Prisoner (All of You Book 1) (11 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Lani

“There have been some deaths at the Mason County facility that have been questionable,” Killian says when I answer his call on the first ring, at seven thirty the next morning.  “The last three are interesting.  One says it’s a suicide by hanging, but there are finger marks on the body.  The other two both say they’re from a fall, but their necks were broken clean, as if done by a person standing behind them and twisting.  The only difference between those two was one of them had additional bruising on the face and abdomen.”  I can picture all three of them easily in my mind, as if they just happened.  They were all caused by Tony.  I don’t know if I can trust Killian with that information right now.  “And there are more, supposed prison fights, where only one prisoner was injured and they were beaten to death.  Oddly enough, it looks like there’s at least one a week.”

“Hm… it’s almost as if what I told you is true.  Do you want to hear what I’ve found?”  He makes some kind of noise in the back of his throat, and I take it as a yes.  “I’ve only found three buildings that might be big enough to host the fights within a ten minute drive time.  One is the high school, and I know it wasn’t a high school, so I marked it off the list.”

“How do you know it wasn’t a high school?”  He asks.

“Because I did an internet search for the school, and it doesn’t have media boxes in the basketball court.  The next two are a closed factory, and a closed warehouse.  Now, both could have offices above the production floor that could be used as viewing boxes.”  I really got deep into the internet last night.  It was either that, or worry about Tony.  I ended up worrying about Tony anyway, as soon as I put my head down on my pillow.

“How do you know they’re holding the fights in a place that is closed?” he asks.

“There was absolutely no furniture in the viewing box I was in.  Not even a chair.  If it was operational, I think there would have been a chair in the office,” I explain.

“Okay, I’ll go with that,” he says.

“Can we recon them?”  I ask.

“You don’t have jurisdiction.”  He has to fucking remind me.

But I interrupt him.  “I’m on leave, and I could be your consultant.”  He’s silent for several moments.  “Please, Killian.  I promised I wouldn’t let him get killed.”

“Okay,” he agrees after being silent a few seconds.  “But just for today.  And if your smart mouth shows up…”

“It won’t.  I swear to not be a sarcastic, smart ass bitch today,” I say.

I realized last night that I would not be a good mother with the attitude I have.  And I would not be a good mother sleeping around all the time.  So I swore last night, to the baby I have on the way, to curb my attitude and try to be positive.

“I will pick you up in twenty minutes,” he says as he closes the line.  I almost don’t believe him.  I dress quickly, taking only a moment to look at the clothes in my closet.  I’ll need maternity clothes.  Me in maternity clothes.  I laugh at the thought.

Doctor Dad gave me a list of things to get before I see my lady parts doctor.  Iron supplements, which taste disgusting, pre-natal vitamins, which I got at the drug store, orange juice, and cocoa butter. 

I’m taking my vitamins with the orange juice when Killian arrives.  I throw open the door before he even knocks.  I have a bag packed with my tablet, my phone, and a list of the addresses I told him about.  I lock the door behind me, and place my keys in my bag.  “Coffee,” he says, and hands me a Styrofoam cup. 

“No caffeine for me,” I say, and shake my head.  Five years ago I thought he was the best looking man on the planet, besides Doctor Dad.  I thought he should have been an actor.  Now, after being with Tony, Killian’s brown hair and brown eyes are just average, and his skin is too pale.  What did I ever see in him?

“I can’t deal with you with caffeine, how am I going to deal with you without it?”  He groans, and opens the passenger door to his black SUV. 

“Nice car,” I say, and smile.  I want to say,
could your car possibly scream I’m a fed any louder
?  But this is the new Lani, the expectant Lani.

“Where are we going first?” he asks.  I hand him the paper, proving that I can be organized when I set my mind to it.  He enters the address into his GPS system, and I lean back and vow not to complain about his driving.  To occupy myself, I search the internet on my tablet for the Mason County Federal Penitentiary. 

When I pull up the page, I can’t help but swear.  “Mother fucker, it’s Nameless!”

“Who?  What?” he demands, and when he stops at a light I show him what I mean. 

“The warden of the penitentiary, Louise Drake, took an interest in me.  I saw her several times. Hell, I talked to her.  What was she doing at the women’s county jail?”  I wonder aloud.

“Who knows,” he replies, and continues to drive.  I don’t complain when he tunes the radio to classic rock.  I don’t even complain when he sings along, off key.

“The prison is privately owned, and runs as a commercial business, not a federal entity.  The county jail is run by the same company.  No wonder I saw her.  But why did she lead me to the nurse’s office the day after?  And why did she lead me out of the penitentiary the other morning?”  I’m basically talking to myself, because I’ve told Killian none of this.

“You were at the men’s prison?”  He asks in disbelief. 

“For a short while, three times.  Listen, if I tell you the story, you have to suspend judgment, and help me save lives and bust an illegal gambling and underground fighting syndicate, and not worry about the role Tony or I might have played in it.”

“Are you in trouble?” he asks.  I shake my head.  “Did you break any laws?”

“No, and technically neither did Tony.”  So, for the next forty-five miles I tell the story.  He asks for clarification a few times, because God knows the story is hard to believe.  I barely believe it.

“So you were raped by a prisoner, and now you’re pregnant,” he concludes. 

“No, I never said I was raped.  I never said no,” I explain emphatically.  “I could have punched him in the nuts or something.”

“And then you might be dead like Addison.  What were you thinking Melanie?  I mean, really.  Were you thinking?”  He’s actually yelling at me now, and he never yelled at me, not once, while we were together.  And Lord knows I deserved it.

“Well, I wasn’t thinking that I’d step into the middle of a death match ring.”

“Obviously, you couldn’t have known that.”  He agrees with me, for once.

“I just thought a guard was too rough with the women or something.  The guards were actually really nice, except for the fact that they turned women over to the male prisoners.”  I don’t know why I’m trying to defend them.

“Yea, there is that.”  He’s pensive for several minutes.  “It’s all so unbelievable.  I mean, you’re supposed to be catching poachers on Old Man Farmer’s land.”

“I have investigated a death this year,” I correct him.

“Reverend Ted having a heart attack while screwing with the local hooker doesn’t count,” he laughs.

“You’ve checked up on me.”  I shake my head in disbelief.

“I was curious,” he says.  “You call me out of the blue, when I haven’t spoken to you in three years, and just throw this on me.  It’s just…”

“I know,” I agree, as we stop at a local diner.  “Someone might recognize me.  What if Hughes eats lunch here?”

“You’re right.  What are you going to do when you have to pee, mommy-to-be?”

“I don’t know.  Port-a-potty I guess.”  Now he’s made me want to pee, damn it.

“Here,” he says, and pulls a navy blue windbreaker and ball cap out of the back seat that say FBI in big yellow letters.  “Hide your hair, and put on your sunglasses.”

I twist my hair, and put it up under the ball cap, then hide my face behind dark sunglasses.  He’s right, maybe no one will notice me.  We head inside, and sit in a booth in the back.  I have to remove the sunglasses, but I don’t recognize anyone.  We eat, I use the bathroom, and we’re back in the car in forty minutes.

“Are you sure this town has the income to support a high dollar crowd like you’ve described?” he asks.  I shrug, and look around at all the empty store fronts.  But as we get closer to the prison and the jail, business is booming.  A lot of jobs were created by the prison coming to the county. 

“Okay, the prison and the jail are about two miles apart.  You were taken somewhere between the jail and the prison.  Let’s head to the first location.”

We drive down a street, and see several seemingly empty buildings, but there is an armed security guard at one of them, farther down the street.  Killian stops suddenly, and ducks into a side parking lot at one of the buildings. 

“I hope we weren’t seen,” he says.

“I guess we found the right place.”  Thankfully there’s another exit for the parking lot onto the main street.  “Do you want to check the other building?”

He drives to the other building, just to be sure, but there’s not a soul around.  “Fuck, I don’t know how to stake that building out.”

“We’ll have to go in on Saturday,” I say.  That was my plan all along, I just didn’t tell Killian.  “Catch them in the act?”

“I’ll have to set up a mobile unit, a task force, and air support in four days.  And if this doesn’t pan out, I’ll look like a fool,” he reminds me.

“And if it does pan out, you’re headed straight to the top.”  I smile encouragingly when I say it.

“I like the new, positive you,” he says with a grin.

“Sorry, buddy.  I’m taken by a war hero,” I shrug.

“Who is a also prisoner.”

“You always have to see the negatives?”  That’s odd, coming from me. 

“Why is he not in Leavenworth?” he wonders aloud, as he drives toward the prison.  I wish we would just leave the town without being spotted, but he drives to a fucking donut shop and orders coffee.  I can see the prison from the parking lot. 

When he returns to the car with a donut and coffee for himself, and an orange juice and bottle of water for me, I answer him.  “Because he wasn’t court martialed.  He was tried in federal court.  The fucking president threw the book at him.”

“Well, there’s a new administration now.  Maybe they’ll be a little more sympathetic.”  He’s thoughtful and silent again as he drives back toward Winston.  When we arrive back at my house, he says, “I have to contact some people, to find out if we can get this together in four days.”

“If you don’t go with me, I’ll break him out myself,” I inform him.  “I have some money saved up.  We can get lost in a trailer park anywhere in the US.”

“I don’t want to be the one chasing after you, Lani.  Just wait a day.  I’ll get back to you tomorrow, I promise,” he assures me before I close the door.  He waves as he drives off.

Doctor Dad stops by to see me as I’m eating dinner.  It’s a frozen grilled chicken breast, and microwaved frozen broccoli, but it’s better than a hamburger and fries.

“You should have a salad,” he states, when he see what I’m eating.

I frown at my plate.  “I’m not that hungry.  I’m going to be a horrible mom.”  I begin to cry when the words come out. 

He wraps his arm around my shoulder.  “You can still have the abortion,” he murmurs.  I stop crying at the mention of it.  He sits a box down on the table in front of me.  “Or you could use this.  It’s your decision.”  He smiles at me, pats my head, then walks out.  Once he’s gone, I pick it up and throw it in the trash.  I’m not taking another pill to end this pregnancy.  I head to my bedroom, and I take a long, hot bath.  I can pee by myself.  I don’t have to use a communal shower.  I can come and go as I please.

Why do I wish I was in Tony’s cell right now?

Tony

I wish I could just talk to her.  I wish I could just sit across from her in a restaurant, and watch her eat.  I don’t even know what kind of food she likes.  I wonder if she has anything planned for Saturday.  I wonder if she visited her ex in the FBI.  I can’t help but be jealous.  I don’t even want her talking to another fucking man. 

It’s probably best that I’m locked up in here.  If I was out, I’d probably already be locked up again.  I am foolishly crazy about her.  Maybe it’s just being in here.  Maybe if she was coming home to me every night, I would feel a little more secure. 

I’m daydreaming.  I’m never going to be with her.

Chapter Sixteen

Lani

“It’s a go,” Killian says when he wakes me up.  It’s ten o’clock in the morning.  I should have been awake three hours ago.  But I didn’t set an alarm, and I didn’t sleep well last night.  I kept thinking about the baby, and him or her growing up without a father.  I mean, I can do it alone, with daycare, or a babysitter, or both.  My parents might help.  But I don’t want to do it by myself.  I want Tony here with me.  Now I’m in my kitchen, drinking my orange juice after taking my vitamins.  I’m staring down at the box in my trash.  I pull it out, and sit it on my counter.  If I can’t get Tony out, I’m going to have to take it.

He’ll never know.

Thank God.  If he found out, I’m sure he would be furious.  Doctor Dad’s right.  I’m not cut out to be a single parent.  I work odd hours.  I drive a convertible.  I like casual sex and running around.  I like my freedom.  If I had a reason to settle down, and want to be a parent, if Tony miraculously was free, things would be very, very different.  But if it doesn’t happen, I have options.  I don’t like the options, but I have them.

Tony

“Who do you want if you win Saturday,” the guard says through the hatch, when he gathers my breakfast tray.

“I don’t want anyone,” I reply.

“It don’t matter.  You’re fighting the beast Saturday, his broken arm is healed.”

“Who is the beast?” 

“He won twelve fights before he broke an arm in a match.  And he still beat the guy afterwards.  You have no hope of winning.  No need to order you a girl anyway.”  The guard is laughing.  He thinks this is some kind of joke.  I guess I wouldn’t have cared, if they hadn’t thrown Lani into my cell with me the first time.

I hear the hatch close, and I start doing push-ups.  I have to fucking win Saturday, for Lani. 

Lani

If I’m going to be there Saturday night, I can’t look like me.  They’ll know me as soon as I walk up to the door.   If I go in with Killian, they’ll know it’s a set up.

I could get a wig.  Or I could do something a little more drastic.  I have to save Tony.  I should also probably get a lawyer, just in case I can’t keep him in Winston. 

I need to make a few phone calls.

I show up at the police station, just in time for lunch.  Jamie is sitting at his desk, looking at his watch.  “Hey,” I call out, to get his attention.

“Hey,” he replies, and jumps out of his chair.  He hugs me, then he decides that’s not very professional, and pats my shoulder. 

“Did you hear what happened in the ambulance?”  I ask, as I sit down in the chair beside his desk. 

He sits back down as well.  “Yea, I heard.  You’re pregnant?”  He says it as low as he possibly can, but there are always ears in a police station.  I nod.  “I never thought you’d get pregnant before Connie.”

“Me either.  It’s a shocker, that’s for sure.”  I glance over his shoulder, and see Barrett’s ice blue eyes glaring at me from his office.  “Does the lieutenant know where I’ve been?”

“God, no, and the fewer people who know, the better.  Neither Connie nor I need to get in trouble over this.  I can’t lose my job.”  His phone vibrates, and he smiles.  “Want to go with us for lunch?”

“No, thanks.  I’m going to go see my dad.  Listen, I want you to shred everything, okay?  And I want Connie to delete everything as well.” 

“She didn’t even do any of that shit here, they log everything.  She did it at home with photo shop.” 

“She’s so smart,” I say with a grin.  “She really is a genius.”

“She’s glad you found out who killed Addy, but she’s upset you didn’t get a chance to arrest him.”  He stands up, and puts his jacket on.  “We’re all worried about you.  I’ll see you when you come back, okay?”

“Okay,” I nod.  As he walks away, I walk toward Barrett’s office.  I am dreading this.  I don’t even knock, before he opens the door and pulls me inside. 

He closes the blinds on the window that looks out into the bullpen, and then he shoves me against the door.  “I’ve missed you,” he whispers, before he kisses me.  Three weeks ago, I might have appreciated this gesture.  I might have actually got off on it, for a change.  But not now.

I keep my lips tightly closed, and I gently but firmly push on his chest.  He steps away, and looks shocked for a second.  “I’ve met someone, Lt.  I can’t do this with you anymore.”

“What the fuck do you mean you’ve met someone?”  He doesn’t yell.  His voice is oddly low, and rough, and his blue eyes flash anger at me.

“I’m not available to play anymore.  I’m taken.”  I’m not smiling about it.  I’m very serious.  “I’ve grown up, and moved on.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean, moved on?”  His voice is a low rumble, like thunder threatening when a storm is brewing.  His lips are a straight line.

“Just what I said.  I’ve moved on.  I hope you understand.”  I place my hand on the doorknob, and before I turn it, I say, “I’m going to go see my dad now.  You know, your boss?  I think I’m going to take him to lunch.  I’ll call you and let you know when I’ve worked through my personal issues, if it’s earlier than four weeks.”

“Whatever,” he spits out, and opens the blinds again.  I open the door, and close it quietly when I leave.

I take the elevator to the next floor, where my dad’s office is.  When I get there, I’m nervous before I knock.  But I have to tell him everything.  I don’t have to tell Barrett shit, but I’ve got to come clean with my dad.  I wave at his secretary, and she waves back, then I knock.

He opens the door with a frown, even though he doesn’t know who’s on the other side.  And when he sees me, his frown deepens.  He shuts the door behind me, then returns to his desk.  “I have to hear through department gossip that my daughter takes a month off for personal issues?”

Dad is an older, manlier, crabbier version of me, with what used to be dark auburn hair and fading green eyes.  When he was younger, he was pretty good looking, from the pictures I’ve seen.  He never remarried after he and Mom divorced, so he lives alone in a tiny house.  When I bought the cottage, and Doctor Dad gave me the down payment, Dad was the one who presented me with the rest of my college fund, since I didn’t use it all for community college.  I had enough to pay the payments for the first two years.  Dad’s always been there for me.

“Dad,” I sob, as I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him tight.  He hugs me back, a little too tight, and rubs my back as I cry.  When I finally calm down, I say, “Let’s go to lunch.  I’m starving.”

“Whatever you want, sweetheart,” he replies as he pats my cheek.  When we’re in my car, the convertible, I begin the story.  By the time we get to the restaurant, he’s been mad, sad, and happy. 

After we order, I ask, “Dad, are you really happy for me?  Doctor Dad scheduled an abortion.  I’m so confused, I’m actually considering taking the pill he gave me.”

“I think that’s your decision, sweetheart, but I am really, very happy.”  His smile says it’s the truth.  “But I can’t help you break a prisoner out of federal custody.  And I won’t let you house him here.”

“But Dad,” I whine loudly.

“Now, if Special Agent Burke asks me to house him, that’s a different story,” he gives me a sly grin.  “And I know a fantastic lawyer, who was in the Marines.  I bet he’d be glad to help you.  I’ll give you his number.”

“I should have come to you when I was planning the break in.”  I smile as I take a sip of water.

“Oh, hell no,” he says as he throws up his hands.  “I don’t know anything about that.  And the less I know, the better.” 

“Dad…”

“Zip it,” he insists, as our meal is carried out to us.  “Not another word.  Eat your steak, you have a strong, future SEAL to feed.”

I laugh, and dig into my lunch.  “I’m so glad I came to see you today.”

“Blonde,” he says with a firm nod.  “And wear the lowest cut dress you can find.  The men will be too busy looking at your tits to look at your…”  He catches me frowning.  “I’m not Captain for nothing, sweetie.”  He pats my hand, and I hold his tight.  “You’ll be fine.  Get a holster for your inner thigh, and a tiny gun.”

“Dad!”

“What?” he asks innocently.  “I’m just saying.”

“Blonde, huh?”  I wonder if Tony likes blondes.  “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

I walk into the salon I frequent without an appointment, after lunch with my dad.  When I walk out four hours later, I have light honey blonde hair.  I had no idea it would take so damn long.  I look at myself in the window, and I’m not sure I like it.  I guess it doesn’t matter what I think.  I can’t wait to see Tony’s reaction.  Dad also told me where to get that holster, and a gun.  I buy both, and because I’m a cop and a licensed gun owner I get to take both home with me.  I pack them both in the trunk of my convertible, then I go shopping at the mall.  I go into a store I’d never usually be caught dead in, and when I walk out I’m carrying the shortest, lowest cut, red dress, with the highest red heels to match, and a tiny red leather purse.  I’m literally going to have to learn to walk in them.

Tony

“You have mail,” the guard says when he opens the hatch to bring my dinner tray.  He flicks a postcard, and it lands at my feet.  I take the dinner tray, and hand him the lunch tray.  After the hatch is closed, I bend down and pick up the card.  The front is a reprint of a painting of an apple tree.  When I turn it over, it reads,
Thinking of you, M.

I smile.  I kiss the card, and then I hold it up to my face.  Inhaling deeply to try to catch a trace of her scent on it, and I notice it smells like apples.  I wonder if that’s what she smells like, when she’s not behind bars.  I’m so fucking hard now, it hurts.  I ignore my dinner.  I lean my head back against the block wall, close my eyes, and imagine how she felt that first night, when she fell asleep cradled in my arms.