Lethal Deception (17 page)

“So you hired Rafael to kidnap me,” Cassidy stated. “If the codicil and I disappeared, there was nothing standing in your way, right?”

Brian shook his head. “What are you talking about? What kidnapping? No! We hadn’t even had time to come up with another plan before Susan pulled this harebrained stunt.”

Cassidy didn’t know if she believed Brian or not. He had to be lying. Didn’t he? But if he wasn’t…She mentally groaned. It was all just too confusing.

“Sir? Ma’am? I’m Steven McEntire, the hostage negotiator. I’ve been trying to talk to Mrs. Cooper and she listened for a while. Unfortunately, instead of de-escalating, she’s going in the opposite direction. She’s becoming more agitated and keeps telling us to leave her alone then hangs up on me. Would one of you be willing to try?” Steven stood a couple of inches over six feet tall and had on the protective body gear that all the SWAT team wore.

Cassidy forgot about Brian. She’d have time to deal with him later. “I’ll talk to her.” Agent McEntire pressed a button and handed Cassidy the phone. “Keep your cool. It’s ringing.”

“Hello?” Susan sounded scared…and determined. Cassidy cleared her throat. “Hello, Susan. It’s Cassidy McKnight.”

“No! You can’t have her!”

“Wait, Susan! Don’t hang up, please. I just want to talk. Please.”

“Don’t you see? My life is ruined. Brian—” She broke off to sob.

Cassidy felt her anger slip a notch.
Lord, help me know what to say to her.
“Susan, I understand you’re hurt. Your sister gave your niece to me. It wasn’t because of you. It was because of Brian.” Cassidy tried to keep her voice even, soothing, when she wanted to scream at the woman to stop this craziness.
God, I need You.

Deep breath. Relax.

Susan was crying so hard Cassidy had to strain to make out the words. “She told me not to marry him. She warned me he only wanted my money. That she didn’t trust him and he would cause me only grief and heartache. But he loved me. He said he didn’t care about my money and would even sign a prenup.” Another hiccuping sob. Cassidy just let her talk. “But he spent it all. Every last dime.”

Yeah, Brian had offered to sign a prenuptial agreement because he knew his starry-eyed fiancée would never let him. Jerk.

Steven gave Cassidy a thumbs-up for approval. Men in black gear moved slowly toward the back of the house. Cassidy said, “Kara told me she hurt for you and wanted to be there for you, but you wouldn’t let her. All of her letters were returned unopened.”

The sobs stopped. Another hiccup, then all was still. Silence on the line.

“Susan?” Cassidy glanced at Steven who motioned for her to keep going. The woman was still there. “Talk to me.”

“Her letters?” Susan finally asked. “That’s because I didn’t want to read about how stupid she thought I was. About how I’d made the wrong choices. About how Brian was no good for me…and how unworthy I was to be related to her.”

Cassidy’s stomach dropped.
Oh, please, God, don’t let me say the wrong thing.

“But she never said that. She just wanted you to know how much she loved you and how much God loved you. She sent you pictures of Alexis and their village where they had made a life in Brazil. When you never responded, she was too scared to call. She said your refusal to read the letters hurt, but she couldn’t take you hanging up on her.”

“But I never…I thought she just wanted to harp on my bad choice of a husband.” Susan’s voice changed. Cassidy heard the rage as Susan hissed, “Brian did this, too. He convinced me to return them unopened. You know, before Kara left for Brazil, she came to see me. She said she loved me and just wanted what was best for me, but I didn’t believe her because Brian said it was all for show. That, as a missionary, it wouldn’t look good for Kara to tell me how stupid I was in front of the family and that…and that—” Her voice broke and she cleared her throat to finish. “He brainwashed me, didn’t he? Convinced me that Kara rejected me and that she was still angry with me for marrying him. That her letters weren’t worth opening. I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid!”

“Oh, Susan, I’m so sorry.” Cassidy felt her heart soften. She pleaded, “Come out so we can help you.”

Cassidy realized she held no anger toward this poor woman who had felt unworthy of her sister’s love for so long, only to find out Kara had relentlessly pursued a relationship with her that was too late to accept. Kara had loved her and Susan had missed out on a loving relationship because she’d believed the lies of her husband. How sad.

“Please bring Alexis out so no one gets hurt. I know you only took her because you were hurting so bad. I’ll make sure you get to see her, I promise.”

Susan sniffed and sighed. “Oliver told us there wasn’t much chance to overturn the will. He said the codicil was too strong and that that woman, Anna, from the orphanage, would come testify if called, so he said it was hopeless and I should just give up.” Her voice squeaked on the last word. “And I just can’t. I’m sorry.”

Cassidy cajoled, “We’ll work something out, I promise. I don’t think Kara meant for you to never see Alexis. I just know she didn’t want her around Brian. I’ll let you see her anytime you want.”

“Promise?” Another quiet sniff.

Steven motioned for his men to stand down. Cassidy was talking the woman out. The sniper on the roof of the house across the street lowered his rifle.

“Absolutely.”

“I wouldn’t have hurt her, Cassidy.”

“I understand. Just come out. Bring her out and we’ll do whatever it takes to get you help, okay?”

“O-o-okay. Don’t let them shoot me.”

“Nobody is shooting anyone.” Cassidy looked over at Steven and he gave the thumbs-up sign again.

“I’m scared,” Susan sniffled.

Cassidy reassured her. “You’ll be fine. Do you want me to meet you halfway?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Cassidy saw Steven frown and Gabe adamantly shook his head. She ignored them. Whatever it took to get Alexis. “Okay, I’m heading your way.” Cassidy carried the cell phone and walked slowly toward the front entrance of the house.

Susan’s shaky voice said, “I’m coming out. Alexis is in front of me.”

The door cracked open. Steven took the phone from Cassidy and spoke into it.

“Ma’am, send the little girl out, then you come out and lie facedown on the ground, you understand?” He listened for a moment then nodded to Cassidy. She walked closer.

Nerves shot, Cassidy almost expected to feel a bullet from somewhere slam into her body, but she kept walking.
Cover me, Lord.
Alexis peered around the door and her eyes grew large. She screeched, “My Cass-ty!”

“Hi, my Lexi.” Somehow she choked the words out. When Alexis fairly flew from the house, Cassidy half expected Susan to jerk her back, but the little girl made it safely into Cassidy’s arms. The minute she had Alexis in her grip, hands were pulling them to safety and Susan was stretched out on the ground, cuffed.

Gabe surrounded Cassidy and Alexis with a bear hug.

“Hi, Gabe!” Alexis squealed, then demanded, “Kiss.”

“Hi, munchkin.” He leaned over to plop a kiss on her upturned nose.

“Cassidy!”

Cassidy turned at the desperate cry.

“You promised.” Susan’s tear-stained face and defeated posture pulled on Cassidy’s pity strings.

She nodded, “I promise, when you get out of jail, we’ll work something out.”

Susan smiled a tremulous smile and the officer led her away. Cassidy looked across the driveway and Anderson saluted her as Gabe pulled her toward the car. She nodded a silent thanks for his dedication and attentiveness.

Cassidy followed Gabe to the car and when he opened the door to put Alexis in the car seat, Cassidy swore she saw tears in his eyes before he could blink them away.

April 18
Tuesday morning

G
abe stared at his ceiling. Life had a funny way of coming full circle. In the jungle, he’d failed. He’d let Micah die. When he’d finally regained consciousness, he’d been three thousand feet in the air with an oxygen mask on his face, a medic stitching up his stab wound and yelling in his ear.

“Stay with us, Gabe. You’re gonna be fine. Just hang on.”

“Micah,” he whispered.

Of course, no one heard him above the thumping of the helicopter blades. He lifted a shaky hand and pulled the oxygen mask off and tried again. “Micah.”

This time someone noticed. “Hey, leave that alone. What’d you say, buddy?”

Were they deaf?

“Micah!” He swore he yelled the name, but the medic leaned closer trying to hear.

“Micah? Who’s Micah?”

“Micah McKnight. Back there.” He forced the words out on a gasp.

“Man, you were it. No one else back there. Sorry.”

“No, go back.” Gabe struggled to rise, but strong hands held him down; he felt the prick of a needle and all went black again.

Shadows shifted on the ceiling.

They hadn’t believed him. Because Micah wasn’t supposed to have been on that mission. But Gabe insisted that he was there. And because he wouldn’t give up, they told him to shut up.

Which meant that if Gabe kept up the questioning, other SEALs could be in danger because Micah never got to finish his original mission. And a traitor was still out there.

And so Gabe kept his mouth shut. There was nothing he could do for Micah at that point. Unfortunately, revealing what little he did know would only cause grief to those who loved Micah and the families of the other SEALs from that mission. And Gabe certainly didn’t want to be responsible for anyone else’s death.

His head ached.

Be anxious for nothing.

The words sounded in his head.

That’s You, isn’t it, God? I am anxious. I’m sorry, I’m a little new at this. I know I’m supposed to give this to You, but I hate that this family is suffering and I could end it. But if I do, I might put others at risk, other men who have families waiting for them to come home. How can I chance it? Cassidy wouldn’t understand. The ambassador would, but Cassidy would demand an all-out search for the body of her brother and wouldn’t believe him to be dead until she saw it with her own eyes. Give me peace in this matter,
please. I need it. I would also appreciate a few hours without an emergency at the hospital. Thanks. I mean, amen. You know what I mean, God.

April 19
Wednesday morning

Cassidy rolled over in her childhood bed. She and Alexis had spent the last two nights with her parents. Gabe had badgered her until she gave in. She’d tried to convince him that everything was fine now that Brian was in custody and Susan was getting the help she needed, but Gabe said something about that spot between his shoulders itching and demanded that she and Alexis stay behind the secure walls of her parents’ estate.

Feeling sorry for the man, Cassidy gave in without too much argument. He’d also told her about his experience in church. His eyes held a new light that made Cassidy’s heart swell with joy for him…and the knowledge that now there was nothing holding them apart—except Micah.

She couldn’t wait to see him again, but since he’d had to work the past three days, she decided to figure out what was going on with her parents. Like if they were making any more progress toward working things out. She gave Anderson the week off—with the exception of working during her speech Friday night. He’d agreed.

Her cell phone chirped.

Cassidy rolled out of bed and snatched it from the dresser. Caller ID indicated Mr. Morgan’s office. Cassidy frowned. What now? No charges had been made against the lawyer as no one could prove he lost the codicil on purpose or done anything illegal. It was Brian’s word against his.

Sheila Simons called to formally tell Cassidy that the custody suit had been dropped. As soon as she hung up with Sheila, the phone rang again.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Cassidy, this is Cindy Patterson from Sunday school.”

Cassidy smiled into the receiver. “Hello, Cindy, how are you?”

“I’m fine, thanks. I got the prayer-chain call that Alexis had been found. I’m so relieved for you.”

Cassidy shuddered at the memory of the horrific experience, but said, “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much it means to know that everyone was praying.”

“I also had an ulterior motive for calling.”

“Oh?”

“Nothing terrible. I read in the paper about your upcoming speech regarding the evils of human trafficking. I know the event is a benefit to raise money for those directly affected. I…well, I’m interested in attending. Would that be possible?”

“Sure! That would be great.” Cassidy wondered if the woman was aware the plates were a thousand dollars each. But that information was in the paper, so…

“Who do I make the check out to?”

Okay, apparently money wasn’t an issue. “Make it out to the Stop the Traffic Foundation.”

“No problem. I’ll get this in the mail to you this afternoon.”

“And I’ll have your ticket at the hostess podium where you enter the ballroom.”

“I look forward to being there.” A slight pause and Cassidy thought the conversation was finished. “You’re a really good person, aren’t you?”

The question took Cassidy by surprise. “What?”

“You do good things. You like to help people. I just think that’s—admirable. I hope we can be friends.”

Cassidy smiled into the phone. “Thank you, Cindy. Why don’t we get together and have lunch one day.”

“I’d like that.”

“Great. We’ll talk Friday night and set something up.”

“Sounds good,” Cindy said.

They hung up just as Alexis, book in hand, wandered into the bedroom and demanded total attention. Cassidy laughed and picked the little girl up to smother her with hugs and kisses. The high-pitched giggles did wonders for Cassidy’s morning.

April 20
Thursday morning

Gabe’s first thought when he awoke was that he’d missed something. Then he realized he had no idea what day it was. Oh, yeah. He’d had some brutal hours at the hospital starting with Monday evening around midnight and ending this morning around 3:00 a.m.

Cassidy. They’d played phone tag updating each other with what was going on, but he’d yet to have a real conversation with her since Monday night when he’d dropped her and Alexis off at her parents’ estate.

He missed her. Like crazy.

Thank You, God, for keeping them safe. Thank You for letting me be a part of getting them home safe. You healed something in me by allowing that. It still hurts to think about that little boy and the men who were killed in that explosion, but hopefully, You can use it somehow. Anyway, thanks.

Gabe liked this new feeling of talking to a best friend. He didn’t have to be formal, he just talked to God like he did to a good friend—or his dad.

Cassidy’s cell phone sounded loud in the quiet room. She jumped and closed her Bible. She and Alexis were in her father’s office, just off the foyer on the main floor. Alexis played with books and blocks, and Cassidy had decided to have her quiet time.

She also planned to read over the guest list for tomorrow night.

And if she was honest with herself, the activity allowed her to shove thoughts of her parents to the back of her mind. They looked as if they were making progress since seeing a Christian marriage counselor, but one never knew. The phone rang again and she picked it up. “Hello?”

“Cassidy, this is Detective Craig Monahan. How are you doing?”

“Hello, Detective. I’m doing all right. Just trying to focus on tomorrow. It’s such a relief not to have to worry about Susan or the custody anymore. But I’m still a little concerned about Brian. You really feel like he was the one that set everything up?”

“Yeah. We can’t decide if he’s telling the truth or not. He swears he had nothing to do with your kidnapping. Unfortunately, we don’t have any proof that he did, nor do we have any other suspects.”

Cassidy sighed. “So, what do we do, Detective? Assume he’s lying? I don’t know what to believe. I can’t think of anyone else that would be out to get me, but all of this has made me just a little jumpy…and paranoid.” She gave a weak laugh, but couldn’t manage to inject any humor in it.

“Completely understandable. Also, security for tomorrow night is all set up. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

“Thank you so much, Craig. At first, I was adamant about not canceling, but after I thought about it, I can’t risk anyone getting hurt. Tell me now what I need to do.”

“I really think it’ll be all right. Let me worry about security, okay? That’s my job.”

Cassidy sighed and agreed. “All right, but if you see
anything
that could be a problem, you let me know, please. I’ll talk to you later.”

Cassidy hung up the phone and stared at it as though it would give her the answers she sought.

“My Cass-ty. Play blocks. I share.”

Alexis stood in front of her and held out a colorful block. Her blue eyes twinkled with life and mischief. Love rushed through her. Oh, Kara, she’s beautiful.
God, please tell Kara thank-you for giving me this precious gift.

Alexis lifted a finger and brushed a tear from Cassidy’s cheek. She tilted her head inquisitively. “Owie? Me kiss?”

“Mmm. Yes, kiss it and make it better.”

“I’d be happy to,” a deep voice said.

Cassidy jumped and swung around to face the door. “Gabe!”

“Gabe!” Alexis echoed.

He stood in the door grinning at the two females. Alexis ran as fast as she could on her short, chubby legs and flung her arms around his knees.

Gabe laughed as he bent down and picked her up.

Cassidy felt her heart melt at the sight and wanted to do exactly as Alexis had and run to him to fling herself in his arms. Instead, she walked sedately across the floor and stood beside him.

“Okay, I’m ready,” she told him.

Gabe’s brows drew together in a frown. “Ready for what?”

“You to kiss it and make it all better.”

Gabe froze and stared at her for two seconds before he snaked his hand around her neck and pulled her closer. The longing in his gaze made her catch her breath. He leaned over and settled his lips against hers for a brief second before pulling back and smiling down at her. “Your wish is my command.”

Alexis’s giggles brought Cassidy’s attention back around to the real world—and their little two-and-a-half-year-old chaperone. Cassidy knew the red in her face could rival the red color of her father’s restored antique convertible Mustang. She pulled back, but had to smile as Alexis planted her hands on Gabe’s clean-shaven cheeks and demanded, “Gabe, kiss.”

Gabe grinned at Alexis. He leaned in closer to her to blow a raspberry on her cheek. She threw her blond head back and howled with laughter. Cassidy felt a surge of emotion so strong it nearly choked her. She wanted this to last forever.
Please, God.

April 21
Friday-night dinner

Cassidy shuffled her index cards one more time then set them down on the table in front of her. She didn’t need them. Everything she needed to say was ingrained deep inside her brain, her heart, her very soul.

Sequined gowns sparkled under the lights of the chandeliers hanging in the ballroom. Black-tailed tuxedos competed with the white ones. Money, power and high-profile celebrities graced the tables piled high with plates from the buffet. And while all of these highly influential people visited and sparkled on the surface, Cassidy knew that underneath the glitter their hearts were genuine. Amy and her parents had arrived early to visit. Cassidy had appreciated the support and encouragement. They would be down with her parents shortly.

Black curtains lined the walls and swayed gently in the path of the air conditioner. Nine crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling and gave a warm ambience that promoted good feelings and hopefully, generosity. Fund-raisers weren’t exactly the reason her parents had built the ballroom, but as far as Cassidy was concerned, it was as good a reason as any.

Craig Monahan gave her a slight nod as her gaze passed over him. She responded in kind, grateful for his presence. Security was tight; there was only one way in and one way out. Anderson stood guard at the door, subtly checking and double-checking each person’s invitation. Cassidy saw the Grahams enter, followed by Amy.