Shadows and light the co.., p.35
Shadows and Light: The Complete Series, page 35
Anthony could only nod as he watched the other officer cut the ropes on Jennie’s wrists.
Oh Jennie, I promised I would protect you.
He glanced back at her bedroom and offered up a silent prayer for sparing her life. He took in a deep cleansing breath as a familiar surge of fear, anger, and adrenaline surged through his veins. I know what I have to do. No one comes near you.
• • •
Jared tossed his keys on the small table in the foyer. While he stalked into the living room, he yanked the tie from around his neck and swung it over the back of the sofa. His sport coat followed. Dropping onto the sofa, he glanced at his two uninvited guests. Noah was sprawled on the second sofa while Jason sat crosswise in the lounge chair. Both brothers’ attention focused on the Wizards’ game. Jared grabbed the last piece of cold pizza in the forgotten delivery box on the coffee table.
“Don’t you two have places of your own you can trash? Why are you always here?”
“You have the cool plasma screen, bro. Besides, you’re never here anyway. Where’ve you been?” Jason asked.
“What are you, my mother?” Jared tossed the dry crust back into the box. It ricocheted off the lid and landed on the floor by Jason’s feet.
“Boys, there now,” Noah said with a yawn. He glanced at Jared. “How did the meeting with Raúl go?”
“It went.” He shrugged his shoulders and rose. “I’m heading to bed. Pick up your crap before you leave.”
His cell phone buzzed in his pocket just as he turned toward the stairs. Jared answered it before the second ring. “McNeil.” Several moments passed before he lowered the phone and faced his brothers. “There has been another attack. Sounds like our guy but the uniforms on site aren’t sure.” Jared spoke to the dispatcher. “What’s the address?”
He reached for the pad on the foyer table. An instant later, the pen split in two as Jared’s heart dropped to his stomach. He sucked in a deep breath and choked out, “Are you sure about that address? Who called it in?”
He heard nothing else. Jennie’s panic, fear, pain spread through his five senses like a vicious, uncontrollable wildfire.
Jason and Noah flanked him, but instead of feeling any comfort from their closeness, they sucked away all remaining air in his space. He gave Jason a shove and moved around him toward the front door. “No one touches the scene until I get there.”
He reached for his keys out of pure instinct and charged to the door.
Jennie, God, Jennie. Tell me that bastard didn’t go after you.
“Jared, what the hell’s wrong?” Noah placed a hand on his back.
The years of control Jared built around himself dissipated in an instant. He grabbed Noah and rammed him against the door. “It’s not her, it’s not. No way did that fucking bastard go after Jennie, damn it. It’s not her!”
“Who, damn it? Who went after Jennie?” Noah grunted, his jaw clenched.
“That sick psychopath. He’s attacked Jennie.”
Noah grabbed Jared’s elbow to ease his arm away from his throat. He rotated their positions and used his body to pen Jared up against the door. Jared pulled his arm out of his brother’s hold. Jason caught the fist just as it almost hit Noah square in the jaw.
“Damn it, don’t you dare take another swing at me, or I’ll lay you on the floor.” Noah shoved Jared’s back against the wall hard, pinning him in place. “Now cool it and tell me what the fuck is going on.” Lowering his head, Noah took a second to collect himself and then faced his brother. “Are you sure it’s our guy?”
A low growl erupted from deep inside Jared’s throat. His reality swirled and all he saw was the monster who hurt Jennie. The primal instinct to fight took over. An adrenaline rush poured through his veins with unbelievable strength. He easily broke off the hand holding him, swung the man against the wall, and clamped his arm against his throat, nearly crushing the larynx.
You bastard — you dared hurt Jennie chanted in his head over and over again until Jason’s desperate cry broke through.
“Damn it, Jared. What the fuck do you think are you doing?”
Jared’s vision changed and Noah’s face appeared in front of him. “Shit!” He jumped back, releasing his twin. Jason’s arm went around Jared’s neck from behind and he pinned Jared’s hands behind his back. Noah doubled over, gasping for breath.
It was several moments before the animal in Jared tired of the fight. He rested his head up against Jason and faced his twin. “I’m sorry … I … ”
Jared’s body began to tremble and Jason let him go. Jared clamped his hands over his face and shook his head from side to side. “Noah, I’m sorry — ”
Noah ignored him and reached for his cell phone. After a brief call, he replaced the phone in his pocket and grabbed Jared’s collar with both hands. In a hoarse voice, he said, “She’s okay, Jared. Jennie was cut―but not like the others. Someone came in and blew the guy’s head off. I’m sure you can figure out who we have to thank for that. Jennie has a few knife cuts. There’s no sign of rape. The cops on the scene are waiting for transport to Johns Hopkins Hospital, but she’s going to be all right.” He gave Jared a heavy shake. “Are you listening to me?”
Jared moved away from his brothers. He needed room to breathe, think. He raked a hand over his face and tried to fill his airless lungs.
“Take in slow, even breaths, Jared,” Jason said, placing a hand on his back.
Focusing on just Jason’s voice, he finally got his breathing under control and faced Noah. “Who the hell shot him?”
“Don’t know. The dispatcher didn’t have all the details. They’re still coming in. There was a witness, a woman who lives across the street. She watched this guy walk into Jennie’s building and come out minutes later. He actually waved at her.”
“He did what?”
“He stared right at her like he wanted her to be able to recognize him.”
“Do they have someone with the witness now?” His cop brain was slowly functioning.
“Yeah, there are a couple of neighbors and one of the officers from the scene is with her.”
“And Jennie, she’s really all right?” Jared choked on every word.
“Physically, she’s going to be fine. The guy used chloroform to knock her out like the other women. Hopefully, she was out when the guy was shot. It was point blank in the back of the head.”
Jared couldn’t think or form a coherent thought. His mind clogged with images of Jennie — alone, frightened with that bastard touching her. “I’m done, Noah. I’m not doing it anymore. I could’ve lost her … that sick bastard … it could’ve been like Hanna Tu.” Tears clouded his vision as he pushed pass Noah and opened the door.
“Jared, wait.”
Noah grabbed his arm, but Jared wrenched out of his grip. “I’m going to her.”
“Wait a sec, damn it. Think first.” Noah raised his hands and placed them on his brother’s chest.
“Get out of my way.”
Jason moved to stand next to Noah. “Jared, chill. You agreed to the plan. You can’t ignore it now.”
“This is my fucking case. They promised to keep her safe. Do you call this keeping her safe? I’m done, damn it! It was a mistake from the beginning allowing them to use her like a worm on a hook. Tonight is the last time she’ll ever be alone.”
“Fine, we’ll get you in to see her, but we can be smart about it. I’ll show up at the crime scene as you. We’ve fooled people our whole life with the twin switch. Everyone will expect you there, especially Mendoza. He helped her for his own reasons.” Noah nudged his twin’s shoulder. “Are you listening to me, Jared?”
Jared stepped away from the door. His eyes never left Noah as he found some semblance of control. “Fine, we’ll do it your way. But understand, once I’m with her, I’m never leaving her again. You may hate her, but, God, she doesn’t deserve this.”
Noah sighed. “I don’t hate her. I don’t understand the connection she has with Mendoza and that scares me. I’m protecting you.”
Jason interrupted. “Can we finish this on the way to Baltimore?”
All three men headed for the black Avalanche in the driveway. Noah grabbed the keys out of Jared’s hand and moved toward the driver’s side of the vehicle while Jared glared at him.
“I’m you, remember. Everyone knows no one touches your truck. Hand over your badge, too.” Noah pulled out his wallet and exchanged his badge for Jared’s. He turned and faced Jason. “Is Emma working tonight?”
Jason’s twin, Emma McNeil Lambert was an emergency medicine resident at Johns Hopkins. “Yes. I’ll text her and see if she can arrange for Jared to see Jennie without being detected.”
Jared eased his head against the seat and closed his eyes as Noah drove out of the driveway. No one spoke until Jason broke the silence.
“I told Emma you would explain when you got there.”
Before Jared could reply, Noah interrupted. “Tell me what went down with you and Raúl.”
Jared rubbed his hand over his forehead and the back of his neck. “He thinks Mendoza grabbed one of Jennie’s students. A young boy named Danny Merlot went missing this afternoon. If Mendoza has the kid, he’s left Raúl in the dark. Wanted me to call Mac and get his wife ready to leave.” He turned and faced his twin. “After you drop me off, call Mac and tell him to get some guys on the rest of the family. Mendoza showed his hand tonight. That can’t be good.”
“Good, your brain’s working again,” Noah said.
Jared shot his brother a stone glare. No one else spoke for the twenty-minute drive into Baltimore. At the entrance of the emergency room, Noah stopped Jared as he opened the door. “You’ll keep your cool in there, right?”
“This is my fault.” He swallowed hard and glanced toward the entrance of the ER then back at his twin. “You have to be okay with this. I’m done keeping my distance from Jennie.”
“Jared, you’re not thinking — ”
“No. I’m thinking straight for the first time in months.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Jared, I can lose my job if you get caught.”
“I’ll be careful, Emma.” Jared shoved his arm through the sleeve of the white lab coat. “I really appreciate this, sis.”
Emma reached into her coat pocket and withdrew a hospital ID and clipped it on Jared’s coat pocket. “You’re now Dr. Carl Richman. How to receive a medical degree in ten minutes or less,” she said, patting the badge. “Just remember, do everything I told you. Hopefully, you won’t stand out too much.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t do anything on such short notice to ugly up that face of yours. You’ll attract attention, but the way you flirt, it should add to the persona.”
“You’re the doctor on call. Did you treat her tonight?”
“No, but I checked on her twice.”
“Isn’t it strange that you would check on someone else’s patient?”
Emma met Jared’s gaze. “I know Jennie. She was one of my favorite patient’s caregiver.”
“Was?”
A deep sadness edged into his sister’s eyes. “I lost her tonight.”
Jared exhaled a moan and cupped his sister’s neck. “You were Louise Cunningham’s doctor?”
Emma nodded then said, “Remember, you can’t stay in the room very long. Doctors, especially specialists, are in and out.”
Glancing at the ID on his pocket, he grimaced. “Geez, Emma, I don’t look anything like this guy.”
“Just don’t get caught.” Emma hugged him. “I’ve two college educations to pay for in thirteen years.” With one final once over, she left the lounge.
Jared waited a couple minutes before he followed. He headed down the corridor, stopping at Jennie’s door. He removed the chart from the slot and flipped through the pages. Flashing the ID to the cop, he entered the room. He remained by the door until it closed completely, his eyes glued to the sleeping woman in the bed. Emotion clogged his throat as his heart beat hammered inside his head.
Damn, it’s my fault she’s here.
Moving to the bed, he leaned over and tenderly brushed a strand of hair off her forehead, replacing it with a kiss. She’s so pale. His eyes watered, blurring his vision.
Her throat was completely covered with thick gauze. He realized for the first time that he had no idea what her injuries were. Why didn’t he think to ask?
What did that bastard do to you? How did I allow this to happen?
The door opened from behind him and Jared turned to see a priest standing in the doorway. “Can I help you?” Jared asked. He lifted Jennie’s hand and pretended to take her pulse when a hand gripped down hard on his hand, twisting the thumb back almost to the breaking point.
“I think that’s my question. Who are you?” Anthony twisted the thumb a little further and applied more pressure.
“Detective Jared McNeil and I really need that thumb. Can’t hold a gun without it.”
“Sorry.” The priest immediately released Jared’s hand. “Jennie has mentioned you.”
“No need to apologize, Father. It’s good to know Jennie has someone looking after her,” he said, rubbing his hand. “That’s some trick you have there.”
“It comes in handy. What’s with the get-up?” Father Anthony pointed to the coat and badge.
“He’s blending in.” Jennie’s voice sounded barely above a whisper.
“Hey, you.” Jared pivoted and reached for Jennie’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “You scared the hell out of me this time,” he said as tears glistened in his eyes.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to.” She attempted to smile.
“Oh Jennie,” Jared reached under the bed rail and released the button to lower it. He sat on the bed holding her hand up against his heart.
“That’s me — the more evil they are, the more I like ’em.” Silent tears streamed down her face.
Jared drew her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her. “Ahh hell, don’t cry. I got you.” As she sobbed in his arms, not a sound escaped from her. The silent tears always tore him up inside. And when he thought of what she just went through, he stiffened, the rage burning deep within him.
She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked into his eyes. “I’m okay, really. He didn’t hurt me. Well, he did,” she said resting her hand up to her throat. “I don’t know why he came after me.”
“He’s a serial killer; a sick warped bastard. I don’t know how he targeted you, but we’ll find out as soon as we know more about him.” Jared leaned her back on her pillows and gently fingered the bandage. “You’re far from okay, but you will be from now on.”
“Mrs. C. said the same thing to me tonight.” Jennie stopped, pressed her hands to her eyes before whispering, “Oh God, I’m never going to see her again. Thank God she wasn’t there tonight. She didn’t have to see what happened, it didn’t touch her.”
Jared gently pulled her back into his arms. Neither spoke as they melted into each other. Jared ran his hands through her hair, down her back. “Jennie, what else did he do to you? Tell me sweetheart. I need to know.”
Jennie touched the bandage on her neck again. “I didn’t see him, feel him … until it was too late. When I woke up, I was tied down, and he held a scalpel against my face.” She subconsciously drew the line from her eye to the base of her throat with her index finger. “He — he was very angry,” Jennie swallowed, “and — he cut me.”
“Where else did he cut?” Jared couldn’t keep the tremble from his voice.
“Just my throat,” she whispered as she buried her face into his shoulder.
Jared couldn’t speak, the horrific image burned in his mind.
“Something horrible happened tonight besides … I keep underestimating him.” Jennie grabbed onto Jared, pulling him tight against her. Her body shivered as she whispered in his ear. “Father Anthony just told me … God, Danny … ”
“It’s going to be okay, Jennie.”
“No, it’s not. One of my students is missing. I don’t know how that creepy guy’s involved, but I think Elías Mendoza has Danny. I have to get him back before — ”
She seemed to choke on her words. Jared rubbed his hand up and down her back and held her trembling body tight against him.
“It’s happening again and this time, it’s my fault. I messed up bad.”
“Jennie, stop. None of this your fault.”
“It is my fault. I drove Mendoza right to Danny. I was trying to trap him, make him pay for … everything. But he knew what I was doing the whole time, and he’s going to hurt Danny like he did Nick as payback.” Jennie shuddered in his arms.
“I’m not going to allow that to happen again. I’ll stop him.”
She lifted her head and faced him. “How? You’re not involved in his case again, are you?”
“I’ll explain everything as soon as I get you out of here. Once you are safe, we’ll talk.”
“He’s been watching me, Jared. That’s the only explanation for Tattoo Guy showing up when he did to execute my attacker.” Jennie placed a hand on Jared’s arm, her nails digging into his skin. “I can’t be seen with you. Not now. He’ll kill Danny. You told me yourself that Mendoza will hurt me to get back at you. What you don’t understand is he’ll hurt me just to hurt me. If he sees you near me, he will hurt you again.” Her fingers spread out over the scars on his chest.
“I’m not leaving you, period. History will not repeat itself.”
Jennie rested her head against the pillow. Every emotion she was experiencing crossed her face — fear, anger, then concern. She reached up and placed her two fingers at the strain between Jared’s eyes and gently massaged the crease until he relaxed. “How did I forget how stubborn you could be?”
Jared took her hand, brought it to his lips, and placed a kiss on the palm.
“I’m right, Jared, and you know it. I can’t be seen with you right now. At least not until we have Danny home, safe.”
A powerful sense of dread churned in the pit of his stomach. “And when they release you from the hospital, what’s your plan? You sure as hell are not going back to your apartment. It’s a damn crime scene.” With each word, the volume went up a degree until the last word was a shout.
