Darkness Of Truth (An FBI/Romance Thriller~ Book 6) (21 page)

“When did you last see him?” inquired Elizabeth.

Sara thought about it. “Jeffrey went out truffle hunting a few days ago. He’d camp out and make a weekend of it. That’s why I didn’t report him missing until a day ago. Have you found him?”

Callen took over. “We found a
body on the reservation. We came here to get a DNA sample to run against the remains.” There was no point telling her there was more than one. Why cause more of a freak out.

Sara sat there open
mouthed. “You’re saying he’s gone?” The hysteria began bubbling up in her chest. “Jeff is dead?” Now came the tears.

Whitefox handed her a tissue and ended up holding a sobbing woman. He looked at Elizabeth helplessly, praying she didn’t lose her mind.

“Sara, we need you to focus here for us. Where did he go truffling?” inquired Elizabeth.

She sniffled
, holding onto the big native man for dear life. “I don’t know. His spots were secret. He wouldn’t go out with anyone, but when he’d come back he’d have a bag of truffles.”

Tori took a wild stab at it. “Did he go on the reservation? It’s not far from her
e.”

Sara thought about it. “Yeah, I think he did. He once said something about a big stash of white truffles on Indian land.”

It made sense. The man wandered on Native land and the killer took him out. “Sara, we need something for a DNA comparison.”

The woman
understood and went searching in her brother’s room until she found his brush. “Will this work?” she queried, sitting back down.

“
Yes it will. We’ll have the results by tomorrow. Thank you for your help,” Elizabeth said, standing.

She
began crying again and was holding onto Callen.

“Maxwell, why don’t you comfort Sara here, and then head
back to Mrs. Sumners after she calms down.” When the man grinned, she shook her head. “How did your brother get to the reservation, Sara?”

Slowly the woman released her death grip on
Whitefox, and Max slipped into the spot, offering to let the woman hold onto him.

“I believe he walked. Jeffrey wanted to save the earth and didn’t like fossil fuels.” Sara began sobbing again, and this time the young deputy held her in his arms
, allowing her to weep.

Elizabeth, Callen and Tori escaped out the door while they still had the opportunity.

“So an outsider crosses onto Native land, rooting around for truffles that aren’t his and goes missing. A farmer that has land touching the Rez goes out to fix a fence and is taken too. What do they have in common?” Elizabeth asked, taking the keys from Callen.

Tori thought about it. “They’re both outsiders.”

Elizabeth mulled it over. “They both got a little too close to something they shouldn’t be on or near.”

Whitefox
didn’t like where it was heading. “The white feathers can also mean the enemy was overcome.”

“Someone has a grudge and isn’t afraid to kill for it.” Elizabeth started
toward the Denali.

“Gee, an angry Native that hates outsiders. This should narrow it down considerably,” added Callen, sarcastically.

Tori had that feeling in the pit of her stomach.

This assignment was going to get ugly.

~ Chapter Six ~

Walking back into the ‘Cup o’ Joe’ brought back a flood of memories- some good and others not so great. The recollections of the past were awash with pain and anger for both Elizabeth and Callen. Had there been any other choice, they would have found another place to grab lunch, but it was Red River and small towns were limited in dining choices.

“
Are you going to be okay here?” Elizabeth asked Callen, as he stared at the diner blankly. She knew what he was dwelling on, because the same thing was plaguing her mind too.

“Yeah, you?” Whitefox knew
that Elizabeth was battling the same war that was brewing viciously in his own gut. Once again, demons of the past were lurking around the corners, waiting to sink their vicious claws into hearts.

“Yep,” she hopped down, glancing over at Tori. “They make a really good burger, if you’re into cholesterol and dying early.”

The woman could sense the tension that was emanating from both Elizabeth and Callen. Whatever had happened here was making both their lives hell. Of all people, Tori understood what that was like. “I think I’ll save the cholesterol for dinner, and go with something a little less heavy, but thanks for the suggestion.”

Walking in, Elizabeth saw the owner sitting behind
the counter and her heart soared. The chauvinistic pig had to be taught a lesson the last time she was in there, and hopefully seeing her would bring back all the memories. At least there’d be a highlight to her day.

“Well howdy there, Joe
Lemar. It’s been a long time, now hasn’t it?” she drawled, whipping out the southern accent and leaning against the counter.

The man looked over, smiling and then saw who was
waiting for his attention. First dawned recognition, then he paled, and lastly came the twin looks of horror and terror.

“That’
s right! The FBI is back in town. I hope you missed me Mr. Lemar.” Elizabeth dropped her sunglasses onto the top of her head, watching the man back away from his seat at the counter. He literally blanched at the sight of the woman.

When his eyes ran
the length of her body she laughed. “It is indeed me and looksee here. I’m having a baby again. You want to tell me I’m chubby or slap me on my ass? I have a new partner here ready to beat you down.”

The man shook his head
and allowed his eyes to move towards the big native man standing protectively beside her.

“Good thing, Darlin’,” she turned her head to wink at Callen, who was watching the man with an amused look on his face. Gone were the memories, and back was the easy going nature that he was known for.
Who knew the jackwagon Joe Lemar would come in handy after all.

“Let’s get a table by the window,” said Tori, confused
by what was going on around her. Then again, it wouldn’t be the first time.

They both followed her,
silently. Callen only paused to allow Elizabeth to slide into the booth, as he once again protectively flanked her. Tori took the other side of her in the red vinyl ‘U’ shaped seating.

Wilma May wandered over, surprised to see them aga
in. “Wow, this here is a shocker,” she said, grinning at Elizabeth. “I see you’re having another baby. You want the usual, Sugar?”

She laughed. “No, this kid likes salads. I’ll have the biggest one you have and keep all dead animal far from it.”

Callen laughed. “She’ll also have some vegetable juice and some cheese and hard boiled eggs on the salad.” When he looked over at her, Elizabeth was smirking. “You know the doctor said protein.”

She rolled her eyes.

Tori ordered her lunch, trying to be cognizant of Elizabeth’s food aversions. She tried to keep it low on the animal flesh. “I’ll have a BLT with fries, please.”

Callen went with the same thing Elizabeth was having, but with some soda. “Thank you, Wilma May,” he said, pleasantly.

Elizabeth began telling Tori all about the man at the counter. “He once called CJ chub while I was pregnant. When he slapped me on the ass, I dumped cherry pie filling all over him and kicked him in the…”

“Angel,” Callen warned, laughing.

Tori began snickering. “Damn, I wish I could see you do it again. It’s been quiet on the Rez. I miss seeing people receiving a beat down.”

Elizabeth patted her hand. “How’s therapy?” Both
she and Callen knew she was working hard at the VA hospital. Tori Christensen had served her country and left a part of her soul in the sandbox.

“It’s good. No more nightmares. Well, not many. I think you were right about finding someone to sleep next to that can chase them away. Julian
’s damn good at that.”

Elizabeth grinned. “You both look happy,” she paused, “are you coming back?”

Tori didn’t want to hurt her friend or boss, but chances were no- she wasn’t. “I don’t think so. Julian wouldn’t survive off the Rez. His whole family is there, and he loves his horses.”

She understood.
Sometimes you had to make accommodations for the ones you loved.

“Did you know he has a twin?”

Elizabeth stared open mouthed. “There are two Julians?” Then she began laughing. “Seriously?”

Tori nodded. “Justin is the EXACT likeness, but just a Marine. Then he has
two sisters that are twins too - Claire and Liana.”

Elizabeth was about to make a comment when she saw the figure out of her peripheral vision
, drawing her attention.

Callen felt a tap on his shoulder, assuming it was Wilma May, he turned grinning, only to have someone plant a big, wet kiss on his lips. Elizabeth’s hand
clasped in his, as someone invaded his personal space with her mouth.

Elizabeth saw red.

Tori’s hand actually went to the butt of her weapon.

Callen furiously pulled away
at the unwanted contact. He had a thing about unsolicited touching of his body, and this was a big violation of it.

“Hello there, Mr. Whitefox. I see that even
though I gave you my number and my lips on the back of that card, you still forgot about me. Now maybe you won’t,” purred the woman.

Elizabeth wanted to grab Carly Kester by the blonde hair and beat the living hell out of her. The woman was a suspect in their last investigation here, and they’d tricked her into giving DNA. Elizabeth should have known that the entire thing would blow up in their faces.
This was just one more demon that was going to make being in Red River complete and total hell.

Callen wiped his mouth on the back of his
hand; his other hand still firmly in Elizabeth’s praying she didn’t lose it and vault the table to kill the woman.

“Sorry Ms. Kester, but I’m taken,” he held up his left hand that held the Blackhawk family ring,
letting her see it. “So, no more kissing, please.”

If it bothered Carly, she didn’t let it show. “I see you let the rabid dog out of the cage,” she nodded at Elizabeth.

This time it was Callen’s hand that clenched. The woman was asking for trouble if she planned on torturing Elizabeth. Protectively, he lifted his arm, and Elizabeth slid beneath it, laying her head on his shoulder.

Carly looked confused but continued. “I really thought you were going to call me when the assignment was over. We were supposed to get together for a good time.”

Tori didn’t know what the hell was going on, but already she didn’t like the woman. Elizabeth had been nothing but kind to her and had become her friend. Cautiously, she watched the woman, biding her time.

Callen opted to tell the truth. “Honestly, Ms. Kester. We just needed a DNA sample to see if you were the killer. I wasn’t really interested in you, or spending any time with you afterwards. But it’s flattering to know you’ve been thinking about me all
these months.”

Carly went red.

“As you can see, I’m a little busy here with my woman and my friend, but it was nice seeing you again. Have a really nice day,” he dismissed her, dropping a reassuring kiss to the center of Elizabeth’s forehead. When he turned his head back, Carly struck.

Literally.

The slap was loud and drew the attention of just about everyone, including Wilma May, who was watching intently behind the counter.

Elizabeth moved away from Callen, fully prepared to climb up on the table and beat down the woman. To her surprise, she didn’t have to
lift a finger.

Tori was up
and had the woman by the arm, spinning her. She face planted her on the counter and kicked her legs apart to cuff her. “Oh, Ms. Kester, you’re under arrest. I just watched you physically assault a federal officer. I think you need some time to think about what you’ve done,” stated Tori, twisting the woman’s thumb unmercifully, drawing out a whimper. Out came the cuffs and the woman was yanked up by the back of her shirt. “Not to mention you insulted my friends, and that makes me want to break ninety percent of the FBI rules and regulations on excessive force.”

Elizabeth grinned. “That was fun to watch. Now I know why you men always get that happy look on your face when I kick
someone around.”

Tori had her by the back of the shirt and part of her hair, leading her through the diner, past the patrons and toward the door. Just at that moment, Julian and Ethan walked in,
staring open mouthed.

“Agent Christensen,” Blackhawk nodded, holding the door open for her. He noticed the woman in cuffs was crying and looked mortified. Then recognition dawned. “Good day, Ms. Kester.”

Julian just stood there unsure what to think.

“Thanks boss,
I’ll be right back,” she replied, leading the woman out of the diner.

Blackhawk looked straight ahead and found his wife and brother sitting together. She was stroking his cheek and staring into his eyes
. Something definitely went down seconds ago.

Elizabeth ran her fingers down the red mark on Callen’s face and then left little kisses there to ease the sting. “I love you, Cal,” she whispered, running her free hand up and down his thigh. “Thank you for defending my heart,” she whispered in his ear. “Tonight someone’s going to get damn lucky on the couch, in our bed, and possibly the shower too.”

All the blood in his face drained lower,
as he grinned wickedly. Accepting her kiss, he enjoyed the way it felt to be fully immersed in Elizabeth. He was so lost in it; he didn’t feel the booth move as the two men joined him. Slowly, Elizabeth broke away and reality settled back in.

“I see we had a visit from the town hussy,” stated Blackhawk
, placing his hand on Elizabeth’s leg.

“She placed her damn hands on Callen,” was her reply. Then she turned his face to show Ethan the vicious red mark on his cheek.

“I’ll drive her to the sheriff’s myself,” Ethan growled. His baby brother spent his childhood being abused and in their family they didn’t tolerate anyone putting their hands on each other in anger; especially Callen. Ethan was surprised the woman wasn’t lying in her own puddle of blood. It wasn’t like Elizabeth to not start a beat down over the men.

As if reading her husband’s mind, Elizabeth continued,
“Tori took care of it. She actually beat me out of the booth, or I would have kicked the shit out of Carly.” Elizabeth owed her friend a thank you.

“We apparently can’t leave you alone together,” Julian stated, laughing.
It didn't bother him at all, and in fact, he liked that Tori had someone that cared about her.

Wilma May wandered over with their drinks and some ice in a towel. “You okay, Sugar?” she inquired, handing it to Callen.

“Yeah, I’m good. I can’t say the same thing about Carly,” he started laughing.

The waitress grinned. “Is it wrong that I hope she’s getting the crap kicked out of her by the
pretty redhead?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Nope, I was hoping the same thing.
I may give Tori a promotion after this.”

Wilma May laughed. “I’m glad you’re back
. It’s been slow here the last year,” she said retorted. “Hi Julian, whatcha having, Sugar?”

He didn’t need the menu. “I’m going with the usual,” he answered.

Blackhawk ordered next. “I’ll have whatever my wife and brother are having,” he said, leaning over to drop a kiss on her cheek. “I’m assuming it’s a salad, so put some chicken on mine. This pregnancy is killing me.”