Shotgun Justice (15 page)

It didn't matter. If the state wanted to draw Snake Eyes out with their worthless plan, he'd throw Avery over his shoulder and resign. They'd contact Garrison and protect themselves the old-fashioned way. But they could catch this madman. He knew it. They just had to convince the six people sitting at this table.

He imitated his boss with relaxed self-confidence. “Snake Eyes threatened Avery to get the information he needed. When I showed up, I made it easier for him because of our long-standing friendship. When it didn't work, there was only one modification to the plan that he needed to make. Find another target.”

He finished, flattening his palms on the table, too. A symbolic gesture that all his cards had been played. He didn't look at the attorney making the decisions. He looked at the woman who had stolen his heart and wondered how he was going to keep her alive while they trapped a serial assassin.

Chapter Twenty-One

Waiting was the hardest part. It was day two at the address leaked to nonessentials. The house was perfect for a trap. The plan was to lure Snake Eyes inside the house. Unless he attempted murder, they might not get more than trespassing. They needed a DNA sample and needed a crime to compel one.

Limited access in or out at the end of a cul-de-sac. There was an empty house across the circle where backup could stay and keep watch. It felt like a fishbowl, and yet she was so nervous she had trouble thinking straight.

Pacing the house wearing a blond wig and bulletproof vest, she passed in front of windows exposing herself to sniper fire. As long as he didn't take a head shot, she might only get the breath knocked out of her.

“I thought for certain they were going to kick you out of that meeting the other day.” Avery had been full of excitement as they walked into the hotel. They'd won. They were setting a trap for Snake Eyes.

But could she face him? This wasn't the first time she'd had a moment of doubt creep inside her that she wouldn't be able to do it. Then again, if she didn't have that fear, she'd be more worried.

“You convinced them a little too well.” Jesse had the shotgun on his hip, leaning against the inside wall by the television.

“What do you mean?”

“There are other cops or rangers who could pose for Kenderly Tyler. It doesn't have to be you.” He shook his head. “We could still bring someone on board to take your place.”

“This is my case.” She fingered a see-through curtain panel, pulling it slightly to the side to view the street. Nothing. Not even a street lamp in this new housing division.

“You've been through a lot.”

“Haven't you?” She didn't blame him for doubting her. It did sort of hurt, though. She wouldn't want to work with anyone else. “Are you worried I'll fall apart or something?”

“Of course not.”

“You're lying, Jesse Ryder.”

“Of course I'm worried about you. But not that you can't do your job.” Jesse cupped her shoulders.

Should she? Should she kiss him or even go to bed with him right now? Wow, that answer was a definite
of course not
. They were on the job and the idea shouldn't have even popped into her brain. But it had. And she would.

Her hands lifted to his cheeks and she drew his lips to hers. A gentle touch, firm, a little rough around the edges because he hadn't shaved that morning. His hands skimmed her shoulders, then her neck and into her hair.

She was next to him but wanted his body closer. She broke her mouth free. “We don't have time.”

“We do if we hurry.” He swooped in for another assault on her senses.

“Would you be thinking about making love to
me
? I have a lot of mixed images in my mind. I'm not really sure I can concentrate.” The photos of murders popped into her head. She shivered and started pacing again.

“Who said timing was everything?” Jesse was dressed like her brother. He'd even ridden a motorcycle from Fort Worth and parked it in the garage. “I'm sure Garrison will appreciate what you're doing for Kenderly.”

“I'm not doing this for Garrison. Or his girlfriend.”

“Fiancée,” Jesse corrected her. “He told us on the phone that he'd asked her. This isn't up for debate.”

“He's marrying a woman we haven't even met after knowing her a couple of weeks. Don't you find that odd? I also find it very hard to believe that he'd settle down after so many.” She stopped, and Jesse motioned her to keep moving. She did. “It's completely unrealistic that the witness would be moving in front of the window
all
the time.” She went to the drapes and pulled them closer together. Anyone watching could see her silhouette because the light was on behind her.

“We agreed that we'd stop at eight thirty-five. So you have five more minutes.”

She twisted her hands, flipped the long hair of the wig off her sweaty neck. “This thing is so hot. I don't miss long hair at all. It weighs a ton.”

“Yep.”

He agreed with her, just as he had the other twenty times she'd complained about it. She needed to stop but was afraid he'd want to really talk.

Laughing off that he'd said the
L
word... She still didn't know if that was good or bad. She hadn't determined if he wasn't talking to her because they'd simply been too busy getting this sting operation organized. Or because he didn't have anything left to say. Or it was a slim possibility—yet highly unlikely—that he'd actually meant it.

She wished it was the highly unlikely scenario. Loving him was second nature to her. But after their conversation about Garrison and the promise, she didn't want Jesse to feel obligated to say he loved her.

“Time.”

Jesse turned the lights off. Turned the TV on. They both sat close on the couch as if they were Garrison and his girl, Kenderly—the second witness for the Tenoreno case.

“You have your second Glock on your ankle?”

“Do you?”

“Don't hesitate, Avery. You pull the trigger and don't think about taking this guy alive.” He pointed his finger toward the kitchen doorway, then imitated pulling a trigger.

“We need him alive. You know we do. Everyone has emphasized—”

“I don't care. We both know what he's capable of. If he's gotten past the security outside, it means we don't have any backup close enough to help.” Jesse squeezed her hand. “No matter what you want to think or hope, no one will get here in time if he gets near you.”

“You are so full of optimistic enthusiasm. That was sarcasm, in case you didn't recognize it.” She searched his expressive eyes. He meant what he'd said. “Jesse, I'm not sure about just pulling the trigger. I mean, we're law officers. Deadly force is a last resort. Promise me.”

He watched the game and didn't answer. He'd said before that he kept his promises. By not giving his word about this...he was sort of promising he would shoot first. It didn't matter. After everything they'd been through, she knew he'd do the right thing.

The TV could barely be heard. The house they'd chosen had basic cable and they were watching a previously broadcast Major League Baseball game. The organ played. The crowd yelled, “Charge.”

And nothing happened.

“We can't do this much longer. Two days is sort of my limit to be stuck inside again. Are we sure that he obtained this address?”

“Relax, Avery,” Jesse whispered. But when he dropped his hand on her thigh, she bolted off the couch.

“I need a shower.”

“Not unless you want me in there with you.” It was obvious that he meant it. “I don't think the vest is that waterproof.”

She returned to her assigned seating, tugging on the protection she wore that he'd refused. “Don't read anything into that. I'm not afraid of you, just jumpy.”

“Right.”

“Do you think this will work?”

“Last chance.”

Leaping out of her skin hadn't stimulated the conversation. To prove she wasn't afraid of his touch, she rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes got heavy. She had dozed several times, hearing different high points of the game. Then it was two different teams playing.

This time when her eyes opened, more than her head was hot. Jesse had his hand over her mouth. She lifted his fingers away when she realized he wasn't looking at her. His focus was on the rear window.

A shadow.

This is it.

They had elected not to use outside electronic surveillance just in case Snake Eyes was watching the area. No panel van or utility vehicle was anywhere near the place. The team was just down the street, a phone call away from saving the day. With the hacking ability their target had shown or hired, she'd talked them out of video cameras in the corner of every room.

Jesse texted a message to Major Parker. The phone vibrated with a message that the shadow they'd seen was not one of the rangers stationed on the perimeter. Everyone outside was ready.

The stakeout team listened to them through their phones. Undercover units did this all the time. Let the screen go black and no one could tell it was on. Both their phones were activated, recording.

The clock was ticking.

“I'm tired. Are you ready for bed?” She opened her eyes wide as she delivered her preassigned dialogue.

His response would be... “I think I'll shower and work this kink out of my neck.”

“Meet you in bed, then,” she answered.

The television went off and everything was eerily silent. Jesse stood and stretched out his hand, pulling her into his arms. “Shoot him. As much as you'd like to take my head off...just make sure it's him you're aiming at,” he whispered, then kissed her forehead.

Snake Eyes wouldn't take them by surprise. They could do this. They were prepared. Avery went to the bedroom and heard the shower turn on. She set the dummies under the covers and took her place in the dark corner. Phone in her pocket, she wanted to talk to the men who had her back. It was better if she let them concentrate on their jobs.

The plan was to have the men guarding the perimeter meet, and instead of immediately turning around, they would carry on a conversation for a few minutes. It would give Snake Eyes an opportunity to breach the house without killing the men.

Shoving off the hot wig, she let it fall to the floor and pulled her Glock, wishing it was a “make my day” .44 Magnum that she held instead. The recoil would have been murder, but if Snake Eyes got that near to her...

Could she kill him as Jesse had instructed?

Could the man she cared for more than any other really want her to? She heard the shower start up.

The Glock rested between her knees from her cut-off corner of the house. She'd set her phone on the nightstand. Over there she had less chance of accidentally disconnecting if she was in a fight.

She sort of wished for the comfort of it in her jeans pocket.
No, stay put and concentrate.
There was no one to protect except herself. At least for the moment. She rested her shoulders propped against the corner, but she wouldn't last long in this position.

Someone
oofed
as they ran into the coffee table in the television room. Their target must have hired another accomplice. She couldn't imagine the professional killer they had set a trap for bumping into a table.

The next sound was a curse word in a familiar voice. She slid up the wall, keeping her weapon in a ready position, but she was pretty sure the body coming through her bedroom door would be...

The lights flipped on.

Garrison.

“What the hell do you two think you're doing?” he shouted.

Her brother looked good. Fit. Rested. The normal twinkle in his eye contradicted his words. So did his arms that were spread wide waiting for her to enter them. She stayed put.

“I could have shot you.” Jesse's voice came from directly behind her twin.

“I should shoot you,” Garrison retorted. “What are you thinking dragging my sister into this mess?”

“Me? Drag? You need to get your facts straight.”

“Guys.” She tried to interrupt.

“I know what I'm talking about. I've been fully briefed in spite of your efforts to prevent it.” Garrison's fingers rested through his belt loops. He looked at ease, not worried about a thing—at least at first glance. All of his body language had changed as soon as he laid eyes on Jesse.

“Guys,” she tried again. It reminded her of the summer she'd been invisible. No matter what she did, she couldn't get the attention of either of the boys. She'd even pretended to drown in the swimming pool. They'd both gone on with their horsing around while the lifeguard rescued her.

“If you knew your sister, you'd have figured out a long time ago that no one drags her anywhere. You've been practically on vacation for the last month.”

“Vacation? I was on assignment, nearly getting my head blown—”

It might have been easier to go around them, but she shoved through, successfully separating them. She placed her weapon on top of the dresser. Jesse's was at least holstered.

She elbowed her way through again to get to the nightstand, where she'd left her phone, switching it off and cutting one of the connections. Those on the other end of the line must be laughing or seriously cursing. But they would stay where they were, hoping to salvage this mess.

Both men stared at her. “What?” she asked. “Hello, Garrison. What are you doing here? And, Jesse, you should probably have the team stand down.”

She led the way out of the bedroom, pausing to turn the water off in the shower then sitting in one of the armchairs. She pressed her palms to her eyes, unable to envision anything but chaos for the next several minutes.

The attempt to block the men's arguing voices from her mind battled with the images of Snake Eyes laughing at their entire sting operation. If he was watching the house, he'd just seen her brother enter. And if he wasn't watching...well, then it had completely failed.

“Oh, would you both just hug it out or something? I need to think.” She'd raised her voice. They were both looking at her strangely. “I can tell that you aren't used to me being in charge. Well, guys, I hate to break it to you, but if we're voting...mine's the only one that counts.”

“Who asked for a vote?”

“What are we voting on?”

They both spoke at the same time and each poked the other in the chest as if they were teens. “Enough. Seriously. We are all adults and we have a rather difficult problem to solve.”

“There's no discussion. You're heading to the house where they're guarding Kenderly.” Garrison sat closest to her on the couch. “I'm here to take care of this problem.”

“You aren't in charge, pal.” Jesse propped the shotgun along the wall and took a seat. He reached for her hand.