Guarding Light (40 page)

   Jack put a comforting hand on Kyle's shoulder. "Mackenzie is one strong lady. If anyone can pull through this, it's Ashley "Mack" Mackenzie." To help take his mind off his worry, Jack changed his hand on Kyle's shoulder from comforting to guiding. "In the meantime, we can donate blood to help."

   Jack connected his gaze with Catlyn's as he led Kyle out of the waiting room. His look silently asked if she were alright. Ignoring his look, Catlyn broke eye contact walking across the room to stare out the window. She had given blood immediately upon her arrival. Besides, she was beyond angry with Jack.

   She had come to the realization that Jack would never stop trying to protect her. It was something that was ingrained in him. She also knew that she couldn't have a relationship with someone obsessed with protecting the females in his life. Catlyn ached for the loss of their closeness. She knew she'd never find that with another man. Her body physically rejected all others. Well, she had given loving a try and it did not work out.

   Taking her mind off Jack and their now non-existing relationship, she prayed some more for Mackenzie. She was anxious to hear more about what had happened at the crime scene.

   "How is she doing?" Sanchez asked from the doorway. Tasha walked in with him, holding his hand.

   "They are still in surgery."

   Sanchez swore. "If that bastard wasn't already dead, I'd hunt that monster down myself and …"

   "What the hell do you mean, if he wasn't already dead?" Catlyn demanded, cutting Sanchez off.

   Sanchez gave Catlyn a shaky smile. "He may have hurt her, but, Mackenzie got the S.O.B. She put a bullet right between his eyes."

   Catlyn was dumbfounded. "They have the Slasher's body?"

   "The coroner has it." Sanchez confirmed.

   "I am glad he's dead. I can't believe I gave that bum money!" Tasha smirked.

   Catlyn put up a hand. "Hold it! Just a minute, are you telling me you know the guy?"

   Tasha rolled her eyes. "If you can call it that, you know him too!"

   At Catlyn's raised eyebrows, Tasha amended, "Well, not really know him. It's the guy in the military gear, hustling his shit on the waterfront."

   Catlyn couldn't have been more surprised if Tasha had said the Slasher was a woman. "You don't mean Delbert Jenks?"

   Sanchez released Tasha's hand to take his little notebook from an inner pocket. "Yeah, that's right, retired Gunnery Sgt. Delbert Jenks." Sanchez frowned at Catlyn. "You really know this guy?"

   Dazedly, she shook her head. "No, not really, he's the transient I encountered that night I found out what that noise was, remember me telling you about it the next day?"

   "Yeah, I remember Cat." Sanchez stepped into her personal space, throwing his hands up in the air. "I also remember you saying the guy was totally harmless."

   Catlyn went over her encounter with Delbert Jenks in her mind. Even with hindsight, there was nothing about the man that put up red flags. In fact, Catlyn had found him quite charming, likeable and respectful. He didn't even remotely resemble the profile she had assembled and labeled on the Newburgh Slasher.

   "There is no way!" Catlyn was sure.

   "Yes! Way! We found trophies from the other victims on site. There were signs of his long term habitation."

   Catlyn was shaking her head in the negative when Jack and Director Strong re-entered the room. Catlyn went straight to them. "You didn't get the right guy!"

   Both men stopped their conversation to look at her. Director Strong spoke first, "Agent Lyte, care to elaborate on that statement?"

   "Sir, I had an encounter with the suspect Delbert Jenks earlier in the investigation. I found him not to be a threat."

   Jack spoke before Kyle could respond. "Catlyn just because you met up with him first and found nothing out of sync, doesn't mean Mackenzie couldn't have encountered the guy and detected his true nature."

   "True. But, abnormal psychology is my field. I've been doing this a long time, been studying guys like the Slasher for a long time. I am telling you Delbert Jenks doesn't fit the Slasher's profile."

   "So what you're saying is that the man who raped and killed 5 young ladies, killed a police officer and possibly fatally wounded a federal agent is still out there in this city?"

   Catlyn confirmed the director's words with a sure nod. "Yes sir that is what I am saying. I also believe he killed and framed Delbert Jenks."

   Catlyn could see the wheels turning in Director Strong's head. For several long seconds he pondered her suggestion. "Agent Lyte your track record with these types of cases is impeccable. However, I do think this time you are mistaken. I processed the scene, took a real good look around and I concur with CSU's preliminary findings. It looks as though the Newburgh Slasher was killed this afternoon by one of our most decorated agents."

   "Sir, I am—"Kyle turned away and stopped listening when he spotted a doctor in surgical scrubs standing in the doorway. They all gathered around the doctor.

   "Relatives for Ashley Mackenzie?" The doctor looked tired and bleak.

   Kyle took out his badge and I.D., "Special Agent Mackenzie's immediate supervisor, Assistant Director Strong, FBI."

   After ensuring Kyle's identity the doctor spoke. "We were able to stop the bleeding and re-repair her wound which was originally a gunshot and remove her gall bladder which was nicked. We had to give her a lot of blood. There was swelling on her brain but we were able to relieve some of the pressure. It was touch and go. She is in critical condition. We have her in a medically induced coma to help with the healing and swelling. We will monitor her closely for the next twenty-four hours." The doctor tiredly removed the sweat soaked surgical cap from his bald head. "Suffice to say, if Agent Mackenzie doesn't improve and start to respond within 24-48 hours, the prognosis isn't good." The doctor pointed to the director. "You can see her in a few minutes for only a few minutes and then every other hour for a few minutes. Now we just pray, watch and wait."

   "Dr…" Kyle raised an enquiring eyebrow. "Dr. Strover." The surgeon provided.

   "Dr. Strover, I need to ask." Kyle turned the doctor towards the hallway away from the others, lowering his voice. "Was Agent Mackenzie raped?"

   Giving a glum nod of his head, the doctor continued in an even lower tone, "Although, Agent Mackenzie's hymen is intact, she was definitely sodomized anally. The forcible penetration caused tearing that needed stitches."

   Kyle was floored. "Intact hymen, but…but, that would mean…"

   The surgeon gave a knowing smirk. "That's right Director Strong. Agent Mackenzie is a virgin. Since you are listed as her emergency contact I am assuming you know how to get in touch with her family?"

   "Agent Mackenzie has no family. In fact, she has sort of adopted mine. One of her best friends is my sister Nancy. Nancy's kids are Agent Mackenzie's god-kids. Her other best friend, Agent Lyte is already here." Kyle tilted his head towards Catlyn in the waiting room.

   "It's good you're all here. Agent Mackenzie needs all the support and prayers she can get."

Chapter 15

   Catlyn tensed at the director's shocked face. He looked thunderstruck. "What is it? What did the doctor say about Mackenzie?"

   Kyle seemed to shake himself out of his trance. "Just that we should pray and it would be good to have her loved ones here now."

   Catlyn's world was coming apart, first her short-lived relationship with Jack and now she might lose her best friend. She couldn't sit still for this, not losing Mackenzie. Besides, Mackenzie would never sit still if the roles were reversed and it had been Catlyn laying in the ICU recovery.

   Catlyn took a quick glance around the waiting room. Sanchez and Tasha were seated in a corner having a whispered conversation. Tasha was still holding Sanchez's hand. She seemed to be assuring him all was going to be well. Jack and Kyle stood by a window. Jack spoke in low tones, telling Kyle that he shouldn't give up.

   Mackenzie had enough supporters standing around. Catlyn had to do something. Turning, she made her way quickly down the hall to the bank of elevators. Just as the doors opened and she was about to enter, she felt her arm gripped and she was spun around to a glaring Jack.

   "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

   Angered, Catlyn narrowed her eyes on his hand on her arm. She remained silent until he slowly released her. "Chief Gard, seeing as you and everyone else thinks the Newburgh Slasher has been fatally captured, I am no longer needed."

   Jack roughly grabbed her arm, pulling her down the hall. He checked doors as they passed them. When he got to an unlocked empty room he unceremoniously shoved her inside, closing and locking the door.

   They were in some sort of break lounge. There was a small table with a few chairs, a fridge and a loveseat and a counter with the makings for coffee and tea.

   Catlyn came to her full height and got in Jack's face. "Keep your hands off me!" She shook in outrage of being man handled by him.

   Jack gave it right back to her, crowding into her personal space until she was compelled to take a step back, "Or what, Agent Lyte?"

   Ignoring his challenge, she questioned instead, "What do you want? You made your choice when you decided to humiliate me in front of your officers and my peers, belittling my intelligence and usurping my authority. Your actions proved there is nothing between us, nothing but business. And, now, that business is concluded."

   "You think that is all there is between us? You're mine!" He continued to force her to step back until she bumped the wall. "We are not done by a long shot, Catlyn."

   "I was yours for a short time but that is over now. I can't be with someone who won't respect me."

   "That's bullshit and you know it. I respect you. I was protecting you." Jack pushed his body against hers, lowering his mouth to the side of her neck. He whispered as he licked her spot. "We will never be done Kitten."

   Trembling uncontrollably, she put her hands between their bodies against his chest, trying to get space between them. Her tears fell unchecked. "Jack, y-you chose. I told you w-what I needed for this to work between us. We now know that you will never be able to give me what I need."

   "Oh, I can give you what you need baby." He husked against her mouth before taking her lips in a determined kiss. His tongue gained entrance swiftly, almost without her realizing what was happening.

   In turmoil, fighting against Jack's insistence and her own body's urges, Catlyn gave a shuddering sigh before returning his kiss with molten vigor.

   Jack moaned in satisfaction taking the kiss deeper, opening her shirt and making quick work of her front fastened bra. His large hands knead her breasts before his greedy mouth took first one crest and then the other laving them in his saliva.

   Catlyn grasped his hard-on, undoing his belt and zipper. Jack aided by lifting Catlyn, anchoring her against the wall. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, grinding her pussy against his cock. With a growl, he reached beneath her skirt, pulling her crotch to one side. He dipped a finger into her heat to make sure she was wet enough to accept his length. Feeling her overflowing wetness, Jack shoved into her steamy channel to the hilt.

   They both groaned. Catlyn rotated her hips as Jack began a rapid to and fro, making sure to mesh against her clit when buried deep. Her tight heat gloved him completely, driving him to a quick release. Jack pinched one of her nipples, feeling her walls clutch his dick in prelude to her own quick release. "That's right baby, come for me!" He sped up his thrusts, slamming her against the wall as he tried to get even deeper.

   Catlyn didn't realize she was keening loudly until Jack covered her mouth with his. He pumped several more times before her universe collided with a powerful vortex, pulling her into a euphoric world of pure pleasure and bliss. The tingling subsided, taking away her paradise, throwing her cruelly into reality. Her legs shook, still wrapped around his waist. Opening her eyes, brown slammed into green.

   Jack smiled slowly, helping her to stand. "I knew you would forgive me Kitten."

   Catlyn shakily fixed her clothing, watching Jack put his softening rod into his jeans. When their clothes were fixed, Catlyn made sure Jack was looking deeply into her eyes when she spoke softly but clearly. "This was goodbye, Jack. I want to thank you for helping me get over my fears of intimacy with a man. As always, you've been a great teacher. I will be eternally grateful." She reached up and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek. "Good bye, Chief Gard."

   She turned with tears in her eyes, not wanting to remember the crestfallen expression that overtook Jack's strong features.

****

   Catlyn was in her shower washing away the evidence of her goodbye with Jack. After getting back into town, she had made a stop at Mackenzie's hotel room. She took Mackenzie's notes and papers, hoping to make sense of them. She knew that the Newburgh Slasher was still out there. She needed to find him.

   After getting dressed in sweats, Catlyn put a kettle on to make tea. Taking out Mackenzie's notes she started to put them order.

   Subsequently, Catlyn realized she was holding a list of properties in the area Mackenzie had already checked and declared unviable, ones she still hadn't checked and their matching maps. Near the bottom of one list written in red pen was 'A.J. Vickers' with a big question mark.

   Vickers? Pondering why the name was so familiar, Catlyn went to stop the tea kettle from whistling. As she brought her tea through to the living room there was a knock at the door.

   Smiling, Catlyn opened the door for Detective Carl Rider. "Hello detective, please come in."

   "Hey, I am sorry to bother you. I heard about S.S.A. Mackenzie. I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with her. I also wanted to make sure you were ok."