. She couldn’t fully straighten.

He took a step closer and shoved her. “Get some shoes on. We’re going out to move Sumo.”

So the cat had a name. Sumo. Fitting as she suspected he would wrestle for his life, and she remembered reading once that the speed and suddenness of an attack by a jaguar were almost as important as their weight and strength. Appropriate for the cat too.

“I said go.” He shoved her hard.

She stumbled but righted herself and moved toward the bedroom she’d been in. She sat on the hard bed. Luka followed and glowered at her. She wanted to rest until some of the pain subsided, but she had to keep moving or he would hurt her again. She reached down to get her shoes. Tears stung her eyes. She ignored them. Got her feet in the shoes and tied them.

Luka took a step closer to her, his gaze tight and threatening. “Get up and head for the hallway.”

She rose, pain sending bottomless waves of nausea roiling in her stomach. She took as deep of breaths as the pain would allow, hissing the air out silently to stop giving him any satisfaction for hurting her.

She entered the hallway.

“Stop by the last door,” he commanded.

She paused, leaning a hand against the wall and taking shallower breaths while he pushed the door open.

“Time to move the cat, Tarver.” Luka disappeared into the room.

Kane stepped out, his face bruised and cut. His lips and eyes swollen.

She gasped.

“What’s wrong?” Luka said from behind Kane. “Don’t like my handiwork displayed on your boyfriend?”

She didn’t bother correcting him on the boyfriend comment. “Hello, Kane.”

“I never expected someone to serve you up to me on a platter, but I guess I should thank Luka for that.” He laughed, a mixture of anxiety and pleasure.

She’d never heard this tenor in his laughter before. Had he just developed it, or had it been there all along, and he’d kept it under control? Or maybe she just didn’t notice it. Didn’t matter really. It was here now, revealing his true nature.

“Get moving, Brooklyn,” Luka said. “To the garage.”

She had to work double-time to get her feet moving, but she did and took the route through the house to the garage and opened the door. The jaguar ran to the metal bars and growled at her. “It’s okay, kitty. I won’t hurt you.”

Kane laughed. “Like he’s going to listen to you.”

She looked around. Rocco stood just outside the garage door. Someone had hooked the cage up to the pickup she’d ridden in last night.

“Get in the truck, and we’ll take Sumo to his new home,” Luka directed.

She moved around the cage, Sumo following along, slinking low to the ground and growling. She caught her foot on wood tucked under the tire and fell against the cage. She grabbed the bar. Sumo lunged at her hand. She snapped it back just in time.

He spit and hissed at her.

“C’mon, kitty, give me a break,” she whispered. “This wasn’t my idea.”

“Just shut up and get in the truck before I pick you up and shove you in there myself.” Luka eyed her. “And I won’t be gentle on your busted ribs.” His grin revealed his great pleasure in hurting her. “You too, Tarver. In the truck.”

“Or what?” Kane lifted his chin and pointed it at Luka. “You’ll break the only rib I likely have that’s still solid after you and your goon there railed on me?”

“Or your sweetheart here will become kitty food.”

Kane shrugged. “Go ahead and feed her to Sumo. That was my plan once I got her here.”

“Just get moving. Now!” Luka frowned and reached past Kane to shove her.

She stumbled, then started walking. Slowly. Dragging her feet, she glanced back at Kane. “Did you want to hurt me like this when we were together or only after I took off?”

“Honestly, each time we made out and you pushed me away before we got very far, I wanted to smack you. Being a virgin at your age is an embarrassment. I’m a catch, and you were lucky I wanted you.” He stopped at the refrigerator and took out a large plastic bag.

She swallowed down her snort before she made him madder and climbed into the truck, her side screaming with every move. She feared Luka was right and he’d broken a rib or two with that sharp kick. Kane climbed in after her, but he really had to struggle. His face was contorted with pain. Not that she took comfort in his suffering. He might be a bad person, making bad decisions, but she still didn’t relish seeing another human suffer.

Luka fired up the diesel engine, and Sumo thundered with a deep reverberation. Not a roar like a lion, but more like a rumble of distant thunder mixed with the intensity of a primal roar. Scary. Very. Her palms started sweating.

Luka pulled out of the garage and turned right onto a narrow dirt drive that ran along the river. The picturesque waterway was lined with dense forests of majestic, native evergreens so typical of the Pacific Northwest. The river was known for salmon and steelhead runs. Great fishing. Maybe food for Sumo. If cats ate fish. She had no idea. All she knew was the rapidly rushing water prevented her escape in that direction.

Kane and Luka started talking about unloading Sumo, but she kept her eyes on the verdant landscape. On more of God’s beauty, trying to calm her nerves. It no longer worked. Fear was creeping in like a snake slithering into his den.

Oh, Father, please, if it’s Your will spare me such a horrid death, send help. Send Colin.