Slay Bells Ring (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 12) (49 page)

He wanted him dead.

That would be the only way to heal his son. It would be the only way he could vanquish the demons in his eyes.

Doing the unthinkable, Wyler broke the law. He used government equipment to dig into his son’s past. It was wrong, but he didn't care what happened to him.

Wyler would face the consequences.

There was a scale to balance, and he was going to make it right.

One way or another.

                 
* * *  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

Cooper Douglas’s

Home

They had to split up. They were running a few members short of a team. While Ethan sat to interview the hysterical daughter, Elizabeth and Chris Leonard stood over the dead.

It was quite possible that Ethan got the easier job. While Elizabeth hated dealing with hysterical people, these two victims were a mess.

She was beginning to think that it was so much better to see them in pieces.

“The killers definitely got interrupted,” Chris stated. He pointed at the blood under the bench. There were footsteps through it, and they raced from the bodies. “They left fast.”

Merry agreed. “See how it’s mostly the balls of their feet? They were getting the hell out of here.”

Elizabeth wasn’t surprised. People coming home would scare them. Still…she was surprised they didn't stand their ground.

She was going to have to talk to Ethan about this in their profile. Were they shifting their style?

If they did, there was a mess on the horizon. It made them harder to chase.

“He’s missing his man bits,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, and her wrists were slit. It appeared they started the process.” Chris focused on the woman’s body. “She was tasered a few times. That’s new.”

She crouched down in the blood to examine her injuries. “You’re right. Did she put up a fight?”

Chris pointed at her face. “It looks like it.”

Elizabeth added that to her notes. “The other women didn't look like this. They were scared to death, not beaten.”

“I need you to work up these autopsies ASAP, Chris. We don’t have time. They may have run out of here, but that’s going to piss someone off. If this doesn’t make them escalate, I’ll be shocked.”

“I have something,” stated Merry.

They focused on her. “I just found the dead man’s wallet. Inside, I found a business card.”

“Who does it belong to?”

She handed the bagged card over.

“Salvatore Boone? Why would the current victim, and the last one, know each other.”

“Small town?” Chris asked as they began bagging the bodies up.

“Yeah, I’m not buying that. I used to live in a small town too. When my dad died, he didn't have the mayor’s card in his wallet. This is just odd.”

Which meant they may just have a lead.

This might work to their advantage.

“Take her in. Merry, sweep for all it’s worth. I’m going to go see what Ethan’s been up to.”

Elizabeth headed his way. When she approached, the woman was clinging to him. When Elizabeth lifted a brow in question, he rolled his eyes.

“Ms. Tipton, this is Director Elizabeth Whitefox-Blackhawk. She’s running this investigation.”

“You mean you’re not in charge?” she asked, still holding onto Ethan, even when he tried to extricate himself from her grip.

“We’re partners,” Elizabeth stated. “For now, I need to ask you a few questions.”

She used the tissues in her hand as she wept and waved her arms. “Okay, but you have to find who killed my dad and Adeline. I’ll never forget what I saw in there. How do I get that out of my head?”

There was no answer for that. What she saw was one of those things you couldn’t unsee. It stuck with you for life.

“We’ll find them, but first we have to ask you some questions. Is that okay?”

She nodded as she wiped furiously at her tears.

“What did your dad do for a living?” she asked.

“He owns an oil company.”

She stared at the woman, struggling to figure out why this woman was bugging her. “I’m sorry, but why do you look familiar?” Elizabeth asked.

She sniffled. “You probably saw me on TV. I used to be a child actress. I was on a bunch of shows until I got older. Then I did Broadway.”

Now she got it. Recognition dawned. “Yeah, you were on that oatmeal commercial—the one with the blonde kid.”

Lottie Tipton gave her a watery smile. “Yeah, that was me. That was my big break into the business.”

At least Elizabeth wasn’t losing her mind. The second she saw the woman, she had that feeling.

“How did your father meet his wife? She’s considerably younger than him,” Elizabeth asked, pushing on with the questions.

“Yes, she is. I actually introduced them. I met Addy when I was working. She was the sweetest woman, and I really loved her. I introduced her to my dad, and they married not long after. We all lived here together.”

“And there were no issues?”

“No,” she said, wiping her blue eyes. “They were away, and I was supposed to go with them, but I haven’t been feeling well. So, I went to a holistic retreat the last two weeks instead. When my chakras are off, I can’t focus.”

Elizabeth fought to not be sarcastic. After all, the woman just lost her father and stepmother.

“Did you book this trip through Sunshine Travel?”

She shook her head.

“No, I did it online.”

Well, that explained why she wasn’t dead.

Before Elizabeth could continue, Lottie broke out in sobs.

“WHO KILLED MY DAD?” The tears continued, and Ethan was trapped against the onslaught of weeping.

“Was anyone bothering your father?” Elizabeth asked, forging ahead. She knew they didn't have much time. At some point, Lottie Tipton would shut down.

All victims did.

“Not that I know. I pretty much came and went as I saw fit. I travel for a great deal of parties and promotions.”

“Are you currently working on anything?”

She shook her head. “I wish. I’m still in negotiations for some jobs. They won’t be finalized until the new year.”

“Did your father know Salvatore Boone?”

Lottie struggled to place the name as she blew her nose. “I don’t think so. Who is that?”

“The mayor…”

She closed her eyes. “I think I saw him on the news. My dad didn't really do much with politicians. He had people in his company who handled all that.”

“Now that his wife and he are dead, are you’re going to be rich?”

Yes, she went there.

“Actually, I won’t be. My father left everything to some environmental charities. He had an oil spill a decade ago, and that’s when he decided to make amends. He was a good man. Why would someone kill him and Addy? I don’t get it.”

Then she looked horrified.

“Oh God! Am I in danger? Will they come back for me next?”

Her head whipped around wildly.

“Can you stay and keep me safe?” she asked Ethan, as she practically crawled up his body.

Elizabeth let her husband field this one. She was pretty sure he knew she wasn’t thrilled.

“Trust me, you won’t be safe with me around.”

She looked confused. “Why?”

“Your hand is in my lap, and she’s my wife. Maybe you can set me free?”

They girl yanked her hand away pretty fast.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

Apparently.

“Is there anyone else you can think of who might want to hurt your family?”

She focused on it.

“The only other person who might is Effron. The last time he did Addy and I, she tore him a new one. He called her a bitch.”

Now Elizabeth was confused. “Did? As in sex? Your stepmother was having an affair, and you were sharing a man?”

The woman stared at her. “Eww. No. I’m talking our hair. He’s our hairdresser. That’s the only time we shared men.”

She closed her eyes, praying for control. Elizabeth hated fluff brains. Now she was glad she got the corpses. At least they didn't try to molest her husband.

“Is there somewhere you can stay where you’ll be safe?” Elizabeth asked.

“I have a friend who will let me crash there. As long as you think I’ll be safe.”

“You will be.”

She looked relieved.

“Can I go pack a bag and get out of here?”

“Sure. Go ahead. You have to take a tech with you,” she stated. “Think of it as protection.”

Ethan whistled, and one of the techs came running. “Keep your eye on her, okay?”

The tech nodded and followed.

They watched them head up the giant staircase. When she was gone, Elizabeth shook her head. “My brain is mush. She’s got the IQ of a doormat.”

He agreed. “I feel bad for her. She did come home to this.”

Yeah, he had a point.

She wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

“What now?” he asked.

“Well, in the morning, we need to look up the mayor’s secretary. It’s the weekend, and right before Christmas, so we’ll have to catch her at home.”

“Baby, it is morning.”

She glanced down at her watch. “Let me rephrase that—when the sun comes up, we’ll pay her a visit. How about we grab some breakfast at that diner and see what our team has dug up.”

“And Callen?”

She shook her head. “I have to stay focused. He’s with Wyler, and he’ll be fine. I have to believe that. If I can’t, I’ll be useless out in the field.”

Ethan understood.

He was watching their backs.

At any minute, he expected to dive on her to save Elizabeth’s life.

“Let’s get fuel. I’m on empty.”

So was he, but food wouldn’t cut it. Ethan needed to get his family home, and then he’d be okay.

Until then…

He was on edge, and it wasn’t pretty.

                 
* * *  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

Ray Wolf’s House

Parked outside the location, they worked on their surveillance. While Brody watched the house, she ran their searches on all the people involved with this case. They couldn’t afford to skip anyone.

Elizabeth was going to want everything she could get her hands on for the people they interviewed.

If they could find anything, they might be able to make it home for Christmas.

“You’re quiet,” Brody said.

“I’m thinking about Christmas.”

“Me too.”

“What about?” she asked.

“Us.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“It’ll be our first Christmas together.”

“Actually,” she said, “We’ve been partners through a couple Christmases, so it’s more like our third.”

“I was trying to be romantic.”

She laughed. “I know. I was just busting your ass. I’m so damn excited to have this holiday together. It’s going to be amazing. I picked out something sexy for my Santa baby.”

Brody wigged his eyebrows. “Is it see through?”

“It may be.”

“Is it red? You know I love red.”

“It could be.”

“Will I get to rip it off you like wrapping paper?”

She laughed. “Yes.”

“Jingle my bells. I’m going to love being a couple for the holidays.”

Then he paused.

“What?” she asked.

“If we’re home for Christmas, do you want to elope?”

Johanna’s head almost spun off her shoulders, she turned it so fast. “What?”

“If we get back before Christmas, can we elope? Our parents already jacked up the wedding thing, so maybe if fate is on our side, we can get hitched on Christmas.”

She stared over at him. “You’re dead serious, aren’t you?”

He nodded.

“Brody, the FBI.”

“I don’t care. We won’t tell them right away.”