Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) (27 page)

Brad used to live there when they first met.

John got out of the car and scanned the area before he opened her door. Stephanie took his hand as they entered the building. Inside, Kurt, James and the other officers were in the lobby. They were just standing around like nothing was going on. John pulled her to the elevator. He stood in front of her as the doors opened. When he was satisfied that the elevator was safe he pulled her in. The ride up seemed to take forever and they were only going to the third floor.

“Stay behind me,” John warned as they got out of the elevator. The apartment was the fourth one down the hall. When they walked up to it, the door was already open. John pushed her completely behind him and drew his gun. How did she not know he had his gun with him? Was she that distracted that she didn’t see the thing strapped to him? He held her hand as they approached the open door with caution. The closer they got, the more her heart pounded.

“Kim!” John called. Stephanie looked around but didn’t see anyone. Then she heard someone yell.

“Call an ambulance!”

Was that Sandy? Stephanie’s heart felt like it was in her throat. John hurried into the apartment pulling Stephanie with him.

Sandy had tears streaming down her cheeks and she was kneeling over a very bloody Kim on the floor.

John holstered his weapon. “Sandy, what the hell are you doing here?”

“She’s still breathing, call someone.” Sandy sobbed. “Hold on, honey. Help is coming.” John pulled out his phone.

“Sandy, answer me. What are you doing here?” John grabbed her and pulled her to her feet.

“Sh…. she’s my s…. s…. sister.” Sandy sobbed. The look of shock on John’s face matched her own feelings.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” John growled. Before Sandy answered, Kurt and James ran into the apartment. “You knew she was doing this and you didn’t tell me?” John yelled.

“I couldn’t tell you.” Sandy cried.

“Were you fucking helping her?” John shook her and the look on his face made Stephanie tremble.

“John! Stop!” Kurt’s voice boomed.

“She knew, Kurt!” John had a death grip on Sandy’s arm.

“Jesus, John, she’s got nothing to do with this,” Kurt yelled. “She’s one of us. She works for Keith.”

Stephanie’s jaw dropped open. John’s expression said he had no idea either. She felt a hand on her shoulder. When she turned James and Keith were behind her. James guided her out of the apartment so the paramedics could get in.

“What’s going on, James? What does Kurt mean Sandy works for Keith and is one of you?” Stephanie stared up at James.

“I don’t know, but I think we’re about to find out.” James nodded toward the door where Kurt, John, Keith, and Sandy were walking out of the apartment. John’s jaw was clenched so tight it was surprising his teeth didn’t crack.

“You want to tell me what the fuck is going on here?” John stood with his hands on his hips and glared at Keith.

“Sandy works for me and the NPD,” Keith said. John glared at Sandy and then back to Keith.

“So she’s a cop?” John snapped.

“Yes,” Kurt said.

“And no.” Keith finished

“Keith, I really need to go with my sister.” Sandy sobbed as the paramedics rolled out the gurney with Kim on it.

“You go with her, and I’ll explain everything, but Sandy we need all the information Kim has,” Kurt said.

“I know.” Sandy ran down the hall toward the paramedics.

“You’re just letting her go,” John yelled.

“Calm the fuck down before I kick your ass,” Keith yelled back.

“Can we just all calm down and find out what’s going on.” James stood between Keith and John. Stephanie glanced at Kurt. None of this seemed to be disturbing him.

“Before I explain John, you’ve got to understand, I didn’t know Kim was involved until just now,” Keith said. “Now let’s go back to your house. Kurt and I will explain everything.”

After the forensics crew arrived they left for John’s house. Kurt tried to clear the family out so Keith could explain. With John’s family and her parents, the man didn’t stand a chance. Especially when Nanny Betty threatened to box his ears if he didn’t explain and explain fast.

“Remember everyone this has to stay quiet,” Kurt warned. Everyone in the house nodded.

“Sandy works for me,” Keith said.

“I thought she worked with a catering place. You’re telling us she’s a construction worker?” Nick asked.

“Start from the beginning, Keith,” Kurt said. Stephanie was so confused. As far as she understood Keith owned his own construction company.

“I don’t own a construction company. Yes, I work construction from time to time but the company I own has nothing to do with it.” Everyone’s eyes were glued to Keith.

“Get to the fucking point.” John snapped as he paced.

“Watch your language, Johnny.” Nanny Betty warned. “Go on, Keithy.”

John shut his mouth and Stephanie covered hers to hide her smile. Nanny Betty was in control here and nobody else.

“The reason John is being so impatient.” Keith glared. “Is because he’s one of the few that know I actually own a high-end security firm.” From the amount of gasps and the ‘no ways’ and ‘you’re kiddings’, Stephanie guessed very few that knew about it.

“Keith’s company works alongside the police. His company provides security and investigation services.” Kurt explained.

“Ok.... yes…. great. Keith’s the man.” John grumbled. “What the f.…” John glanced at Nanny Betty. She was giving him a very stern look. “What does Keith’s company have to do with all this?” John continued without the cursing.

“Sandy graduated at the top of her class with the police academy. There’s also nothing the woman can’t do with a computer. She has the highest security clearance of anybody in the country, and was recruited by the N.P.D to work undercover when needed, but her main job is with my firm.” Keith looked at John. “There’s no way she’s involved with hurting Stephanie.”

“So you’re saying that she’s kind of the Penelope Garcia of Newfoundland.” Aaron chuckled.

“Who’s that?” Kurt asked.

“From the TV show Criminal Minds,” Mike said.

“Oh yeah! I guess you could say that.” Kurt continued.

“The reason she’s not hired by any department full time is because nobody can afford to pay what she’s worth. She’s that good. Whenever anyone needs anything they call me, and I call Sandy.” Keith said.

“Did you know Kim was her sister?” John said.

“No, I didn’t,” Keith said.

“So does this mean it’s all over?” Stephanie asked. She saw Kurt and John exchange a look that told her it wasn’t over.

“I need to talk to Sandy,” Kurt said.

“I’m going with you,” John said.

“So am I.” Stephanie knew they were going to try and stop her. John opened his mouth and she held up her hand. “Don’t you dare say no to me. This is my life and I want to know exactly what Sandy knows.” She walked out the front door and waited with her arms crossed over her chest. Stephanie held her breath as John walked out behind her.

At the hospital, a nurse directed them to the intensive care unit. Sandy sat in the waiting room with her head in her hands. Stephanie was having a difficult time wrapping her head around the fact, Sandy was so brilliant.

“Sandy?” Kurt walked up to her. She lifted her head and Stephanie’s heart broke. Sandy’s eyes were red and her cheeks were blotchy. She’d obviously been crying for a while.

“How’s your sister?” Stephanie sat next to her. She didn’t want Sandy to feel intimidated by Kurt or John. With the way John was looking at Sandy, Stephanie felt intimidated.

“She’s stable, but she hasn’t woken up yet. She’s lost a lot of blood. She was stabbed three times.”

“So are you going to tell us what happened?” John snapped.

Stephanie narrowed her eyes at him.

“What?”

“Do you have to be so cold?” Stephanie said.

“No. It’s okay. I don’t blame him.” Sandy took a deep breath and Stephanie held her hand. “Kim is my half-sister. We’ve got the same father but different mothers. Our father is Stewart Michaels. Kim has a relationship with him. I don’t. He left my mother for Kim’s mother, and I haven’t had anything to do with him.”

“What does this have to do with who’s trying to hurt Stephanie?” John groaned.

“Let her finish for the love of God.” Stephanie was growing as annoyed with John as Kurt and everyone else.

“John, she wouldn’t let me tell you we were related,” Sandy said. “Kim was trying to get me to talk to our father. It was just a crazy coincidence that you started dating her.”

John’s jaw clenched.

“Anyway, she tried again at the fundraiser, but I refused. Half way through the fundraiser, she told me she heard a woman in the bathroom laughing about how her boyfriend was going to make his ex-girlfriend’s life a living hell.”

“Erica Reid?” Keith said.

“Yes, I really didn’t pay any attention to Kim, but when I got home I did some research on her. I found out she lived in the same building as Kim. Something told me Kim knew more than she was saying. I called her and she told me the only way she would tell me anything was if I met with our father. I’m sorry, but I hung up on her.” Sandy sighed. “Then I got a text from her saying she wanted to talk to me and that it was important. She knew who was trying to hurt Stephanie. She told me to get there right away. She could prove who was doing this.”

“What did she tell you?” Kurt asked.

“Something about a black car, and then she passed out.” Sandy sobbed. “She was on the floor bleeding.”

“She must have called me right after she sent the text,” Stephanie said.

“You should have told me what was going on, Sandy.” Keith was firm but not in an angry way.

“I know.” Sandy lowered her head.

“She thought she was doing the right thing. Jesus, leave the girl alone.” Ian snapped. All eyes turned to him. Sandy met his eyes and gave him a weak smile.

“Ian’s right,” Kurt said.

Stephanie’s phone beeped and everyone looked at her. She tapped the screen and froze. Brad texted her.

Stephanie, I really need to talk to you. Please, I know who’s trying to hurt you.

“John!” Stephanie shouted and passed John the phone.

“How the fuck does everyone know who’s doing this, except for us?” John growled.

“Text him back and tell him you’re on the way,” Kurt said.

“What if it’s him?” Stephanie cringed.

“We’ll be there with you,” Keith said.

She texted Brad and asked him where to meet. Her heart stopped when he gave her the address of the same apartment building where Kim lived.

“He’s at his old apartment.” Stephanie gasped.

“There’s something else I’ve got to tell you guys before you go there.” Sandy stood up.

“What?” John snapped. Stephanie didn’t like the way John was treating Sandy.

“Stephanie you’ve got to believe me. I didn’t know until the fundraiser. Kim told me. Your ex Brad.” Stephanie nodded. “He’s also my brother or my half-brother.”

“You’re telling me, both of our exs are your siblings?” John roared at Sandy.

“Look, John, I don’t have any dealings with my father. He’s a fucking whoremaster that can’t keep his dick in his pants. Fuck, I probably have twenty more siblings that I don’t know about. I hate him. I fucking loathe my father. He’s the reason my mother is dead. So all the yelling and glares you’re giving me couldn’t make me feel any worse than I already do. I love Stephanie. She’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a best friend.” Sandy took a deep breath and continued. “I don’t want her hurt any more than you do. Yes, I kept this from you, but it wasn’t to hurt her or you. Damn it, John, you’re more like my fucking brother than Brad. Can’t you see this is killing me?” Sandy was shaking.

Stephanie was still in shock. She’d never heard Sandy curse. It was like she was looking at a stranger. Still, Stephanie stood and wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl. Sandy clung to her. The whole room was so quiet and the only thing you could hear was Sandy’s racking sobs. After a few minutes John spoke.

“I’m sorry, Sandy,” John said. “I know none of this is your fault.”

“I just wanted to find out for sure.” Sandy wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I was going to tell Keith after I talked to Kim.”

“Look, we can figure all this part out later. Right now we have to see what Brad wants.” Stephanie said.

The next time John spoke was when they returned to the apartment building. “I really don’t like this.” He scrutinized the front of the building. This was the first time he spoke since they left the hospital. Stephanie knew he was worried, but she wanted this over and wanted it over now.

“We’ve got to find out what he knows.” She was tired of being afraid. Tired of waiting for something else to happen. Scared that the next time she could be killed or worse someone she loved would be killed.

John squeezed her hand as he helped her out of the car. She didn’t bother to look for Keith or Kurt. They were close. She didn’t doubt it for a minute. John kept her hand in his as the elevator doors opened to the sixth floor. Brad’s apartment was the last one on the right. They walked down the hall. John’s eyes constantly scanning the hallway. They stopped in front of Brad’s door. Stephanie took a deep breath and knocked. The click of the door unlocking sounded so loud. She glanced at John. His jaw was clenched and he was holding her hand so tightly that it was becoming painful. When the door opened she expected to see Brad, but to her surprise a woman opened the door.