Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

N oel

Fear in and of itself was crippling.

So much so that after sending the text, I'd paced the floor for what seemed like hours. I hadn't been shocked that I'd been right about Abbot Bronson, Kage's grandfather.

But had I done the right thing by sending it to Kage or would he be so angry the fence I'd just tore down could never be mended?

Max was thumping his tail and the slight sound continuously brought me back to reality. Not that I wanted to face the music when Kage returned. But I did wish he'd return. "I don't know what I'm doing any longer, Max."

He shifted slightly, cocking that sweet head of his.

"There you go again looking at your mommy dog like she's an idiot. Maybe I am." I'd spent some time on Saldono and his regime, including what I could find on when Antonio was killed. One thing I'd noted from every newspaper article written, every limited broadcast on the crime, was that it was obvious the reports had all been coached. They were almost identical.

The entire crime itself had been one big, planned operation. But why have Kage take the fall? The answer hadn't been that difficult to find. All I'd needed to do was advance my search for an additional couple of years, finding out that both the district attorney and the mayor had been up for re-election the next year. Lo and behold, what did they use for one of their main platforms? Crime control.

It was funny how politics were played. I wasn't good at them, but I had a feeling my next book would be full of conspiracy theories. I half laughed as I glared out the window, the wind already whipping to the point I could almost smell another snowstorm coming in. What if Kage didn't get back in time?

Oh, for God's sake. I wasn't helpless. I'd survived worse than a horrific storm before.

And entirely on my own.

"Come on, Max. I think it's time for a cup of hot coffee." Oh, who was I kidding? Wine was in order. At least we had some of that and Max's dogfood. He followed behind me as I headed into the kitchen. I made certain his water bowl was full before finding a clean wineglass. I had to search before I found the right bottle of cabernet.

I continued thinking about how Saldono had obviously bought off the two political powers and if I had to guess, I'd also say half the police force as well.

Not that I could go spouting that off to anyone. My career would go down the tubes in a matter of seconds. Speaking of which, I needed to get back to writing a book.

After pouring the wine, I headed into the living room, happy I'd managed to stoke the fire so the flames added a nice warmth to the moment. I'd actually started to fall in love with the cabin and could imagine having a hideaway retreat for writing in the future.

If I had a future.

Oh, my brain was churning far too fast.

One thing I kept repeating in my mind. Kage could be as angry with me as he wanted but I planned on pushing the bar with his conviction, begging Zoe for her continued help if necessary. She wasn't exactly low on the totem pole inside her office. She knew the players, the good guys versus the bad ones. We'd even had a couple of discussions when I'd racked her brain about attorney procedures in a crime situation for my research.

While she hadn't been specific, she'd opted to tell me that the concept of the ‘old boys' school' remained in places out west. Yes, a few women had managed to find significant places inside what she called the power plan, but not enough to mention or to allow Zoe to climb the ladder but so much.

Women had their places, you see.

I snickered at the thought as I took a sip of wine, trying to calm my nerves, gain some patience, and put myself in the mood to write. All hell might break loose when Kage returned but the next little bit of time at least I could control.

As soon as I headed toward the couches, Max started whining, moving to the front door. I didn't need a watch to tell me it had been a long time since he'd been outside.

"I'm sorry, boy. I'm a bad mommy dog. Let me get a coat on and we can go outside. Okay?"

And what did my beautiful pup do? He dutifully went to the basket of toys, grabbing a tennis ball.

"Buddy. It's yucky out there. The tennis ball will get lost." He gave me that look like, ‘Um, Mom. It's bright yellow.' Sighing, I struggled into the boots that were two sizes too big, grabbing my coat. "Okay but only for a few minutes. I can't use you as an excuse for not writing either. Even if you are the cutest little pup in the entire world."

He woofed with his head in full motion as if he was telling me ‘duh.' Who said dogs couldn't communicate very well? They were much better than humans at it in my opinion.

It took me a few seconds to remember how to turn off the security system, but I managed, happy with myself for doing so. As soon as I opened the door, the cold air hit me smack in the face. Ugh. While the chimney smoke was prevalent, so was the scent of snow.

"Come on, boy. Let's have a little fun before it starts all over again." Maybe I'd call Kage when I got inside, letting him know the storm was quickly approaching.

And get a lecture over the phone? Nope. He was a big boy. He could listen to a weather forecast just like anyone else.

Max bounded off toward the trees, his favorite place to poop while I moved to the snow-covered grassy area, peering up at the sky. Soon, it would be a blanket of white, another indication of how close the storm really was.

At least we were snug as a bug in a rug inside the cabin.

Some of us.

When Max didn't bound back right away, I groaned. He was fascinated by the woods. "Max. Where did you go?" While so much of the previous snow had melted, I still had to trudge through a few inches in trying to find him. I realized by the crunchy sound the temperatures had already dropped, enough that the stuff already down was starting to pack all over again.

I noticed a flash of his tail and laughed. "You are a little naughty boy. Come here and bring me the ball and we can play."

He darted out from behind a tree, the yellow ball sticking suspiciously from his mouth, his fluffy tail wagging. This time he was telling me to bring it on. I rushed toward him, which made him huff and race from one side to the other. The little brat led me deeper into the woods, but I could tell he was having fun.

Even I was laughing at that point.

"Come on, little man. Give me that ball." I bent over, catching my breath as I gave him a wonky look. He snorted all over again and I lunged forward, wrestling with him for a few seconds until I was able to wrangle it from his mouth. "You already got it all slimy!"

How could I not laugh? He was such a delight, bringing more joy that I thought I could have.

So does that hot man.

Oh, great. Now my libido was kicking in all over again? Bad girl. Down. Down. I tossed the ball and my aim was like a girl, as Kage had told me. It smacked against the tree before coming down on top of Max's nose. He wasn't able to get it, the yellow thing bounding away even in the snow.

As he rushed off deeper into the woods, I was the one groaning. But I followed, even though every muscle was already aching.

Tension?

Fear?

Sheer exhaustion?

At this point it was likely a combination. I was drained from the ordeal. That was easy to figure out.

I started taking long strides toward Max's location, catching sight of him. He was staring at something. "What is it, boy?" I moved closer. Now Max was sniffing at whatever he'd discovered. He allowed me to walk closer and as soon as I realized what he was looking at, every muscle inside my body tensed immediately.

Not only were there several cigarette butts that had been tossed onto the ground, there were also footsteps in the snow.

Fresh ones.

And they certainly didn't come from Kage's boots. I knew the imprint very well. It was details like that I'd crafted into my books. Fear swept through me, but I couldn't panic. If I did, I would likely scare Max into acting out of the norm, possibly even running off.

"So, come on, boy. Let's go back closer to the house." My voice was as plastic as could be but there was a lilt to it.

He lifted his head and the moment he issued a very low-slung growl, I knew instinctively we were in trouble.

Max didn't want to come at first. I moved closer, scanning the area. I realized I'd been stupid enough not only to leave the phone inside Kage's office but also the weapon he'd taught me how to shoot.

And I'd had a pretty good aim.

Prickles shifted across my skin from both the wind and the sense that we were being watched. I tried to tell myself I was just being silly, but the cigarette butts hadn't been buried in the snow for long.

"Come, Max," I whispered in a low voice. "We need to get back to the house."

Finally, he moved by my side and the moment I took off running, so did he. My heart was in my throat, the horrible terror I'd felt at various times over the years exactly the same. I could see the cabin a few seconds later and while there was a slight sense of relief, I knew better than to feel anything else but utter anxiety until we were safely locked behind closed doors. Almost there. Almost there.

I was within two feet of the front porch when I heard a cracking sound.

Then a husky and very dark chuckle.

"Hello, Noel. It's going to be a pleasure to get to know you. I've already heard so much about you."

I had my hand on Max's collar, fighting to keep him from racing toward the stranger. He bucked hard, struggling with my hold as I turned around.

I'd had strange epiphanies over the years, those moments when my brain turned off everything but a flashback of moments when I'd been held a prisoner.

Now was no different except the momentarily images felt like little more than illusions. The memory was short but telling.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there," I said as I jumped from my car, thankful I hadn't hit the man who'd suddenly been there in front of me.

"It's okay," the stranger said with a smile on his face. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

"You're sure you're not hurt?"

He laughed, his eyes scanning me in my entirety. The man was good looking, the kind of guy every woman would snap her head toward if he walked into a room.

"God, no. My mind was just preoccupied. I'm Joel."

"Noel. Well, I'll be more careful next time."

He walked closer and I gathered the scent of his cologne, the strong fragrance of cardamom and other exotic spices hitting my senses. He pulled out a cigarette pack, tugging one into his hand and shoving it back into his jacket pocket.

I don't know why but the gesture as he lit the end seemed sexy, which wasn't like me in the least. He pulled a drag into his mouth and lungs, holding it for a few seconds before exhaling. "I know this might sound crazy, but would you like to go out for a cup of coffee or maybe a drink?"

His offer was almost tempting but the timing was off like almost everything else in my life. "I have an appointment I can't miss. I'm sorry."

He glanced up at the building, nodding a few times. "Yeah, I do too. I guess maybe another time. I would like that very much, Noel. Anyway, I'm fine."

With that he walked away and I stood where I was for a few seconds, watching as he quickly smoked his cigarette before heading inside the building.

Before I returned to my awaiting car, a cold shiver drifted down my spine for no reason at all.

Oh. My. God.

"You." It was one of those stupid things to say in the face of utter danger.

He smiled and did exactly as he'd done before when I'd almost hit him in the parking lot of my psychiatrist's office. The entire meeting had been a setup. He pulled out a cigarette and lighter. The moment was caught in a blip in time, slowly moving forward as if in slow motion. I couldn't take my eyes off him as he lit the end, taking a deep puff.

"What are you doing here?" I was stupid enough to ask.

The stranger took his time to answer. "I came for you. What else?"

"Who are you?"

The grin covering his face was one I remembered well. Suddenly, he looked exactly like James Jones the moment he'd captured me all those years ago. "Isn't that obvious, sweet thing? I'm here for you. I'm here to finish what was started a long time ago."

I backed away, trying to figure out what to do. "How did you find me?"

"Tsk. Tsk. You should have learned that there is nowhere where we can't find you. Your friend's phone was very helpful. Now, sweet thing, it's time you fulfilled your destiny. You are coming with me."

Ten minutes earlier

Kage

"Fuck. Fuck!"

I slammed my hand on the steering wheel, trying to keep my fucking shit together. "Answer the phone, Noel. Come on, baby."

It was the second time I'd called. Nothing. She hadn't even established a voicemail yet. I tossed the phone onto the dash, returning in my mind to the limited conversation I'd had with the detective who'd been in charge of the investigation into the serial murders in Seattle years before.

The copycat's name was Joel Baxter. The name wasn't familiar but from what little Detective Finley had said, the man was as dangerous and deranged as James Jones.

I couldn't think straight but at least the man had had the decency to call the local authorities. They were on their way to the cabin. I had to risk the location getting out to the wrong people in order to try to keep her alive.

Her.

The woman I adored.

The bright light in a sea of fucking darkness.

"Goddamn it." My screams weren't helping, the traffic horrible given the time of day. I craned my neck, noticing the backup was already starting on the interstate. I had two miles to go before I could take the exit. Two fucking miles.

I pulled out into the other lane when I had the chance, trying to weave my way up by any length of cars. When it became futile, I forced my way between a couple of SUVs, horns blasting the entire time, but I managed to get to the shoulder.

As soon as I did, snow began to fall.

Fuck me.

The gods were against me getting to her.

No, nothing would stop me.

I didn't give a shit if the police tried to stop me. They wouldn't be able to. I pressed my foot down on the accelerator, flying down the shoulder illegally. When another vehicle almost pulled onto the thick gravel, I was forced to brake hard, nearly losing control.

Once regained, I pressed my hand on the horn, blasting it to all those who might consider heeding my progress, now hitting in excess of seventy miles per hour. With the exit in sight, I sucked in my breath, doing everything I could to keep control while navigating the sharp ramp.

My truck skidded back and forth, the snow now coming down rapidly.

But I pressed on, rolling down the road to head up the mountain. I grabbed the phone again, dialing the burner number. Same as before, the ringing was now haunting me. Our collective pasts should never have collided. We both had our tragedies, which we'd endured to the point of almost derailing our lives, but I'd deserved to pay a penance. For not being there.

For falling into the blackest of despair.

Noel didn't.

And if Joel Baxter believed he was put on this earth to follow a madman like James Jones, taking up where the sick fuck had left off, then I'd have no issue killing the monster with my bare hands.

And happily returning to prison because of the dirty deed.

Anything to allow Noel to live a happy and full life.

I twisted my hands around the steering wheel, ignoring the snow. Ignoring the remaining ice or other exterior dangers.

I would get to her.

Period.

The end.

Minutes ticked by. Horrible minutes where all I could do was think about her. Wanting her. Needing to protect her.

Fuck. As I continued the turns, scenes of meeting her in the grocery store, of delighting in the lust-filled look in her eyes and the laugh I'd been gifted with early in the exchange rushed through my mind.

And I wanted more of them.

My heart was thudding in my chest as I pressed on, dangerously bypassing idiot tourists who were out cruising just to enjoy the local snowfall. Damn them. Damn this moment.

Damn everything.

Closer. I was closer.

Not close enough.

Go. Go. Go.

Time meant nothing at this point, my mind a huge blank, but there was no doubt I had revenge right there in the darkest spaces of my brain. I'd allowed one family to face death. I refused to allow another.

The truck's tires nearly spun out as I yanked the steering wheel, pressing down on the accelerator almost immediately. I finally gained traction, pushing the truck to its full speed as I flew down the long driveway.

I slammed on the brakes, barely cutting the engine before I jumped out, racing toward the front door. As soon as I stepped onto the porch, I knew something was off. Every nerve in my body was standing on end, every cell spiked to a thousand degrees.

As I slowly turned around, I bristled and allowed the rage to fuel every ounce of adrenaline in my body.

Because I heard her anguished scream.