Cat's Paw (Veritas Book 1) (29 page)

What if Crispin said they couldn’t work together? Would he still want the job?

“If she is agreeable to partnering with you, I have no objections to that or to you sharing a personal relationship. You two are a very strong team. Better than I had hoped, actually.”

“Is that why you sent her after me on that stretch of Louisiana highway?”

Crispin nodded. “I knew you would butt heads, but you did what I’d hoped—you located the cocaine and put an end to Buryshkin’s empire.”

“We found the dope, but we didn’t stop Buryshkin. Dennis did. He should get all the credit.”

“Indeed,” Crispin said, conceding the point gracefully. “Will you join us?”

Alex drank the remainder of his Scotch and set the glass on the nearby end table. “Let me do some thinking. It’s a big step, and I’m not the only one involved.”

“Understood. Let me know either way.”

They shook hands, and as Alex opened the door to leave the suite, the man who might become his boss returned to the dining-room table, flipped a page on his legal pad, his brows furrowed in thought.

“It never ends, does it?” Alex asked.

Crispin looked up at him, shaking his head. “Evil offers us a perverse form of job security. Personally, I’d rather be unemployed.”

Amen.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

October 6th

Superior Court

Alex found himself so nervous he kept fumbling with his tie. It looked like a third grader had tied it, no matter how many times he fussed with the damned thing.

“Here, let me do that,” Morgan said, straightening it with her nimble fingers. She was dressed in a severe black suit, a brilliant blue silk top, and black pumps. Her “going to court” outfit, as she called it. They were headed there in a few minutes to see if there was enough evidence to overturn his conviction.

Alex was alternately confident and freaked out. Morgan had tried to calm him down, but nothing much had helped, not even the sex they’d shared in the shower this morning.

“You sure this is going to work?” he asked, probably for the tenth time.

Fortunately, Morgan took it all in stride. “Yes, it’ll be fine. Now just chill, okay?”

He sighed. The district attorney had studied the evidence gathered by his ex-partner. It’d been thorough, probably the most comprehensive case Dennis had compiled in his career, his final message from the grave. In it, he admitted to exactly what he’d done over the years, why he’d done it, and who had blackmailed him into doing it. He named names, gave dates, and said where the bodies were buried. Sometimes literally.

As Alex waited in the hallway outside the courtroom, he was relieved not to be alone today. His sister and Tucker were present, and he had no doubt there would be a tattoo in his sister’s future, the way they were talking back and forth. A short distance away, Neil stood near Alex’s new boss.

Crispin gave him a nod and Alex smiled back. It had been an easy decision to join Veritas—they never left anyone behind. It would be good to make a difference once again. Nearby, Senior Special Agent Fredd was texting someone, her brow furrowed. The job never ended.

“Sasha?” a familiar voice called out. He turned to find Grigori walking toward him. Ruslan was at his side, his left arm in a sling.

“My dear friend,” Alex said, not caring who saw him shaking the hand of another ex-con. “Good to see you outside the walls.”

“It is good to see you as well, Sasha. I am pleased you have survived all that my family visited upon you.”

“The same could be said of you as well,” Alex replied. He looked at Ruslan. “How are you doing?”

“Better. And you?” the young man asked, gesturing toward Alex’s leg.

“It’s getting there. I don’t have to use the cane any longer.” He shot a look at the others, and saw Agent Fredd staring at them.
Live with it. This man kept me alive.

“I was worried when I heard there’d been a hit on you,” he said to Grigori.

“It was a near thing, but fortunately, someone warned us that it was going down.” Grigori’s eyes had drifted to Crispin at this point. “It made all the difference.”

“Dennis called Crispin, didn’t he?”

“Yes. Paying off old debts is how it was explained to me.”

“Mikhail, is he okay?” Alex asked. “I miss him.”

“
Da
,” Grigori said. “He hopes you will visit him someday.”

“I intend to, as often as I’m allowed. He kept me sane all those years. And he taught me a lot of dirty Russian jokes.”

Grigori laughed. “He will be pleased to see you.” He looked at Ruslan now. “We were worried that some may object to us sitting in on your hearing, but I thought we should stop by long enough to wish you good luck.”

Alex felt the warmth behind the sentiment. “Thank you. I really appreciate that. Are you staying here in New Orleans or heading out somewhere new?”

“We are leaving later today. We’ll be going to the Mediterranean. Certainly not to our homeland.” Grigori reached over, took hold of Ruslan’s hand, and squeezed it fondly. “We are not welcome there, not with Mr. Putin in power.”

Ruslan muttered a swear word under his breath.

“Who knows, maybe someday he won’t be,” Alex said.

“All things are possible,” Grigori replied. He set his lover’s hand free now. “We are headed to Malta first. I have always wanted to study the Knights Templar, and Ruslan will find much to photograph. You must come visit. Bring your lady. We’d be honored to have you stay with us.”

“You’re on,” Morgan said as she joined them. “Thank you for the invitation.”

Grigori broke out in a smile. “We shall look forward to it. Ms. Blake, it was good to finally meet you,” he said, inclining his head in respect.

“Please call me Morgan. And thank you for watching over Alex all those years,” she said. “He means everything to me.”

Grigori smiled, then shot a quick look at Ruslan. “I know how that is.”

Alex and Grigori embraced.

“
Ee-deete ce Bogom,
” Alex said.
Go with God, my friend
.

“And you as well,” the Russian replied.

The two men walked away, talking quietly among themselves. As they reached a set of doors, Grigori turned and waved. Morgan and Alex returned it.

“They look happy, like they belong together,” Morgan observed. She turned as the courtroom door opened. “It’s time. You ready?”

He took a very deep breath. “Let’s do it, lady.”

“No matter what, I love you,” she said.

“That’s all I need to know.”

Morgan could feel Alex vibrating with worry as they entered the courtroom. They sat at the defense table, and she opened her file, the one she’d spent the last week memorizing just in case the district attorney or the DEA decided to be difficult. She knew Alex probably had nothing to worry about, but she also knew that powerful people often played games with the truth to hide their own failings. Crispin had told her everything was on track, but until the judge delivered the verdict, it was all in the air.

She smiled at her lover, trying to reinforce the courage he needed to face this moment. “It’ll be okay,” she whispered.

There was no reply, as Alex’s eyes remained riveted on the door where Judge Redburn would enter. No doubt, he was flashing back to the day when he’d been found guilty.

The door opened, Alex took a quick breath, and then the clerk called for those in the courtroom to rise. The onlookers came to their feet, then returned to their seats when the judge took his chair. Redburn looked older than the last time Morgan had seen him, at the hospital. Even though his daughter was expected to recover, the shock had still taken its toll.

The judge looked down at them. “Mr. Parkin.”

Alex, to his credit, kept his voice free of panic. “Good day, Your Honor.”

Redburn addressed the courtroom. “The case before us today is to determine whether there is sufficient cause to overturn the conviction of Alexander Michael Parkin for possession of a Schedule Two narcotic. To that end, both this court and the district attorney’s office have reviewed the new evidence.” He consulted a sheet. “Mr. Douglas?”

The man rose. “Your Honor. Our office has worked in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement to review the documentation that was compiled by the late Special Agent Dennis Simms.”

“And your conclusion?”

“We have verified every claim in this rather . . . impressive collection of information, and we have come to the conclusion that the cocaine that resulted in Mr. Parkin’s conviction was indeed planted by Agent Simms. Further documentation was provided in the form of audio recordings of conversations between Simms and Vladimir Buryshkin, also deceased, wherein the agent was ordered to frame Mr. Parkin. It appears that Mr. Parkin was close to busting a new drug-running operation that Buryshkin had established in Baton Rouge, and they wanted him out of the way.”

“Does your office have any objection to vacating the conviction?”

Alex gripped the edge of the table, his hands shaking now.

Douglas looked at him. “None whatsoever.”

“Then it is the opinion of this court that a miscarriage of justice occurred when the jury, acting on the information they were provided, found Mr. Parkin guilty of this crime. This court vacates that verdict, rendering it null and void, thereby restoring Mr. Parkin’s full rights of citizenship.”

Redburn leaned forward on his elbows, looking directly at Alex now. “If you were any other man, I would caution you against feeling bitter about what has happened to you, because we both know those years in prison cannot be returned to you. However, your recent actions have shown that you have found yourself on solid ground, and I expect that your future actions will prove this court’s decision to be a wise one.” He banged his gavel. “Now get out of here, and go have a life.”

“Yes!” Alex shouted, pumping his fist. He spun around and grabbed Morgan, squeezing her in a tight embrace.

“Plan on celebrating tonight, lady,” he said in her ear. “All night long.”

“You’re on.”

He’d barely made it outside the courtroom when he was mobbed by his sister and his friends. Tucker slapped his back hard, while Miri cried.

Thank you, Dennis. Rest in peace, guy.

Morgan noticed his expression. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“You ready to party, Parkin?” Tucker called out.

“Bring it on, dude. Bring. It. On.”

Chapter Thirty

The interior of the bar was crowded and raucous, and though this was where Miri had been attacked, she had insisted that it was where they needed to go. She said it was her way of dealing with the memories.

The Veritas crew commandeered a table in the back corner, away from the speakers and the band. The first round of drinks came courtesy of Crispin, and it went on from there. There were jokes, dancing, and then more drinking. It was like a family celebration.

He trusted these people, and they trusted him. It was more than he’d ever expected just out of prison: a good job, good friends, and a woman to love. Whenever he thought about it, his chest tightened and his eyes grew misty.

He was on his second beer and eyeing Morgan, who had stripped off her fancy suit jacket, the fine silk of her blouse caressing her breasts. The sight made him wonder how soon he could spirit her away to begin that night of one-on-one celebration. Because now, he was truly free.

She must have caught the “I want you” glint in his eyes, as she leaned over and whispered, “Meet me in the supply closet in five, okay? It’s near the restrooms.”

“Ah. Okay.”

He had no idea what she had in mind, but watched as she made her way through the other patrons, toward the ladies’ room, her shirt moving across her butt in a way that made other guys check her out. One whistled.

Too late. She’s mine.

Tucker moved over next to him. “Fine lady you got there. Pretty, smart, and tough. That’s a helluva combo.”

“She’s a keeper.” Alex thought for a moment. “You any good at adding ink to prison tattoos?”

His friend raised an eyebrow. “You got one?”

“Yeah. A blackwork phoenix on my leg. It just doesn’t match my life any longer. Needs some color, you know?”

Tucker’s eyes followed his, settling on Morgan as she disappeared down the hallway.

“Understood. What colors are you thinking?”

Alex already had that worked out. “Red for passion, yellow for the sun, blue for the water, and green for . . . my Morgan’s eyes.”

“Stick a fork in you, you are so done, my friend,” Tucker said, laughing. “Just call and make an appointment. It’s on the house.”

“Damn, you’re gonna make me wail like a baby if you keep that crap up.”

“You are such a wuss,” Tucker said, grinning. “Good to have you home, my friend.”

“Good to have a life again.”

A couple of minutes later, Alex followed in Morgan’s wake, skirting around his sister, who was dancing with Sam. She was laughing and having fun, though the guy was probably at least a decade older than her.

Out of the corner of his eye, Alex caught a glimpse of Neil. The Iceman watched her with more interest than was required, now that the threat was gone. Alex paused by him for a second, feeling the need to play Cupid.

“You know, you could ask her to dance, and I wouldn’t rip your heart out for it.”

Neil looked up, then shook his head. “Best not to.”

“Your choice. Great girl. I know she can hold her own with you.”

The barest hint of a smile came to Neil’s lips. “No doubt about that. That’s why it’s not a good idea.”

“Your loss.”

After a quick trip to the men’s room, Alex located the supply closet. Hoping no one saw him, he ducked inside. The light was on, and at the back of the small space was Morgan, her silk blouse partially unbuttoned to reveal her glorious cleavage.

“Lock the door,” she said, her voice husky and full of promise.

He fumbled behind him to see if there was a lock. To his surprise, there was a slide bar, and he pushed it across. There were fresh wood shavings where the lock had been installed, which made him wonder if Morgan had had something to do with it.

She beckoned to him with her finger. As he walked toward her, his body screamed that this was his woman, and he wanted her
now.

“Hi. My name is Morgan,” she said in a low whisper.

“And what’s a hot lady named Morgan doing in a supply closet?”

“A couple things,” she said, pulling him closer so he could smell her perfume, and her desire. “First thing? I’m an idiot.”

“That’s kind of harsh.”

“No. I’m an idiot. I spent five years blaming myself for something my husband did. I blamed him for being weak.”

“And now?”

“Now I know that we’re all weak in one way or another. It all depends on whether we let those mistakes destroy us, or make us stronger.”

“What’s the verdict?”

“That I’m stronger when I’m with you. That you make me feel alive, and I want that for as long as I can have it.”

“I concur. What’s the other thing? You said there were a couple.”

She undid the remaining buttons on her silk shirt, revealing a black lace bra, her nipples straining against the fabric. His mouth went dry.

“I’ve always wanted to have scorching sex with a hot guy in a place like this. You game, Parkin?”

His mind reeled as his blood heated. What the hell had he done to deserve such an amazingly sexy woman? “Hot, fast, and hard?”

“You got it. We can do slow, sensual, and sultry later.”

“Definitely sensual and sultry later. But right now . . . ”

He skimmed his hands across her breasts, rubbing hard across the beaded nipples, and then down her thighs. He pressed his burgeoning erection against the sweet spot between her thighs.

His hands reached under her skirt and only found soft skin. Her panties were gone.

“Jesus, Morgan. Do you know what you do to me?”

“I suspect I’m about to find out,” she said, undoing his belt, then pulling down the zipper. The pants fell to his knees.

Pulling her up against him, he felt the warm wetness that told him she was ready for him. “You’re going to kill me one of these days.”

“Not yet, baby. Not yet.”

She tugged down his briefs and then he was home, driving inside her with a power that he never knew he possessed. Every stroke made her moan, her nails digging through his shirt.

Her long legs lifted to wrap around his waist.

“Harder,” she cried. He shifted so every stroke rubbed against just the right spot. She sucked in air, shaking in his arms, then screamed as an orgasm surged through her, the sound lost in the noise of the bar and the band.

Her muscles tightened around him, pushing him higher, then kicking him over the edge. Alex cried out her name as his release tore through him, lifting him so high he didn’t know if he could ever find his way down.

Even after he stopped moving, she was still moaning, rubbing against him. He knew what she wanted, and a few more thrusts brought her another body-shaking orgasm. Finally, she slumped against him. He remained inside her, not ever wanting to leave.

“Jesus, Alex. You’re going to kill me one of these days.”

He laughed as his own words came back to him.

“Let’s test that theory, okay? Give it a few years. Decades. See how it goes. You game?”

Her eyes rose to his, and he could tell the instant she realized what he’d just suggested. “Decades, huh?” she asked. He nodded. “Yeah, I’m game. Because who else is going to keep you alive and happy?”

“No one, baby. No one but you.”

“Then let’s do it. You and me,” she said, touching his face.

“I love you, Morgan. I love you so much.”

“And I love you more than I ever thought possible. That frightens me. But it exhilarates me more.”

He kissed her, feeling the bonds tightening between them, the ones growing stronger with each passing day.

“We better go. Someone will miss us.”

“Come back here exactly a year from now?” she asked.

He laughed as they straightened their clothes. Morgan pulled her black panties out of her purse and slid them on, and he groaned at the sight.

“You got it. Every year, right here. Or the nearest bar, wherever we might be. Until, well, until we can’t do it anymore.”

“Like that’s ever going to happen,” she joked.

“Well, maybe when I’m ninety.”

“They have pills for that kind of thing,” she said, winking.

“God, what have I gotten myself into?”

Morgan laughed and opened the door. As they walked out, Miri strolled by them on her way to the restroom. She looked at the pair of them, taking in their “I just got laid” expressions and the open supply-closet door behind them.

She grinned. “You are so busted, bro,” she said.

“I will never hear the end of this,” he moaned.

“But it was worth it, right?” Morgan asked.

“With you, lady?” he said. “Always.”

His sister took hold of Morgan’s arm. “Walk me to the restroom, will you? We need some girl time together.”

He knew in an instant that it was because of her attack, how she’d been grabbed in this very hallway. Now she was confronting those fears with typical Parkin chutzpah.

“Sure,” Morgan said, understanding as well.

They slid their arms around each other’s waists and walked away. Watching them, Alex knew he was truly one blessed man. He’d gotten a second chance at life.

When he returned to the bar he found more than a few envious eyes on him. Crispin raised eyebrow, but kept his expression neutral.

“Get lost, Parkin?” Lars said, grinning. Neil smirked, but held his tongue.

“Not a chance,” he said, shaking his head.

I’ll never be lost with Morgan at my side.