Red-Hot Vengeance (9 page)

Williams sighed. Long day, and it wasn’t over yet. At least, he could congratulate himself for putting López’s sister in safety. She was devastated to be sent away from her brother when he needed her most, but Williams had eventually convinced her that she couldn’t do anything for him and that it was better for her to leave New York.

His biggest problem now was Carter. He’d admitted he wanted to stay at the police office for safety reasons. But Williams wondered if it was actually safe. Having Carter there meant potentially endangering everyone if Vaughn found a way in. That possibility was almost nonexistent however. Almost. Williams had the paranoid habit of always thinking of the worst possible scenario.

His thoughts were interrupted by the shrill noise of his phone ringing. Williams smiled when he saw Kyle’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” he said tenderly.

“Officer Williams I believe?” a woman’s voice answered.

Williams’ heart skipped a beat. Or perhaps two beats. Struck with apprehension, he remained speechless for a minute. “Who are you?” he articulated.

“My name is Vaughn. We’ve met,” she said in a cold breath.

“What have you done to Kyle?” Williams asked, trying to stay calm. He was pacing in front of López’s bed.

“He’s alright—”

“Let me talk to him,” he interrupted hastily. He heard the phone move from one hand to another.

“Josh?” Kyle whined in a low voice.

“Hey, baby,” Williams said. “Are you okay?”

“I think so,” Kyle answered, still in a trembling tone. “What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you outta there.” Williams did his best to sound reassuring.

“See, I told you he was fine,” Vaughn said. “But he won’t stay that way if you don’t do as I tell you.”

Williams sighed. He was sweating, and as he put a hand over his face, he noticed he was slightly trembling. He had to pull himself together if he was to save Kyle. “What do you want?” he asked.

“I want Carter,
and
the real Duval ruby,” Vaughn demanded.

“What?” Williams cursed himself for showing signs of panic. “I don’t know where the ruby is.”

“Well, find it then. You have twenty-four hours.”

Williams hung up. A tear was running down his left cheek. He closed his eyes. He had to stay lucid, focused, and not let emotions overpower him.

**

Carter and Cowley both started up when Williams slammed the door open.

“What’s going on?” Cowley asked in an astonished tone.

“You,” Williams said pointing at Carter. “You’re gonna tell me everything you know about Vaughn, where the ruby is, and how to get it.”

Carter looked at Williams with wide eyes and an open mouth. “I already told you—” he objected.

“Start over,” Williams thundered. “I wanna know everything, and the truth this time.”

“Williams, a word?” Cowley said while getting up. She took Williams by the sleeve and both went outside.

Carter got up slowly. He walked to the door as silently as he could. Leaning against the metal, he tried to hear what the cops were saying. He could hear Williams’ desperate tone and Cowley apparently trying—without much success—to calm him down, but he couldn’t make out the words. When he heard steps approach, he quickly got back to his chair.

Williams and Cowley entered the room, but neither of them sat in front of Carter. They just stood and looked at him. Williams seemed worried to death. And Cowley was thinking so hard that Carter could almost see steam come out of her ears.

“What’s up?” he asked casually.

“Vaughn kidnapped Kyle,” Williams informed him. “She wants you and the ruby in exchange for his life.”

Carter swallowed. “What’s your plan?” His tone had gone from nonchalant to wary. His muscles tensed as he dreaded Williams’ answer.

“I won’t give you up to her,” Williams said, making Carter sigh with relief. “But you’re certainly gonna help.”

Seek

Williams and Cowley had left Carter with his pillow in the cold locked room, and were discussing outside. Carter didn’t bother trying to escape. He knew that they’d watch him even closer now that he was exchange money. Carter was getting more and more uncomfortable. The room felt hot and wet, the air was sticky. Carter took off his jacket. A look at his arm, still bruised under the bandages, made him realize why he was so dizzy.

The door suddenly opened on Williams, closely followed by Cowley. Carter quickly hid his arms under the table before they could see that the wounds were bleeding again. He stared at them, waiting for an explanation. Williams had a suspicious look on his face.

“What?” Carter asked.

“What are you hiding?” Williams wanted to know.

“Nothing.”

“Carter, please, don’t make me lose my time,” Williams said with a tint of desperation in his voice.

“It’s not important,” Carter said. “Really, it’s nothing.”

Williams looked deep into his eyes and was almost surprised to see sincerity for once. “We might have sort of a plan,” he then said. “But you’ll have to find the ruby.”

“Or just finally tell us where it is,” Cowley added.

“I don’t fucking know where it is,” Carter said. That lady cop was really starting to get on his nerve.

“Calm down, you two,” Williams intervened as if he was talking to children. “Do you have any way of finding it?”

Carter thought for a minute. “Maybe,” he said with a wince.

“How?”

Carter looked at Williams in the eye, then at Cowley, but he didn’t answer. Williams turned toward Cowley as well. He knew Carter didn’t like her, and that he probably wouldn’t talk with her in the room. With no need of words, Cowley quickly got Williams’ message and got out.

“Good,” Carter said. “Now we can talk, man to man.”

“You know she’ll be standing behind that window, right?”

“Yeah, but at least, I won’t see or hear her.”

“You’re despicable,” Williams sighed. He pulled the chair and sat in front of Carter. “So, how do we find the ruby in
less
than a day?” he emphasized.

“Timing is the real problem,” Carter thought out loud. “But I work well under pressure,” he added for Williams.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Do you have a phone,” Carter said, stretching his hand.

“Carter…” Williams sighed.

“Hey, I’m offering to help, here,” Carter’s tone was a mixture of self-defense and actual honesty.

Williams got his mobile phone out of his pocket and handed it to Carter. As the latter took it, Williams noticed the blood stains on his bandages. “You’re bleeding again,” he noticed.

“Not important,” Carter said while dialing.

“I should have you looked at.”

Once more, Carter just looked at him without answering. He brought the phone to his ear.

“Hey, put that thing on speaker,” Williams ordered.

Carter growled but complied. He put the phone on conference mode and laid it on the table. There were a few rings until, finally, someone picked up.

“Hello?” a male voice said.

“Hey, Mike, it’s me,”

“Reese? Oh thank God, I thought she’d killed you.”

“Not yet,” Carter said with a half-smile. “But I need your help.”

“What for?”

“You know that ruby? The one she said was a forgery?”

“Yeah.”

“I need it,” Carter simply said.

“What? You too?” Atwood sounded annoyed. “Why do you want that thing? I thought you—”

Carter coughed loudly to drown the rest of the sentence. Williams gave him a most disapproving look.

“It’s complicated. But I have very little time, and I know you know who bought it.”

“Of course I know,” Atwood grinned. “But I won’t tell you unless you tell me why you want it.”

“Of for crying out loud, Mike.” It was Carter’s turn to be annoyed.

“I think we both know why I want precisions, right?” Atwood said firmly. “Or perhaps I have to remind you.”

“Okay, okay,” Carter gave in. “The evil blondie kidnapped a… friend of mine,” he hesitated. “She wants the ruby in exchange for his life.” He was answered by silence. “Mike?”

“Yeah, still here.”

“Will you
please
help me?” Carter begged.

“I won’t tell you on the phone. We can meet tonight at the pub.”

“The place is nothing but ashes,” Carter said in a low voice.

“Hm, I didn’t know that.”

“Seward park?”

“See you there.” Atwood hung up.

Williams snatched the phone before Carter could delete the number. His move was so quick that Carter jumped up.

“Who’s that guy?” Williams asked.

“Michael Atwood, friend of mine,” Carter said. “I guess you want to come with me to the park?”

“Good guess.”

“Fine, but I’m not getting all wired up,” Carter warned.

**

When he arrived at Seward Park, Carter walked straight to the bench where he used to meet Atwood in the past. Williams followed close enough so that he wouldn’t lose sight of Carter, but far enough to stay unnoticed by Atwood. He had a bad feeling about this meeting. He feared that Carter and his friend would wait until nightfall to escape. In the dark, it would be more difficult to track them, although police officers were watching the gates.

Carter sat on the bench and waited. He saw Williams walk in circles nearby, keeping an eye on him. Atwood sat next to him a few minutes later. He looked pleased to see him, but at the same time a bit worried.

“What’s going on, Reese?” he asked. “What’s that story of abduction? And since when do you even have friends?”

Carter laughed ironically. “It’s not really a friend,” he said.

“I knew that.”

“It’s a cop.”

“What?” Atwood looked around. “Can he hear us?”

“No,” Carter reassured him. “He’s over there, spying on us, but—”

“Geez, Reese, what did you get me into?” Atwood raged.

“Calm down, Mike.” Carter kept silent for a while, waiting for Atwood to cooperate. “Trust me.”

“Yeah, I remember what happened last time I did that,” Atwood growled.

“Look, all I need is the ruby. I’d look for it myself, but I need it before morning.”

“Hm, that’s very soon.”

“I know. That’s why I need your help.” Carter’s tone was unusually supplicating.

“What’s that cop to you anyway? Did he promise you something?”

Carter sat back with a sigh. “He saved my life; I owe him. And that woman… She’s bad, I mean, really bad. Cruel.”

“What did she do to you?”

“You don’t wanna know.” Carter looked away. The sun was slowly setting. The fresh evening air felt good and reinvigorating. “If I help that cop, there’s a good chance she’ll be locked away. Besides the poor guy she kidnapped doesn’t deserve what’s happening to him.”

“Okay, I’ll help. But we’ll have to ditch the cop.”

“Not a problem,” Carter said, getting up. “Get rid of your phone.”

Atwood threw the phone in the bin with a pout. “What’s your plan?”

“Get ready to run.” Carter took out the gun he’d stolen at the police office. He shot in a random direction, which had the desired effect of distracting Williams who turned his back just long enough for Carter and Atwood to run away. Here and there, cops yelled at them and ran after them. But Carter knew the park like the back of his hand. He and Atwood soon vanished from the police’s vigilance.

“What now?” Atwood asked, out of breath.

“Now,” Carter said with his perpetual half-smile, “we go get the ruby.”

He followed Atwood to his place, constantly turning to make sure no cop was on their trail. When they arrived, Atwood quickly showed his list of names from the auction sale to Carter.

“It’s that guy,” he indicated. “Daryl Preston.”

“Great. Do you know how to find him, and the ruby.”

A look of self-confidence invaded Atwood’s features. “Of course I know,” he said.

“Care to share your knowledge?”

“He’s my neighbor.”

“Seriously?” Carter frowned. The situation seemed so perfect that it sounded like a lie.

“Yes, he lives right here,” Atwood said, pointing at the floor. “But he doesn’t know I know, so let’s keep it that way.” Atwood looked at his watch. “He’ll go out in about half an hour.”

“Perfect. Then we can just get in, get the ruby, and get out.”

“No, it won’t be that easy.”

“Why not?”

“His flat is decorated with lasers and alarms”

“Oh.” Carter lost his enthusiasm. “How do you know that?”

Atwood smiled. “None of your business.”