Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) (65 page)

Tony began laughing.

The woman stormed away, flipping Elizabeth off as she left.

“Oh look,” stated Chris Leonard. “Someone gave you the finger. That’s new. I’ve only seen that a million times in the last twelve years.”

Everyone started laughing.

“Yeah, if I had a dollar for each time that happened…”

Ethan waited for the joviality to end. When it did, he kicked into boss mode. “We’re going to break up into three groups. The techs will remain here to collect anything we find.”

Yeah, and to watch their backs.

“Elizabeth and I will be heading in with Valerie.”

The woman looked worried when Elizabeth simply pointed at her.

“Tony and Jaxon will go in with Donald.”

They paired up.

“And last, but not least, Chris and Merry will take Jeffery with them.”

They headed outside. Meredith mapped out the locations, giving them specific grids to work. “We found the trampled area not far from here. I think we should spread out and work with that as the epicenter.”

“What are we looking for?” Donald asked. “I hope not the killer.”

Blackhawk checked his sidearm. “Yes, that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”

The man looked ill at that thought.

“Okay, let’s head in,” Elizabeth said, pointing at her doctors. “Use those weapons if you need to.”

That was mostly directed at Tony. She was aware that he was skittish about pulling his gun.

They nodded and headed in.

This was going to be interesting. Now she only hoped no one got shot…

She really hated paperwork.

                         
    *     *     *

They sat on the couch watching the surveillance video. When their boss said it was day after day of mindless footage, she wasn’t kidding. This was borderline torture.

“This sucks.”

He didn't agree. Mostly, because he was enjoying how Johanna felt beside him. He could pick up the faint trace of her perfume, and it was intoxicating.

“What’s worse is that this is creepy. Look at how Lenny is watching her. He sits there, tracking her with his eyes.”

He was confused. He was seeing something totally different. The man was admiring a woman.

It was exactly what he found himself doing when she was around. All he wanted to do was watch Johanna.

See her.

Taste her.

Be near her.

“Why is it creepy?” he asked.

“He’s practically leering at her. I can see him undressing her with his eyes.”

Yeah, he was guilty of that too.

“I do the same thing. I watch you the same way. Does that make me creepy?” He was trying not to get offended.

It wasn’t easy.

Why he thought this would be anything but damn difficult was shocking to him. Johanna Madden was going to be a hard nut to crack.

“No, because you’re not a potential serial killer. You’re just going through some weird partner faze. It’ll pass. I just have to ride it out.”

God! She hoped it ended soon. This was killing her.

Was that what she thought?

Instead of arguing, he opened his mouth and it betrayed him, “I’m in love with you, Joey. This isn't going to pass.”

It was like the world stopped spinning on its axis. Her head whipped around so fast that she got dizzy.

“What did you just say?”

“You heard me. I know you don’t feel the same, and that’s okay. I just needed you to know the truth. I wanted to share what lives in my heart.”

She was horrified.

Johanna knew this was bad because she felt the same about him. Only, she couldn’t do it. They couldn’t be together.

“Say something.”

“Brody, we can’t. We’re partners.”

He didn't give a shit. “So? I’ll volunteer to be reassigned. I’ll head to the vice section of our division. I want to pursue what’s between us.”

She stared at him.

“I’d rather be your partner in life than at work.”

This was horrifying. She didn't want to hurt him, and her lack of words had to be damaging him.

Yet, her tongue was tied in knots.

“Just think about it,” he finally said, giving up. He needed to focus on the job right now. This would have to wait until they were home. Then, he’d show up at her place and convince her.

“Brody.”

“Not now, Joey. It’s going to have to wait. We have plenty of time to discuss it.”

God, she wanted to cry.

He didn't know how wrong he was.

                          *    *     *

River

This was a bitch.

It was hot, there were mosquitos, and tempers were on edge. There was nothing like wandering through what amounted to be more marshes than river side.

“You’re getting that cranky face,” Ethan said, trying not to make her more miserable.

“Yeah, I miss Callen. I want to be off my feet, and for the first time, I feel like I’m carrying a ton of baby bricks.”

“He’s fine. He’s probably thinking about how to get you naked.”

She snickered.

Valerie looked on in curiosity.

When the sexy Native man took the female Fed’s hand in his, to kiss her knuckles below the wedding ring, she couldn’t not ask. “Are you married to him or the other man?” she asked.

“Why do you want to know?” Elizabeth asked, moving through the dirt and weeds.

“You told me to keep my hands off the other one. So, was that to just scare me away? Is he free?”

Elizabeth stopped.

Ethan knew what was coming.

“He’s my husband, as is THIS ONE. If I see you near either, or refer to them as a something instead of a someone, I will break you into little bitty pieces and feed you to my pack of wild dogs at home.”

That made Ethan grin. Their dogs were wild all right…wild about his leather shoes.

The woman shut her mouth.

Blackhawk looked around. Despite being distracted, they seemed to have found something. “Lyzee, baby, look.”

It got her attention.

She stared at the ground. There was a broken tooth. “Didn’t Magdalene have a tooth missing?” she asked.

He nodded. “This is likely where she went into the water.”

Elizabeth turned toward the woman. “Thank you for asking that stupid ass question. We would have missed this if you weren’t nosy.”

The woman wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or insult.

“Text the team. We’re going to tear this riverbed apart until we find something.”

Blackhawk did just that.

Finally, they were getting a break.

Tony wandered with Jaxon at his side. The entire time, he held her hand firmly, not willing to let her out of his sight. This all reminded him of the reservation and getting shot. Lately, guns and lots of trees were nerve-wracking to him.

“So, Doctor Magnus, why did you settle on the FBI?” Donald asked, walking behind them.

He glanced back. “I wanted to help people, so I dedicated my life to doing just that.”

Jaxon squeezed his hand in reassurance.

“I lost my mother when I was twelve,” he stated, not mentioning that his mother was found in that pit. The wound was still too raw, and he couldn’t even bring himself to say it out loud.

“I hear ya. Mine bailed when I was six.”

Yeah, and Jaxon’s was killed. They were a sad group.

Tony hoped the man let it go. He really didn't want to talk about it. Just then, if ordained from a higher power, his phone went off. Pulling it out of his pocket, he read the message.

‘Head to the following coordinates. I think we found ground zero for where Magdalene was killed.’

“Elizabeth?” she asked.

He nodded. “They know where the killer dumped the body. We have to head there.”

Donald looked wary. “Is that a good idea? This is a killer. He’s dangerous. What if he’s watching the spot?”

They didn't have to worry. If they pissed off the boss, a killer would be the least of their problems.

Merry and her team got there first. Before the directors could even say anything, she began snapping pictures.

“This is it,” she stated, as Elizabeth bagged the tooth.

“Yeah, we thought so.”

Elizabeth looked around. “He didn't carry her in from the road. Look at all that bramble and thorns. She had to have been brought in the way we came.”

Ethan didn't buy it. “That’s a long hike. She was your size. If he carried her, he was either in really good…”

Blackhawk stopped.

The clothes.

The location.

The chain that was around her neck.

It all began falling into place.

“Ethan?” Elizabeth asked.

“She wasn’t brought here. She escaped to this location. Here is where he must have caught up with her.”

Elizabeth scanned the area. It made sense. The ground looked rolled on and there was some blood splatters. “He chased her through the trees to catch her. So, what’s near here? Where did they come from?”

Chris pulled out his phone and on the map he zoomed in. “There are houses nearby. I take that back. They look like little cabins.”

The killer was beginning to get sloppy. This was a big score for them. They could work their way down the list and find the man behind this.

“Before you tell me to get you all their addresses,” Ethan stated, “please know that these are mountain folk. They don’t exactly reply to the census,” he warned. “They shoot at them, not invite them in for cookies.”

She didn't doubt that at all.

“You’ll figure it out.”

Ethan sighed. “It’ll take me some time.”

She patted him on the arm. “Don’t worry. We have all the time in the world.”

That surprised him. Generally, she was a push, push, push kind of person. “We do?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Hell no. Someone’s life is depending on you finding the killer’s house. I say hustle up, Cowboy.”

At that moment, he really wished his brother was with them. Then, he could pass this monumental task off on him. It was wrong, but he couldn’t help it.

He hated grunt work.

He always did.

“Yeah, no pressure there, Elizabeth,” he stated. “Thanks for that.”

She grinned. “You’re more than welcome.”

~ Chapter Twenty ~

     
Tuesday Afternoon

Callen was so distracted that he barely heard the ping of his tablet. Picking it up, he engaged the video call and found his father’s not-so-smiling face waiting for him.

Immediately, he was worried.

“Are the kids okay?” he blurted.

Wyler nodded. “Yes, son, they’re good. I’m not calling about them. I’m calling to talk to you.”

That confused him. “Okay, what’s up?”

“Callen, I want to apologize for what happened the other day. I didn't mean to hurt you with that shitty woman comment. I was angry with myself and looking to make someone else a target.”

Callen relaxed. “It’s okay, Dad.”

Wyler knew it hurt his son, and he’d promised to be the kind of father they deserved, not the kind of man he’d been while they were kids.

“No, it’s not. You’re my child, and I broke your heart enough as you were growing up. The last thing you needed or deserved was my hurtful words.”

He let his father speak.

“I was pissed. I know all my life I’ve made poor choices. I really believed that giving up the booze and random sex was behind me. I’m ashamed to say that I was weak. I don’t love the woman I fell back into bed with. Not in the least. It’s just easier to be with someone than to remember every second of the day that I fucked up.”

Callen knew his father regretted cheating on Ethan’s mother. She was his soul mate. It stung a little because he was the product of that betrayal.

“It’s okay, Dad. I know you loved Ethan’s mother and not mine. I’ve accepted that. You shouldn’t suffer over this. I was a mistake, but it all worked out.”

Wyler looked horrified.

“Do you believe you were a mistake? Jesus, Callen. I pray that you’re not thinking that little of yourself. Not because of me.”

He didn't say anything. For many years, he wondered why he was put on the earth. He believed there was some error by the Great Spirit, and he was the outcome.

“When your mother told me she was having you, Callen, I wanted you.”

“Dad, it’s okay…”

Wyler cut him off. “No, it’s not. I wanted you. She was going to terminate the pregnancy. She threatened to end it. I fought for you, even in my screwed up state. She wanted money to keep you alive. I gave her everything I had.”

This was news to him. Callen struggled to think back to his childhood. It was all a blank, until he was old enough and the abuse began.

“She was going to turn you over after you were born. I was going to beg my wife to let you be part of our family.

Callen believed that Catherine Blackhawk would have taken him in too. She was incredibly kind. He knew his brother got that trait from her.

“Only, after she had you, Charlene used you as leverage. I was her wallet. She wouldn’t let me see you. She asked for money, or she was going to ‘adopt you out’. I didn't see you as a mistake, Callen. I wanted my son.”

He felt the anger building up. It was this hot ball of hate that lived in his gut. “If you wanted me so much, then why all the drinking, Dad? If you really cared about me, why did you piss my youth away?”

His face went somber. “I did it to numb the pain. I cheated, I created a mess, and I had to make myself pay. I tried to forget in the bottle, Callen James. I didn't want to forget you. I wanted to forget how I failed. I was the mistake, not you, son. You were a gift, but one out of my reach.”

Callen’s eyes filled with tears. A little piece of the wound he carried on his heart mended. His father did want him.

“I’ve always loved you, Callen. I just did this all wrong. I should have gone to her cabin, kicked in the door, and taken my child. I just couldn’t find the strength to do it. I wasn’t my father. He would have fought an army for you boys. I’m not him. Again, I was the mistake.”

The anger slipped away. “I love you, Dad. I will always love you, but you’re hurting yourself. I’ve learned in therapy that I can’t pay for my past. I can only forgive it and move forward.”

“You’re in therapy?” Wyler asked.

Of course he was going to pick up on that one sentence. It was the only one Callen didn't want him to dwell on.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I have issues I’m working through.”

Wyler was curious.

Callen could see it on his face.

Crap!

Crap!

Crap!

“I hope you’ll tell me about them one day,” Wyler offered. He saw the look on his son’s face, and that meant something was going on.

He would get to the bottom of it.

“I’m sorry, son,” he offered.

“Stop sleeping with Bly, Dad. She’s not worth your soul. I learned that from Desdemona. It’s better to not be with anyone than to compromise your heart and pick someone unworthy of your love.”

He knew that from his past.

“Isn't that what you told me after Desdemona?”

“Yes, son.”

“I have to go, Dad. Kiss the kids for us. I have to help Elizabeth find this killer.”

He nodded. “I love you, Callen.”

The screen went black.

Callen had that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that he’d screwed this up.

Royally.

                              *    *    *

Hotel

When they arrived, they were assaulted with a plate full of cookies. It was as if the concierge knew the way to her heart. Warm chocolate chip cookies were like crack to a pregnant woman. Elizabeth couldn’t say no to them.

Taking one from the tray, the man spoke, “There were no calls today, ma’am. I’ll assume the man found you.”

She nodded, practically inhaling the sweet goodness. Elizabeth was starving.

“Yes, he did, thank you.”

As they went to move past him, he stopped them. “Two more things, ma’am,” he said, getting their attention.

“Yes?”

“My boss wants to know how long the FBI will be staying here. He has a convention coming in, and the rooms were prebooked. He doesn’t want to kick you out, but our hands are tied.”

Ethan immediately made a mental note to begin searching for a backup location.

“We won’t be here much longer,” she replied. “We’re close to wrapping it up.”

“That’s great! Belleville will be safe once more.”

She nodded. “What was the second thing?” she asked.

Reaching under the counter, he pulled out a little carton of milk sitting on a plate with a few more cookies.

“Sweet bouncing baby Jesus, I’m in heaven,” she stated.

“I’m glad to make your day, ma’am. As concierge here, it’s my duty to cater to our guests. Besides, I once read that pregnant women need calcium. I thought you’d like a snack.”

She started laughing. “I may move in. The men in my life have been grotesquely slacking in the feeding department.”

Ethan looked offended. “Hey! I shared my cookie with you yesterday. I also gave you half of my bagel this morning.”

She grinned. “It’s your child. Stop your bitchin’ because it’s unattractive.”

Johnny laughed before heading behind the counter. “Have a good night, folks. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

They headed to the elevators.

“I can’t believe you think I’ve neglected feeding you,” he said, crossing his arms.

She laughed.

“Well, wait. I’m going to make you hate the sight of food.”

Elizabeth was amused. “Ethan, you’ve never been pregnant. At this stage, I could eat people—small barbecue covered people with a side of fries.”

“Elizabeth!” he admonished. “We’ve had a case like that.”

She started laughing. “I am well aware.”

Inside the room, they found Callen sitting at the table concentrating.

Elizabeth’s heart skipped in her chest when she saw him wearing his glasses as he worked out something on paper. With his brown hair growing back, the glasses, and the serious look on his face, she was finding herself distracted.

“Oh, hey!” he said, looking up.

Immediately, she dropped the plate onto the table and sat in his lap as Ethan took off his suit jacket. When she kissed him, he forgot everything around him.

“Wow, what was that for?” he asked, once the kiss ended.

“That was for staying here without a fight, and because you look sexy in glasses.”

He put them back on his face. “Maul away. I’m going to wear them to bed tonight.”

Blackhawk snorted. “I don’t feed you enough, and now his poor eyesight is erotic? This pregnancy thing is killing me.”

Callen reached into his bag and pulled out a package of jerky. “I was at the vending machine. I thought you needed protein.”

Ethan rolled his eyes.

“Cookies and milk? Is Santa coming?” he teased.

She wiggled in his lap before whispering in his ear. “Oh, someone’s going to be coming later, and he’s not a fat man in a red suit.”

His blood pressure shot up.

“Ho, ho, ho.”

Before he could suggest they take a break, she was already ripping into the jerky and focused on the board.

“You added more details,” she said.

Ethan stared at his brother. “You’re screwed now,” he teased. “You put your hands all over her whiteboard.”

She didn't make a witty comment. In fact, she seemed to be fascinated with the information.

“Lyzee, baby, do you want dinner?” Ethan asked, watching her munch on processed salt laden jerky. He hoped she didn't pickle his child.

She didn't reply.

“Elizabeth?” he said again.

Instead of answering, she dropped the jerky and picked up the board, dragging it closer to the couch.

The men watched her.

They’d already lost her. Elizabeth was going into her ‘whiteboard trance’, and there was nothing they could do about it.

She was checking out for the time being.

“The little woman is officially checked out,” stated Callen. They knew that when she was focused on a case toward the end, this is what happened.

“Okay, that’s a dead end. Cal, do you want dinner?” Ethan asked, picking out a pile of takeout menus.

“Yeah, that sounds good. Chinese?” he asked.

Blackhawk began dialing. “Yeah, and then I’ll tell you all about what we found. I have more research for you.”

“I hope it’s good news?”

He laughed, thinking about all the paperwork he could dump on his brother. This might work out after all. “Yeah, it really is.”

For him…

                            *    *    * 

Wednesday Morning

         Hotel

Tony and Jaxon were up early. They’d rolled around, laughed, and talked about their future. When they finally managed to get dressed, they headed downstairs for breakfast.

As they sat at a table, surrounded by people who worked there and were staying there, Tony seemed distant.

Jaxon didn't know what had happened. Just an hour ago, he had been making love to her like a man on a mission.

Now he was retreating.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, watching the concierge wipe down the breakfast bar.

He didn't know if he should go there. It was ruining his breakfast. Certainly, it would ruin hers too.

“You should tell me. We’re going to get married, right?”

He didn't hold back because she had a point. “I’m thinking about the whole case. I can’t believe that my mom had another child, and he’s killing women. It’s so sick and twisted, and I can’t help but wonder if she was horrified.”

“Maybe she loved her other child too, Tony. Killers aren’t born, they’re made. You know that.”

He hoped so. “I have to believe she loved me more. It’s the only thing I can use to get through all this. If I’m selfish and focus on that, I’m not dwelling on the rest.”

She understood.

“He’s fucked up, Jaxy. Now I wonder if our DNA is bad, and I’ll go crazy one day too.”

Jaxon smiled. “Sweetheart, his father was the crazy one. You remember your mother, right?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me about her.”

He thought back. “She was young. I already told you that my dad knocked her up and bailed.”