Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11) (12 page)

And here was why.

“He called you up and put your dick in a twist, huh?”

“Yeah, he did. He may have mentioned on the call that if I didn't help keep this quiet, he’d make my issues reappear. I have six kids, a wife, and my career on the line. We go way back. You’re the only one, besides him, who knows about this. I’m giving you my complete and total trust.”

She hated weasels. “I’ll take care of him.”

He stopped her. “He doesn’t even want the FBI there. He’s on the verge of losing his job. He called begging me to take care of it, and I said I would. I had a feeling this would come out.”

Elizabeth stared at him. “You knew I’d smell this a mile away, and you still sent us. Why?”

“You’re my family. I’m shaken up by what happened here with Oracle. I don’t know who to trust except for you. You’ve always been my friend, Lyzee, and I know I can trust you, despite how pissed off you are at me right now.”

She sighed.

“I know you hate me, but I also know that deep down—you once loved me. You once believed I was one of the good guys. You weren’t the only one who was boned in the Oracle mess. I fell hard too.”

“Gabe.”

“I need you to do this quietly. If he goes with this to the media, or lets it slip, I’m going to lose my job. I’m the head of the FBI. I can’t be a cheater and run this agency. I made amends for my mistake with years of serving my country. I need you to help him find the killer, keep it quiet, and save my ass…again.”

She looked over at Ethan, waiting for him to decide. They were partners. His ass was on the line just as much as hers was. They had to be a team.

He had to agree.

It was all or none.

“We’ll do it, Gabe. It’ll be handled,” Blackhawk said. “Now that we know the truth, we can work around it. Don’t sweat it.”

Gabriel Rothschild knew how lucky he had just gotten. He probably didn't deserve it. It wasn’t easy running the whole FBI, but he had them. At least he still had his family.

“I’ll owe you.”

She stopped him right there before he could go even further. “Hell no! Don’t you see, Gabe? This is how all of this all starts.”

He didn't speak.

“We’re family, and that means not keeping score. The slate is clean, Gabe. From here on out, we don’t owe our souls to anyone but the people we married. From here on out, there can be no more lies. Unless it comes down from POTUS, you have to be honest with us. No more games.”

He closed his eyes. “Thank you. I love you, Elizabeth, and you too, Ethan.”

“For the record, Gabe, I still love you.”

She saw the emotion in his eyes and ended the video call.

“He’s screwed if we don’t do this right.”

She was well aware. “I get the feeling he’s boned even if we do. You know how reliable blackmailers are. They usually blow it up.”

“You’re going to handle that president, aren’t you?”

What choice did she have?

“I’ll think of something. We’ll find the killer, and handle a lowlife blackmailer. It’s all in a day’s work.”

Ethan hoped she was right.

Even he felt bad for the Dragon Slayer. He was about to go down in flames.

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

He was scared.

They’d found the bodies.

He never saw that coming. When he dumped them, he really believed they’d be lost forever. Now, he needed to rethink the entire thing.

They only found three, so maybe the storm drain would be the best place for them.

After all, no one looked there, and the campus had been searched a few times.

Then he thought of something else.

Maybe he needed to take a day or two off. If he struck again, while the campus cops were wandering around, he’d get caught.

There was no doubt.

It was settled. No matter how important his job was, he couldn’t screw this up.

He had to be cautious and do it right.

He had no choice.

This was all on his shoulders.

Chapter Four

Wednesday Morning

The place they were calling their temporary home was pretty nice. While a hotel was often suitable, this apartment gave them a little more freedom to wander around.

Elizabeth didn't like feeling like a caged animal. It helped her think if she could stare out of windows, get lost in her surroundings, or just walk around buck ass naked.

She knew Ethan liked that part best.

When he brought her a second cup of coffee, he was already showered and in his clothes for the day. Well, not all the way. His dress shirt was unbuttoned, and the tie dangled precariously around his neck.

It was like an open invitation for debauchery and lechery. God, she loved moments like these. He gave her ideas, and they were truly wicked ones that made her heart thump in her chest.

“You’re thinking about sex. I can tell,” he said, moving closer to Elizabeth’s body.

She put the coffee cup down to trace her fingers over the large raven tattoo on his chest. “What makes you think that?” she inquired, grinning at him wickedly.

“You’re salivating.”

“Hmmmmm. Just for that, I won’t get naked and have really wild sex with you,” she stated, giving him a kiss. “We’ll see who’s thinking about sex now.”

Ethan loved his wife with all his heart. She made him smile, and in those jeans, he was pretty sure he was the one thinking about sex more.

“Well, Tex, what’s up for today?”

“I have to head into the morgue. I got the reports from Chris, but I like the play by play in person. You miss some of the nuances when you read it on paper.”

Blackhawk began buttoning his shirt. “You just want to see if he killed the town’s coroner.”

She snorted. “Yeah, I really do.”

He knew his wife. This had to be fun for her. Chris Leonard, while like a brother, still got one hell of a ribbing. If Elizabeth loved you, she rode you hard.

Speaking of being ridden…

“Callen sent his report this morning, and he’s really eager to get here.”

“Good. I like being out in the field with both of you. When we’re not a threesome on the job, I feel like I’m missing something,” she admitted.

He completely understood. In the beginning, he never relied on a partner, and then there was Elizabeth. She crashed into his life and career with those cowboy boots, and nothing was the same since.

Toss in Callen, and his life was complete.

“We should get going,” he stated, finishing the knot on his tie.

“You look handsome,” she offered, but then again, he always did. What astounded Elizabeth the most was that his hair was loose. Before healing from his abduction, he’d always pulled it back, hiding his heritage. While Ethan liked to think he could pretend he wasn’t Native American, just looking at him was proof enough.

“Do I?” he asked, well aware that his wife liked him in a suit. “This old thing?” he teased.

She snorted. “That suit was ridiculously priced, and you know it, Cowboy.”

He stared in the mirror at his reflection. “Probably.”

When he turned, she threw herself against him. “Thank you for being mine. Thank you for coming back from everything and being strong enough to stay my husband. I don’t say it enough, but I love you, Ethan. I love you deep in my soul.”

Her outburst of sweetness touched him. Wrapping his arms around her, he dropped his chin to the top of her head. “I love you, Elizabeth. Forever.”

They took that moment to reconnect before heading out. Lately, Doctor Gaines had suggested they do just that. Under the jobs, and the parenting, was the foundation that held them up. If they stayed strong, everything else would too.

“Let’s go torment our team,” she said, nuzzling his shirt.

He grinned. Maybe he’d been wrong yesterday. While the sheriff and the US marshal got a glimpse of her sweetness, he doubted that she’d shared it with anyone else like this before.

“Baby?”

“Yes?” she asked, moving away from him to holster her weapon and get her badge.

“Was it ever…?”

He didn't even have to say the rest. “It never was, and never will be. You were the first man I ever loved.”

“And with Callen?”

“Let’s just say that there will never be another Ethan Blackhawk. The first is always the most memorable.”

He relaxed.

She always knew what to say.

“Now, saddle up, Cowboy. We have some games to play,” she stated.

Ethan Blackhawk could now face the world. Because of her, he was so much stronger.

At the morgue, the sheriff was already standing there waiting. In one hand, he held papers, and in the other, he held a mug. It said, ‘
I’m a cop. To save time, let’s just assume I’m never wrong.’

The minute she saw it, Elizabeth started laughing.

“I still have it,” he stated.

Ethan watched the interaction, trying not to let it bother him. When his wife felt his tension, she immediately took his hand and squeezed it.

He relaxed.

“I see that. I don’t have mine. I think I broke it on day one when I threw it at a newbie,” she stated. They all had matching ones. Before Nick was a sheriff, he’d been a street cop for the Capitol police.

“I didn't get any reports from you,” he stated, jerking his head toward the door as they headed there.

“Yeah, you don’t get them until I see what the ME found. I said I’d let you play, but this sandbox is still mine.”

Nick Rakin laughed. “You always were territorial. I see from the belt buckle that I don’t stand a chance.”

She glanced down at the embossed ‘boss’ buckle. “I’m worse now. Trust me on that. Time has not mellowed me out.” Elizabeth winked at her husband.

Inside, they found Chris Leonard looking frazzled. There was no doubt why, since Doctor Leape was firing questions at him at a ridiculous pace.

When he saw the Blackhawks, Chris actually looked happier. “Hey, boss!” he said, thankful that the young man now had to finally shut up.

Behind them, the door opened and another deputy strolled in. He was older than the sheriff, and around his neck hung a bright shiny cross.

“This is my deputy, Izak Manz. He’s riding with me today and wanted to get a looksee at what went down in an FBI investigation.”

“Hey, all!” he said, pleasantly. “It’s a beautiful day that the Lord has made.”

Everyone looked at Elizabeth, almost waiting for her to make a snide comment. They all knew that she, and religion, didn't get along. In fact, she tried to make it her bitch every chance she got.

Instead, Elizabeth rolled her eyes but kept it zipped.

Sheriff Rakin made the introductions to his man.

“What did the campus fuzz find?” Elizabeth asked the deputy.

“Not a heck of a lot, ma’am. They found the last woman’s ID, and they have a missing shoe and wallet from the third missing girl. That’s about it. They had one person stumble onto the scene,” he stated, opening the folder his boss handed him. “It was a fellow sorority girl.”

Ethan made notes.

“A Miss Johanna Madden found the mutilated girl.”

Elizabeth watched her team, and none of them even batted an eyelash at the name. They’d been warned, but still…it did her heart good to know she could trust her people when she needed to.

“Want me to interview her?” he asked.

“No, she only walked onto the scene. I’m sure she gave them everything she had.”

Yeah, and she’d already filed a report with Ethan. They had everything this deputy managed to dig up. Well, at least they’d worked that avenue. It was time to cross it off the list.

“The frat house has had a few complaints,” the deputy offered. “It seems that they like having wild parties. We can step in, petition the school, and shut them down,” he added. “Maybe then they could head to church and pray for their souls.”

Again, the team waited for it.

Well, they were going to be disappointed. Elizabeth respected Nick Rakin, and she wouldn’t go there—even if it was an easy target.

“No, we’re not doing that.”

“Why not, ma’am?” he asked.

The sheriff was just as curious. “Yeah, why not? If they’re taking girls…”

“We have to keep this quiet. If we shut down a frat house, then it’s going to make the news. That happens, and we’re going to have media digging into the situation. Then we have to discuss the bodies, and what’s going on. No, we’re going to keep this quiet.”

Ethan spoke up, “We have people working that angle. It’s covered,” he offered.

That seemed to appease the men.

“Well, the campus cops are upping the patrols, especially the nights of the parties.”

“That’s probably a good idea,” Elizabeth stated. She didn't mention that she had Agent Blaise and Flowers on patrol too. She only hoped they didn't cross paths.

“I don’t think that we have to worry about the killer for a couple days,” stated Ethan.

He had everyone’s attention.

“Do tell, Ethan,” she said, knowing he was in profile mode. She could tell by the crinkles around his eyes. Her husband was thinking—and thinking hard.

“This had to rattle him. He took three women and hid them, and now his fourth victim was found just as he was attacking her. That had to scare the shit out of him. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to back off. We bought ourselves a little time.”

The sheriff looked skeptical. “How sure are you?” he asked. “Are you willing to bet the lives of innocents on it?”

Ethan went to speak, but was cut off by his wife.

“Sheriff Rakin, this man isn’t just my husband and the Director of FBI West, but he’s also the foremost authority on deviants. He’s the gold standard when it comes to profiling.”

“Oh. I see.”

“If Ethan Blackhawk says it’s going to happen, you can bet your money on it.”

That seemed to appease him.

Ethan was still shaky when it came to doing his job. He was still worried that maybe, just maybe, he’d lost his edge. Having Elizabeth’s vote of confidence helped a great deal.

“What else?” she asked, waiting for him to continue.

“He’s going to be familiar with the area. Look at where he dumped the bodies and the time frame. It took a while to locate them, so he’s going to know his way around the campus.”

She started thinking about the frat house and its members. “So, are we looking at a fellow student?”

He nodded. “It seems likely, but that’s all I have for now. After I see what Doctor Leonard dug up, I’ll have more for you.”

She pointed at her ME. “Doc, how are you with the autopsies?”

“I’m done with all three, and already shipped you the reports, but I’ll assume you want a walk through.”

“I do.”

“I do like to give the boss lady what makes her happy,” he stated as she pulled out her tablet to make notes. “Are you ready for the details, Lyzee?” Chris asked, heading back over to a body.

“Sure thing,” she stated, hopping up on a metal table to get a good view. Ethan stayed close by, and the sheriff and his deputy looked out of place.

“First time?” Chris asked, getting on a pair of latex gloves.

The deputy nodded, but the sheriff didn’t.

“Nick, here, worked for the police. He’s seen a few bodies,” Elizabeth offered.

“Yeah, but they still make me sick.”

Chris whipped back the sheet. The look on both men’s faces proved one thing—they weren’t used to floaters. They both looked a little green.

“Oh Christ,” muttered Sheriff Rakin.

That was all it took. From her perch on a metal table, she held up two fingers. The men caught it, and the game began. Ethan tapped one finger against his cheek, as did Merry. Chris was too smart to go against the house. He went with Elizabeth’s bet of the deputy.

“Our first girl has been in the water likely since the day she was killed. As you can see, while he weighed her down and wrapped her up, the fish still had some wiggle room to get in and find some dinner.”

The deputy and sheriff looked horrified.

“What happened to her fingers?” Nick asked, noticing they looked mutilated.

Merry spoke up. “Well, the skin was a little too fragile to peel off to get a fingerprint, so Chris was nice enough to give me a couple fingers. I’m running them right now.”

The deputy made a gagging sound, especially when Merry held the evidence bag up for him to see. In it were the woman’s missing digits.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” he muttered, crossing himself.

This time, Elizabeth couldn’t help herself. “Holy shit! Is that who Chris has on his tables? Man, God’s going to be pissed. I see the apocalypse coming.”

The tech team snickered among themselves.