Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers (325 page)

“We going in?” Clarence asked.

Millie hesitated. With this many police cars around, some type of news media would only be a short distance behind them. The sound of Juanita wailing in Spanish made up her mind for her. She was needed here.

“Yep.”

Exiting the car, Millie clumped up the sidewalk, her keen eyes taking in the scene, digesting it, and not liking the conclusions she came up with.

“Sorry, ma’am, you can’t go in there.” Office Pete Anderson stood guard at the door, stopping the couple on the porch steps.

“Humph,” Millie snorted, eyes flashing. “That’s my friends in there, sonny. And unless you’re planning on arresting me, I’d suggest you step aside.”

Juanita set off in another burst of Spanish, and not waiting for an answer, Millie pushed by the young officer. “Come on, Clarence.”

Shrugging, Clarence grinned at the officer and followed Millie inside.

Doc Hawthorne glanced up from his patient as the door opened. “Thank God,” he muttered as Millie and Clarence closed the door behind them. Leaving Juanita wailing over José, he filled Millie in on what he knew.

“Is José okay?” Millie asked.

“Would be if I could get that damn woman to stop her blubbering long enough for me to finish stitching up his head,” Doc growled.

Millie nodded and crossed the room. “Juanita, you stop all that moaning and groaning right now. We got things to do.”

Juanita stopped her wailing but continued to wring her hands.

“You got coffee?”

Juanita nodded.

“Good. You come in the kitchen and help me. Got lots of people out there that could use some good coffee, and probably a good breakfast.” Nodding to Doc, Millie maneuvered Juanita toward the kitchen.

#

Sarah stopped at the edge of the yard to catch her breath, motioning Officer Anderson to join her.

“We need to set up roadblocks. Jackson said he took off in a car.” Sarah gasped out the words.

“I’ll get on it right away.”

“Wait. How are they?”

“Doc says they’ll be fine.”

“Where’s Joshua?”

“Him and the other guy took off right after we got here.”

Sarah frowned. “Did they say where they were going?”

“Nope, just took off.”

“Set up the roadblocks. I’ll see if I can raise Joshua on the radio.”

Anderson nodded. “Oh, there’s an old man and woman inside. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“They’re okay.” Sarah almost smiled. Nobody said no to Millie.

“Damn.” She cursed as she slammed the microphone in place. Tears of frustration filled her eyes. Where the hell were they?

Be strong, Sarah.

“What?” Sarah turned toward the sound, feeling the hair rise on the back of her neck. A sudden chill in the wind. Rob stood only a few feet away, his image shimmering.

Be strong.

Sarah shuddered as she watched the image dissipate. She must be losing her mind. Or was she? And did it really matter? Whatever she’d seen, heard, real or hallucination, was right. She had to be strong now for Nikki.

The front door opened and Millie came out, balancing a tray of mugs. “Lord be, child,” she exclaimed, shoving the tray at Officer Anderson. “Drink that.” Millie hurried over to Sarah.

Millie fought the urge to take Sarah in her arms. One look told her the young woman was hanging by a thread that might break at any moment. She opened her mouth to speak just as the radio squawked.

“Sarah, are you there?”

Jerking open the door, Sarah grabbed the mike. “Joshua, where the hell are you? And where’s Gavin?”

“We love you, too.” Joshua chuckled before turning serious. “Got somebody here you might want to talk to. Say hi to your mommy, honey.”

“Hi, Mommy.”

Sarah’s knees buckled and she sat down on the front seat, clutching the microphone. “Nikki.” Her voice quivered and broke, tears coursing down her face.

“Don’t cry, Mommy. I’m okay. Gavin came and got me, just like Cory said he would.”

Taking the mike, Joshua lowered his voice. “Listen, Sarah, get everybody you can out to the old mill on Elliott Pike. I’m sending Gavin back with Nikki. I’ll stay here and watch Cooper until backup arrives.” Joshua clicked off, his eyes meeting Gavin’s over Nikki’s head. “That’s the way it’s gonna be, partner.”

Gavin nodded. He knew somebody had to stay. “No heroes?”

Joshua grinned, popping a fresh toothpick between his teeth. “I ain’t the hero type.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Sarah dropped the mike, burying her face in her hands as sobs shook her body. Relief had finally broken the thread holding her together.

“There, there, honey. It’s gonna be all right now. We got our baby back.” Millie placed her arms around Sarah, patting her gently on the back. Her hand stilled at the sight of the five shirtless officers struggling to carry the make-shift stretcher. “Carl?” Her voice was barely a whisper, her heart racing at the sight of Carl’s haggard face. Disentangling herself from Sarah, she shook her. “Pull it together, Sarah. We got work to do.”

Sarah struggled, breathing deeply, pulling her sobs under control as her eyes followed Millie’s gaze.

Millie strode across the yard issuing orders to the officers.

“Hurry up and get him inside. You boys need to get out to the old mill and collar Cooper.”

Arthur Daniels stopped mid-stride, a startled look on his face as he took in all five foot two inches of gray fury standing in front of him. He had a feeling he’d just met his match.

“Now you boys be careful,” Millie urged as she led them up the front stairs and opened the door. “Don’t hurt him.”

Doc looked up from washing his hands, taking in the gravity of the situation in one glance. “Put him over here.”

Millie stood vigilant as they transferred Carl to the cot. She rubbed Carl’s face tenderly. “It’s gonna be all right, Carl. Knew you’d get your damn self shot,” she grumbled affectionately.

“Millie, quit blubbering all over my patient and get out of the way,” Doc ordered. “Get these men some coffee.”

“Me, too,” Carl mumbled weakly. “And put some of that goddamn brandy in it.”

“No brandy.” Doc ordered, cutting away the cloth around Carl’s wound.

“Shit,” Carl mumbled just before passing out.

Arthur Daniels glanced from the doctor to Millie. An even match if he’d ever seen one. “Don’t have time for coffee, Doc. What was that you were saying about the old mill and Cooper, Ms. Crawford?”

Sarah spoke up from the doorway. “Joshua is there keeping an eye on him. We need to get everyone out there as soon as we can.”

“What about Nikki?” Daniels shrugged into his shirt.

“She’s safe. Gavin’s bringing her here. We can’t wait.”

Daniels nodded. “I’ll ride with you. Let’s get going.”

#

Joshua continued to watch Cooper from his spot among the trees. The grave was almost finished. Cooper’s attitude fascinated him. The man was humming and smiling as he dug. “You’d think the son-of-a-bitch was planting flowers instead of a body,” Joshua muttered to himself.

Finished, Jeremiah stood admiring his handiwork as he wiped the sweat from his face. He glanced at the bag, a small stirring of guilt. He shouldn’t have killed her. Shaking his head, he quelled the thoughts. Why should he feel guilty? He wasn’t crazy. Issie was waiting for him, and soon they’d be going home. She was just a whore he’d picked up off the streets. Probably would have been dead in a few months anyway. This was just a nightmare. The doctors had said he’d have nightmares. All he had to do was get home. Then everything was okay. Issie was alive. He’d told them she wasn’t dead.

He dragged the body to the open hole and pushed it in. A song. That’s what was needed. Smiling, Jeremiah gripped the shovel and started refilling the grave. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”

Joshua shuddered as the strong clear voice carried through the forest. Nuts. The guy was totally nuts. Shifting for a comfortable position, he glanced behind him. They should have been here by now. The forest became deathly quiet as the singing stopped.

“Oh, hell,” Joshua muttered as he watched Cooper drop the shovel and head around the side of the mill. He couldn’t wait any longer. Slashing and darting through the trees, he made his way around to the front of the mill just as Cooper entered the open door. Wiping the sweat from his eyes, he crouched waiting as the seconds ticked by.

I’m going there to meet my mother, I’m going there no more to roam, I’m only going over Jordan …

The song played softly inside Joshua’s head as he watched the doorway.

I’m only going over home.

“Oh, crap,” Joshua muttered as he realized what the song meant. He rushed for the open doorway.

#

“How is he?” Millie bent over the motionless form lying on the old cot.

“Lost a lot of blood.” Doc met Millie’s concerned gaze, his own eyes frank, honest. Never was much for lying to people. “We got to get him to a hospital quick.”

Millie nodded, eyes misting over again as she walked to the front door. Clarence joined her there, placing one arm around her shoulders. “He should have been here by now,” Millie whispered, leaning into the comfort of Clarence’s shoulder. Her body tensed at the sound of the approaching helicopter. “It’s about time.” She muttered. “Come on, Clarence.”

They stood on the front porch, hands locked tightly together, as they watched the helicopter slowly descend in the front yard.

“Took your damn time!” Millie yelled over the sound of the whirring blades as the huge figure climbed down from the passenger seat.

Chief Walsh stopped, his face breaking into a wide grin. “Millie, you sure are a sight for sore eyes.” Striding quickly up the steps he captured her in a bear hug before sticking a hand out to Clarence. “Robert Walsh.”

“Junior.” Millie sniffled, wiping away a tear. “We gotta get Carl to a hospital.”

Walsh nodded, his face lined with worry. “How is he?”

“Doc says he’s lost too much blood,” Millie answered, leading the way inside.

Robert Walsh, Jr., forgot he was the Chief of the FBI as he looked down at the old man who had started it all for him. He’d take a bullet for any of his guys, but this one, this one was really dear to his heart. Kneeling beside the cot, he lowered his head in silent prayer.

“Sooner we move him the better,” Doc stated flatly. Prayer was good, but he wanted to get his patient on the way to the hospital.

“Let’s get him to the helicopter. We’ll fly him to Richmond.”

“Edgewood’s closer. We’ll go there,” Doc stated, reloading his medical bag.

Walsh didn’t bother arguing. Something in the doctor’s eyes told him he’d lose.

#

Sarah shivered as the anguished scream seemed to come from all directions.

“Shit,” Daniels muttered, pushing through the briars. “Move it guys!”

The single gunshot stirred fear in their hearts. Ignoring the branches and briars, they raced the remaining distance to the mill.

Sarah stopped them at the edge of the forest, surveying the clearing around the mill. “Fan out. Move in slow.”

Sarah was once again seized by gut-wrenching guilt as her gaze fell on the freshly covered grave. Too many people had died already because of her.

“I’m going in.” She stood up, and before Arthur could stop her, darted across the open space behind the mill.

“Dammit. Work your way around, but hold your position.” Daniels issued orders, as he stood up and sprinted after Sarah.

Catching up with Sarah, he stopped her, motioning for her to take one side and he’d take the other. They arrived at the open doorway together.

Taking a deep breath, Sarah glanced at Daniels and nodded. The two entered the dim interior, guns extended, eyes darting around the huge room for places to hide.

“Joshua!” Sarah called out, eyes watchful for signs of any threat.

“In here, Sarah.”

Joshua sat on the far bench, gazing at the remains of Jeremiah Campbell.

“I tried to stop him. Said he couldn’t take it any more. Couldn’t stand to see her body again. He thought Nikki was his little girl.”

Holstering his gun, Daniels nodded to Sarah. “I’ll go get the guys, start searching, and call it in.”

Sarah sat down next to Joshua, placing her hand over his as she tried to summon up the hate she’d felt for Cooper. All she felt was immense relief. She was glad he was dead. “It’s over, Joshua.”

Joshua squeezed her hand, his grip tightening as the laughter flowed around him.
Too late, Joshua. You’re too late.

#

“Now, Millie, are you ready to go?” The chief was pacing back and forth. He’d insisted on coming to her house with her when she left José’s.

“Wondered why you didn’t go with Carl.” Millie huffed around the kitchen, clearing cups and dishes.

“The capture of Campbell is going to be big news, Millie. My people will be here in about four hours. The media will be here long before that. I’m going back, and you’re going with me.”

Millie turned, wringing the dishrag in her hands. “Ain’t going without Clarence.”