Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 (44 page)

“You've got to think outside of the box sometimes when facts dictate it,” Max said.

“In the event of a bomb threat, we evacuate the witness. Period.” Davies pulled Sydney up from the chair and walked toward the door.

Max blocked their path. “No. It's a trap to draw her out. I can feel it.”

“We don't operate by intuition,” Davies snapped.

The two men stood facing each other, neither wanting to back down. What was going to happen? The alarm kept sounding, and she could hear yells and screams from the corridor.

“I'm not letting you take her out of here.” Max grabbed Davies's arm.

“You're going to get fired for this,” Davies said, shaking free of Max's grip. “Your career will be over.”

“Better to get fired than to get my witness killed.” He took another step toward Davies. “You're going to have to get through me before you can take her out of here. And I don't think you're prepared to do that.”

“Enough,” Sydney said. “I should get a say in this.”

“That's not how it works,” Davies replied. He tried to push Max aside and reached for the door. “She's coming with me.”

“No,” Max said, not backing down.

Then Davies wrapped his arm around her neck, squeezing tightly. She gasped for air. What in the world was he doing? He was hurting her.

“I didn't want to have to do this, but you're forcing my hand.” His left arm was squeezing her neck, choking off her air supply and the other hand held his gun. “Sydney is coming with me. And you're going to back off before something bad happens to your witness.”

Sydney tried to take a breath but her air was being cut off. She watched the recognition flash through Max's eyes as the truth hit her squarely, too.

“You're working for East River,” Max said.

“I'll kill her right here if you don't step aside now,” Davies commanded. “Handcuff yourself to the leg of the desk.”

What was Max going to do now? She prayed for God to help save her from this man.

Max moved slowly back toward the desk, his hands up in the air. “I'm doing what you say. Just don't hurt her.”

Thankfully, she felt Davies's grip loosen around her neck. She focused her eyes on Max. She couldn't believe that he would let the rogue marshal take her. Did he have a plan?

Max glanced down quickly at the weapon at his side. That was all she needed to see. He was going to take a shot. She just had to be ready. She gave him the tiniest of nods.

And then Max made the move for his gun, and she flung herself quickly to the floor, hitting it hard.

The gunshot hit Davies in the shoulder. He howled and fell to the ground beside her.

Max ran to her and grabbed her up off the ground. “We've got to move. I don't know how far the marshals have been compromised.”

Because of the bomb evacuation, the halls were already empty.

“Stay as close as you can to me.” He pulled her into him as they ran down the corridor toward the back door. “Whatever happens, don't stop running. Don't stop for anyone.”

Her mind flooded with thoughts of Davies's stinging betrayal. As a US Marshal, he was supposed to have protected her. Instead he'd sold her out to East River.

Max pushed through the back exit of the courthouse that they had come in from and the scene was mass chaos. People running and screaming.

“Agent Preston,” a female voice rang out. It had to be Elena. But Max didn't show any sign of stopping as he pressed forward.

“Don't look back. Keep running,” Max told her.

Elena's voice sounded again, but they got lost in the crowd of people running away from the courthouse. When they reached his car he ordered her to get in.

They sped away before she could even buckle up.

“We've got to get another car, and we're dumping our burner cells that Elena got us.” His eyes scanned the road.

“You don't really think she's working with Davies, do you?” she asked.

“I hope not, but we can't take that risk. There's only one person I know for certain that I can trust. A former FBI colleague. I've got to get another burner phone and contact him. But first we've got to get out of here.”

She felt the car accelerate even faster as he made his way quickly to the highway. “I have a feeling this isn't exactly standard operating procedure for the US Marshals.”

“Well, it's not every day that one of our own is a traitor, either. East River must have something big on him. Or they're just offering him a ton of money and he couldn't resist.”

“He would've killed me.” The realization hit home and chills shot down her arms.

“Yes, or handed you over to East River for them to do it.” He paused. “But what's important is that you're out of there. It didn't happen.”

“What do you think his plan was?”

“To take you out in the evacuation chaos and then hand you off or disappear with you. He didn't count on me challenging him. That threw a wrench into everything because he needed the crowd to cover his moves.”

“But you knew something was off.”

“Bombs don't make sense when the perpetrator would also be killed. Unless it was a suicide mission, and I know that's not how Kevin Diaz operates. He wouldn't die by his own hand. His ego is far too big for that.”

“I guess Davies was willing to sacrifice his job.”

“He probably thought he could do it without getting caught. Claim that he got ambushed and you got taken. Then he'd still be working on the inside. That would be the perfect plan for him and for East River.”

“But one that you foiled.”

“We foiled. He miscalculated trying to play it safe by not taking me out. He probably assumed killing me might solve one problem but just create another.” For the first time he glanced her way, and he smiled. “You were great. Kept your cool and reacted quickly to my cues.”

“I have to admit for a brief second I wondered if you were going to cuff yourself to that desk and let me walk out of there with him.”

“And what changed your mind?”

“I know we haven't known each other long, but in that time I feel like I've grown to understand you. You made the calculated risk to act because if you hadn't, you knew I'd be dead if Davies took me. Thank you for taking care of me.”

He glanced over at her again, and she felt the warmth emanating from his eyes.

This man was not only her protector. He was becoming a friend. But that was all she would ever let him be.

FIVE

M
ax had told Sydney there was only one person he knew he could trust. And that was Brian Jenkins, the man standing before her now in a house outside the perimeter of Atlanta. Brian had picked them up at a gas station where they'd abandoned their car.

“You can stay here as long as you need,” Brian said.

The tall, blond FBI agent stood across from her. He had a formidable presence and muscular build, but kind brown eyes. She felt especially distrustful of anyone new right now, but if Max believed in this man, then that was good enough for her.

“Thanks for letting us use this house,” Max said. “I don't know how long we'll be able to stay, but we needed something safe for the immediate future.”

“Can you give me the full rundown now?” Brian asked. “Let's go sit in the kitchen. I'll get some coffee going.”

They walked into the spacious and bright kitchen decorated in a pale yellow. Brian looked over at Sydney as he started the coffee. “I know it doesn't look like a bachelor pad in here. My late wife decorated it.”

“I'm so sorry,” she said. She could still see the pain in his eyes.

“Thank you. It's been three years, but after she passed away I just couldn't live here anymore, so I got a small condo in the city. I couldn't bear to sell the place, and I come back from time to time.” He paused. “But don't worry. No one will look for you here.”

“I really appreciate your help.” She took a seat at the kitchen table across from Max.

“So tell me what's going on,” Brian said as he sat down.

Max proceeded to give him a brief summary minus the Ward angle of what happened up until the encounter with Davies in the courthouse. He didn't want to get into Ward issues at this point and thought it better to focus on the current problem with Davies.

“We've got a dirty US marshal. A guy named Phillip Davies that I thought was one of the good guys. I shot him. Not life threatening or anything. He tried to use a fake bomb threat to kidnap Sydney, or at least that's my theory.

“The problem is that now I'm not sure who I can trust on the inside of the marshals. And for all we know, Diaz told them that I went rogue and kidnapped Sydney. Also, Davies claimed he was working with the FBI on various things, but now I don't know if that was all a lie.”

Brian nodded. “I'll try to use my sources to figure out what is going on.” He stood and poured coffee into a cup. He handed the first one to her along with the sugar bowl. “I've got powdered cream in the cabinet if you want some. Sorry, I don't have fresh. I don't keep a lot of perishables here.”

“I just take sugar,” she said.

“And I'm good with black,” Max said. “If the marshals believe Davies's story, then we're really in trouble. We'll have to avoid them and the East River gang until the truth comes out. And the problem is that I fled the scene with the witness. Because he's the seasoned marshal it would be logical for them to take his side. Not to mention the fact that I did shoot him.”

Brian leaned forward in his chair. “You're right, though. You can't trust the marshals. You don't know how far the corruption has spread. And even if it is isolated, Davies will have the upper hand since he will use his injury to prove his story. And as long as they believe him, he's still in play for East River.”

“Exactly. We're going to need your help getting a car,” he told his friend.

“No problem. I'll get you a rental sent over. I've got a relationship with one of the local dealers. He always hooks me up, no questions asked.”

“I hate to do this to you, but you can't tell any of the other agents in the gang unit about this right now. We can't take the risk that other agents have been compromised by East River.”

“I understand. You've got my word on that.”

“I guess this means I won't be testifying any time soon,” she said softly after she sipped her coffee.

Max looked up at her. “I know you really want to, but given the circumstances that just won't be possible. And after what happened today, the judge may even issue a continuance to get the security situation stabilized.”

“But you don't really think Elena could be in on this,” she said. “Do you?”

“Who's Elena?” Brian asked.

“My boss. Elena Sanchez.” He let out a breath. “With her integrity I can't see her doing something like this. But I can't be blind to dangerous scenarios even if they are remote. I know you like her, Sydney. In the end I hope my initial instincts—and yours—will prove to be right, but in the meantime we're off the grid.”

“Good call,” Brian said. “The plan will be for you to stay here until you feel like you have to move. I've got plenty of nonperishables, but I can bring over some fresh groceries, too. And I'll get you that rental.”

“Great,” Max said. “But I don't think we will be here too long, and we can just make do with whatever food you have.”

“You do realize that if Davies has convinced the marshals you're the bad guy and have kidnapped the witness, there will be an all-out manhunt for you.”

“Which is why I understand how much of a risk you're taking by helping us.”

“You saved my life, Max. I know that you're only trying to do what's best to protect Sydney. I'm here for whatever you need.”

Max stood up and gave Brian a strong pat on the back. “I appreciate it, man.”

“I'm going to get going,” Brian said as he rose. “I'll do some recon and get you that car. I'll be back.”

Brian walked out of the house leaving the two of them sitting in silence. Sydney didn't know what to say, but Max reached out across the table and touched her arm.

“I've got your back, Sydney. I don't want you to have any doubts about that.”

“I don't have any. Not about you.”

He stood up and walked over to her, taking her hand as she got out of the chair. “And you certainly shouldn't have any self-doubt. You've been handling everything better than most people would in this position.”

Hearing him say that meant a lot to her. She'd struggled all these years to gain strength—not just on the outside but on the inside, too. She looked into his big green eyes and felt a pull toward this man. Unlike anything she felt before. Yes, he was undoubtedly handsome, but that wasn't it. There was a growing connection between them.

“What's wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing. I think everything is finally hitting me.” Which was true. There was no time to analyze her feelings toward Max. She needed to focus all of her energy on staying safe and fighting off the threats.

* * *

Max tried to stay focused on the mission as he drank his morning coffee. Even in the light of day things didn't look any better, though they'd made it through the night safely.

He paced the kitchen as he thought. Sydney hadn't emerged from her room yet. He knew she had to be exhausted—both mentally and physically.

He worried about her safety—and about her as a person. They both had come to this point in their lives with a lot of baggage. His had to do with his family and how he'd been raised. Hers hinged on her awful experience with Ward. Thinking about Ward made him sick to his stomach. What he wouldn't give to have a few minutes alone with that man.

A loud knock at the front door startled him and he almost spilled his coffee. Brian wouldn't have knocked like that. He grabbed his gun from the holster and walked to the door.

He looked through the peephole. Elena? How had she found them?

“I know you're in there, Max. I need to talk to you now. I'm here alone.”

He needed to make sure Sydney was safe. For all he knew, Elena could have the place surrounded. He quickly ran into the living room and looked outside through the curtain. Then he jogged to the back of the house and peered through the window. Nothing.

Would Elena have come alone?

He went back to the front door. “I'm letting you in, Elena, but I've got my weapon pulled.”

“That won't be necessary. Once I explain everything, you'll understand. I know you're trying to keep Sydney safe.”

At that point he had to make a quick judgment call. He slowly opened the front door, but he had his gun drawn. There was no question he would shoot to protect Sydney.

Elena walked in slowly with her hands up. “I'm armed but my gun is in the holster. I have no intention of using it, and I hope you don't plan to use yours, either.”

He motioned for her to walk farther into the house, but he kept his gun aimed at her.

“What's going on?” Sydney's voice rang out from the upstairs area.

“Ms. Berry, I assume you're here of your own free will?” Elena called out.

“Of course. Davies was the one who tried to kidnap me.”

“Sydney, please stay up there for a few minutes while I talk to Elena.”

She didn't argue and he heard her footsteps as she walked back toward her room.

Max turned to Elena. “How did you find me?”

“I figured given what happened with Davies you wouldn't trust anyone at the marshals. I remembered that you and I had a conversation during the interview process when you mentioned someone with the last name Jenkins. But don't worry. I operated completely off book in conducting my search, and I ensured that no one could've followed me here.”

She was spot on in her analysis about his distrust of the marshals that it was almost scary. “So you say you believe that I'm protecting Sydney. Where is Davies?”

“It's complicated,” she said.

“Why do I have the feeling that I'm not going to like anything you have to say from here on out?”

“Why don't we sit down?”

He nodded and motioned toward the kitchen where she took a seat. He still kept his gun out in case he needed it. “Give me your weapon.”

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“Yes. I can't trust you right now.”

She crossed her arms. “You know I can't do that.”

“I'm a fellow marshal, so you certainly can.”

Reluctantly, Elena placed the gun on the table and slid it to the far end. “Happy? I can't get to it there. Not before you'd shoot me, anyway.”

He sat down across from her. “Tell me what's going on,” he said. “Because I can see that there's something I'm missing.”

Elena sat up straighter in her chair. “I've had my suspicions about Davies for some time now.”

“What? What do you mean
suspicions
?” His mind raced with the implications of what she was saying.

“I didn't have any proof. Nothing actionable that I could take all the way up the chain of command. But I had noticed some odd behavior patterns. A few things seemed off with him. And then one night I saw him outside a downtown hotel talking with a man that I believe conducts business for East River. Davies didn't see me, and I never confronted him about it.”

“Back up.” He put his hand up in the air. “You believed that Davies was involved with East River and you entrusted a witness to him?”

“No,” she said loudly. “I entrusted the witness to you, Max. Specifically for that reason. I thought that him being tangentially involved in the case would let me know whether there really was something to his actions or not. But I never would've given Sydney's security detail completely over to him. At the time it seemed like a prudent plan.”

He pounded his fist on the table. “And in the process you almost got Sydney killed.”

“I realize that and I'm fully prepared to hand in my resignation.” She paused. “But only after this assignment is over.” Her dark eyes were filled with determination.

“So where is Davies now?”

“In the hospital. You got him good in the shoulder. Not life threatening or anything but there is some damage. He'll probably need some physical therapy to get the full range of motion back.”

“He was trying to kidnap Sydney. I had no choice but to take the shot.”

She frowned. “I understand that. And, Max, I never dreamed that Davies would actually take offensive action and try to kidnap her. Yeah, I thought maybe he was taking some money from East River for intel, or maybe he got caught up in the drug business. But never did I think anything like what happened would go down.”

“The entire bomb threat was a ruse to facilitate his escape with her,” he said. “Davies needs to be interrogated as soon as possible.”

“Right, but let's take a step back for a moment, though. I think it actually works for us if we keep Davies in play. We've come this far.”

“We'll need to discuss how to handle Davies. But you should've told me, Elena.” He let out a breath. “I know you're my supervisor, but I had an absolute right to know something like this. How can I ever trust you again?”

She looked down. “I've made a series of bad decisions, and I'm going to have to live with that and accept the consequences.”

“I understand what you did,” Sydney said.

Max looked up and saw Sydney walk into the kitchen.

“I've heard enough of the conversation,” Sydney said. “I don't hold any of this against you, Elena.”

“Maybe you should,” Max said. “She put your life at risk by running an unsanctioned operation without letting your personal security detail know anything about it.” He was trying to stay calm, but seeing how Elena and Sydney were handling this was driving him crazy. Even though Elena was his boss, she had overstepped the proper boundaries and been completely reckless.

“He's right, Sydney. I've failed you, but I want to ensure that nothing else happens to you. I want to fix this.”

“If you really mean that, then Davies should be taken into custody right now. He should be in the hospital in handcuffs,” Max said.

“Max, you're upset with me and I get that. But you need to think about the bigger picture. If we act now, that would only take out Davies. What if East River has a further reach than just him? Once he knows he's made, then it's all over. East River won't use him anymore. We can't lose this opportunity because the lives of other witnesses are also at stake. The entire integrity of the US Marshals is on the line.”