Authors: Anna Alexander
Chapter Thirteen
“Jiminy Christmas,” Brett muttered when she spotted her men
on the forest floor a hundred yards outside Neimi’s personal residence.
Six of her most-trusted deputies lay flat on their bellies
with their elbows bent to hold binoculars or night vision goggles to their
eyes. With black and green makeup smudged over their faces, they looked like
life-sized plastic army men.
Reutgers spotted her first, flashing a series of hand
gestures that made absolutely no sense. She knelt next to him and tightened the
straps on the Kevlar vest around her chest. “When was the last time you all
trained on stakeouts and takedowns?”
“Billings didn’t think we had enough crime to warrant the
expense.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Update please.”
“Lights came on about twenty minutes ago. No one’s gone in
or out but there’s been a lot of shouting,” he reported.
“Who’s inside?”
“Neimi and a woman.”
“His wife?”
“Nope, she left at about twenty-two hundred hours with a
suitcase. This one arrived about thirty minutes later.”
“Sister, niece?”
His cheeks turned pink enough to be seen in the twilight. “I
don’t think so.”
Ewww
, she gagged.
The intel she gathered revealed that Billings and four
others had received the same amount of pat at the same time from accounts
traced to the Neimi family. Three of her deputies were easy to identify for
they all banked with the tiny family-operated Cedar Savings and Loan. It was
either arrogance or lack of knowledge about current technology that made them
forget that with a few keystrokes, one’s entire livelihood became an open book
to whoever had the knowhow.
But the fourth person, Colleen Bastian, was still a mystery.
She never served on the force nor was she a spouse of an officer. She also
didn’t hold an account at the bank. There wasn’t a connection to anyone in
Cedar other than the fact she received the same payout from Neimi that was
distributed by the bank manager.
Brett staged the fake operation at the quarry hoping one of
the potential suspects would warn their benefactor and reveal themselves in the
process. Fifteen minutes had passed since the alert went to her phone that
Neimi had been contacted by someone on her squad. It was a call she
anticipated, but it didn’t soften the blow that one of her own betrayed her.
The group went still as the front door opened and a young
woman ran out dressed only in a bright-white bra and miniskirt. She picked up a
rock and threw it at the front window. “Screw you, Jeb. That’s for the hundred
you still owe me.”
“Just get out,” he bellowed from inside.
Brett snickered. This was turning out to be a hell of a
morning.
As the unknown trick took off down the lane in a plume of
exhaust and gravel, Brett’s phone buzzed softly with an incoming call. A smug
grin stole across her lips as she answered, “Mr. Neimi, you’re up awfully
early.”
“Sheriff Briggs, it seems that there’s been a little
misunderstanding.” A touch of panic edged the smooth delivery.
“About what?”
“I heard there’s a warrant out for my arrest, which is
completely uncalled for. I suggest you and I meet to discuss these allegations
before you embark on an endeavor that could ruin your career.”
“Well, Mr. Neimi, I’ve gathered lots of evidence that I’ll
be happy to show your lawyer. You can discuss strategy with Judge Mancini, who
you will be sharing a holding cell with until you’re transferred to County. I’d
normally suggest you call Terrance Neely at the bank to arrange your bail but
he’ll be sitting beside you as well.”
“You’re making a mistake, sweetheart. One that will cost you
more than your job.”
“Bring it on.” She disconnected the call and swirled her
finger in the air, signaling the troops to move. “He’s running scared. We go in
now. Ready?” At their nod, she took the lead down the hill.
Four deputies circled ’round the front of the house while
she approached the back door with Reutgers and Tyson, who carried a battering
ram. She raised her hand and counted down. Three…two…one.
The oak door gave way in a shower of splinters with one
solid stroke. Brett barreled through the kitchen with her weapon drawn. From
the front of the house she heard the crash of wood and glass as the others
stormed the entry. In the noise and confusion her training kicked in, helping
her maintain a laser-like focus on the movement of every man as they searched
the first floor.
They found Neimi in his study next to an open wall safe. A
duffle bag lay at his feet, overflowing with bundles of cash.
“Hands in the air,” she shouted. “Hands in the air now!”
He dropped the strap in his hands and slowly raised his
hands. “Sheriff, what a surprise.”
“You’re under arrest.” She holstered her weapon and spun
Neimi around, slamming him face first onto the desk. She cuffed his wrists
behind his back and read him his rights.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.” He talked over her. “I can
offer you a deal better than Billings. And your men too. I can pay you all. In
cash. Over there.” He gestured with his head. “Five hundred thousand dollars.
Take it. And there’s more. I can be reasonable.”
Brett didn’t like the way her men eyed the stack of cash on
the floor. That was a lot of money for a little bit of effort. She’d have to
move fast to make sure their consciences won out over their pockets.
“I take it you’re forgoing your right to remain silent?” She
grabbed him by the back of the collar and shoved him toward the door.
His arrogant smirk remained despite the rough treatment. “My
word is good. Isn’t it, Deputy Collins?”
Brett turned to see Collins standing outside the broken
front door. “Colleen Bastian, I presume?”
He flushed red. “How did you know?”
She pointed to her phone. “There’s an app for everything.”
It was a joke made when the last thing she felt like doing
was laughing. A piece of her died on the inside as she forced the words out of
her tight throat. “Mick Collins, you’re under arrest.”
He chuckled and scratched his chin. His eyes glinted with a
hint of hysteria as he nodded. “Not today.”
In a blink he darted out the door. She gave chase and
stopped short at the sight of three pickup trucks pulling into the yard. Men
armed with giant wrenches, chains and rifles spilled out of the cabs.
“Inside the house,” she directed and pushed the remains of
the door shut. “Stay away from the windows and keep him in the corner.”
She shoved Neimi toward Reutgers and took a careful peek
through the gap in the wood.
“Obviously the situation is spiraling out of your control,
Sheriff,” Neimi taunted. “We can end this right now if you let me go.”
“The only way this is going to end is with all of you under
arrest. Or dead,” she murmured the last part under her breath.
The rag-tag group of men standing in sloppy formation in
front of the house weren’t soldiers. They were laborers, working men. Greed or
fear of losing their jobs brought them here. She’d bet her last tan blouse that
the most action these men ever saw was the occasional bar brawl when a
Steelers’ fan dared root against the Seahawks. They were untried and inexperienced.
Complete wildcards that made for a potential deadly standoff.
Dear Lord, give me strength and a sign this won’t end in
horrible carnage.
An electrical charge zipped across the back of her neck and
the hair on her arms stood on end.
She bit back a curse even as she thanked the heavens. “Be on
the ready, boys. A storm is about to roll in and he’s really pissed.”
Chapter Fourteen
Brett forced her lungs to take slow, deep breaths as a
tempest of anticipation built.
Outside, Neimi’s men began to twitch as if they were being
jolted with a cattle prod. They twirled in circles, searching the dark depths
of the woods for signs of the imminent attack. Inside, her deputies braced
themselves against the walls, unaware that the rumble they felt was coming from
one seriously angry alien.
She reached out with her mind, testing their connection in
the best way she knew how. The source of Kristos’ energy was a weak flicker but
a connection nonetheless. She concentrated on warning him of the danger and to
reassure him that she was safe.
His fear for her left a bitter taste on her tongue but there
was also a sweet hint of faith. He believed in her. He was there to help, not
take over. If it meant saving lives, she’d gladly accept whatever assistance he
offered.
She turned toward her troops. “Reutgers, stay with Neimi. If
you lose him, it’s your job. Everyone else, when you see men start to fall I
want them cuffed before they think about calling for backup.”
“What’s going down, Sheriff?” Tyson asked.
“We’re about to get a little help.”
“From who?”
“The Chameleon.”
At the sound of his name, a flurry of leaves kicked up in a
straight line heading directly for the group of miners.
Bursts of light sparkled around the Chameleon where the
reflection from the headlights hit the multicolored tunic covering his torso.
His blurred image left tracers that reminded Brett of a movie where someone
took a hit of acid and the world slowed even as it went a million miles an
hour.
At ten against one, the miners were still no match against
the Chameleon. A few got in a lucky punch but soon they began to drop like bags
of sand, clutching broken arms or shattered jaws.
“Let’s go. Let’s go,” Brett barked. “Watch your backs.”
From the corner of her eye she spotted Collins racing for
the thick shelter of trees and followed right on his ass.
The heavy canopy above blocked the morning light, forcing
her to watch her step through the tangle of vines and ferns. Using an evergreen
for cover, she palmed her Glock with both hands as she strained to hear over
her pounding heart.
Silence. A deep silence that made her skin pebble under a
layer of sweat.
He was hiding. Was he hoping to wait her out until he was
clear to escape or preparing to launch an ambush?
To her right a branch cracked like a bullwhip through the
silence. A gunshot followed that came from far to the left.
She clenched her teeth to hold back a curse.
Kristos.
Goddammit.
“Hey, Collins,” she shouted and rolled to the next tree,
hoping to split his attention. “So who’s Colleen Bastian? Ex-girlfriend?
Favorite hooker?”
“Shut up.” Another gunshot. The bullet ricocheted off the
tree to her side. “She was my foster mother.”
“Is she proud that you’re a disgrace to the badge?” She bent
to pick up a rock and tossed it deeper into the woods.
“Shut up!”
A loud crash and a muffled shout erupted. Brett risked a
glance around her cover.
Kristos and Collins were a tangle of limbs as they rolled on
the ground, fighting for possession of the gun. Plants and roots twisted around
their legs as they muscled each other for dominance. Kristos’ rolling rage hit
her like a blast furnace in the cold. Only the solid bands of justice tempered
his powers, reining in the urge to permanently incapacitate the suspect.
Brett crept closer with her weapon trained on the writhing
bodies, waiting for an opening to assist.
Her blood froze as she watched Collins rise up in triumph
with the gun in hand. He took aim and fired.
Kristos yelped, reaching for his shoulder as he fell to the
forest floor.
Brett reacted without hesitation as years of training kicked
in. She fired off two rounds in quick succession. She was taught to aim for the
chest and she didn’t miss. Collins collapsed before the sound of her shot
stopped echoing through the forest.
Keeping her weapon on Collins, she raced to Kristos’ side.
His eyes were shut tight with the pain she felt burning down her arm through
their bond. His skin grew pale, glowing whitest around his pinched mouth.
“Kristos, sweetie, talk to me.”
“I’m fine,” he gritted. “I think the bullet went clean
through.” He opened his eyes, capturing hers with his sad gaze. “Go to him. He
needs you.”
She looked over to Collins who lay limp in the ferns. “Stay
put. Don’t be a hero.”
“I won’t.”
Once she was satisfied that all weapons were out of reach,
she holstered her gun and knelt in the dirt. To her horror the front of his
coat was soaked and a trickle of blood leaked from his mouth.
“Son of a bitch,” she shouted and pulled at his clothes
until she got to bare skin covered in blood. “Where’s your vest? Dammit, Mick.
Where’s your vest!”
“Did. You. Had. To,” he panted. “Made you.”
She stripped off her coat and pressed it to his wounds in a
vain attempt to stop the inevitable. “You fucking son of a bitch. Was it worth
it? Huh, was it?”
A bit of blood sprayed as he laughed. “No.”
What a waste. What a fucking waste. The moment he drew his
pistol he knew what she would do and he did it anyway. And for what, money? He
threw his life away for five hundred an acre. Why didn’t he come to her? She
would have helped him. If he weren’t dying, she would’ve beaten him silly for
making such a stupid choice.
“I so hate you right now.” She reached for her radio and
struggled to hold on to the plastic in her slippery grip. “This is Sheriff
Briggs. I need a medic in the woods to the west of the Neimi residence stat.
Officer down. Repeat. Officer down to the west of the Neimi residence.” Her
voice conveyed complete command as big, fat tears rolled down her cheeks and
dripped to mingle with the blood on her hands.
“Brett. No.” Collins tried to reach for her but dropped his
hand. “No tears for me.”
“You need help.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too, oh God, me too.”
“Don’t be.” He managed a weak smile.
Under her hold, his legs jerked and a long breath rattled
out of his lungs. The light slowly faded from his blue eyes until he stared
vacantly up at the gray sky.
Great painful sobs ripped from her soul. She clenched her
teeth tight to hold them at bay but they continued to rip in guttural bursts
that tore at her throat. The only other time she took a life was during a
high-speed chase of a drug runner that ended with the suspect opening fire on
the road block she was part of. She’d been called a hero then. Even received a
medal.
But this wasn’t another criminal. Collins had been a trusted
partner, a brother. Now he was dead because he was stupid and that pissed her
off.
“Brett, it’s not your fault.”
A warm sensation settled over her back, leaching the
coldness that pooled in her gut and replacing it with love and understanding.
“Shit, Kristos.” She crawled to his side. “I’m sorry.
Sweetie, how are you doing?”
“It’s not your fault,
alskata
.” He reached for her
hand. “He was well aware of the consequences of his actions.”
“I know. But it still sucks. It sucks…hard.” She kissed the
center of his palm. “We need to get you to a doctor.”
“I’ll take care of him.” Lucian came into view dressed like
the Chameleon. “Paramedics will be here soon. We need to go.”
She squeezed Kristos’ hand tighter. “He needs a hospital.
He’s been shot.”
“Don’t worry, sister. I’ve field dressed my share of battle
wounds.” He scooped an arm under Kristos and helped him to his feet. “Your man
will be waiting for you to return. On my honor.”
Kristos brushed the backs of his fingers down her cheek.
“Will you be all right?”
“Eventually.” She pressed a kiss to his lips and whispered,
“I love you.”
His smile went a long way in healing her heart. “I know.”
“Aren’t you a smart one? If that wound starts to fester, you
get to a hospital immediately.”
“Yes ma’am.”
After a last kiss on Kritsos’ lips, the brothers left her
alone. She walked back to Collins and said a silent goodbye to the man who was
once her friend.
* * * * *
Kristos smiled up at her from his seat on the couch and
opened his arms. “Welcome home,
alskata
. Come rest by me.”
Brett collapsed by his side and brushed away his hug to
examine the puckered mark on his bare chest. “The truth. How are you?”
“I’ll heal.” He pulled her into his embrace. “I heard you’ve
put the fear of God into the good people of Cedar. Your authority has been
firmly established.”
“Yeah that’s me, the big, badass sheriff.” She burrowed
deeper into his heat and closed her eyes. She earned the town’s respect but the
cost was difficult to bear.
“You are the bravest woman in the universe. I’m so proud of
you.”
“Don’t, please. What I did wasn’t brave and it certainly
isn’t something to be proud of.”
He drew back and tilted her chin up. The fire in his eyes
matched the pulse of heat radiating from her core and up between her breasts,
wrapping her in its magic. “It’s not what you did but how you did it. You acted
with courage and honor, like a true leader. You are a warrior, Brett, and I’m
proud that you are my warrior.”
His kiss brought tears to her eyes. Here she was safe. Here
in his arms she was able to let go and feel, cry and be the woman she wasn’t
allowed to be in public. Kristos’ love gave her that precious gift and she was
almost stupid enough to turn him away.
“Thank you for loving me.”
“It’s my honor,
alskata
.”
She brushed her fingers through his thick golden hair and
cupped his nape, smiling. “Blond, huh?”
He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss in the center. “Yep.”
“How long will this bond last?”
“Forever, if that’s all right with you.”
She nestled deeper into his arms. “Will that be long
enough?”
“Perhaps. I owe you for sending my brother to find me in a
humiliating situation. I’m going to need a lot of time once I get you in
these.”
He held up his hand and dangled a shiny new pair of
handcuffs.
She bit her lip to suppress a giggle. Pressing her tender
breasts again his chest, she brushed a kiss along his jaw. “Admit it. You liked
being at my mercy.”
“You are a menace to my manhood. It’s going to take me all
night, and most of tomorrow, to properly punish you for the slight.”
This time she let her laughter burst forth and reached down
to squeeze the hard length straining the zipper of his jeans. “Impressive
weapon you’ve got there. But you’ve forgotten something.”
“What’s that?” he stuttered on a breathy gasp.
She scraped her nails down his erection, which made him hiss
and buck against her hand. She plucked the cuffs from his weak grip and jumped
to her feet, swinging her prize with a triumphant laugh. “I’m not without my
own powers.”
He stalked after her, slow and lethal, stripping off his
jeans and revealing how ready he was to make good on his threat. “You’re going
down, Briggs.”
“Make me,” she taunted with a swipe of her tongue along her
lower lip that ended with a startled scream as he closed the distance in a
blink of an eye and tossed her over his shoulder.
She ran an appreciative hand over his naked ass and relaxed
in his hold. She’d allow this caveman behavior, this time. If need be, there
was always a chain of molybdenite tucked under the mattress. Just in case.