Freezing Point (18 page)

She recalled the several times Jesse had been there for her. And even if he couldn't help her tonight, even if he was caught up in the sting operation, she could at least hide somewhere because she still had the key to his studio.

And maybe, just maybe, the madman chasing her would be the one to stumble into Carlos at the wrong time.

 

The hairs on the back of Jesse's neck stood erect as he sliced blocks of dry ice into ten-pound slabs, wearing protective gloves. The cash would go between the slabs. He thought when Miguel had told him the guy had arrived early, he was speaking of the man delivering the cash, but no, it was Harrison Spear.

Jesse had already had one run-in with him at Casey's house. He'd been the one to drop the incriminating thumb drive.

Jesse had no doubt he wanted his property back. When Jesse stepped from the back of the truck onto the concrete of the loading dock, Spear was talking to Miguel. He eyed Jesse with distrust.

Was he about to lose control here? Lose his life, too? Though he'd wanted to prove himself one last time, if he had things to do over again, he might choose to quit and go away with Casey, make a new life together.

But now he might have completely blown it with her and lost that chance, as well.

He made his way to Miguel, ignoring Spear's looks, trying to act like he was clueless to the man's personal issues. Approaching Miguel, he said, “What next?”

“Don't be impatient, Jesse. We're waiting for the delivery.”

“But the sublimation time is counting down.”

The sound of a vehicle entering the parking lot sent a mixture of relief and tension through Jesse. Since Spear's arrival, his apprehension had climbed a few notches. If he could get Miguel alone, maybe he could find out what the guy was doing here—or maybe this was all part of the process. It seemed logical to ask to be introduced, but then, he'd already met the guy at the Helms's house, and he wasn't sure bringing that up in front of Miguel or Carlos at the moment was for the best.

Besides, Spear himself didn't appear eager to disclose that they knew each other. He, too, had something to hide.

Jesse barely caught the smirk before it crept over his face.

There was no reason to smirk. Spear suspected something. Jesse could feel it in his bones. The vehicle, which Jesse now saw was an old silver Buick Roadmaster, pulled next to the refrigerated truck. That made sense—it had a sizable trunk.

He held on to his cool veneer, but his pulse thrummed through his veins.

This should be the cash.

The driver—a man Jesse had never met—popped the trunk to reveal a case about four square feet. Jesse would guess the case held, depending on the size of the bills, anywhere from half a mill to a mill and a half.

His throat constricted.

Carlos and Spear pulled the case from the trunk of the car and slid it onto the edge, where Miguel and Jesse lifted it into the back of the truck. They both climbed in and worked quickly to stack the cash between the slabs. Though the truck was well ventilated, Jesse wasn't of a mind to die from asphyxiation tonight. He had a job to complete, and hopefully, a woman to love.

Suddenly, Carlos jumped into the back of the truck.

“Someone's here,” he said with a scowl and pulled a gun.

Had one of the agents reacted too soon? Jesse hadn't given the signal yet.

“Who is it?” Miguel asked.

Jesse wasn't in a good position to signal for backup, but he might have no choice.

“Jesse's girlfriend. It was like I thought, Miguel. She can't be trusted.” Carlos lifted his chin, defiant. “And neither can he.”

Oh, no! He couldn't signal them now, not with her here. She could get killed.

Miguel looked from Jesse to Carlos and pressed the gun Carlos held toward the floor. “I'll check it out,” Miguel said.

“I'm coming, too,” Jesse said, his blood raging to the boiling point.

What are you doing, Casey?

Carlos stared Jesse down as he passed. “Miguel! We do not have time for this.”

“So get to work,” Miguel said. Spear leaped into the truck, apparently eager to get the cash stashed into hiding.

“Come on, Jesse,” Miguel motioned for him to follow.

Furious, Jesse thought he would explode.

I don't believe this!

Had she fooled them all? Jesse squeezed his hands into fists and followed Miguel.

He needed to signal to the others, but in doing so, Casey could get caught in the crossfire. He had to assess this new threat first. Again, timing was everything.

And what would he do if they actually found her?

Jesse wished he could pull his gun, but that might tip his hand too soon. They exited the loading dock next to the truck and jogged around the side of building where Casey had been seen.

As they neared the corner, Miguel peeked around, Jesse right behind him. “Look, Miguel. Let me handle Casey.”

Miguel lifted a finger to his lips then slid back from view. “There's someone after her.”

“What? What makes you say that?”

“I saw a man jump from the shadows. He looked roughened up, bloody, even from this distance.”

“Was it Knife Guy?”

Miguel shook his head. “I don't think so, never saw him before. He went in the side door to your studio.”

Jesse and his brilliant idea to give Casey a key.

Miguel moved to slip around the corner, and Jesse tugged him back. “Let me take care of this, okay? She's my problem.”

For the first time, Jesse thought he saw doubt in Miguel's eyes, but the man only nodded. “We're brothers, Jesse. I trust you.”

Miguel crept back toward the light from the loading dock. Jesse tried to numb his mind against Miguel's words, knowing what Miguel would soon discover about him. The sour taste of bile rose in his throat and he spat it out.

Whoever was after Casey—if it was related to the crime
ring or if it was the infamous Will Tannin who had apparently skipped town—Casey was running for her life.

Of that, Jesse had no doubt. Otherwise she would never have come here tonight, knowing the danger she was in. Knowing the danger she would put them both in by showing her face.

He crept around the building to his studio and slipped inside, gun at the ready. He made a quick search and discovered it empty, then slowly moved through the maze of corridors in search of Casey.

He had to keep his anger in check. He reminded himself that she knew what was going down tonight and the only reason she would be here was because she thought that was her only choice.

Because Jesse was here. She'd told him that he really was her hero; that, after he told her about his job—well, at least before she decided she couldn't trust him
because
of his job.

 

Casey was nearly out of breath, but she couldn't give up now, not when she was close to surviving this maniac's attempt to kill her. She'd run as hard and fast as she could away from the scene and turned in time to see Tannin climb from the SUV and make his way toward her.

Aware that he was following her, she led him to the ice company, knowing she could use that to her advantage. She'd avoided running directly into the gaping entry of the loading dock because she saw the men there, Jesse among them, so she'd used the key Jesse had given her.

If she could somehow draw Tannin into the warehouse and loading dock, make him the target. But how?

Lord, I have no idea what I'm doing here, but I see no other way. Show me the way. Protect me!

Quietly, Casey sneaked around cold storage bins and the
machines used to make both block ice and dry ice. A hand clamped over her mouth.

Her scream was stifled. The memory of the first time Tannin had done this gripped her. What would come next?

From behind, he pressed his mouth against her ear. “Now I'm going to finish what I started. How appropriate that you should die here. I'll put you in the freezer when I'm done. This time you won't escape.”

Casey kicked and struggled, but to no avail. Why had God made men so much stronger? Tears burst from the corners of her eyes. Before she could gasp for breath, Tannin had her pinned on the ground and put his hands around her throat.

Not again!

His hands ripped away from her throat. Casey opened her eyes.

Jesse!

He held Tannin by his neck. “What do you think you're doing?”

Casey coughed and choked, trying to gasp out the words, “Jesse, it's Will Tannin.”

Jesse scowled. “That's right. I hardly recognized you from your internet picture. You've got blood all over your face.”

J
esse had longed for the chance to have a go at Tannin. But the timing was all wrong. He needed to be on the loading dock, witnessing the transaction. He should be signaling for the team to make their arrests.

His rage and frustration at the circumstances were meriting, but he held himself in check. Will Tannin rammed his head into Jesse's gut, slamming him into a wall. Together, they fell sideways.

Tannin knocked over a container. A block of dry ice clunked onto the concrete as Tannin stumbled and fell into the fog. His scream yanked Jesse from his storm. Jesse could only imagine Tannin's pain. At-109.3°F, his skin at the contact point would die, leaving a burn blister or worse, frostbite. Plus, the gas would asphyxiate the man if he didn't get out of the fog.

Jesse yanked Tannin from the brink of further bodily damage, then reached behind and snatched his gun, swinging it around to aim at Tannin.

Tannin stared at his hands, pain etching across his face, then looked at Jesse. “Go ahead. You might as well kill me.”

“I'm not going to kill you,” Jesse said. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. “But you're going away for a long time.”

“For what?”

Standing in the corner, Casey's breath came in torrents, her face a mixture of terror and anger. “For stalking me, that's what. For trying to kill me, that's what.”

A strange laugh escaped Tannin as he slowly blinked and glanced at Casey. “The police have yet to prove anything. I see no reason to stop.”

“Well, they will now. I'm an ICE agent, and you'd better believe that I'm wired.”

Now that he'd contained the situation, and unfortunately, given out his identity, he needed to give the signal.

“The ice is hot!” The authorities would immediately descend on the ice company. Jesse needed to get Casey to safety. But Tannin blocked her path.

“On the ground,” Jesse said, directing his command at Tannin. “Now!”

Jesse had to work fast. As Tannin appeared to drop to his knees, Jesse held one hand out to Casey, motioning her from behind the captive.

Instead of falling to the floor, Tannin rushed Jesse, catching him in the knees. He plummeted backward, banging against the concrete.

His gun slid away from him.

Despite his burns, Tannin wrapped his hands around Jesse's neck.

In the background, he could hear gunfire. Obviously Carlos and Miguel weren't going to surrender without a fight.

Tannin was a big man and also well-trained. No matter what defensive tactic Jesse used, he couldn't budge the guy from his throat. His head was about to explode.

He needed air.

Miguel's face loomed behind Tannin, then suddenly, Tannin stumbled off. Jesse sucked in a deep breath. He rolled to his knees and scrambled to his feet.

Where's my gun?

Ahead of him, Tannin grabbed the SIG. Jesse didn't wait for him to use it, but yanked Casey behind a stack of giant crates. Miguel appeared around the other side of the crate, empty-handed.

He shrugged, seeming to understand Jesse's silent question. “Carlos is the one who packs, not me.”

Jesse nodded, pressing against the boxes and shielding Casey. “How much did you hear?” he asked, keeping his voice to a whisper.

“Enough.” Miguel's hard expression was tempered with the pain of betrayal.

His reaction startled Jesse, but he didn't have time to process what it meant. “Why did you help me?”

“Because the Cordovas never turn their back on family, no matter what. Besides, your fight with Casey's stalker has nothing to do with you and me. He's a bad man.”

Grasping at Miguel's words, Jesse released a sigh. Sweat beaded, dripping down his temples and his back. Miguel backed away from Jesse and Casey, slipping around the corner of the boxes and into the shadows.

Miguel had saved his life. And that, after hearing what Jesse told Will. But why? Had Jesse misjudged Miguel all along? Could Miguel have served as an insider? An informant?

Jesse blew out a breath, realizing he should have worked the situation differently, and now, he should follow and arrest Miguel. But the sound of gunfire kept him planted next to the crates with Casey. Without his own gun, he was useless.

All he could do was pray, and for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime, he felt at peace doing just that. Like God would listen. The only reason he knew that now was because of Miguel's actions. The man was loyal. If a man betrayed can be loyal, how much more can God?

I will never leave nor forsake you…

The words gripped his heart, and Jesse knew beyond a doubt that God had been listening, but Jesse hadn't wanted to talk.

“Where's Tannin?” Casey's breath was soft against his neck. He had her pinned between him and the box, protecting her as best he could.

Carlos, Spear and the other driver were likely attempting to hold off the agents, at least for the moment.

He shook his head then pressed his mouth to her ear. “I need to get you somewhere safe and out of the line of fire,” he whispered.

Dread consumed her eyes. She squeezed his arm. “No, Jesse, stay with me.”

He slid his hands to cup her face, his fingers slipping through her mass of hair. “I won't leave you, I promise, until I know you're safe.”

“I'll never be safe as long as Tannin is free.”

Or alive…

“I don't want you to get hurt or killed,” she said, her whisper barely audible.

Jesse searched her eyes, knowing that now wasn't the time—but he couldn't help himself. She'd thought he'd been using her. Had she forgiven him? In her eyes, he saw everything he needed to see. She loved him.

But would it be enough?

The gunfire subsided. Voices and footsteps resounded in the warehouse. Jesse sagged against the box.

It was over.

Suddenly, Tannin stepped into the aisle between the crates, aiming Jesse's gun at them. The man's hands shook, making Jesse nervous. Even if he didn't intend to shoot, he could do so accidentally.

“Freeze!” The shout came from somewhere outside Jesse's line of sight. “Lower your weapon.”

Tannin made to follow the instructions.

But just as he'd pretended to obey with Jesse, he went through the motions with the agent behind him until the last possible second. Then he turned and fired the gun. In return, he received answering gunshots, his body rocking back and forth.

Casey screamed as Jesse pulled her to the ground with him, covering her body with his. Before he'd shielded Casey, he'd seen Tannin's body riddled with bullets.

Had Casey seen, too?

He became aware that he still covered her when he felt her trembling beneath him. Easing away from her, he saw her tear-stained cheeks.

“Shh.” With his thumb, he wiped at the moisture. “It's all over now.”

She sobbed into his shoulder. Pain at her anguish sliced through him. She'd had to endure the stress of a stalker for months upon months, and now it had culminated in the midst of a dangerous crime-ring takedown.

Casey had known what was happening tonight and she'd purposefully brought her stalker here.

She was one strong woman. He wanted to kiss her, tell her how much he loved her. Convince her this time.

But…not yet.

Timing was everything.

 

Casey was completely spent. Drained, she pulled her face from Jesse's wet shirt. On the floor, he cradled her. She felt like a wimp, but she was finally allowing all her buried emotions and frustrations to spill. Finally, he stood and helped her to her feet.

Men wearing shirts and jackets that said police and ICE
on them, spoke with Jesse. The men he worked with as an agent, the behind-the-scenes heroes. Yet, for the most part, his attention remained on her.

A dreaded familiar face stepped through the loading-dock doors, hands behind his back. Knife Guy!

Another man guided him, a bloody gash along his forehead. The man shoved Knife Guy toward Jesse, who glanced at Casey.

He motioned for her to join him. “Casey, meet the man responsible for watching you. This is Eric Broderich.”

“Ma'am.” Eric nodded, barely offering a smile. “I'm sorry I let you down.”

“Oh, please don't say that. You're a hero.”

Jesse grinned, clearly pleased with the outcome of today's events. “And meet Joseph Tannin, Will's brother. He was dishonorably discharged from the military earlier this year.”

Casey took a step back. So, Knife Guy was Will's brother? Had he also been the genius behind the newspaper hacks? Had he given Will Tannin her cell-phone number? He'd been telling the truth—he'd known where she was all along because his brother had followed her and knew she was staying at her aunt's home.

Eric rubbed the back of his neck. “He owed Will, and was doing the dirty work for him—even putting you in the freezer, toying with you until tonight, when Will was going to show up and finish you off.”

“This time, he would have killed you,” Jesse said, and took a step toward her. He reached for her hand. “You did good, leading him here.”

She looked at Jesse, whose eyes caressed her with admiration and something much more. Love.

If not for him, Will's brother could very well have done her in already.

Guilt squeezed her chest. Once she'd discovered his true identity, she hadn't trusted him.

But tonight, she'd seen the real Jesse in action with her own eyes. He'd left the sting operation to save her.

Tannin's appearance on the scene had forced her here tonight. Though she wasn't sure what to expect, she'd found safety in Jesse's arms. She could trust him with her life, of that she had no doubt.

And…with my heart.

But would she get the opportunity now?

She gazed up at him. “Thank you for saving me.”

God had sent him to protect her. All these months and she thought He had forgotten about her, but He'd been with her all along.

“You're welcome. Are you okay?” Jesse asked.

“Physically, yes.” Casey laughed a little.

Eric escorted Joseph Tannin away.

Casey pressed her hand against Jesse's arm. “What about Will?”

By the expression on his face, she knew the answer. Her knees grew weak and she felt herself slipping toward the floor.

Jesse grabbed her, supporting her. “We should get you to the ambulance. It's waiting outside. They can check you over.”

What? Wait. “Can I…see him?”

He shook his head. “Casey, you don't want to do that.”

After all these months of wishing him out of her life, Casey didn't know how to feel about his death. Yes, she would no longer have to be concerned about him. “But, he's dead. I…”

She what?

“It's a shock, I understand,” Jesse said. He ushered her
from the warehouse, and she allowed him, her thoughts wrapped around what had happened tonight.

“And what about your friend, Miguel?” Had she just said the word
friend?
Nausea whirled in her stomach.

“Miguel was injured in the gunfire, but he'll be fine. He's on his way to the hospital now.”

“Should we go to be with him? Will his wife and child be there?”

Jesse stopped and turned Casey to face him. Again, he cupped her face and spoke in gentle tones. “Miguel is going to be fine. He acted selflessly when helping me with Tannin. He's already providing information to us, and that will garner him a lighter sentence.”

Law-enforcement authorities were busy at work around them as blue-and-red lights flashed from their vehicles outside. Casey saw an ambulance waiting at the loading-dock entrance.

“Jesse…”

He pressed a finger against her lips. “There's plenty of time for us to talk. Right now, let's get you checked out. Then I have a surprise for you.”

No way was Casey waiting for that. “Surprise? What surprise?”

Jesse laughed for the first time that night. “Your aunt and uncle's flight should be arriving in the next half hour. I thought I'd take you to meet them at the airport.”

Casey grew somber. “Thank you, Jesse. I recognize what you did for me tonight. You were willing to blow your cover to save me. I just don't know why.”

Jesse's gaze nearly melted her. She wanted him to tell her that he loved her like he'd done before. Was he holding back now because she'd thrown it back in his face?

Please, Lord, no…

“I promise you the full story, if you want it. But first, I think you should know my real name.”

Of course, she wanted the real story—any other time in her life she'd be ecstatic to hear those words. But right now, she only wanted to hear three little words. Casey tried to hide her disappointment.

Still, learning his real name was probably the right foundation on which to build a relationship, if they even had a future together. “Well, what is it? Tom or something?”

He grinned. “It's still Jesse—” he jammed his hands in his pockets and glanced at the floor then back at her “—Jesse Mitchell.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I couldn't imagine thinking of you as anything other than a Jesse.” She smiled and this time, she was the one to stare at the floor, because Jesse might read her thoughts if he were to look in her eyes.

She wanted to roll the name Casey Mitchell around on her tongue just to hear what that would sound like. But so much had happened. Their relationship was built on a cracking foundation. How could it be restored?

 

A week later, Casey sat on the sofa in the living room, drinking herbal tea with her aunt, who wasn't a coffee person. Her aunt looked very much like Casey's mother, albeit six years younger. Casey had always admired her aunt, and regretted not being able to spend more time with her. If she ended up staying in Southern California, that would all change.