Operation: Endurance (When the Mission Ends) (32 page)

He studied her. “So how are you feeling? I’m surprised you’re already back.”

“I’m good. I’ll be better after this caffeine, especially since it’s going to be a late night. Pete and I have a Krav Maga class tonight, although I’ll admit I plan to let him handle the bulk of the work on this one.”

“Pete?” Brian frowned down at his coffee cup. “Um, have you talked to him lately?”

“I didn’t talk to him, but I texted back and forth with him earlier to remind him about the class tonight. Actually, I texted with all three of the guys: Pete, Lyle, and Stephen.”

Brian glanced around the patrons around them, before turning back to Julie and lowering his voice. “I know Pete isn’t teaching the classes on behalf of the police department. It’s a volunteer thing, but you probably should know that he’s been suspended.”

She shook her head. “Pete Larson? Why? I don’t understand. Why would they suspend him? He didn’t mention it at all. When did this happen?”

“Julie,” he glanced around to make sure that no one was paying them any attention, “I can’t share any of the details, but he has some personal things going on that have interfered with his ability to do his job. Just keep an eye on him. Honestly, I’d be surprised if he even showed up tonight. If he does, though, don’t let on you know about the suspension unless he says something about it. I probably shouldn’t have even mentioned it.” The scowl deepened between his eyes. “You have my cell number, right? Call me if there are any problems.”

Julie frowned. What kind of problems could Pete be having that would cause Brian this kind of concern? “My friend, Toni, is dating him. Should I tell her something? You’re acting like maybe he could be dangerous.”

“No, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you that impression. He’s just been acting a little erratic lately. It’s really just an administrative issue, but he hasn’t handled the stress of a situation well. I wouldn’t want that to negatively affect your classes or students, especially not now when they need the training you’re providing.”

“Okay,” she said, nodding slowly, worried about what this might mean for Pete and his future with the police department, and even what this might mean for him and Toni.

* * *

When Julie arrived at Krav Maga class that night, both Lyle and Stephen were there, but there wasn’t any sign of Pete.

“Have you heard from him?” she asked the guys.

They both shook their heads and exchanged worried glances, but obviously didn’t want to break Pete’s confidence. Toni was in this class and even she was unusually subdued as she kept an eye on the doorway, watching for him, too. He did finally arrive fifteen minutes before class ended, and this was a much different-looking Pete than Julie was used to seeing.

Normally, Pete was clean-cut with his dimples flashing constantly as he shared flirty smiles. He now had a couple of days of dark stubble on his jaw, bloodshot eyes, and a flat-lined mouth that spoke more about his state of mind than anything. Julie hated to see him this stressed out. He gave her a weak apologetic smile but it came nowhere close to touching the sadness in his eyes.

At this point in the class the students were practicing the moves, so Pete settled right into the class, helping to correct form and technique throughout the classroom to those who needed it. Julie didn’t get a chance to talk to him until almost all the students had left. He’d leaned up against the wall with his eyes shut and his head leaned back, the tension in his muscles obvious.

She laid her hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”

His eyes were so full of pain and sadness, she physically hurt for him. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just been a long difficult week. It will be over soon.”

And it was only Monday, but she figured he was talking about whatever the issue was with the police department. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He shook his head, but smiled tiredly at Toni who walked up beside her. “Not right now, but I may take you up on that sometime soon. Thanks, Julie. I’m sorry I was late tonight.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just take care of you. Y’all have a good night. The guys and I can finish up with the rest here.”

They walked out, Pete with his arm around Toni’s waist. She hoped his problems didn’t hurt their new relationship.

Lyle walked up also looking at the couple. “Man, this sucks.”

“Yes, it does. Whatever’s going on, I hope he gets it straightened out soon.” They all needed that for him. His two friends hadn’t been left unscathed by his situation as they appeared almost as distressed as he did. Whatever was going on in the Lubbock PD was taking its toll on all its officers. Having dealt with several of them on a regular basis, these guys knew how to handle stress, but none of them seemed to be at the height of efficiency right now.

Lyle nodded and pressed his lips together in thought.

With a serial killer loose and becoming more and more unpredictable, the guys of the Lubbock PD needed to be on their game.

His final special one before Julie. He smiled kindly at her. “It’s okay, Louisa. The end to your unhappiness is close at hand.” He ran his gloved hand along the side of her face, ignoring her flinch. “You know, I’ve been watching you. I see how unhappy you are with the life Slade has left you with. It’s hard having a brother who has such absolute, corrupt power. He really is a bad man, but that’s okay, because it brought us together. Tonight I’m going to free you from all your pain. And by liberating you, you’ll help me liberate my sweet, innocent Jocelyn.”

A tear rolled down his cheek. The end was so close. It was bittersweet. He’d enjoyed his time with his special ones and knew that the ones who lived were happier for it. And those that hadn’t, like sweet, little Louisa here… Well, their sacrifice for the cause would lead them to the happy ever after. A place where no sadness existed. They should all be so lucky.

“You should be so thankful, Louisa. You’re my final gift, my final special one, before Julie, who’s my lucky number thirteen. Then Jocelyn and I will be together forever. No more unhappiness for any of my special ones. Thank you.”

She’d closed her eyes and he knew in his heart that she’d accepted her fate and was thankful for it. For him. He loved that he was able to free them. No more pain or sadness.

He stilled for a single moment, enjoying the expectation of her nakedness spread before him. His erection grew as he enjoyed the beauty before him. She was perfect as a special one. Her fresh bruises a testament that she’d earned this right. He grasped her spread thighs and slammed his dick into her, feeling her shudder around him. She knew this was necessary. A final cleansing for Jocelyn.

It was going to happen way too quickly for him this time, knowing that she would be his ultimate. A shudder rolled down his spine. Yeah, he was out of time. He slammed the syringe home into her chest and emptied it. The release of the drug this close to her heart made her death immediate. She clenched around him in death and he experienced the ultimate climax as he emptied into the condom, his last before Julie.

Next time, he would find bliss in Julie’s body and they’d both finally be free of their pain. Free of this sad, painful life.

Julie settled into the covers of her bed and picked up her telephone. Every time she thought about doing this, she needed to make a list. That just meant she was on the right track by making this call. She needed to work out these emotions and deal with her sister.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Rach, it’s me.”

“Hey, you. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good. I went back to work this week and everything’s really good.” Julie played with the stitching on the quilt of her bed, fighting the urge to pick up a pen. God, she didn’t know how to get into this with her. “Rachel,” she whispered, “I’m really sorry.”

“Sorry for what, Peanut?”

Julie swallowed her tears, needing to be able to talk so she could get through this. “I’m sorry I blamed you when my life fell apart. I knew it wasn’t your fault, but I needed someone to blame for my world collapsing around me last year.”

“Jules, you know you don’t have to apologize to me for that. You were hurting. It was a natural reaction. There’s nothing to forgive here. We’re family. It’s all good. Besides, I’m a psychologist. Even when you get furious with me, usually I know why you feel that way.”

Julie gave a watery laugh. “God, do I even want to know how many psychological papers you’ve written about me? It helps to have the entire manual of psychotherapy in one person in your family, huh?”

Rachel’s light laughter tinkled across the distance of the phone. “I got my on the job training way early in life. But seriously, are you really okay? How was your appointment with Dr. Eckert?”

“It was good. I mean really good. I think I’m going to really get better this time. He pointed out some things about what happened when we were kids that I never considered.” She swallowed again. “I’ve worked so hard to never think about it. I never gave myself a chance to process those events as an adult.”

“Jules, we were both too young to deal with what we did.”

“Do you think we made a mistake never telling mom and dad about it?”

“At the time, absolutely. We should have told them. We were too young, you especially, to be able to process that kind of trauma. And it was a trauma for both of us. You weren’t the only one who had a hard time dealing with it all. There’s a reason I became a psychologist.” Her voice lowered. “Jules, you’re so strong. I know you think the issues you’ve been having, especially in the last year, are about you being weak. But as a professional, I look at you and see how incredibly strong you are. Most eleven year olds would have buckled under the trauma you went through without help, but you didn’t. You just became so much stronger for it. I’ve always admired that strength and I’ve seen it all again this past year.”

“I’m not strong. I’ve been an incredible coward, but I’m doing better. I’m getting better.”

“Does this have anything to do with a certain gorgeous blond hunk that never left your side in the hospital?”

“Yes,” Julie whispered. “Rach, Chris was Nugget’s father.”

“I had a feeling that was the case. He was way too worried about you to just be a friend. Have you told him?”

“Yeah, and he’s handled it really well all things considered. You could say we’re dating.” That seemed so odd, but in an incredible wonderful way to be able to finally say that.

“That’s great, Jules, but he’s a guy who’s had his own trauma. Just don’t forget that. It’s going to be so important for both of you to be open and honest with each other. It could be way too easy to sink into yourselves and think you can handle your own problems. You especially, because I know that’s already an automatic thing for you. You guys can make it work, but you need to stay upfront with each other.”

“Thank you, Dr. Hyatt.”

“Sorry. I can’t help it. I’m trained to see problems before they occur. If there’s anyone who’s earned a smooth and happy relationship, it’s you two. I want that for you.”

Julie smiled to herself. “Believe me, Rachel; we’re ready for that too. No more traumas; no more drama. God, it sounds like pure Nirvana.”

“Ha, listen to you rhyming. It must be love.”

She giggled. “I think it really is, Rachel. He’s incredible, but I’m terrified that something’s going to come along and ruin it all again. Tell me I’m being stupid, because I know I am, but I can’t help it. I’m so scared of losing him again. I don’t think I could live through that.”

“If that happens, you’ll survive it, because you’re strong, but I think you two are going to be okay. I have a really good feeling about this.”

“Thanks, Rach. I love you and I’m so sorry that I’ve been so awful this last year.”

“Stop, you’ve been fine. You’ve just been hurting and even with that, you’ve been fine. Honestly, Julie, you have enough to worry about. This is not even a blip. Don’t worry. You and I are sisters. That means you’re stuck with me, no matter what.”

“Thank God for that. I love you, Rach.”

“I love you, too, Peanut.”

Thursday morning, Chris and Colton pulled into the parking lot at Mad Rob at the same time. While Chris waited for Colton to get off his motorcycle, he spotted a man he immediately recognized walking across the parking lot to them. Chris glanced around, but the man was the only one who appeared to be there.

“Be ready,” he murmured stepping closer to Colton. “This guy was the head honcho of the group that attacked me last week.”

Colton glanced up sharply and immediately tensed, but the man approached them with his hands out and palms up to show he wasn’t a threat. He stopped ten feet away from them. “I’m not here to cause any problems with you. I’m here to give you information.”

Chris exchanged a puzzled look with Colton before turning back to the guy. “Why would you want to give me information now?”

“Because the man who wanted you dead has taken my sister as retaliation for you living.” The guy’s eyes hardened and his jaw clenched as he looked off in the distance working through his anger. He looked back to them when he appeared to have himself under control again. “Now I want him dead, but I can’t go after him without risking my boys and their livelihood.”