Shadows of Deceit (A Series of Shadows) (52 page)

“What was on the paper?” It was Dillon who asked this time.

“Information on the transport company that was going to be picking up the cargo containers.” Carlos answered. “I called the dockmaster as soon as I got home and gave him the information, then had my office fax a pick up order based upon the data I was given. I ate dinner with my family and tried to forget everything before my head exploded! You cannot even imagine the pressure I was under!”

Lou rolled her eyes. “Yeah, drowning in a criminal conspiracy can cause a little stress, I’m sure.”

“What about Casius and your niece? The murders at Casius’ house?” Dillon asked.

“I had nothing to do with that! I swear to God! I never left the house after I came home on Friday night! I didn’t leave until I got the call Casius was missing and you know I was at the office! You saw me there!” He pointed at Dillon.

“Did your brother try to contact you again?” Lou wondered if he was going to even remember.

“I think he sent one damn good message when he left those three bodies at Casius’ house then torched Angela and Casius in her bed! Don’t you think?” Carlos shouted.

“How was that a message to you?” It was Dillon who inquired.

“Seriously? Three headless bodies?” Carlos gawked at him. “Don’t you know anything about how cartels send messages to people who have crossed them?”

“So you’re sure it was your brother that killed them?” Lou wanted him on the record saying it.

“There is no doubt in my mind!” Carlos was emphatic. “My brother likes drama. Putting the heads with Angela and Casius was just the exclamation point on his telling me if I talked I was dead! My life is over anyway so my only hope now is to make a deal with you to protect my family!”

“The District Attorney is drawing up the papers as we speak.” Lou informed him. “Your wife and children are being taken into protective custody right now. The faster we get your brother, the safer they will be.”

“I have no idea where he is!” Carlos insisted. “For all I know, he is back in Columbia!”

“And you are sure you haven’t spoken to him since you picked up the Chinese food?” Dillon asked as he made more notes.

“No!” Carlos insisted. “And I pray to God I never see or hear from him ever again! I hope you shoot the bastard!”

In typical Carlos fashion, he hung his head into his hands and began weeping. Again. Dillon and Lou figured they had gotten everything they were going to get from him so they wrapped up the interview, leaving Carlos Vargas sobbing alone.

“Good job, you two.” Captain Davidson congratulated them. “The D.A. is on her way in now so she and her people will be taking custody of Carlos and he will be officially out of our hair.”

“Thank God!” Lou blurted. “I cannot take that man’s blubbering for one more minute!”

“No kidding!” Dillon agreed.

“Detective Donovan?” A uniformed deputy stepped up and spoke. “You have an urgent conference call from a DEA agent Jessup and an Agent Callahan from Homeland Security. They insisted on holding for you.”

“Oh this cannot be good.” Lou said with a sigh. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” The deputy turned and left.

Lou hobbled to her desk as fast as possible, checking her cellphone for any missed messages on the way. There were none. Dillon was right behind her and watching intently as Lou took her seat then hit speaker so that Dillon and her captain could listen in.

“This is Donovan, your on the air with me, my captain and partner.” Lou wanted them to know other ears were listening.

“Detectives, Captain, we’re so glad we were able to catch you before you left.” It was Callahan who spoke first.

“I hear you got a confession on our red hot heroin?” Jessup chimed in, clearly pleased.

“Yeah we just wrapped up the interview.” Lou confirmed. “Looks like Ernesto Vargas is the point man for the operation. His brother just gave him up.”

“That’s what your D.A. just told my boss.” Jessup informed her. “Which brings us to why we are calling.”

“Am I gonna hate this?” Lou was sure she was.

“Maybe, maybe not so much.” Callahan took over. “Jessup called me as soon as he heard you guys had arrested Carlos Vargas. I just got intel that has Ernesto crossing the border into Tijuana this morning.”

“I have calls in to our people down there to get eyes on him but that could take some time.” Jessup added. “Especially now if he knows we discovered the warehouse and that his brother is in custody.”

“You can say that again.” Lou was clearly not pleased. “So the bad news is that Ernesto Vargas is out of our hands, right Jessup?”

“Not stepping on your toes, Detective.” He assured her. “It’s just our jurisdiction now but I promise you are my first call as soon as we find him.”

“One other thing that you’re not gonna be happy about...” Callahan broke in. “Manuel Rojas landed in San Juan yesterday morning. Local constables brought him in for questioning but they let him go.”

“What the hell?” Lou shouted.

“Detective, sadly it is not a crime to be a creepy asshole.” It was Davidson that spoke up now. “Even with Carlos Vargas’ statement, all he is guilty of is taking his cousin’s money to look the other way. That and being an utter pervert.”

Lou knew her captain was right. “Well, crap!”

“He’s right, Detective.” Callahan concurred. “If he doesn’t know what’s going on with his cousins and his niece by now, you bet your ass when he does he is going to vanish too.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Lou hated they were right. She only hoped as Principate she would be able to make the man pay. “Well, I thank you gentlemen for filling me in. Let me know if something changes.”

“Absolutely.” Jessup assured her.

“You got it.” Callahan echoed. “Have a great weekend detectives, captain. Oh and Happy Birthday, Detective Donovan.”

“Alright, yeah, thanks, goodbye.” Lou rushed to end the call. Embarrassed that Callahan had announced her birthday to the entire room. She didn’t even know how the man knew. “Not a word!” She glared at Davidson and Dillon.

“Lou, I’ve known you long enough to know better.” Her captain said with a chuckle. “Well, it looks like you two get a nice, quiet weekend!” He smiled as he got up. “Take the time to get some real rest, rather than do more damage. Please, Lou?”

“Very funny, sir.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“I told DeLuca to head straight home from the Vargas house. He had issues to deal with.” He paused before he walked out. “Something about having to deal with soybeans and patchouli?” He shrugged then made his exit.

“Poor Vinny.” Dillon chuckled, remembering Vinny’s mother-in-law was still visiting.

“No kidding!” Lou agreed. “Lets pawn our notes off on a rookie and head out. I’ll buy if you stop and get us some chili dogs on the way home.”

“Deal!” Dillon exclaimed and raced to gather all their stuff so they could get out of there.

The McAllister guest
house was bigger than most two bedroom apartments. With a small, but fully equipped kitchen, master bedroom, second bedroom, full bath and a living room that had a magnificent view of the park, courtesy of the folding glass wall. Max tried not to think about the added perk that Lou’s room was only a short walk away. Yuri, Finn and Connor were working at the dining table while Niko, Abby and Frank worked from the coffee table in the living room. Max opted to open the folding glass wall and park himself in one of the two chairs perched on the patio. The last of the day was fading into twilight but the air was still warm and laden with the scent of spring flowers. It was more peace than Max felt he deserved at the moment.

“Alright!” Connor broke Max’s musings. “Jessup and Callahan just made the call so Lou and Dillon are on the record as being off the hook with Manual Rojas and Ernesto Vargas. We are in complete control of locating and handling them.”

“Good.” Max approved. “What about Timms?” He was the one Max wanted, with a vengeance.

“He got written off as a blip in Carlos Vargas’ statement. No one is even thinking about him.”

“Also good.” Max was pleased. “Are we any closer to narrowing down his whereabouts?”

“I have every local agent available running down all the places even remotely tied to Timms.” Abby answer him. “Once they are done with that, they are going to start on the list that Carlos gave Frank and Lou in the car earlier. I’m still doing searches on the other system but nothing else is popping up other than what we have already.”

“And who knows if he’s even going to be stupid enough to use a place that can be traced back through his own family or the Vargas brothers.” Max didn’t think Cameron Timms was stupid at all.

“He can’t hide forever.” Frank reassured him.

“Like Albert Von Messenbach can’t hide forever?” Max reminded him of Lou’s assailant whom he himself had to let go or risk letting Lou die.

“That’s different.” Niko suggested. “Albert’s been around the block about a million times and is far more cunning than Cameron.”

“Perhaps.” Max was not convinced.

“Lou just texted.” Frank informed them. “She and Dillon are on their way back. They’re stopping for hot dogs first though.”

“Oh man, that sounds good.” Connor said and his stomach growled in agreement.

“Didn’t you just have a dozen of those little sandwiches?” Abby gawked at him.

“What’s your point? Connor looked offended but Abby just rolled her eyes.

“Want me to text her and have her bring us some?” Frank asked.

“Nevermind!” Max scolded. “You two are not going to starve!” A knock at the door had him getting up to answer. “Just let her get home so she can rest.” Connor and Frank were clearly not happy they were not getting hot dogs but Max ignored their pouting as he opened the door.

“Am I disturbing you all?” Shevaun asked, smiling up at him.

“Not in the least!” Max smiled back and gestured for her to come in. “I was just sitting out back, admiring the beautiful evening.”

“Oh! May I join you?” She was genuinely pleased Max was enjoying his stay. “Hi y’all!” She giggled and waved at the brood as she followed Max to the back. “I just wanted to make sure we were still a go for Sunday, with Lou’s surprise party?” She asked as she sat down in the chair beside him.

“Oh yes yes!” Abby bounced out of her seat and ran over, sitting on the ground between them. “Please say yes, Max! I have everything arranged!”

“Why wouldn’t we be a go?” Max grinned at the two women. “It’s not like she is going to be expecting the usual Sunday family golf and brunch given she is hobbling about. I doubt she will expect anything two days out from her actual birthday either.”

“Oh I know she won’t!” It was Shevaun that bounced now. “She will never expect it! Plus, she will still be out of it, just waking up and all.”

“If you say you are just going to brunch at the club, and she walks downstairs and, well, surprise!” Abby clapped.

“Are you sure you won’t wake her with all the setting up?” Finn could not figure how they were going to pull off having the party right downstairs from Lou without her hearing them. “That’s going to be a lot of noise.”

“Have you seen Lou when she wakes up?” Niko asked him. “She’s a freaking zombie. You could land a plane on her bed and it wouldn’t wake her up!”

“Especially if Connor gives her a double whammy of one of his magic shots.” Shevaun grinned.

“You might never get her up in time!” Niko laughed.

“I can get her up.” Shevaun assured him. “I’ve been practicing her whole life. Liam already agreed to meet the guests at the front door so they don’t ring the bell.”

“And we have everything else handled!” Abby could barely contain her delight.

Max smiled at the excited women. He was excited too. “All of us will be here to help as well so we can pull this off without a problem, I am sure.”

“Fabulous!” Shevaun bounced out of her chair. “I better go tell Joe and Marta to keep their lips zipped! Thank you all so much! This is going to be wonderful!”

“It will be wonderful.” Max agreed as he stood to lead Shevaun out. “I can hardly wait.”

As Max took a few steps toward the door, a loud beep sounded from one of the terminals, followed by another, and another. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at Niko, then Frank.

“What is that?” Shevaun detected something from Max’s expression.

“It’s Dillon’s beacon.” Frank replied and ran for the computer then began typing.

“What the hell does that mean?” Shevaun demanded.

Max turned and looked at the woman with a now blank expression. “We will find out.”

Dillon pulled his SUV into the only open spot in the entire parking
lot, completely on the other side from their actual destination. It seemed Friday night was hopping at the hot dog joint. He shut the car off and confirmed Lou’s order before he got out.

“You can turn on the radio if you get bored.” He told her.

“You think it’s gonna take that long?” Lou groaned.

“Did you see the line when we pulled in?” He snorted. “Take a nap. I’ll be as fast as I can.”

Lou watched Dillon sprint across the parking lot and thought his suggestion was spot on. She snuggled back into her seat and closed her eyes, immediately starting to doze. Lou was so tired she didn’t even care about her pain anymore. All she wanted was to stuff her face with chili dogs and fall into a food coma that lasted the entire weekend. She was almost sound asleep when she heard the car door open.

“That didn’t take long.” Lou told him but when she looked to the driver’s seat, no one was there. “Dillon?” She called out, thinking perhaps she dreamed she heard the door. Unfortunately, the unique and unmistakable sensation of a gun being placed to her right temple scratched that idea, as well as any grogginess. The hot lead, adrenaline-fear combo shoot through her system as soon as she realized what was going on.

“Not Dillon.” The distinct South African Accent let Lou know that Cameron Timms was holding a gun to her head and sitting directly behind her.

“OK, so we have established you are not Dillon.” Lou gathered her wits as best as she could. A million things running through her head at once. No way was she going to get taken again. Not a chance. “What can I do for you, Mr. Timms?”

“You know, Albert mentioned you were a quick girl.” He whispered in her left ear while pressing the gun a bit harder on the right. “I thought he was exaggerating at the time. Perhaps I was wrong?”

“How is Albert?” Lou asked, even though the fact that he had been in contact with the man that nearly killed her made her heart thump much faster than she liked. “I never did get to say goodbye to him.”

“I’m sure you’ll be disappointed to hear he is doing quite well.” Timms snickered. “Although I haven’t spoken to him since he landed on my doorstep after you had him exiled. Fortunately we share a mutual disdain for the Sanguinostri so I was more than happy to assist him in his relocation.”

“Aww, he moved away?” Lou was trying to keep it together.

“Oh I am sure he’ll be seeing you soon.” Timms was enjoying the banter. “I introduced him to some of my, well, less savory associates who were all too happy to help him get reestablished in a safe place. I’m sure his arm is back to normal by now and he’s already making plans to visit you soon.”

Lou’s heart froze to learn that Albert had recovered the arm Max had severed when he rescued her. From everything she had learned, all it would have taken was time and patience for the Sanguinostri blood to fuse the tissue and bone back in place. This meant that all Albert really was suffering from was the exile. That and the fact that there was a global order that he be killed on sight.

“So, again, what can I do for you, Mr. Timms?” Lou tried to stall until Dillon got back and could rescue her. “I’m sure this visit isn’t just so you can update me on Albert.”

“True, true.” He answered in a sing-songy voice. “I anticipate that you are my best ticket out of this godforsaken place.” Something drew his attention. “Here comes your parasite partner. Now, you be a good girl and say nothing or I will not only blow a hole through your head, but I will blow one through your partner’s, then I will drive up the hill and do the same to your mother and your step-father. Do you understand?”

Lou froze again at the fact that Timms knew she lived up the hill. She was too beat up to put up a fight and there was no way of tipping Dillon off before he got to the car. If she reached for her phone, Timms would notice. She was screwed. Again. “I understand.” She answered finally, knowing full well there was nothing she could do at this point. Even when she could tell Timms was ducking down in the back seat, she could still feel the gun to her head, just shifted to the back of her skull now. She had to hope that Dillon would sense something wrong or see Timms in the back before it was too late.

“Not a word, Detective.” Timms admonished her one last time in a hushed voice just before Dillon opened the driver’s side door.

“OK!” He placed the box of chili dogs on her lap then got into the car. “That didn’t take so long?” Dillon looked at his watch, adjusting it to the light so he could see how long he had been gone. “See!”

“No.” Lou agreed in a weak tone as Dillon closed his door and buckled himself in.

“You OK? Pain starting to kick in?” He paused to ask her before he put the car in reverse. It was then that he saw the barrel of the second gun Cameron Timms was holding, pointed directly to his face.

“That depends on you, sport.” Timms answered, using the nickname Vinny had taken to calling him. “Yes, detective, you can be sure I will make a visit to your lieutenant’s house and his lovely pregnant wife, should you give me any fuss.”

“Well this sucks.” Was all Dillon could say.

“No shit.” Lou snorted.

“Glad that we all are on the same page.” Timms interjected as he seated himself upright in the back seat, a gun in each hand, trained at both of their heads. “Drive, sport.”

“Where are we headed?” Dillon asked, his tone nonchalant as if it were just any other day.

“You were taking our lovely detective home, I believe.” Timms posited. “Let’s not keep her mother waiting. She’ll get worried.”

“Home for Lou it is.” Dillon repeated his instructions, carefully pulling out of the parking lot and on to the road.

Fifty million scenarios were running through Lou’s mind all at once. From what Timms had said thus far, it appeared he had no clue that Max, Abby and Frank were staying at her house. That was Lou’s saving grace. She knew that Timms being a blood born meant he was exceedingly strong and fast. She had seen first hand with the fight he put up with Dillon at the warehouse. However, between Max, Dillon, Frank and Abby, it was four against one and if Lou could just get her parents out of the way, she was sure they could take him down.

“So...” Dillon spoke up, looking at Timms through the rear-view mirror. “What’s up at Lou’s that is so important to you?”

“Leverage, my good man. Leverage.” Timms was grinning. Lou could hear it in his voice. “If your Dominor would make a personal appearance to save his little detective once, he will surely do so to save her and her parents again. Well, and you too, of course.”

“Me?” Dillon scoffed. “After me letting you beat the crap out of her at the warehouse? I’m lucky he didn’t hack my head off this morning! It’s just a matter of when, not if, at this point so don’t put me into your equation.” Timms stared at Dillon’s reflection for a long while. Apparently registering what Dillon had just said. “Hell, I should be begging you to take me with you!” Dillon laughed again. “You’re probably my only shot at living another week.”

“You are so full of shit!” Timms shoved the barrel of the gun into the back of Dillon’s head.

“He isn’t.” Lou caught on to what Dillon was doing. “If it weren’t for the fact that I am so beat up and need him to help cover up the Vargas brother’s mess, he would be on the missing person’s list himself. Abby is already getting a replacement for him.” Lou could hear Timms chuckle.

“Getting lax in the training department it would seem.” Timms was clearly amused, and buying their rouse. “You would betray your own to save your skin then?”

“No offense, Lou.” Dillon looked over at her as they approached the guard gate to the community. “I just got here, man. I have no allegiance to these people.”

“Asshole.” Lou muttered under her breath.

“What was that?” Timms demanded from her.

“You’re an asshole, Dillon.” Lou repeated and clarified.

“Maybe.” Dillon replied. “But if you say one word to raise the guards’ attention, I’ll crack another rib. Get down.” Dillon looked at Timms through the rear-view mirror and Timms didn’t hesitate. Dillon pulled up to the gate and waved at the first guard. “Hey guys. Dillon Cole bringing Lou Donovan home for the night.” The guard looked past Dillon to the passenger seat to see Lou sitting there.

“Evening Miss Lou.” The second guard shouted as the first guard checked his clipboard, then verified the vehicle on the computer screen inside.

“Hi.” Lou said half heartedly.

“She took a header and her pain meds are kicking in.” Dillon explained Lou’s blase’ greeting away.

“Another one?” The second guard chuckled.

“Alright, you’re cleared to go in.” The first guard kept things professional and proceeded to raise the barrier arm and open the huge iron gates so that they could enter.

“Thanks.” Dillon smiled at the men. “Have a good night.”

“You too.” The second guard smiled and waved. “Feel better Miss Lou!” He shouted but Dillon was already hitting the gas to get past the gate.

“You are never going to get away with this.” Lou scowled once they were driving up the bend. “Especially you, Dillon. You’re already dead but once Max learns you betrayed me? You are fish food in the Congo.”

“Well done Mr. Cole.” Timms smiled as he sat upright in the back seat. “I may just have use for you after all.”

“At your service.” Dillon grinned at him through the rear-view mirror and to Lou’s surprise, Timms lowered the gun he had trained on him. “So what’s the end-game here?”

Timms thought for a moment. Clearly thinking twice about revealing his plan. “As the new Principate, I am sure you have a computer set up at home that’s tapped in to the Sanguinostri mainframe.” Timms decided to spill his plan. “I will need to make use of that to get updated data. Given your Dom has clearly uncovered my little enterprise, he has undoubtedly locked me out of my family’s access points.”

“That’s a safe bet.” Dillon agreed.

“Right.” Timms continued. “Well, once I have what I need from your system, we simply need to get to the plane I have waiting at Whiteman airport. With that data, I can plot our safest destination and I can regroup there.”

“Good plan.” Dillon nodded his approval just as they made the turn up the drive to Lou’s house.

Darkness had firmly settled in and as they came up the McAllister driveway the only lights on were the landscaping, front porch and one dim light from a room upstairs on the right. Lou’s heart sank when she saw not one single car in the drive. That meant that no one, not Max, Abby or Frank were there. If her parents were home, nearly the entire house would be lit. On the other hand they were not, which meant they were not in danger.

“Her parents are morning people. They crash out early.” Dillon told Timms. “Especially her mom. They’ll be asleep by now. Friday night is the housekeeper’s night off, too.”

“Asshat traitor.” Lou muttered under her breath, just audible enough for Timms to make out what she said. Dillon could see Timms smile at her displeasure.

“Where do you normally drop her off?” Timms asked him.

“Up on the side there, see the stairs past the garages?” Dillon pointed as he slowed the car a bit.

“Then do as you normally do.” Timms instructed. “But know this, Mr. Cole, if you lie to me, I will dismember your body and bury the parts across five continents. Are we clear?”

“I’ve already seen your skills in the dismemberment department.” Dillon chuckled nervously. “No need to say anything more.”

“Good.” Timms sat at attention. “Now we will go inside, as usual. Once we get in, I want you, Mr. Cole, to go in and rouse the parents. Tell them you can’t find her medication or something and she is in enormous pain.”

Dillon snorted. “That might not get them up! They have to be used to that one by now.”

“Well then it will be your job to make sure they understand the urgency. Get it?” Timms wasn’t amused by Dillon’s joke.

“I get it.” He answered as he brought the SUV to a stop. “Let me get her out of the car.”

“Remember, Mr. Cole...” Timms pressed the gun to the back of Dillon’s head again. “Five different continents. Don’t screw up.”

“Understood.” Dillon took a deep breath and waited for Timms to remove the gun before he got out and made his way around to the passenger side.

“Don’t worry, Detective.” Timms scooted so Lou could feel his breath on her left cheek. “I won’t spoil Albert’s plans for you. Just get me the data I want and I will be on my way. I’ll meet up with your Dom another time.”

“So your not gonna dangle me as bait like you originally planned?” Lou asked him.

“No need for that now that I have a willing valet in your disappointing Mr. Cole.” He smirked. “Don’t worry there either. I’ll dispose of him once I’m safely out of the country. Maybe I’ll drop his limbs one by one over various oceans!” He laughed at the idea.

“Boy, no wonder you and Albert get along.” Lou was the one who smirked this time but before Timms had a chance to get angry, Dillon opened Lou’s door and proceeded to lift her out.

“Alright, don’t fuss like last time.” Dillon instructed her. “Let me just carry you so we can get upstairs in under a decade. You are too damned slow.”