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

  Blackhawk shook his head.

  “Okay, so Ethan, here’s a hypothetical. We’re married, and you’re in love with another woman. You desperately want out of our marriage, so what do you do?”

  All the techs began snickering.

  “Zip it, lab rats,” she ordered.

  It wasn’t something Ethan had ever given any thought. In all honesty, he couldn’t ever picture himself without her. There was no Ethan without Lyzee. Now, Callen was even in that mix too.

  “Your hesitation brightens my day, but for discussion sake, what would you do?”

  “Well, if you wouldn’t divorce me, and I had millions at stake, I’d off you.”

  The team started snickering more.

  “I told you the techs were crazy. Who laughs at a statement like that?” she teased. “I’m his pregnant wife.”

  They all pointed at her.

  “Okay, well played.”

  “I would have the perfect alibi. I could get rid of you, and then use my side action as proof it wasn’t me. If I was asked, I could say I was with my mistress. I’d rather be seen as an adulterous bastard than a murderer.”

  Elizabeth thought Wade Dixon, and something didn't add up for her. “Yeah, but would you hurt your kids?”

  He looked sick at the mere suggestion. “Hell no!”

  Tony made a suggestion. “What if it was all coincidence? I know you don’t buy into them, but maybe the fire was an accident. He may have not killed his family, but he could have killed his girlfriend.”

  Jaxon liked this part of the job. “Yeah, especially if she was all he had left, and she wanted out.”

  Ethan agreed.

  Elizabeth had other victims to focus on. “Can we tie Dixon to anyone else? How about Kaylee Bain?”

  “We searched her,” stated Broderick. “She was below poverty level, had nothing in the bank, and was hooking. She doesn’t seem to connect to him.”

  Meredith raised her hand. “Ma’am?”

  “Yes?”

  “Our victim, Kaylee Bain, had herpes. She was riddled with the disease.”

  “Did any of our other male victims have it?” Elizabeth inquired.

  She shook her head.

  Well, it was worth a shot. “Okay, what about Allen Payne?”

  Broderick flipped screens. “He had enough money in the bank, he wasn’t married, and apparently he had one report of sexual harassment from an employee.”

  “Who?” she asked.

  “Her name is Toni Michelle. She worked for him for two years. I can’t find any record of it going to court, but I will tell you that shortly after, she had enough money to open her own business.”

  That piqued their interest.

  “So, he paid her off. What kind of business did she open?” Elizabeth asked.

  Johanna started laughing, setting her partner up to deliver the news. “Wait for it.”

  “She owns a sex shop. Let’s just say that she caters to those who like to live on the wild side,” Broderick said. He loved watching his partner blush.

  Ethan found that amusing. “So, she gets sexually harassed, and then ends up opening a store that sells sex. Oh, that interview is going to be fun.”

  “Hell yeah, it is. I can’t wait.” Elizabeth rubbed her hands together maniacally.

  Tony chimed in, “Can I be there at the time?”

  She laughed. “No. You’ll enjoy the sex shop a little too much,” she teased. “All those edible undies.”

  Immediately, he blushed. When Jaxon glanced over at him, he panicked. “Wait, she’s only kidding. That’s a private joke that dates back to when we were all newbies.”

  Elizabeth snickered. “Yeah, you loved them then, and now.”

  He stared at her in horror. He never thought that little joke would come back to haunt him. “Come on, Lyzee!”

  Jaxon didn't know what to say. She wanted to laugh and ask a million questions at the same time.

  Tony looked freaked out.

  “Merry,” Elizabeth called, getting her attention. “Where are we on the weapon used to incapacitate the two male victims?”

  “We have it, Director. It was definitely a hammer. From the indentation, stress cracks in the skull, and amount of damage, it was a fairly heavy one too.”

  “There’s different kinds?” she asked. To her, a hammer was a hammer.

  “Yes,” Ethan explained. “They actually make them for women now. They’re lighter and have a grip made for their hands.”

  “Good to know if I ever feel like building a birdhouse.”

  “We’re tracing the make and brand, but I’ll go on record right now that there are three major hammer makers, and they sell hundreds of thousands a year, online, in stores, and have for a long time.”

  “So, it’s a dead end?”

  “Pretty much.”

  Well, it wasn’t like she didn't see that one coming. “Okay, how about DNA?”

  She hesitated.

  “What?” Ethan asked.

  “Here’s the odd thing. The killer must have transferred DNA somehow. We found hairs on Kaylee Bain and Allen Payne.”

  She didn't understand the issue. “And the problem is?”

  Meredith continued, “Well, they matched.”

  Elizabeth still wasn’t getting it. “Who did they match?” she asked.

  “We ran them against the victims, and they all belonged to Walter Dennison. The only way that could happen was either by our error or the killers. I assure you that my team didn't do it,” Merry stated, defending her techs.

  Elizabeth’s first instinct was to freak out. Fortunately for them, Ethan stepped in.

  “I trust you. We’ll assume it was the killer. After all, he was handling the bodies. The hairs may have gotten on the cloth and transferred. If anything, this shows that Doctor Armstrong was right. Walter was the first victim.”

  “Yeah, about that,” stated Zane. “I want to apologize for doubting Doctor Armstrong. When we tested the decomp in the removed parts, we figured out that it was Walter Dennison, Allen Payne, Kaylee Bain and then Emelia Southland.”

  Jaxon smiled easily. “That’s okay, Doctor Legend. No hard feelings. I get that you need scientific proof.”

  “Great. You’ve all made up. Now, get me the information on this man. I want to know if you find anything on him. It looks like a late night, my friends. Oh, and tomorrow’s going to be just as much fun. This victim’s place is going to have to be swept. I’d prefer we do it tonight, but we’re stretched a little too thin.”

  “We can post a deputy on the door and hope he keeps anyone out,” Ethan suggested.

  “Good idea.”

  When she went to walk out, she noticed there was a tail right behind her.

  “Lyzee,” Tony whispered. “Please tell me you’re not suggesting that I stay here all night. I have a date planned, and I really, really, really need to take Jaxon out.”

  In her head, she knew that the man should be helping with the evidence, especially since they were running low on team members. Then again, she was trying to play Cupid too.

  Yeah, she was conflicted.

  “Agents Seaton and Madden, you’re on tech duty. I have to send Doctors Armstrong and Magnus on a side trip tonight. Can you help out while continuing to run the victim?” she asked.

  “Can do, boss,” replied Broderick. He didn't mind working late with Johanna. In fact, it would be his pleasure.

  She faced her anthropologist and lowered her voice. “You’re free but escape quietly,” she stated.

  He hugged her.

  “Come on! In the morgue?” she said, teasing him.

  Laughing, Tony returned to Jaxon’s side to whisper in her ear. When she smiled, Elizabeth could at least cross one thing off her list.

  “Where to now?” Ethan asked.

  “You have to go schmooze the sheriff and get an armed guard on Jed Proctor’s house. I’m going to go handle something far more difficult.”

  “What?”

&
nbsp; “I’m going to go calm Callen down. Wish me luck.”

  He laughed. “You may need more than that.

  Yeah, didn't she know it?

  ~ Chapter Ten ~

  Wednesday

  Late Afternoon

  Generally, Callen thought of himself as rational, calm, and fairly easygoing. Few things in his life stirred him up. At the top of the very short list of people, who could push him over the edge, was his woman.

  As he sat in the coffee shop having some tea, he thought about the case and ramifications. While he knew he should trust Elizabeth, he was still trapped in the fear of losing her.

  His life had been hell before he found his family. Granted, he’d always had Timothy since he was a teenager, but when he fell in love, his existence changed.

  Now, he had everything to lose.

  At the chime on the door, he glanced up. It was like she knew just when he was thinking about her. Callen braced for a fight. After all, he deserved it. In front of their entire team, he’d snarled and barked orders at Elizabeth like she was a child. When she handed him his ass, he had no one to blame but himself.

  “Is this seat taken?” she asked, pointing at the chair across from him.

  “No.”

  After sitting, she picked up his tea and took a sip. The warmth filled her, even as she felt cold from his chilliness. “Are you mad at me?” she asked.

  He glanced up in surprise. “No. Why?”

  “You’ve got your angry face on and stormed out of the morgue. Something’s eating away at you, and I’ve found I’m generally the cause.”

  He didn't speak.

  “I’m a little mixed up here, Callen. First, you’re angry that I didn't include you as my husband, and now you’re pissed that I would do it. Maybe it’s just the hormones, but I’m confused as hell.”

  He sipped his tea.

  “I said I was sorry. How can I prove it?”

  Before he could speak, a waitress wandered over. “Ma’am, would you like some tea?” she asked.

  “Yes, I would, and one of those really big cookies.” Without missing a beat, she continued, “Oh, and by the way, I love this man, and he’s my husband.”

  Callen stared at her, openmouthed.

  The woman looked at her like she was nutty. “Uh, okay,” she said, rushing away.

  “Elizabeth. That’s the opposite of not telling anyone,” he hissed. “Are you out of your mind?”

  “Funny, but I've been asked that before,” she replied. “I’m beginning to believe that it’s a possibility.”

  As the woman returned with the order, Elizabeth thanked her for the tea. “Oh, and he’s really good in bed. I have a thing for his really big hands. They turn me right on.”

  He kicked her under the little café table. When the woman rushed away, he didn't know whether to kiss Elizabeth or shake her senseless.

  Elizabeth laughed. “What? It’s the truth. When you touch me, I get all melt-y inside. You’re sexy, Mr. Whitefox, and killer or not, I don’t care who knows that. Trust me. If a killer is going to come after me, I can’t stop it. I curse and have copious amounts of fornication,” she began before he interrupted.

  “Exactly!” he said. “This is why you need to stop telling everyone we’re together.”

  She placed her hand on his cheek as she stared into his warm brown eyes. “I’m also a woman who works. I carry a gun. I don’t go to church, and most of the time I curse like a sailor. All of those things could mark me too, Callen. I’m not exactly the poster child for religion.”

  He saw her point. “You shouldn’t be telling people I’m good in bed.”

  She shrugged nonchalantly. “Why not? It’s the truth. I’m just pointing out a fact.”

  “Because then they’ll want to get nekid with me,” he teased, letting go of the hurt. Once more, she had been right. Sometimes, he just needed her to point it out.

  She handed him half her cookie before taking a bite. “Yeah, and if you get naked with anyone who wants to test drive the Indian, I’ll go bat shit insane.”

  Leaning in, he kissed her. She tasted like cookie, and it helped ease the stress. When he pulled away, he stared into her eyes. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

  “I love you too, Callen James. Now, how about we get this day moving?”

  When he motioned to the waitress, he pulled out a twenty and handed it to her. “Thank you,” he stated, holding out his hand for Elizabeth.

  “He also has a really nice ass,” she stated, causing the woman to scurry away. “Oh look, I have sex Tourette’s. I hope I don’t start describing your…”

  Callen did the only thing possible. He placed his hand over her mouth as he led her outside. When he got her out of there, she was laughing.

  “Nice one,” she said, glad to see everything was fixed. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to call your brother.”

  Staying on alert, he watched everyone around them. He felt better, but he wasn’t going to let his guard down.

  Elizabeth was worried. It was taking Ethan a while to answer his phone. When he finally picked up, he sounded frazzled. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “I’m trying to find an available deputy. Apparently, they’re all off getting out of their wet clothes. This damn town must have almost no crime. How can they all just disappear at once?”

  Yeah, that wouldn’t be the first time she’d wondered that herself.

  Glancing at her watch, Elizabeth gauged the time. “I think I’ll head to the cabin with Callen and get changed. It’s going to be time to feed Charlie soon, so we can meet you for dinner at the bar where Kaylee Bain used to troll for men. It’ll be like killing two birds with one stone.”

  He could do that. “Will you bring me a change of clothes?” he asked, seeing a deputy enter the room.

  “Yeah, it’ll be in the Navigator. You can change in there,” she offered. “See you in a little bit, handsome,” she stated before disconnecting the call. “We can go get ready. Even after that cookie, I’m starving. Charlie hopes they have some buffalo wings with extra hot sauce.”

  He started laughing. “You’re going to cook that baby yet,” he stated.

  Elizabeth couldn’t help it. Charlie liked spicy.

  Once more, she was prisoner to the fetus.

  * * *

  Tony was incredibly excited. He couldn’t believe that he was finally getting ready for his date. While he didn't bring any fancy clothes, he could pull off something appropriate for an evening out with a beautiful woman.

  In the bathroom, he shaved, putting on the finishing touches to get ready. He could hear Jaxon wandering around in her room doing the same thing.

  Tonight, there was one main mission bouncing around in his mind. He was going to try and get her back into his room again. The way she felt pressed against him made his heart pound. This was like nothing he had ever felt before.

  Yeah, he needed her.

  At this point, she’d become his compulsion. As Elizabeth discussed the scenario of what the men would do if their woman left them, he completely understood their rationale. If Jaxon left, he’d crawl on glass to get to her.

  He couldn’t believe he was saying this, but he wanted her more than he desired breathing. She just called to him on some deep level that he didn't understand.

  It was like she was meant to be his.

  Finishing up, he headed out to the small living room to wait for her. Having dinner was going to the pinnacle of this trip. When Jaxon declared she’d never had a boyfriend before, he knew what he needed to do.

  He was going to be her first.

  Yeah, and he hoped her last.

  Now, Tony only hoped he could convince her of that.

  Jaxon was as nervous as hell. As she slipped into the black leather pants and heels, she couldn’t believe she was going to get some time alone with Tony. Whenever she was by his side, there was this compulsion to move into his body. Not only for protection, but because he smelled so damn good.


  Her fingers went to her lips as she recalled the kiss they had shared.

  If there was a higher power, then she’d be granted her one wish. Tonight, she wanted to feel that again.

  Tucking in the emerald green top, Jax stared into the mirror. Well, it was the best she could do in Devil’s Lake. Hopefully, it would be enough to catch herself a sexy anthropologist.

  Jaxon laughed. Yeah, that was completely insane, but she couldn’t help herself.

  In her mind, Jagger’s words kept replaying.

  It was most definitely time to start living for half the day.

  Pulling the door open, she clicked her way across the wood floor to the waiting man. When he heard her coming, he got up from the couch.

  Tony couldn’t help but stare.

  She looked so beautiful.

  The green of the shirt made her hair a deeper red, and the black leather pants showed off the lean lines of her body. Then, there were the shoes.

  Holy shit!

  His blood pressure surged.

  “Do I look okay?” she asked, taking in his dark shirt and khaki pants. Tony Magnus looked absolutely sexy.

  Crossing to Jaxon, he stopped in front of her. “You look perfect,” he admitted.

  Hearing her brother’s words, she did something impulsive. Moving into his body, Jaxon took a chance. She kissed him.

  At first Tony froze, not expecting it. Then, his body roared to life. Wrapping his arms around her, Tony held her to him. Yeah, tonight, she was sleeping with him.

  There was no doubt.

  After this kiss, there was no way he was going to be able to let her go. Maybe it was instinctual, or more, but she was going to be his.

  He knew it in his heart.

  Slowly, Jaxon broke the kiss.

  “Wow, that was pretty amazing,” he admitted, sliding his fingers from her hair to wipe a smudge of lipstick from her skin.

  When she did the same thing, his heart skipped.

  “Yes, it was.”

  Tony wanted to stay like that the rest of the night. She fit perfectly against him. Pressed to his body, they felt like one.