Brotherhood (8 page)

CHAPTER 8

Melissa heard the door open gently. He was back. She had no idea what time of day it was. Her blindfold kept her clueless. In her mind, it felt like days. She had lain in the silence and thought. About her situation. About why the agency hadn't come for her. About why she hadn't tried to make noise when he left her alone. But mostly, she thought about his kiss.

She had enjoyed the kiss and that scared her. She was a strong and independent woman. She had a career¸ a home and a life she enjoyed. She wasn't this woman. The one that was bound and captive. More than anything, she wasn't the one that would enjoy it. What the fuck was wrong with her?

He was being quiet. There was no intention of waking her and for some reason he presumed once again that she was asleep. But she felt his breath against her neck as he stretched across her and released the ties around her wrists. She felt his fingertips glide around the back of her head and untie the blindfold.

Her heart raced as he slipped the ropes from her legs and pulled the rag from inside of her mouth.

"Thanks," she whispered.

"Awake I see," he smiled down at her.

"Yes," she answered softly. "How was your night?"

"Good," he answered. "No problems at all."

"Good," she smiled.

Asher walked across the room and sat down.

"You can get dressed," he replied. "You have some clothes in the top drawer," his hand waved towards the dresser.

Something about the gesture struck her. She wasn't sure if it was a feeling of gratefulness that he was allowing her to get dressed, sadness that she would no longer be exposed for him or confusion at having her own drawer in his bedroom; but she began to cry. She just wasn't sure if it was happy or sad tears escaping her eyes.

Rather than allow him to see her as being vulnerable, she stood and walked to the dresser. She then opened it and pulled out the clothes he had offered her. They weren't her typical work attire, but she liked them. And they were her exact size. She did notice that he didn't include panties and a bra in the ensemble and wondered if it was preference or the inability to pick something out.

"I don't like them," he answered the thoughts in her head. "Sexier to see the fabric slide against your skin."

"I see," she answered and began to get dressed. Somewhere in the process of this capture she had lost her desire to hide her body. She didn't mind standing in front of this man with no clothes on.

"You look nice," he responded when she turned around. "Except for the tears."

She looked down. "I'm not sure why I'm crying."

"Do you hate me?" He asked and she knew he really meant it.

The answer came without thinking. "No."

"Good." He replied with a soft smile. "I'm glad."

Melissa sat in a chair directly across from Asher. She didn't remember what it was like to feel free. She'd been bound for so long. Finally, her curiosity got the best of her. "Why the freedom?"

"Don't get excited. You still can't leave the room."

"I didn't think I could."

"You've been tied up long enough. I think it’s okay now."

"You seem bothered.” Her voice sounded faulty and out of place for some reason.

The laugh he emitted let her know that he'd gotten the reason for her timid behavior. "I'm okay,"

She smiled. "Okay."

***

"Sometimes things aren't what they seem Fuller," he offered after nearly a half hour of silence. She was just glad to know what time it was and how long had passed.

"I know," she replied. "I'm learning that." The blush on her face showed him that she was referring to him. Or maybe even herself.

He sat silently again. He wanted to share something with her, but he was afraid. She was an agent with the very organization he was trying to fight again. Could she really be trusted?

"He killed my dad." Asher finally let out.

"Who?"

"Your buddy Logan."

She nodded as if she understood.

"It happens in this business, Asher."

"It wasn't this business." He spoke softly. "My dad was a plumber."

"Why would Logan kill a plumber?"

Asher watched her face. She didn't know. She really didn't have a clue what was going on.

"Wrong place, wrong time. Logan didn't realize he was there. He was doing a deal. A big one. But everyone knew who he was. My dad walked into the room and saw it happen. So Logan killed him."

Melissa covered her mouth. "When?"

Asher was silent for a long time. Finally, he said. "A while ago."

The emotions were overwhelming him. He didn't want to stop and remember these details. He wanted to forget them forever. But they were the driving force behind everything he existed for. And he wanted her to understand. To believe him. To know the reality.

"Maybe you have the details wrong. How would anyone know?"

"I know.”

"Asher," she began and paused. "If Logan was involved in crime, who would have told on him."

Asher sat silently. He had the answer but he wasn't sure he wanted to share it. She didn't seem eager to believe him.

"What kind of deal?" she continued to press. She didn't want him to get angry, but she wanted to understand.

"Weapons," he answered. "Selling them to high profile criminals. The kind of shit that you people are supposed to be stopping.”

"That goes against his entire job description," she said without thinking.

"That’s why he killed my dad."

"But Asher," she argued. "If it was a while ago, how could you know the details?"

"Because I do."

He decided to stop talking. It wasn't a good idea. He was getting too close. And she was going to turn on him. They couldn't be trusted. None of them. She'd back that pompous prick over him any day. And she'd use the knowledge to get him killed or locked away.

She didn't push when he didn't speak again. She just sat quietly. Waiting to see if he said anything else. He liked that about her. Hell, he liked a lot of things about her.

***

Melissa watched him, searching his face for lies and finding none. The pain was evident in his eyes. She wanted to make it better and that terrified her. Sitting in this room, barely lit, and discussing his pain brought them closer. Too close. She didn't want to be this close with him. She didn't want to feel anything for him. But she was starting to. And she was starting to believe in him. That scared the fuck out of her.

Asher stared into space. She wanted to hold him. To let him know she cared. But she couldn't. Her job was to take him down. Not to fall for him. She couldn't let herself get attached to this man, or vice versa.

"Asher," It was the first time she'd used his first name. He noticed it as well and lifted his eyes to meet her. "Tell me about it," she prodded.

"He walked into the room," Hudson spoke quietly. "Logan was standing with the guy and talking. There was a pile of weapons at his feet. 'Are you going to pay for these or do I need to find someone else'. That's what Logan said.

“My dad tried to turn back. He knew better than to be seen. But there was a noise." He took a trembling breath. "Logan heard it and turned around. He saw my dad, pulled out his gun, and asked who he was. He told him and Logan shot him in the head and like that, he was dead."

"Asher," she spoke softly and placed her hand on his arm. "Are you sure this is true?"

"I was there." He looked at her as tears and hatred filled his eyes. "I made the noise. I watched the whole thing."

CHAPTER 9

"Agent Wallaby," the outstretched hand waited for him to grab it and he did. "Detective Larson. Nice to meet you."

"Same," Andy replied.

"What can I do for you?" Larson asked as he led Andy to his lavish office.

"We have a missing agent," Andy answered. "We think the Nomads may have her. I'm here to gather whatever information I can get."

Larson sat in his chair and leaned back with his hands behind his head. He let a sigh of air out of his mouth and Andy watched as his chubby face tensed slightly. Larson was the depiction everyone had of police detectives. Short, chubby, balding on top with a nice suit. But it was obvious he did more research than work.

"Nomads huh?" He shook his head. "He's probably gone."

"She," Andy corrected.

Larson sat up a little. "What happened?"

"Sting," Andy answered. "She was caught. We've not heard anything since. No signs of death. No signs of life. It’s like she just disappeared."

"Sounds like Nomads," Larson picked up a toothpick and stuck it between his lips. "Trying to quit," he nodded as if indicating the reason for the toothpick. "Helps with the hand motion."

"Any chance she might still be alive?" he asked.

"I can't see why they'd keep her," Larson answered. "Honestly, if they found an agent inside, they'd probably torture her and try to get information. They don't have a moral compass like the rest of us."

"Why not let us know?" Andy felt his heart drop.

"That I don't know," he shook his head. "Seems like Hudson would want bragging rights."

"He's pretty bad?"

Larson nodded. "Most dangerous sonofabitch this side of the Mississippi."

"So tell me," Andy said.

"It might take a while," he replied.

"I've got time," Andy sat back and got comfortable. Ready to listen to what his ally had to say.

"Okay, well," Larson leaned back and prepared to tell his story. "Hudson was just a kid when his dad was shot point blank in the head. He kept saying was a cop. But he was a damn kid, young, and obviously in shock. We tried to get him help," Larson shook his head. "It's a shame really. Poor boy didn't want to accept that his dad was involved in some shady shit. Worked for one of the worst criminals in town."

"Really?"

"Yep. Whoever killed his old man cleared out before EMTs got there. Nothing was left but the kid and the body. He said something about guns, but we never found any."

Andy whistled. "That's gotta be tough."

"It was. We all wanted to help him, but he didn't trust a damn one of us. Swore that we were the ones who killed his father. Ended up in a few homes and then found his way to Nomads. He started younger than most. Minor crimes. Worked his way up in the club. Seemed his only goal in life was to fuck the law.

"He turned the Nomads into what they are. He pushed them into high level weapons and drugs deals. So big that they were dangerous even for them. They turned a motorcycle club with petty crimes into a full-fledged criminal organization."

"And that's why we watch them," Andy mentioned.

"No shit, Sherlock. But Hudson runs a tight operation. Comes with hating cops your whole life."

"Don't be so sure." Andy spoke. "We’re pretty fucking good at what we do."

"Then why are you here?" Larson asked and Andy was speechless for a minute. "Look, I'm sure you mean well. But you already lost an agent.

"Hudson is smooth. He's charming. He's a good lookin’ man. Oh don’t give me that look." Larson laughed. "Gotta admit the truth sometimes. He knows how to flap his pretty lips and get off scot-free."

"If he has Melissa, he will get caught," Andy stated with conviction.

"If he has her, and she's alive, then she’s as good as dead." Larson spoke matter-of-factly.

"Do you know where his house is?"

"We do, but like I said. Guy keeps his hands clean. Doesn’t shit where he eat. How’d your agent get in?"

"Underground tunnel. Look, I think she's alive."

"You hope she is.".

Andy stood up, shook the cops hand and thanked him for the time. As he turned to leave, something crossed his mind and he spun back around.

"Are you sure it wasn't a cop?" Andy asked. “The guy who killed Hudson’s old man?”

Larson stopped for a moment. He seemed to be pondering the idea and then he let out a full belly laugh. "Why would a cop shoot a plumber?"

"Maybe the cop wasn't such a good one?"

"What are you trying to say Mr. Wallaby?"

"I'm just saying, did anyone check into his story?"

Larson shook his head. "No reason. Just a kid raised in Silverton. You know how they are—that whole don’t trust the po-po bullshit."

"And if he was right?"

"I'd be surprised. But it still wouldn't excuse what he does now. He's a criminal of the worst kind Mr. Wallaby. And I know you want hope that there's a good guy in there with your friend. But I'm telling you, nobody goes into Hudson's life and comes out alive unless they benefit him in some way. Do you see your agent helping him out?"

Andy shook his head. "Not at all.”

"Then I'm sorry kiddo. But she’s dead.”

Andy walked out of the office with some answers and even more questions. He knew he should go back to the office and talk to Logan, but he wasn't ready to. He needed more information. Something about the whole thing didn't sit right. He wanted to know more of what he was dealing with.

Andy had always had good instincts, and every single one was telling him that this was different. Something was off. It had been that way since day one. The plans were new and should have been accurate. It was like Fuller had been sent into a trap. But he wasn't sure of that or how that could be. They'd gotten the plans themselves.

The first place he went was the library. He wanted to know the story about the death of Hudson’s father. One thing Andy had learned in his life was that kids usually didn’t lie. Even if they were raised in Silverton. If he said it was a cop who murdered his dad, then Andy had no reason not to believe that.

Pulling up old newspaper articles took time and patience and Andy didn't have much of either. But finally he found a few that he began to read. One story started pretty much like Larson had told him. And right there. Yep.
Asher Hudson.
Poor nine year-old kid had seen his father shot by gangbangers.

According to the article, Hudson knew the man his father was doing the work for. Had met him a few times. Thought he was nice. But he didn't know the cop. Just that he wore a badge. He swore up and down the cops killed his dad.

There were stories of the cops that had tried to help him and his aversion to them altogether. This was before his criminal activity so it was easier to find positive spins on the stories.

It wasn't until he opened the next to last one that he realized there were parts of the story missing from Larson's version.

Death of Plumber Leads to Weapons Discovery

A local plumber was shot point blank in the head last night has led the Vegas branch of the ATF to a discovery of weapons estimated at over ten thousand dollars. The information was based largely upon the testimony of the plumber’s son, nine-year old Asher Hudson, whom LVPD found at the scene of the shooting.

"The kid was partially right." Agent Logan said during an exclusive interview. "He told us that there were weapons. Nobody believed much he said, but I thought there just has to be something. He wouldn't think to make this up, you know? So we searched. And we finally found the weapons. Now if we could find the guy that bought em and the one that sold em. "

When asked if they believed the boys cries of police involvement were accurate, Agent Logan had strong words on the subject.

"Absolutely not. The officers of LVPD have a strong commitment to our community and while I understand young Mr. Hudson’s grief, I find it absolutely inconceivable that one of our own would be involved in any way."

The weapons are being admitted as evidence to file new charges…

Andy reread it three times before he realized what had grabbed his attention.

Agent Logan.