Witness (2 page)

CHAPTER TWO

P
AIN
. A
SEA
of it. No, more like a thousand seas of it. Bailey swallowed and heard herself whimper. It felt like razor blades sliced at her throat with each gulp.

Within seconds, she heard a click, and then the pain eased. Sighing, she tried to force her eyes open. She managed to see out of one.

“Welcome back,” a kind voice said, and Bailey followed the sound. She blinked until the blur cleared into a young woman, with long, auburn hair and hazel eyes who smiled at her as she held her wrist. “I just gave you a dose of Morphine, but if you’re still in any pain, let me know and I’ll see if we can’t get you something stronger.”

“Where…” Bailey swallowed again, biting back a groan. She noticed a cast on her right arm, and another around her middle that kept her breaths shallow and strained.

“Shhh, don’t try to speak just yet. I’ll get you some water. I’m Macey Gilbert. I’ll be your nurse for the next twelve hours. You’ve got a couple cracked ribs, so even breathing will be difficult for a little while.”

Bailey nodded.

Macey grabbed a cup with a straw and adjusted Bailey’s bed to a seated position. The change increased the pressure on her ribs, but Bailey tried to breathe through it. Macey guided the straw to Bailey’s mouth and she took a sip and then another. Instant relief.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, hon,” Macey said, and set the water down. “Still in pain?”

Bailey nodded. “A bit, yes.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.”

Bailey relaxed again.

“Miss Harper?”

Bailey opened her eyes and looked into the face of one of the hottest men she’d ever seen. Dark blond hair, sea green eyes, and a mouth that looked like it could kiss. Full lower lip, thinner top lip and even, white teeth that gleamed when he smiled.

“I’m Dr. Stone. I’m going to check you out, and then the FBI has a few questions if you feel up to answering them.”

Bailey nodded. Macey returned and helped her drink more water. She couldn’t remember when water had ever tasted so good before. The ice soothed her throat and made her feel like she could speak again.

“What’s your pain level?” Dr. Stone asked. “On a scale from one to ten.”

“About a six.”

“What about before the pain meds?”

“Forty-two,” she said.

Dr. Stone smiled again. “Mase, I think Miss Harper can have pudding or Jello if she’s hungry. Broth is okay too. Let’s get her some Dilaudid. The morphine’s not as effective as I’d like to see.”

“Yes, sir,” Macey said.

“Do you feel up to speaking with Agent Williams?” he asked.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Absolutely.”

Bailey sighed. “Might as well get it over with.”

Dr. Stone turned and left the room and Macey stepped to Bailey’s side again. “What culinary masterpiece can I bring you? We have orange, cherry, and lime Jello, or for the food connoisseur, tapioca, vanilla, or chocolate pudding.”

Bailey giggled, groaning as a sharp pain shot through her side.

“Sorry, hon. Watch those ribs.”

Bailey licked her lips. “Let’s go with tapioca.”

Macey grinned. “A woman after my own heart. I’ll be back when you’re done with Brock.”

Macey left and two men walked in. Bailey recognized them as two of the agents who had busted into the room where she was being held. One was tall with dark hair and a day’s stubble over his chin. He had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen and he was gorgeous. The other man, a little shorter, dark hair with a tinge of red and longer than the first man’s, was also good-looking, but definitely not her type.

“I’m Brock Williams and this is Dallas Stone,” the dark-haired man said.

“Stone…are you related to Dr. Stone?” she asked.

Dallas nodded. “He’s my brother.”

“Where are Callie and Conor?” she asked.

“They’re being looked after by child protective services,” Brock said.

“I want to see them.”

“What’s your relationship to them?” Dallas asked.

“None of your business.”

Brock nodded to his partner who exited the room, pulling the door closed. He approached the bed and gave her a gentle smile. “Miss Harper, can you tell me why you were in a meth house in Gresham with two children who have been missing for two weeks from their home in Connecticut?”

She gasped. “Two weeks?”

Brock nodded, pulling a chair to the side of the bed.

Bailey blinked back tears. Their parents must be worried sick. “I don’t really remember how I got to the house. I was at a party with my friend and…” she swallowed. She didn’t want to say what she saw.

“Miss Harper…Bailey,” he said. “I know this must be difficult, but it’s important.”

“I can’t.”

“Ma’am, I really need to know what you saw.”

“They will
kill
them. And then me.”

“I won’t let anyone hurt you, Bailey. I promise.”

She shook her head, the action causing pain to rip through her skull. She whimpered again.

“Bailey, you’re safe. Conor and Callie are safe. No one can get to you.”

“Not them.”

“I’m sorry?”

“There are more children. They have them chained up with my friend.”

“Who?” Brock pressed.

“I can’t.” Panic welled up inside Bailey, stealing her breath. A machine started beeping, and then Macey and Dr. Stone appeared, pushing Brock away as they covered her nose and mouth with a mask and injected something into her
IV. Then nothing.

* * *

“Fuck!” Brock snapped, and then shook his head. “Sorry, Mase.”

The nurse chuckled. “Like I haven’t heard that before.”

“What did you say to her?” Dr. Stone asked.

Alec Stone, Dallas’s brother, was one of the best ER docs in the area, and one of the first people Brock and his crew sought out when they needed medical services or advice. He’d been a medic in the Army before settling in Gresham, Oregon.

“I just asked her a few questions, Alec.” Brock ran his hands through his hair. “She’s scared of something, but she won’t tell me what.”

Alec checked Bailey’s pulse, and then faced Brock again, crossing his arms. “She’s gonna be out for a while. Why don’t you come back in a couple of hours?”

Brock considered the mountain of paperwork he should be working on, and then shook his head. “I promised I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. Think I’m gonna stick around to see if someone tries.”

Alec narrowed his eyes. “No talking to her unless I’m here. Got it?”

Brock stared at him.

“Got it, Brock?” Alec pressed.

“Yeah, man. Got it.”

Alec nodded and left the room. Macey followed and Brock fired off a text to his team before folding himself into the chair by Bailey’s bed to wait.

Settling an ankle over his knee, he watched Bailey as she slept. The house he’d pulled her from was somehow connected to a drug cartel that may or may not include both Russian and Colombian mob bosses. He couldn’t imagine how the two could coexist without killing each other, but the info he’d received was solid, so he planned to follow it as far as it took him.

The kids were another story. Their parents had been notified and were on their way from Greenwich, which further confused Brock. How did two kids from a wealthy family in Connecticut end up in Gresham, Oregon in a meth house, being protected by a college student who seemed more likely to be involved in the pageant world than the drug world?

He dropped his head back and stared at the ceiling. A groan brought his focus back to the bed. So much for being out for “a while.” Brock debated whether or not to call Alec back, but he needed answers and Bailey was the only one who could give them to him, so he rose to his feet and stepped to the bed.

“Bailey?” he whispered.

“Mmm?”

He leaned over her, squeezing her hand. “Wake up, beautiful.”

She groaned again and then her blood curdling scream brought Macey running into the room.

“What happened?” Macey demanded.

Brock shrugged. “No idea. I think she’s having a nightmare.”

Macey checked Bailey’s vitals and her drip levels, and then sighed. “She seems calm now.” She wagged a finger at Brock. “Don’t wake her.”

He raised his hands in surrender. “I won’t, Mase. Swear.”

She narrowed her eyes at him again and then stalked out of the room. Brock pulled the chair closer to the bed and took Bailey’s hand, his thumb stroking her knuckles. “What happened to you, sweetheart? What demons are messing with you, huh?”

CHAPTER THREE

B
AILEY
G
IGGLED
, R
USHING
to keep up with Alison as they headed up the driveway of a house party off-campus. Alison Wade was tall, slender, and brunette. She maintained her model figure by eating next to nothing, her only calorie vice was alcohol (according to her), and she was strong, independent, and someone who took crap from no one. She had been Bailey’s roommate and best friend throughout college and was the polar opposite of shy and introverted Bailey.

“What’s the rush, Ali?”

“Come on, babe. Tonight we’re going to par-tay.”

Bailey rolled her eyes, thinking of all the things she’d rather be doing: homework, getting shots, cleaning the toilet, eyeballs plucked out by crows…you know, the usj.

“Stop with that look. It’s going to be fun,” Ali countered.

“What look?”

Alison giggled. “That look you get when you’re trying to come up with an excuse not to party with me. Stop it. We just graduated, you’re parents are already gone; you have days to sleep off your hangover before you have to start packing, right?”

“I guess. They’re sending someone in three weeks to pack up the apartment.”

“See? Lots of time,” Ali said. “Besides, you’ve turned down the last five parties and you promised.”

Bailey sighed, resigned to her fate. “Okay, but why this party, specifically?”

Ali stopped so Bailey could catch up to her. “That guy I told you about will be here.”

“Asher or Jake?”

“Asher.”

“I don’t know about this,” Bailey said. “Asher’s got a nasty reputation.”

“Rumors.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Ali tapped her chest. “Who’s got your back, babe?”

“You.”

“Damn straight.”

Bailey grinned. “Is he really that hot?”

“Babe, he’s a model. Yes, he’s that hot. And yes, I fully plan to get laid.”

“I thought male models were typically gay,” Bailey pointed out.

Ali grinned. “Well, if he is, I’m going to turn him straight tonight.”

Bailey giggled again. “If anyone can, you can.”

“Damn straight.”

Bailey followed Alison into the house and then pain shot through her arm.

* * *

“Ali!” Bailey screamed, sitting up. She tried to climb from the bed, but Brock laid his hands on her shoulders to keep her still.

“Let me go!” she demanded, but he could see she wasn’t quite awake. “Ali’s hurt. I have to get to Ali.”

“Bailey.” Brock shook her gently. “Bailey, wake up. You’re safe.”

She opened her eyes, and then threw her arms around his neck and burst into tears. He ignored the pain in his skull as her cast collided with his head.

“Shhh, sweetheart. It’s okay, you’re safe,” he crooned as he stroked her hair.

“They’re going to kill her.”

“Who, Bailey? Who are they going to kill?”

She shook her head against his neck.

“You can tell me. I will protect you.”

Bailey leaned away from him and gave his shoulders a gentle push. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”

Brock released her, albeit reluctantly. “Who are you protecting?”

“No one.”

“Bailey,” he ground out.

“You know, I’m in a little pain.” She reached for the call button shifted on the bed.

Within seconds, Macey walked in.

“Are you hungry?” she asked as she pushed open the door carrying a tray.

“She said she’s in pain,” Brock said.

Macey set the food on the side table and checked Bailey’s pain pump. “Looks like you just gave yourself a dose. How do you feel now?”

“Good,” Bailey said.

Brock glanced at her, but she wouldn’t look at him. He realized she’d used the pain as an excuse to put distance between them, and he was both disappointed and impressed with her quick thinking.

“I think Bailey should eat and then rest, Brock,” Macey said.

“She hasn’t answered my questions.”

“And she isn’t going to until she’s feeling better.”

“Mase, I’m not leaving until I get some answers.”

“Well, I’ll let Doc decide that.” Macey left the room and Brock stepped back to the bed.

“Since it took me a second to figure out you duped me into believing you’re in pain, I think you owe me one,” he said.

“I owe you one because you were duped?” she challenged.

“Tell me who you’re protecting Bailey.”

She sighed. “No one.”

“Bailey, you’re going to have to tell me at some point.”

She blinked up at him and her face relaxed. “Alison Wade,” she said, her speech slurring. “A foreign man has her.”

“A foreign man?”

Bailey’s pupils were pinned, indicating the meds were kicking in. She smacked her lips. “Russian maybe?”

Brock texted the information to Dallas. “Good, Bailey, that’s good.”

“You are gorgeous,” she said, and giggled.

Brock smiled. “Am I?”

She nodded. “Best looking guy I’ve ever seen.”

“Brock, what are you doing?” Alec asked as he pushed into the room and made his way to Bailey’s side. “How are you feeling?”

She giggled. “Mmm. You’re gorgeous, too. Two hotties in one room. Damn.”

“Looks like the pain meds are kicking in.” Alec took Bailey’s pulse and glanced at Brock who wasn’t happy with her attraction to the young doctor.

“No offense, doc.” Bailey giggled. “He’s way cuter than you,” she whispered…loudly. “But don’t tell him. I can tell he kind of has a really big ego.”

Alec smiled and squeezed her arm. “It’ll be our secret.”

“Thanks,” she said, and giggled again.

“She wasn’t acting like this before,” Brock observed. “What did you give her?”

Alec didn’t respond as he appeared to take vitals and check her IV.

“Doc,” Brock pressed. “What did you give her?”

“You know I can’t tell you that.”

“Damn it! I need some answers.”

“Well you’re not going to get them tonight,” Alec said. “She needs to rest.”

“Ali,” Bailey mumbled.

Brock took her hand. “Where’s Ali?”

She smiled sleepily up at him. “God, you are so cute.”

“Thanks, beautiful. How about you tell me where Ali is.”

“Is she missing?”

“You tell me.”

Bailey smacked her lips again. “Thirsty.”

Brock grabbed the water before Alec could, and held the straw to Bailey’s lips. “Better.”

“Hmm-mm.”

“Tell me about Ali.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Ali’s in trouble.”

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know. I think she’s dead.”

Brock glanced up at Alec and frowned.

“The man hit her really hard,” she mumbled, and burst into tears. “Asher tricked her.”

Alec grabbed a syringe and pushed the needle into her IV. Bailey’s tears quieted and her breathing evened out. “That’s it for now, Brock. How about you come back tomorrow?”

Brock gave him a reluctant nod. He had a few more pieces to the puzzle and he knew he wouldn’t get anything else from her until the meds wore off, so he stepped into the hallway to make a quick call. He’d need to get a security detail sorted before heading out for the night.

* * *

“Dallas,” Brock ordered. “Find out everything you can on Alison Wade and some guy named Asher. That’s all I know.”

“I can tell you Alison Wade is Bailey’s roommate. They have an apartment off-campus. Jax and I were going to head over there to see what we could find.”

“Has anyone filed a missing person report on Alison yet?” Brock asked.

“No.”

“Get a detail over here.” Brock caught sight of a man in scrubs heading toward Bailey’s room. With his misfitting uniform and his rough hands, he didn’t look right to Brock. “Dallas, gotta call you back.” Brock hung up and slid his phone in his pocket, following the man into the room. “Can I help you?”

“What are you doing in here?” the man demanded in a Russian accent.

“I was going to ask you the same question.”

“I’m the on-call tonight and I’m checking on Miss Harper.”

“What’s with the syringe?” Brock demanded.

“Medicine for Miss Harper.”

Brock moved in an attempt to get between him and Bailey’s IV. “Doc just gave her meds less than ten minutes ago.”

“He ordered more.”

“Show me your badge.”

“It must have fallen off. I will go get it as soon as I give her medicine.”

Brock had to give the guy props. He made a big show as he reached for his pocket and sighed. “You’re not giving her anything until you show me your badge.”

The man ignored Brock and made a move toward the IV, which meant Brock was forced to take action. He wasn’t prepared for the man to fight back though.

“Fuck,” he snapped as the guy punched him in the jaw.

Brock saw the next hook coming, and dodged in time. He jammed his fist into the fake doctor’s throat, cutting off his air. Gasping for air, the Russian doubled over. Brock swept the Russian’s legs out from under him. He hit the ground, face first. Brock pounced on him with his knee in the middle of his back and his arm pulled up so he couldn’t move. Handcuffing him, he dragged him off the floor and shoved him into the hallway.

Alec and Macey came rushing towards them.

“What the hell happened?” Alec asked.

“He was trying to put something in Bailey’s IV. There’s a syringe on the floor by the cabinets. Find out what the hell is in it and I’ll take care of this asshole.”

* * *

Brock pulled out his phone again while he pushed the perp into a chair in the hallway. He filled Dallas in on everything that just happened.

“Jax’ll come to you and I’ll head to Bailey’s apartment,” Dallas said.

“Okay.” Brock frowned at the perp. “Tell Jax to grab Sergei. Just in case this bastard plays the ‘I only speak Russian’ card.”

“Got it. I take it you’re going to stay with Bailey now?”

“Yeah. Cancel the detail.”

“Okay. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks.” Brock rubbed his forehead. “What the hell has she gotten herself into?”

“No clue, brother. We’ll figure it out,” Dallas assured.

“Yeah. See you later.”

Brock hung up and crossed his arms, addressing the Russian. “What do you want with her?”

He sneered. “Fuck you.”

“Figured,” Brock retorted.

Alec walked out of Bailey’s room and held up the syringe. “I’m taking this down to the lab and we’ll find out what was in it. Macey will stay with Bailey until you get this mess sorted.”

“Thanks. Jax is on his way to pick up this piece of trash.”

Alec walked down the hall and out of sight, and Brock took a couple of pictures of his prisoner. To kill time, he asked a few more questions that the Russian ignore. Finally, Jax and Sergei arrived just as Alec walked back to the room.

“What did you find?” Brock asked.

“Syanide,” Alec said.

“Fuck!” Brock wrapped his hand around the perpetrator’s throat and squeezed. “I ever see your face again, I’ll kill you.”

Jaxon pulled Brock off the guy, and he and Sergei yanked the Russian to his feet.

“I’ll call you when we know something,” Jaxon promised.