InTooDeep (6 page)

There was really no way to soften the blow
of his next words. He doubted Carley would want the truth sugarcoated anyway.
“People will do just about anything when they’re being tortured.”

The blood drained from her face but her
lips set in a grim line. She didn’t break down. Not that Hunt expected her to.
Her strength had been apparent the moment he’d seen her standing in his
bedroom. Carley had a mission and brutal honesty wouldn’t make her run.

“So Dani wasn’t really kidnapped because of
my or my father’s money. She was a random victim?”

“No. These guys don’t do random. More than
likely they’ve been watching her for some time. They tend to focus on younger
women who have no obvious family support in town.”

“But Dani and I talk every day. She has
family support.” Her hands shook as she scrubbed them over her face. “I’ve
always been here for her. Only a phone call away.”

“They made a mistake taking her but they
won’t rectify it by returning her.”

She pushed herself to her feet. “This can’t
be true. Dani is a schoolteacher. She reads to kids at the library on weekends,
volunteers at an animal shelter. There’s no reason for her to be kidnapped
other than money. These guys had to have known who she is.”

Hunt got to his feet to stand beside her.
“No, they didn’t. They couldn’t care less about any money you could give them.
They can make a hell of a lot more with Dani than without her.”

More tears filled Carley’s eyes. “What are
you saying? Are they going to prostitute her?”

He couldn’t look away now, he was all-in.
“No. It’s much worse than that.”

“Oh my God. Are you trying not to tell me
that my sister is going to be sold?”

Shit. He’d rather take a bullet than tell
her the truth but there was no way to soften the blow. “More than likely, she
already has. That’s why you got the call about the key. If they discover the
victim has family, one of the men will call and give a family member
forty-eight hours to come up with something obscure. That gives them plenty of
time to—” He broke off and watched Carley brush away the tears with the backs
of her knuckles while her jaw clenched.

“To what? Complete the sale? What?” She
whirled on him, her eyes blazing. “Tell me, damn you! Tell me what they’ve done
to my sister.” As the last word left her lips, Carley cracked, doubling over
with her grief.

The sobs breaking from her body stabbed
Hunt in the heart. He’d never heard a woman in so much pain. He wanted to reach
out to her, take her in his arms and promise her everything would be all right.
But it would only be a lie. He could give her nothing, not even the knowledge
that her sister was still alive.

Raw memories tormented him while Carley
sobbed in the background. Vivid images of another woman’s dead body, a woman
they’d tried to save, rolled through his mind like a horror reel. All it had
taken was one wrong move by a green agent, something that to the ordinary eye
would appear innocuous. But Franklin or whoever was behind the trafficking had
gotten nervous and they’d sliced the woman’s throat, leaving her to die on the
side of the road like a piece of garbage.

“Do you know how many women they’ve taken?”
Carley’s voice, still thick with tears, reached through his wall of pain. She
dropped to the floor and drew her knees to her chest.

“No. There’s no way to know. Some of these
women really didn’t have families so no one has reported them missing.” But all
the FBI intel placed the number somewhere near thirty in at least three states
across the eastern seaboard. Now Dani was one of those numbers.

She gazed at him dully. “And some are like
me. Their families are criminal so they won’t dare report their disappearance
to the police.”

“That’s true.”

Her head drooped. “If you know your
lieutenant is involved, why haven’t you arrested him?”

Here came the part she wasn’t going to want
to hear. “Because more lives are at stake. If we arrest Franklin now we run the
risk of never finding any of those women he’s taken. He isn’t in this alone and
we don’t have enough evidence to take down the others involved.”

“You could bring him in, sweat him, try to
get him to give up the others involved.”

“With what? We have no leverage, nothing on
tape, no tangible evidence that directly ties him to the kidnappings. Do you
really think he’s going to give us anything when he’s got more at stake than
just his career?”

“If you have nothing on him, why do you
suspect him? What is this tip that brought you to Charleston?”

“I said nothing tangible, but he was the
last person to see one of the women who did have a family. When he was
questioned about it his alibi was tight…too tight, almost rehearsed. Ever since
then we’ve been trying to get more information on him, but other than some
pretty hefty bank deposits there’s nothing to tie him to these kidnappings, and
he’s been fastidiously careful ever since.”

“But you believe he’s involved?”

He’d never believed otherwise. Even though
he didn’t have any evidence against Franklin, Hunt knew a dirty cop when he saw
one. All the furtive glances, the secretive phone calls and the constant
working behind closed doors pointed to far more than just Franklin’s duty to
his job.

Realizing Carley was still waiting for his
response, Hunt nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

She sat on the arm of the sofa, close
enough for him to catch the scent of her perfume. “So how much longer is he
going to be a free man?”

He couldn’t blame her for the bitterness in
her voice. Didn’t doubt he’d feel the same if their roles were reversed. “As
long as it takes to make sure we have a prosecutable case and we find as many
of these women as possible.”

“Do you think my sister is still alive?”
The question was barely above a whisper.

Hunt debated on the truth or a hedge. He
turned to face her and the almost desperate look in Carley’s eyes made the
choice for him. “To my knowledge, they prefer to keep the women alive.”

“So what do we do now?”

He sighed and rubbed both hands over his
face before dropping them back down to his sides. “My team proceeds as normal.
We have to keep up appearances. Right now we’re surveilling Franklin, hoping
he’ll lead us to something.”

“He’s so good you’ve got nothing on him
though, right?” Every acidic word intensified Hunt’s own frustration. “How do
you even know he’s the right person then? I mean, he could actually be telling
the truth, couldn’t he? It’s entirely possible that both my source and the FBI
are wrong.” She gave a vicious laugh then shook her head. “The killer’s going
to get away with this.”

Hunt gripped her arm. “No, he’s not. He’s
been identified, Carley.”

She blinked at him. “I know, as the last
man to be seen with one of the victims. It means nothing according to you.”

He blew out a breath, threw what caution he
had left to the wind and added, “But one of the victims managed to escape about
a month and a half ago. She gave us a description, told us he was a cop.”

Carley jumped to her feet. “Why can’t she
testify against Franklin then? Surely that’s a strong enough case. I mean if
she—”

“She’s dead,” Hunt interrupted before
Carley’s tangent could intensify, rising to stand in front of her. “She was
shot during the escape, hung on long enough to give us a description. Then died
twenty minutes afterward.”

The information seemed to suck all the life
out of Carley and she sank back down against the wall. “So all you have is a
dead woman’s word.”

“It solidified what we already know, and
that’s that Franklin’s going to make a wrong move. We don’t believe he’s been
involved in this that long because he’s still too careful. He’s not getting his
hands dirty but he’s definitely in. Now that we know the identity of one of the
victims, it increases the likelihood of us finding them. Every bit of
information we discover helps us.”

“Helps you what? Watch them get away with
this? Well the FBI might be content just watching but I can’t sit around and do
nothing. I have to keep trying to find Dani.” Though her words held pure fury
she didn’t get up, and Hunt figured all the external fight had gone out of her.

She was exhausted, and the best thing for
him to do now would be to leave her, give her time to absorb the information.
And hope she listened to his next words.

“No, you don’t. Getting involved in this
could get you killed.”

“So I’m supposed to do what exactly? Wait
for my sister to be sold to the highest bidder?”

“No, you’re supposed to let me do my job.”
He walked to the door once more. “And by let, I mean stay out of the way,
Carley.”

She pushed herself to her feet, kept her
back against the wall. “Are you going to tell your partner you found me?”

“I don’t know yet. It’s something I have to
think about. Until then, stay out of sight. I’ll be in touch.”

He couldn’t stay any longer. He needed
space to wrap his head around the situation he was in. With Carley’s sister in
jeopardy he had a good lead, could possibly even track her through this Scott
guy she was supposed to be dating. The only problem was he couldn’t reveal how
he knew about her, not without involving Carley.

“I know you need to leave.” Carley’s voice
sounded wooden, as if all emotion had simply drained from her body.

“Carley.” He waited until her gaze met his.
“I’m going to find your sister.” As he made the promise, he had to wonder how
in the hell he was going to pull off what might very well be a miracle.

Chapter Six

“We should have killed her.
I
should
have killed her.” Franklin rubbed the back of his neck, pacing across the plush
Oriental rug covering the wooden floors of his den. “It’s too risky to keep her
alive.”

“And it’s too expensive to kill her,” Rena
snapped, a haze of cigarette smoke swirling around her head. “She will bring a
solid price on the market, especially once our buyers know her family
connection. I imagine we may be able to find some of Ben Morgan’s enemies who’d
be willing to offer a tidy sum for her.”

“I’m starting to feel some tension in the
squad. Like someone’s watching me. Someone knows. Maybe you shouldn’t come here
anymore. It’s too dangerous.”

Rena waved a perfectly manicured hand.
“Don’t you think you might be a little paranoid? With that passageway behind
the library, an entire army could get in without the men in blue finding out.”

“But you’re using it too often. They might
catch on.” The note of hysteria in his voice pissed him off. He was a decorated
cop and he was shaking like he was about to face the electric chair.

“How could they catch on, Frankie? The
passageway opens up behind an old, deserted church. Trust me. No one is keeping
watch on that abandoned place. Now,” she checked her watch, “I do have to run.
I hope you can find some way to relax. Nervous men make mistakes. Granted, this
was a fuck-up, but it’s going to turn out fine.”

“And this woman’s sister? What about her? I
called one of our overseas contacts. He knows this Carley woman. She’s supposed
to be ten times better than her father. I don’t think she’s going to give up.”

Eyes lighting with an inner spark that
should have scared Franklin, Rena stabbed her cigarette out in a jade candy
dish. “Maybe not, but perhaps we can work this to our advantage. I mean, it
would be positively rude of us not to allow the sisters to see each other one
last time, don’t you think?”

“Great. You’re alive. So what’s the word on
Carley Morgan? Did you find her?” Dave didn’t apologize for the lateness of the
hour once Hunt had opened his front door. Instead he shouldered his way into
the dimly lit foyer.

“You look like hell.” Hunt played for time
but it wasn’t a lie. With more than a day’s growth of stubble on his face,
red-rimmed eyes and wrinkled clothes, Dave looked like he’d slept in a
cigarette-filled bunker.

“Funny. You don’t look any better and no
one knows where you’ve been for the last three hours. You weren’t answering
your cell or your radio and, being that I’m your partner, I’m sure you can
understand why I’m here at,” he checked his watch, “one in the morning.”

Dave circled him once then nodded. “Just had
to see for myself that you’re still alive.”

“Well now you saw. Can I get back to bed
now? We can cover everything once the sun comes up.” Hunt scrubbed a hand over
his eyes even though his head hadn’t touched a pillow yet.

Making a rude noise, Dave stormed past him
into the dark living room. “Hell no. I want answers. I
deserve
answers.”

Hunt had been debating how much to share
with his partner. He trusted Dave, had looked into the man’s background, his
record, and if his partner was involved in this ring he had nothing to show for
it. Dave wasn’t living above his means and he was as dedicated to his job as
Hunt was to his.

But the information he could pass along was
limited, even though he’d already spilled most of it to Carley. Carley didn’t
work for the police. She didn’t sit behind a desk under Franklin’s command
every day so the likelihood of letting something slip was limited.

Dave, on the other hand, loved to talk, but
Hunt had to go with his gut on this one…at least partly anyway.

“Okay, what the hell is going on? You’ve
got this strange look on your face and I’m beginning to think you’re trying to
figure out a lie to tell me.”

Hunt let out a heavy breath and pointed to
the sofa. “You’d better sit down. I’m going to put some coffee on because this
is going to take some time.” He stopped on his way out of the room to switch on
the overhead light. “I’m presuming you weren’t in any hurry to go home.”

“No, I think what you’re about to tell me
is infinitely more interesting than anything I could catch on the TV at this
late hour.”

Sliding beneath the silk sheets, Carley
closed her eyes on a sigh. Staying alert was taxing but, as her father always
said, the payoff was worth it in the end.

Never let your guard down
. His words rang over and over in her head. She’d lived by them from
the moment she’d realized what her family was, what she would become. And once
she’d chosen to follow in the footsteps of her family, she’d gotten the words
tattooed in Latin on the small of her back—a permanent reminder that a thief
who let their guard down was a thief captured.

“I sure do wish you were here now, Pop,”
she whispered in the darkness. Her father had always believed the justice
system was flawed so he’d made it his business to give it an occasional kick in
the ass when he could without exposing his identity.

Ben Morgan would have known what to do the
second he’d gotten the call from the kidnappers. There would have been no
hesitation and, more than likely, once he’d found the men who’d taken Dani he’d
have eliminated them. That’s just how things worked with their father. And for
the first time in as long as she could remember, she would have supported his
ways.

Carley rolled to her back and stared up at
the ceiling. He’d shared more than just the tricks of his trade with her. It
wasn’t that he hadn’t thought he could trust the rest of his family, but Carley
knew as well as he had that the family wouldn’t be as open-minded as she was.

Ben would have never even considered
telling Dani what he knew, the things he’d done, for she was always the
straight shooter in the family—the abide-by-the-rules type who usually admitted
what she’d done wrong long before the traffic cop even asked if she knew what
she’d been doing.

Dani had been her father’s moral compass,
insisting he only use his skills to help the less fortunate, like some
modern-day Robin Hood. Otherwise, in her mind, he was nothing more than a
common criminal…which was exactly why Carley let Dani believe that her own work
was legit. She’d seen the look of disappointment on Dani’s face one too many
times when talking to their father, and she hadn’t wanted to disappoint her
little sister.

Carley rubbed her aching eyes, remembering
the last conversation she’d had with Dani. They’d talked about Ben, how the
two-year anniversary of his death was less than two weeks away. And Dani had
told Carley how grateful she was that Carley had chosen not to follow Ben’s
example, and Carley had allowed the lie to continue.

How well had that sense of morality served
Dani? If she had done what their father had asked, learned the necessary skills
to protect herself, she might not be in this situation now.

Carley cursed at herself. Blaming Dani made
little sense. She’d chosen a different path in life, as was her right. She
loved being a schoolteacher, talked about her kids all the time and, up until a
few days ago, had little reason to worry about their father’s past.

Now Carley had to wonder if the kidnappers’
knowledge was actually going to help her sister or hurt her. Would her captors
go easier on her, knowing what they knew about Ben Morgan, about her?

As of now Carley still didn’t know if Dani
was dead, but she couldn’t give up. If Dani was alive she’d find her, but God
help those bastards if she wasn’t.

Carley had taken everything her father had
taught her and added to it, gaining much more knowledge and skill over the
years. She’d crossed so many lines she didn’t know the right ones from the
wrong ones, but now it didn’t matter.

When it came to her sister’s life there
were no lines. She’d do what she had to do to save Dani, and for the first time
in her life she was going to convince a cop to cross to the other side.

“I can’t believe you didn’t bring her in.”
Dave took a slurp of the now lukewarm coffee then held up one hand. “No,
actually, I can. You weren’t thinking with your actual brain.”

Hunt kicked his foot off the coffee table.
“Smart-ass.”

“So what are you going to tell the
lieutenant?”

The question tightened the muscles in the
back of Hunt’s neck. He didn’t want to talk about Franklin. “I don’t know.
Guess I’ll wing it.”

“That’s the best you got?” Dave scooted
forward to the edge of the sofa. “No, no, no. When duping your superiors, you
have to have a game plan, preferably one that’s going to protect your ass as
well as other vitally important body parts. And those of your partner, who has
assisted you with the plan.”

Hunt stared at him. “You’re telling me
you’re going to help me lie to Franklin?”

“No. I’m telling you I’m going to help you
steer around the truth. Big difference.” He held up one bony finger. “Now, we
know we need to be able to use this information about Carley’s sister, and we
need to make every effort to find her. So we have to have a plausible way to
have discovered this information without the involvement of Carley herself.”

“You’re stating the obvious.” But Hunt
liked the way his partner’s brain was working.

“I’m just getting started.” Dave tapped his
chin with an equally bony finger. “If Franklin discovers Dani’s true identity
he’s going to go on a witch hunt for Carley. Bagging a criminal like her will
definitely polish his brass.”

“Doesn’t sound like you’re such a fan of
his after all,” Hunt noted, watching Dave’s expression. Though he’d kept out
the main parts of the story, like Franklin’s suspected involvement and the
undercover work, Hunt had revealed enough to expose Carley if Dave was in any
way involved with Franklin and his crew.

“Never said I was a fan. The guy’s got
excellent creds but that doesn’t mean I like him. Now, where was I? Oh yeah,
Carley’s sister.” He lifted his shoulders and let them fall. “Okay, I haven’t a
clue what we’re going to do yet but we’ll figure something out. We’re
reasonably intelligent guys.”

Hunt massaged that spot between his brows
that had started to ache. “Whatever is to be said about Franklin, he’s not
stupid. So whatever lie this is had better be a damn good one.”

“Well I always say that the only lie worth
telling is a damn good one.” He stood, stretched and leaned forward to crack
his back. “Come on. Let’s get going.”

Hunt was already on his feet before he
asked, “Where are we going?”

“To the station. I just got an idea and
I’ll fill you in on the way. Before this is over, my friend, you’re going to
think I hung the moon.”

“I doubt it, but it’s worth a shot.”

Carley slipped into the house unnoticed by
the neighbors. Removing her shoes, she walked across the carpet toward the
large, overstuffed sofa in Hunt’s living room. She’d tried to call him several
times but all she got was voice mail. And each unreturned call only ratcheted
up her anxiety level. Unable to sleep, she found herself behind the wheel of
her car before she even realized it.

“Where in the hell are you, Hunt?” Maybe
she shouldn’t be here but since Hunt had left the pain in her heart had grown
so strong she thought she might suffocate. And the walls inside the luxurious
hotel room had started to close in, making her take the risk of turning to a
man who might not even want her there.

Curling up onto the sofa, she rested her
head atop a padded arm and watched the lanterns lining the walk outside reflect
off the wall mirror above her. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this
desolate.

For years she’d been alone, prided herself
on living a life without needing anyone. But something had changed the day she
met Hunt. Not right away, but it had changed. He’d made an impact on her in the
short time she’d known him, and his presence comforted her even though the mere
thought made her wince.

She’d never considered herself one of those
weak women who needed a man to survive but she’d be lying to herself if she
didn’t admit she needed him…at least for now. Maybe when Dani was found Carley
could go back to the way things were before. Maybe.

Her fingertips brushed the locket connected
to the gold chain secured around her neck. It had belonged to her mom, and the
day after she died Ben had given it to Carley.

The memory stirred in her mind and, without
even realizing it, she swiped at the wetness on her cheeks. The tears surprised
her.

She’d been crying when her father had
brought the locket into her bedroom. He’d always said crying served no purpose.
It was better to do than lie around and cry. That time, though, he hadn’t
chastised her. He’d sat on the edge of her bed with the pink bedspread and held
her while he told stories about how he and her mother had met and why he’d
become a thief.

Smiling a little, Carley sat up on the
sofa. No one would ever understand her like her father had. In spite of what
he’d done, he’d been her idol, and though she’d never intended to follow in his
footsteps, she trained alongside him, learning how to be agile and adept. At
just twelve years old she could shimmy under laser lines, walk a thin wire ten
feet off the ground that was stretched from one end of her father’s workshop to
the other and somersault better than an Olympic gymnast.

Still, she’d never thought she’d use the
skills…until her dad had been diagnosed with cancer ten years later and found
himself unable to finish a job for a client with a nasty temper. She’d taken
the assignment and, with her father’s health rapidly declining, took over the
family business as well, using the last few years of his life to glean the
additional knowledge she needed to become a success.