Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) Read online

  “And you?”

  “I don’t know what I believe anymore. Sometimes I think it’s bullshit, but other times I think about my granddad and the things that I’ve experienced the last few years. Then I’m a believer.”

  “How about Callen?”

  Ethan’s heart pounded at the suggestion. “He’s being field tested right now by Lyzee. Later, I can ask.”

  “That just pissed you off. I can see it in your eyes,” Gabe admitted. “Why?”

  “We like being a team. When the three of us can go out, we each bring something to the table. Callen’s my partner and brother. I don’t like thinking about him alone, trying to run a division. I know what a bitch that can be. It’s an emotional drain and frankly, you’re tough to work for.”

  Gabe loved them like family, yet he still couldn’t wrap his head around the two men sharing Elizabeth. He couldn’t do it with Livy. In fact, the idea drove him to madness.

  “I’ll ask him. That’s all I can do. If he says yes,” he said pausing, “I’ll tell you.”

  “And Elizabeth will kick my ass.”

  Ethan found that funny, because it was one hundred percent accurate. If Gabe took away her BFF, the shit would hit the fan. “Wear a codpiece. Our girl fights dirty.”

  He started laughing. “Thanks.”

  “Seriously, I’ll ask him. If he says yes, I’ll call you. If he says no, we’ll keep looking. Don’t think I don’t appreciate you asking us and not just splitting the team apart. I know you have the power to do it.”

  “You three work well together. I like the accolades the big boss man gives me for running two efficient ships. I’m not willing to screw that up for a division that I think is bullshit too.”

  Blackhawk patted him on the back. “We’ll have someone by the time it’s ready to take off. I have a year to get it taken care of, so we’ll go from there. The right director will show up. I just need to find someone who isn't afraid of the spooky and mysterious.”

  “Yeah, well Oracle is definitely that. I still get goose bumps thinking about her.”

  Ethan glanced at his watch. “Okay, I have to make this flight if I want to get to my team in Devil’s Lake.”

  Gabe hugged his friend. “Keep her out of trouble.”

  Yeah, that was easier said than done.

  Walking away, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Callen, warning him that he would be in the air in a few minutes. When he landed, he was heading right for the cabin, and he’d meet them there.

  For now, he needed to put everything that Gabe had told him on the back burner. Ethan had no doubt that someone appropriate would turn up for the position.

  If not, it looked like their team was going to be picking up another job, because there was no way he was throwing his brother to the wolves on this alone.

  * * *

  Agents Madden and Seaton sat in the conference room working on all the paperwork Elizabeth had given them. Their main run was done on the cemetery, and they’d found that the church was in charge of its maintenance.

  Next, they were beginning the search on the man behind the stained glass windows–Father William Dowell. From everything they could find, he’d been handling the parish for the last fifteen years and appeared to be incredibly laid back. There were pictures of him online with just his collar, in jeans, and with a big smile on his face.

  If anything, he looked to be a little too laid back. From their digging, they found a few newspaper articles that mention he was a new ‘breed’ of priest. The guy was supposed to be a Jesus loving fun fest.

  Either way, it didn't matter to them. As long as they found something on him, they were golden. No one wanted to give their boss ‘nothing’ as an answer. If you wanted to set Elizabeth Blackhawk right off, that was the surefire way to do it.

  “I think she’ll be happy,” stated Johanna Madden. “At least we dug something up for her.”

  Broderick Seaton agreed. “Yeah, the boss lady will be all a twitter with the details. You know how she likes to stir the religion pot as much as possible.”

  “I don’t blame her,” she replied. “It’s total bullshit.”

  He laughed, patting the cross around his neck. “You’re so going to hell, Joey.”

  She punched him in the arm. “Yeah, well I’m sure I’ll be seeing you there, Brody. You’re not exactly a saint.”

  He winked at her before going back to his searches. “I found a bar referenced in the police reports for Kaylee Bain,” he stated, giving her the name.

  Johanna began running it. “Are you serious? Is the name really, ‘Bubba’s’?”

  He started laughing. “I swear to God.”

  Rolling her eyes, she began her search. “Well, it’s not too much of a dive from what I’ve found online. Apparently, half is a bar, and the other half is a place where you can get food.”

  “Yeah, and pick up a hooker,” he added. “That just screams dive bar to me.”

  “Like you’ve never tried to pick up a lady of the night,” she teased, sipping her coffee.

  “We both know I’m on a mission to get a specific girl, but she’s fighting me all the way,” he stated, staring at her. “I have hope that I’ll wear her down and win this one yet.”

  She stared back at him. “Don’t bet on it, Brody. Rules are rules.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, well, I don’t mind breaking them, I just need to convince you of that.”

  “You can keep trying, but it’s a waste of your time.”

  “Joey, I’ll try until my dying day.”

  God, it was getting so hard. She honestly hoped he wouldn’t. She was close to breaking on this one, and Johanna was pretty sure her partner knew it.

  “We better get back to work, Brody.”

  “Trust me, Joey, trying to catch you is a hell of a lot of work.”

  * * *

  He couldn’t believe this was all happening. He failed miserably at keeping their bodies in the ground. Obviously, he’d done a horrible job at hiding them.

  Now, he was going to up his game and make it that much harder. What he needed was a far better place to hide them. There were still victims on the horizon, but before he could take the next one, he needed to scout out a location.

  The Native lands were still a possibility. There was lots of land, so all he had to do was find a secluded spot. It didn't have to be fancy. It only needed it to be a makeshift cemetery for the sinners.

  They were flawed. God needed his angel to wipe them from the earth, so that he could continue on with his mission. That meant giving them their own special place to be laid to rest.

  It was his job to spread the Lord’s law, taking care of those who needed the hand of authority to judge them.

  While God was busy, his right hand would handle it.

  He would reap them.

  After all, it was his job.

  * * *

  As Elizabeth drove through the little town, she glanced over at Callen as he busily typed a message.

  “Ethan?”

  He looked up. “Yeah, he said to kiss you for him.”

  Her heart flipped in her chest. God, she missed him. While having Callen by her side was amazing, the three of them coming together was always spectacular. The two men were like ying and yang with her as the line down the middle.

  “When’s he arriving?”

  Ethan wanted to surprise her. “He didn't say. He’s buried in Gabe bullshit. You know how much he likes to throw out.” It looked like his brother wasn’t the only one who was shoveling the BS. If everything went as planned, he would be landing in the next hour, and then on his way to the Rez.

  “Can you make a call and talk to Chief Molala? I’d like to meet up with them tonight, before we head back to the cabin. Tomorrow is going to be a long day of interviewing. We’re going to have to dig into everyone’s lives.”

  “Sure thing, angel. I’ll call him for you,” he stated, doing just that.

  Elizabeth listened to the conversation as sh
e pulled into the parking lot of a glass building. While it was still in Devil’s Lake, it was more on the outskirts of town. Whoever owned the building liked flashy. The massive structure was all glass and chrome. In all honesty, it didn't fit the surroundings.

  Then again, that may have been the plan.

  Callen hung up the phone. “We have to be there by six tonight. There’s a meeting at five at the main building. Chief Molala and his head of the council, Red Darkeagle will be there.”

  She glanced down at her watch. “We should just make it, as long as the meeting with Wade Dixon doesn’t take too long. I hope he’s not going to try and play games. That makes me cranky.”

  Callen kissed her on the cheek. “Yeah, well I hope he does screw with you. I love watching you get all mean and bitchy.”

  She snorted. “Come on, you goof.”

  Heading up the sidewalk, they stopped at the front door, only to find it locked. Pushing the buzzer, a voice came over the intercom.

  “Yes?”

  “FBI. We need to speak with Wade Dixon,” she stated.

  “I’m sorry, but he’s not available. You can make an appointment and can come back later.”

  Yeah, that wasn’t happening.

  “Or you can open this door, and I can talk to him right now,” she suggested.

  “Sorry. He’s not available. I have an opening next week on Tuesday.”

  Callen wanted to get all giddy with happiness. He could tell when she pulled off her sunglasses that it was on. Someone was going to be bitch slapped something fierce. It was always fun to see what Elizabeth pulled from her bags of tricks. Callen had no doubt it was going to be painful for this woman.

  “No, here’s the plan. You’re going to open the door, or I’m going to have my entire team camped out in this parking lot. It’s going to all go down right beside that big shiny Mercedes.” She glanced over at Callen. “Run the plate. It’s the most expensive car in the lot. I’m betting it’s the boss’s ride.”

  He did what she asked, and it only took a minute. “It’s registered to a Wade Richard Dixon.”

  Great. Now, she could call the woman’s bluff.

  “I’m calling my team to sit behind that vehicle, and every other one in the lot. The first person out of this building gets arrested for hindering an investigation. So, if you’re off the clock in the next couple of minutes, guess again. You’re going in first, and then I’m taking in your boss. When he asks why, I’m going to tell him that it’s for jackassery and tomfoolery on your behalf. Want to bet he gets really pissed?”

  The buzzer sounded.

  “Nice one,” Callen said, offering her a fist bump.

  “Yeah, well I hate being screwed with.”

  Walking in, they headed right to the blonde woman behind the desk. “Are you the one who I just spoke to?”

  She nodded. “I’m just doing my job. I was told that he didn't want to see anyone today.”

  Frankly, she didn't care. When the cops came a knocking, that superseded anyone’s directive.

  “Who are you, and where’s the boss? Before you screw with me, you’ve already used up your one shot at staying out of jail.”

  She still hesitated.

  Callen leaned forward to try and manipulate her. He whipped out his most reassuring smile and piled on the charm. “Sweetheart, you better listen. No job is worth getting tossed in jail. Be a good girl and buzz your boss for us.”

  That seemed to work.

  When the woman was distracted, Elizabeth leaned over to whisper, “If you don’t put the ‘Blackhawk grin’ away, you’re going to jail too. It’s called Couch Prison, and you’ll be sleeping there a long time,” she stated, trying not to laugh. “In that penitentiary, you handle your own sexual gratification.”

  Callen patted her on the ass while the woman was mumbling into the phone. “I need to keep your blood pressure down while you’re growing a child. If that means a grin, I’ll use it.”

  She stared at him.

  Obviously, Elizabeth wasn’t kidding. “Or not.”

  Now, her lips curled up at the corners. Sometimes, she had to lay down the law with the men. She trusted Callen, but he ruined her fun.

  “Mr. Dixon will see you now.” She handed them two badges and pointed at the elevator. “You can ride it up to the fourth floor. His is the only office up there. You won’t miss it.”

  “Thank you,” Callen said, leading Elizabeth over to the elevator. Once inside, he lifted her chin to give her a gentle kiss on the lips. “Try and stay calm.”

  “You know you’re getting as bad as your brother, right? You stopped my fun, you patted me on the ass, and now kissy face on the clock. Have you lost your mind?”

  “Yes, I’m crazy about you. Sanity went out the window a long time ago.”

  She sighed. Sadly, when it came to Callen, she couldn’t tell him no. In fact, she was a puddle of mush for both men in her life. When the hell had she gone so soft?

  When the door opened, they saw him waiting.

  Elizabeth had to be honest. He wasn’t what she expected. Here, in her mind, she pictured an older balding man, but he was young. She could place him around Callen’s age.

  “Mr. Dixon,” she said, holding out her hand.

  “Yes, I’m sorry but the receptionist downstairs didn't give me your names.”

  “I’m Director Elizabeth Blackhawk, and this is my partner, Director Callen Whitefox. We’re with the FBI and need to ask you a few questions.”

  His eyes trailed down her torso to the badge and gun on her hip. Obviously, she wasn’t kidding.

  Leading them past a large desk, they entered into his inner sanctum. “I’m sorry, but my secretary is off today, Directors, can I offer you some tea or coffee?”

  Callen noticed the man was enthralled with Elizabeth. His eyes never left her once. While he couldn’t blame him, he could plan his demise. Yeah, this was his karma for the grin downstairs.

  He should know better. There were times he and Ethan swore their woman was in cahoots with the devil.

  “No thank you, sir,” she replied.

  “I have to say, I didn't know Feds were this pretty. I almost want to break the law so you’ll come visit me again.”

  His grin said it all. The man was going all out, trying to charm his way into her pants. Unfortunately for him, Elizabeth wasn’t buying it. She’d be breaking something alright- more like his arms or face.

  “Yeah, The FBI only hired me to be the law’s arm candy. I’m just a pretty face.”

  He laughed before taking his seat. “Well, they chose really well. Although, I thought FBI agents wore boring black suits and tried to blend in.”

  Elizabeth glanced down at her jeans, boots, and bright blue shirt. “Yeah, well I don’t really follow rules well. Like right now, I want to dangle you outside that window for trying to stall. Then, I want to drop you, just to hear you scream like a girl.”

  Immediately, the smile was gone.

  Yeah, she wasn’t stupid. While his charm may work in the business world, it didn't do jack shit for her. She was immune to it.

  “What can I do for you?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.

  “Do you know Emelia Southland?”

  He was good at the game, and his face showed nothing. Callen knew Elizabeth was going to have her fun with this one.

  “Yes.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “Not particularly. I believe I answered your question, Elizabeth.”

  She started laughing. If he wanted to be a jackwagon, she knew a sure fire way to play that game. “Well, Wade, you certainly did. So, here’s my next question, and maybe you can help me with that one too. Why the hell is her dead, mutilated body on my morgue table?”

  Yeah, the smarmy look was gone from his face now. If he was going to be a dick, she was going to show him how it was done.

  “What?” he asked, sitting forward. There was no way that he heard her right.

  “I asked why your emp
loyee was dead. Maybe you can answer that question, and yes or no, really won’t do.”

  “Emelia is dead?”

  She looked over at Callen, who was trying to keep a straight face. “Director Whitefox, am I not being clear? I do believe that both times those questions were quite simple.”

  He shrugged. “I understood them. So, I’m not sure what’s hanging him up. You didn't ask them in a foreign language.”

  “She was my secretary.”

  Elizabeth stared at him. “Did you fire her?”

  He looked confused. “No, she’s on vacation this week. On Monday, we’re flying out to do business in Seattle. She took the next couple days off to take care of personal business.”

  There was one thing that was bugging the hell out of Elizabeth about this conversation. “Wade, here’s my issue. You just told us she ‘was’ your secretary.”

  It took him a few minutes to get what she was saying. Finally, it registered. “You said she was dead. That would mean she wasn’t my employee anymore.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. Generally, when a person knew someone was dead, they’d use the past tense. He just found out, so that would mean his mind wouldn’t be caught up with it quite yet.

  That was very interesting.

  “How did she die? You said she was mutilated.”

  “Her heart was cut out.” Taking the tablet from Callen, she slid the autopsy photo across the table.

  Once he looked down, the color drained from his face and the look said it all.

  “Don’t puke on the equipment. The FBI makes me jump through hoops to requisition new gear,” she stated. “Now, how about you start talking? We already know she was your secretary, that she was traveling with you, and that you don’t do well looking at dead bodies.”

  “Here I thought you were pretty and a lady. Now I see you’re vile and mean.”