Fatal Exchange (18 page)

E
mily pushed her way through a steady stream of shoppers with Rafael. For a Monday afternoon, the place was packed. Hip-looking teenagers hung out in packs, while moms juggled strollers, toddlers, and overstuffed diaper bags. Retired couples and plump middle-aged women walked laps—all in addition to the extra crowd of Christmas shoppers. Which was exactly what she’d wanted. Getting lost in a crowd was the safest place she could think of until she could figure out what to do. At least that was what she hoped.

“Jingle Bells” played over the loudspeaker . . . colored lights twinkled on dozens of holiday storefront displays . . . kids waited in line to see Santa . . . pushy kiosk venders vied for her attention . . . Emily tried to block out the noisy confusion surrounding them. All she could think was that it was a miracle they were still alive. And that she had to find a way to get them to safety.

But how, when she didn’t know who to trust.

The last thirty minutes replayed through her mind. Their attacker’s first mistake was wanting to take them alive. At least that was what she assumed. Otherwise she had no doubt that both she and Rafael would be dead. His second mistake had been not anticipating Rafael’s courage to save her. Rafael had come down hard on their assailant with a shovel, stun
ning him for the few crucial moments that had given them time to escape.

But he was still looking for them. She was sure of that. Which meant he could be anywhere. If he was here—without his mask—he’d be able to blend in with the crowds. And she had no idea what he looked like.

A uniformed officer walked toward them. Emily grabbed Rafael’s arm and hesitated. She was being overly paranoid, and she knew it. Security was always high this time of year, but mall security had nothing to do with her, or the man who was after them. She glanced behind her, then started walking again. The only problem was that the often-called “mall cops” were in communication with local police. Which meant possible communication with the department mole.

Emily couldn’t shake the doubts. He was bridging the gap between them. Emily pulled Rafael to the other side of the walkway. She’d always trusted the police. Been proud of what her father and siblings did. But not today.

“You still think it’s a dirty cop behind this?”

“It’s a possibility, which means we have to be careful until we can get ahold of my father or Mason.”

What she did know for sure was that she had no phone, no money, and no idea who to trust.

The food court was ahead of them. There was another exit at the far end where they could try to get a taxi to take them to the police station, or even better, to the hospital where her father was.

“Faster.”

They picked up their pace, hoping they didn’t look out of place. The last thing she wanted was to attract attention.

Another man in uniform came toward them.

Emily grabbed Rafael’s arm and pulled him into the nearest store, pretending to look interested in a row of spiked accessories, tattoos, and piercings options.

The officer greeted someone outside the store. They laughed about something she couldn’t understand. They weren’t talking about her . . . or were they? She couldn’t take a chance.

“Looking at getting a tattoo or maybe another piercing?”

“A tattoo?” Emily turned to the salesgirl who didn’t look a day over seventeen or eighteen with tattoos up her arms and at least a dozen piercings. “No . . . I’m just . . . looking.”

Looking? Right. If the situation weren’t so serious, she’d have laughed. Mama would pitch a conniption fit if she came home with a tattoo no matter what her age. The only good thing was that no one would ever think to look for Emily Hunt in a tattoo shop. But even so, at some point, she was going to have to trust someone.

“I’m sorry, but . . .” Emily hesitated, glancing at the people passing the shop. There was no sign of either officer. “Can I use your phone? I lost mine and I really need to make an important call.”

The salesgirl shoved a strand of midnight-colored hair behind her ear, clearly unconvinced Emily was legit.

“Please.” There was no way to explain why she couldn’t go to the police. Why she was even afraid to call 911. Or why she looked so bedraggled. “It’s very important.”

She chomped on her gum like she was trying to decide what to do, then finally nodded and handed Emily her cell phone.

“Thank you.”

Emily punched in her father’s number, then waited for the call to go through.

No answer.

Panic bubbled inside her. Where was he? Her heart pounded. His lawyer was getting Tess’s ransom together, while he’d probably gone to the hospital room to see Avery . . . with no cell phone coverage. He wouldn’t be worried about her. She was supposed to be tucked away in the safe house.

She didn’t know Mason’s number, and her sister wouldn’t get her call. So much for the ease of speed dial. She didn’t even know Grace’s number by heart, and in fact couldn’t remember the last time she’d actually memorized someone’s number.

She hung up and handed the phone back to the salesgirl. “I couldn’t get through, but I appreciate your letting me try.”

“What about a taxi?” Rafael wasn’t ready to give up. Maybe he was right.

Emily nodded. At least they’d be doing something instead of just running. “We could meet my father at the hospital.”

“I’ve got the number of a taxi service programmed into my phone.” The salesgirl pressed a speed dial number, then handed Emily the phone. “Just in case I ever need a designated driver.”

“You’re a lifesaver.”

A minute later, Emily hung up the phone. A cab would meet them in ten minutes outside the main entrance.

Please, God, keep us safe as we
walk out of here . . .

“Thank you. I really appreciate your help.” Emily handed the phone back to the salesgirl. “Rafael, we need to go.”

All they had to do was get to the main entrance and into the cab. Her father would know what to do once they found him, and they’d be safe. They started down the crowded promenade. Someone caught her eye. She blinked, knowing she had to be wrong. Charlie hated malls . . . Unless the shooter had been spotted here. Or maybe he was looking for her in the neighborhood.

Even if the shooter were here, Charlie would know what she should do.

Emily steered Rafael around the opposite direction. “Where are we going now?”

“I just saw Charlie Bains. He’s my . . . my ex-fiancé.”

“You trust him?”

“He’s not exactly the person I’d like to see right now, but yes, we can trust him.”

Funny how the only man she wanted with her right now—besides her father—was Mason. She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears and waves of fear that threatened to smother her. Maybe wanting to kiss her had been nothing more than an emotional reaction based on the situation, but she knew if he walked up to her right now, she’d feel completely safe.

A woman blocked her way. Emily tried to maneuver around a double stroller piled high with shopping bags. She strained to find him again in the crowd. He had to be right in front of them. The background music vibrated in her head, along with all the noise from the shoppers.

“Excuse me. Please.”

She found him again. “Charlie?”

“Emily?” He turned around and looked at her, confusion in his expression, followed by relief. “What are you doing here? I’ve been so worried. Everyone’s looking for you.”

“You heard what happened?”

“Yes.” He slipped his arm around her waist. “Which is why we need to get you out of here.”

She nodded her agreement while fighting back the tears threatening to erupt. “Someone came into the safe house. Busted down the door. There were gunshots. Charlie, I—”

“I know, baby. I know.”

Emily hiccupped. She couldn’t fight the fear any longer.

He pulled her against his chest. “It’s going to be okay, Em. I promise. You’re safe now.”

Emily hiccupped again, then nodded. She wanted to believe him, but it was going to take a long time for the fear seeping through her to completely vanish. “What happened to the agents?”

“I’m sorry, but both agents . . . both agents were shot. They’re dead. Which means everyone has been worrying, because we didn’t know where you were.”

Emily took in the news about the agents. She’d known something terrible had happened, but hearing it from Charlie only confirmed that reality. If she and Rafael had been in that living room, things might have turned out different.

“He ran out of the house after us. I didn’t know where to go.”

“Hey . . . hey. You did the right thing. It’s going to be okay.” He stopped in front of a thirty-foot Christmas tree where a miniature train buzzed around the tracks and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, babe. So, so sorry.”

For a moment she let herself breathe in the familiar smell of his woodsy citrus cologne. The feel of his suit jacket and silk tie against her cheek. Bing Crosby crooned in the background. She closed her eyes, wishing Charlie could make the situation disappear. But there wasn’t time for daydreams. Their attacker could be here stalking them. The next time they encountered him, they might not be so lucky.

“Did you see who broke into the safe house?”

She shook her head. “He wore a mask. All I know is that he was short and bulky. I think he might have been shot in the leg by one of the agents.”

“Do you think he followed you here?”

“I don’t know.” She was frustrated with all the questions. Frustrated because she didn’t have answers. “And I don’t know what he wants.”

“We’ll find him, but first we need to get you out of here. The safe house clearly isn’t an option anymore, but I can drive you to the station.”

“I don’t want to go there. If there’s a dirty cop behind this—”

“Trust me. You’ll be safe there. We’re going to catch whoever is behind this. I promise.” He leaned toward her and tilted up her chin. “You know you can trust me, Emily. You know that, don’t you?”

She nodded.

“I need to let the captain know you’ve been found, then we’ll get you out of here.”

She waited until he finished his call before asking another question. “Why are you here?”

She didn’t remember ever going to the mall with Charlie. She preferred local shops and boutiques, while Charlie tried to avoid shopping completely, choosing instead to buy everything online.

“I’m here to meet a contact from one of the local gangs, trying to find out who’s behind this. But he can wait.” Charlie wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. “Let’s get you both out of here. You don’t have anything to worry about anymore, Em. You’re safe now. Both of you.”

T
he cold wind sucked Emily’s breath away as she hurried with Charlie across the parking lot that was decorated with candy canes and stars for the holiday season. Clouds hung above them, partially blocking the sun that would be setting in the next hour. Someone’s car alarm wailed. A handful of holiday shoppers headed for their cars while juggling armfuls of packages.

Emily barely noticed any of it.

“My car’s parked at the far end,” Charlie said. “It’s impossible to find anything close this time of year.”

She nodded. His arm was still around her, warm and protective. Any feelings of attraction had long sense evaporated, but that didn’t mask the relief that she felt safe again.

She shivered without her coat. The temperature had continued to drop, and a light snow fell. Charlie must have felt her shiver, because he stopped to shed his suit jacket and set it across her shoulders.

She glanced up at him. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not. You’re freezing.”

She nodded her thanks, but she was shaking as much from fear as she was from the temperature. She grasped Rafael’s hand to be certain that he kept up with them, her mind was spinning. She needed to call her father. Needed to call Mason, but first
she just wanted to get away from here. Just because she finally felt safe didn’t mean her questions had all been answered.

“Do they know who’s behind all of this?”

Charlie shook his head. “Not yet.”

“And Tess?”

“We’re still looking, but we will find her. We think the man in the van—the one who more than likely also snatched Tess—works with the cartel. We just don’t know his identity yet.”

“Why take Tess?”

“Presumably because he didn’t get his money.”

She’d almost been killed, Tess was missing, her sister shot, Eduardo kidnapped . . . and it all came down to money.

“What about the men they caught at the funeral home or Eduardo? Someone has to know something.”

“If they know something, they’re not talking. Most of these guys have family back in Mexico. They know if they talk, the cartel will kill them. They are more afraid of what might happen back home than of the local authorities here.”

He stopped behind his silver Impala and unlocked the vehicle. “Stop worrying. We’re going to find out who’s behind this, and more importantly, we’re going to find Tess.”

Emily rounded to the passenger side of the car, praying he was right.

Someone shouted behind her.

Emily spun around and felt her heart jerk into her throat. Mason stood a dozen feet away, gun drawn at Charlie. A woman who’d been heading for her car screamed and ran toward the entrance.

Charlie pulled out his own gun from the other side of the car and aimed it back at Mason.

“Put your weapon down, Charlie.”

Emily shook her head, confused. “Mason, what are you doing?”

“Charlie’s the department leak. Rafael, I want you to move away from him.”

“Wait a minute.” Charlie grasped Rafael’s arm. “You can’t be serious about this.”

“I’m very serious. I want you to put your weapon on the ground and put your hands in the air. A dozen officers will be here any minute.”

Emily shook her head. She didn’t believe him. Couldn’t believe him. This had to be some sort of mistake. “Charlie can’t be the leak.”

“Trust me. He is.” Mason spoke to her, his gaze never leaving Charlie.

“He’s lying to you, Em.”

Emily looked at Charlie, then back to Mason. “I don’t understand. The agents at the safe house were murdered. Rafael and I ran. Charlie found me here. He’s taking me somewhere safe.”

“He’s not here to rescue you.”

“Em . . . You know me. You know I would never hurt you.”

“Which is why this has to be a mistake.” The only person she completely trusted was her father. But he’d told her to trust Mason. She took a step away from the vehicle, feeling torn. She might not love Charlie, but she knew him. Knew he wasn’t capable of betraying the department. Knew he wasn’t capable of betraying her.

Or was he?

Finding Charlie was supposed to have been her escape from the nightmares of today. Hers, apparently, were far from over.

She moved slowly toward the back of the car. “Tell me he’s wrong, Charlie.”

“Of course he’s wrong. You know me, Em.”

“He’s lying,” Mason said. “We have proof.”

Charlie laughed. “You actually believe this guy. You and I both know it’s just a matter of time before the truth comes out.
Mason’s the one who is behind Michael’s death. The one who has been working with the cartel. Avery has a stack of evidence against him.”

“I’m not going to argue with you, Bains. Put your weapon down.”

“You know what your sister would say,” Charlie said. “She’s got enough evidence to bury Mason.”

Trust Mason.

“He’s the department mole, Emily,” Mason said. “He planted a bug in your sister’s office. Overheard my conversation about Eduardo with her this morning, and thought he’d found his ticket out of town, because he’s desperate. The truth is that Avery was closing in on you, wasn’t she, Charlie? She has been collecting evidence, but it wasn’t about me. You knew it and realized that time was running out.”

“All lies.”

“The only problem was you didn’t have enough money to run. So you thought you’d try this morning’s ransom scenario—which brought about another set of problems, because nothing went your way. You ended up panicking and taking Tess. But the bottom line is, it’s over, Charlie. You can’t win this one.”

Emily pressed her hand against the car window and looked at Charlie. “Do you know where Tess is?”

“You always did ask too many questions, Em.”

“Just tell me the truth, Charlie.”

“I’m not sure the truth matters anymore.”

“The truth always matters.” She caught something in his eyes as he looked away. “You really are the leak.”

Charlie tightened his grip on Rafael’s arm and laughed. “I always figured you’d find out eventually, though this wasn’t exactly how I’d pictured it.”

Snow was falling faster now, leaving a white covering across
the parking lot. Even in Charlie’s jacket she was freezing. She felt her lungs constrict. Struggled to take in a breath of air. How could she have been so wrong about someone? Breaking off their engagement had been difficult enough to face. If he was the department mole, that meant he’d never loved her. He’d only been using her.

And on top of that, he’d walked her out of the mall, told her he was rescuing her, all while knowing he was the one who’d set up Tess’s kidnapping. Manipulated Rafael. Never really called the captain to tell him she was safe. The thought made her want to vomit. She might not love Charlie anymore, but knowing she’d been nothing but a pawn in some sick game . . .

Emily’s mind struggled to acknowledge what was happening. “I don’t understand why you would do something like this. I trusted you, Charlie.”

His smile held a hint of disdain. “You’ve always been gullible.”

She tried to ignore the stinging jab. “So this is all about money?”

“Two million dollars—along with the money I’ve already got stashed away—is enough to disappear for a very long time. Hopefully, the rest of my life.”

“And you think this is the way to do it?”

“It would have been simpler if you’d have just come with me.”

“Emily’s a lot smarter than you give her credit for, Charlie.”

Charlie shook his head. “And you, Taylor. You just couldn’t leave things alone either, could you? You always have to play the role of hero. Like today. Taking over the negotiations, showing up with Emily while playing the valiant knight who rides in and saves the day. Except this time, it’s not going to end well for you.”

“It’s over, Charlie, and you know it. Put the gun down and let Rafael go.”

“And then what? You’ll arrest me, and they lock me away for the rest of my life? I don’t think so.”

“That’s exactly what’s going to happen. Put the gun down on the ground and your hands behind your head.”

“Forget it. Until I get my money, you’ll never find Tess.”

“You can’t do this, Charlie.” There was no way to stop the panic now. “She looks up to you like an older brother.”

“Tell us where Tess is,” Mason said.

“Get me my money and I might.”

“And then what?” Mason asked. “Even you know there’s no way out of this.”

“There’s always a way out. And as for you, Mason, you’re wrong. I still plan on winning this round.” Charlie fired a round of shots at Mason.

Emily screamed as the bullets struck Mason in the chest. He dropped to the ground, his gun skittering across the pavement.

“What are you doing?” She hurried to Mason’s side, torn between Mason’s safety and the safety of Rafael.

Mason groaned. She crouched down to check on him. His breath came in short spurts, as he tried to sit up. “I probably have a couple cracked ribs, but I’ll be okay. Bullets hit my vest. Just need to catch my breath, but you . . . you and Rafael need to get out of here.”

“I’m not leaving you. He’ll kill you.”

She glanced down the row of cars toward the mall, empty of shoppers this far out on the perimeter of the lot. She needed someone to call 911. Needed Mason’s backup team to arrive.

“Where’s your team?”

“They’re coming, but we split up trying to find you.”

She stood up and turned back to Charlie. “Please . . . put the gun down and let Rafael go before someone else gets hurt.”

Charlie laughed, his gun still aimed at Mason. “I’m sorry, Emily. Really I am, but how does the saying go? Every good thing must come to an end. You were good for me, Emily. Made me forget sometimes who I really was. But for now, I want you to
get into my car, because you’re coming with me. When your father finds out that both of his girls are in danger, he’ll realize he doesn’t have a choice but to give over the money.”

“Forget it.” Emily scooped up Mason’s fallen gun, then pointed the barrel at Charlie, still trying to steady her trembling hands. “Where’s Tess?”

Charlie laughed, his gun still aimed at Mason. “What are you doing, Emily? Put the gun down before you shoot someone.”

“No. Tell me where she is.” Emily tried to steady her hands as she held up the gun. She might not be a cop, might not feel courageous, but Charlie had hurt enough people. This had to end right here. Right now.

“How about this.” He avoided her question. “If you don’t get into the car now, and come with me, I’ll shoot your boyfriend, and this time I’ll aim for his head.”

“No.”

“Or what? You’ll shoot me? You couldn’t shoot a fly.”

Mason started to get up, but Charlie shifted the gun toward him. “Don’t even think about getting up. I’ll shoot her if you move another inch, Taylor.”

Emily struggled to breathe. This wasn’t the Charlie she’d known. “I might not be a cop, but you of all people know that Daddy made sure I can shoot.”

“Maybe, but shooting a person is different. Look at your boyfriend still lying there on the ground. Backup might find him here, but by then you and I will already be long gone.”

Charlie looked away from Mason and caught her gaze. This time his expression was completely void of any compassion she’d seen earlier. Something smacked against the hood of Charlie’s car. Emily turned as Rafael’s shoe bounced across the vehicle. The diversion was enough to catch Charlie off guard. He looked away for a moment, loosening his grip on Rafael, who took advantage of the situation and dropped to the ground.

Charlie swung his arm back toward Mason, but this time the bullet he shot pinged off one of the cars, missing Mason.

She had no other choice. Emily let all the air out of her lungs, steadied her hands, aimed the weapon at Charlie, and pulled the trigger.