The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (33 page)

Love, Grace

“Goddamn her. What the hell is she thinking, guys?” Sandman yelled as he headed through the bedroom door and down the stairs.

“She couldn’t have gotten far. We flew here by helicopter and there’s no way she could get a plane ticket and pass through security without being identified. Everyone knows what she looks like,” Big Jay stated.

“We don’t know when she left. She came upstairs over two hours ago. She could take the train,” Sandman said.

“Or she could play it real safe and take a bus, get there by tonight.” Duke added.

“I better call her brothers and the agents and have some agents posted around the bus stations and train stations. We have to pack our bags. It looks like we’re headed back to the Houston Police Department.”

* * * *

Frank’s cell phone rang just as Peter was about to walk away.

“Yeah, Thompson here,” said Frank into the receiver.

“Frank, it’s Sandman. Your sister pulled a Houdini on me. She’s headed home and I don’t even know how she’s getting there.”

“Oh shit. I was afraid this might happen. Damn it, what the hell is she thinking?” said Frank into the receiver as John and Peter stopped talking to listen to Frank.

“What are you going to do?” asked Frank.

“Well I’m going to call Jim and the guys, let him notify Lancaster, and have some men posted at the bus stations and train stations. I don’t want this information leaking to the press. We have to find her before…”

“Before the killer does. I know, man. This is really, really bad news. I can’t believe this. Did she leave a note?” asked Frank.

“Yeah she actually did and said something about a safe place she knew of. Do you know what she was talking about?”

“It doesn’t ring a bell but I’ll ask my brothers. They’re right here,” Frank said.

“Don’t tell your mom yet. She’ll be in a real panic when she finds out. When I get ahold of your sister, she’s going to get it. I can’t believe she did this.”

“I hear you, man, and thanks for calling me right away,” said Frank before hanging up the phone.

Frank stuck the cell phone back onto the clip attached to his navy-blue Dockers.

“What’s the really bad news?” asked Peter as John waited to hear as well.

“Looks like our baby sister just ditched her men.” Frank shook his head in fury.

Both John and Peter started talking at once. Frank settled them down and tried to keep in control.

“First of all we can’t let Mom know. Sandman doesn’t know when she snuck out, so he doesn’t know how far she may have gotten. He’s informing Agent Dickhead right now and he plans on stationing undercover agents at various bus stops and train stations,” said Frank. Both John and Peter laughed a little at their brother’s new name for Agent Lancaster.

“What does he want us to do?” asked John, wanting to get his sister to safety immediately.

“Stay put here. Maybe she’ll contact one of us, and knowing her I’m sure she’ll make it here without the agents even knowing it. She was always good at hiding and evading capture,” said Frank as he thought about the strategic military games they would all play as children.

“What are you talking about, Frank? We were kids when we used to play ring-a-lario and manhunt,” Peter said to his brother.

“Oh man, I remember that. She used to always win that game. Shit, did that piss me off and Clara, too,” added John and the three men began reminiscing about old times.

“You used to get so mad at her, John. That was when you wanted to become a Marine,” added Frank.

“Not just a Marine, he wanted to be a sniper or special forces,” added Peter and they started laughing.

“This is a little bit different, guys. She never had a real killer after her. Never mind someone without a face or a name,” John told them and once again they became serious. Frank’s cell phone rang so he answered it.

“Yes, Captain. Okay, I appreciate it, sir. No, I haven’t yet. Thank you again,” said Frank. Then he hung up the phone.

“That was the captain. He wanted to give me the heads-up on Grace. Unfortunately the word’s out about Grace and still there’s no sign of Donald. The captain said Lancaster is about to release a statement to the press telling them that Donald is the serial killer,” Frank told his brothers. They stood there in shock.

Frank called his mom to let her know about Grace, and John headed home to stay with her. Peter went along with Frank to talk to the judge. After their brief conversation they came up with nothing new.

“What are we going to do next?” asked Peter.

“Let’s find Eric and ask him a few questions about Donald’s behavior the other day. Then I’ll start talking to his family and close friends. Maybe he had another place to go to. I’ll get his mom’s number in Pennsylvania. I’m sure Lancaster has already got her place swarming with agents,” Frank added. Both men went their separate ways, hoping their baby sister would arrive safely.

* * * *

Donald was beginning to regain consciousness. His arms were tied tightly behind his back and his legs were tied together with masking tape. The pain in his shoulders and back was excruciating and his vision was blurred as he tried to regain his bearings. He wondered where he was and how he got there? The last thing he remembered was going outside to throw the garbage out, then the sharp pain in the back of his head, which radiated to his neck and shoulders. Then it hit him.

“The killer,” he said out loud and wondered if anyone knew where he was. Who was the killer and what did he want with him? He asked himself numerous questions as his head throbbed with pain.

Now that he didn’t show up for questioning, Lancaster would think that he was the serial killer. “Damn it,” he said out loud again.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t spend my last hours before committing suicide cursing and damning everything.” The voice came out of nowhere. Then suddenly Donald focused on the silhouette image behind the sheer curtain. “Who are you? Why are you talking about suicide?” Donald demanded as he tried to break the restraints around his wrists.

“You couldn’t take the fact that you have murdered so many innocent women, especially that female police officer. Then of course you tortured your own daughter-in-law. Your son would hate you forever for doing that. Finally you killed Grace and there was no reason to continue to live. It’s all in the letter you wrote, Donald. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already?” the voice asked sarcastically.

“Whoever you are you’re not going to pin these murders on me. You don’t even have Grace. She’s safe and somewhere you will never find her.”

“You’ve been resting, Donald, so you haven’t heard the latest news. Grace has escaped the protection of one, Special Investigator Sandstone. She’s traveling alone in disguise, I assume in order to avoid being captured by agents. She will find you, the serial killer, and I will be here waiting for her,” the voice said.

“No way, asshole. You’ll never get away with this. Grace will not come he…” Donald was about to say “here” when he realized where he was. Donald looked up toward the curtain where the real serial killer stood, and as he did, the figure appeared. Donald was shocked to see his face.

“No…it can’t be…No!” Donald yelled and the killer laughed, as if excited and invigorated after revealing himself.

Sandman, Duke, and Jay arrived at the precinct receiving police escorts as they pushed their way through the crowd of people and reporters. Grace’s escape had made the news. Now everyone knew she was missing and began to assume the serial killer had her. Questions were being thrown at them about Donald and the rest of the Thompson family. It was a zoo outside, and finally Sandman and his brothers were inside. They immediately headed upstairs to the main conference room where Agent Lancaster, the captain, Frank, John, and other brass were gathered for updates and new information.

“You got through that mess huh?” asked Frank as he shook Sandman’s hand and then his brothers’ as Sandman introduced them.

“It’s crazy out there. How long has this been going on?” Sandman asked.

“Since you let our only fucking clue escape your personal custody!” yelled Lancaster. The room became silent.

Sandman knew Lancaster well. One glance around the room showed it was obvious that the agent wasn’t well liked.

“I didn’t let her escape. She’s one very stubborn, determined young lady who doesn’t easily take no for an answer,” Sandman said and hoped Lancaster would drop it.

“Yeah, well, if she dies, it’s on your conscience, not mine,” Lancaster snapped back then turned around, giving Sandman his back.

“Don’t listen to him. We don’t blame you one bit,” said Frank. “We know our sister, and when she’s determined to do something, she does it. There still hasn’t been any sign of her. Whether she took a train or a bus, she would be here by now. I just know it.”

“She has probably seen the news broadcasts and knows to stay clear of town and out of sight,” added John.

“I hope you’re both right about this. I know we’ll all feel better once we hear from her,” Sandman added.

“She’s one tough cookie your sister. She’s really smart and aware of the danger she’s in. She only left because she didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. She feels responsible,” Duke told her brothers and they understood completely. A few hours later Sandman, Duke, Jay, Frank, and John sat in Donald’s office hoping to hear from Grace. They’d heard about numerous false sightings of both Grace and Donald and knew time was running out.

John called his mother to see how she was holding up. Peter and the family were staying with her to keep her company.

“Eric still hasn’t come home, Johnny. I’m beginning to worry now. Have you seen him or heard from him?” Sarah asked. Eric hadn’t called her all day, and Richie, the teenage boy who helped run the hardware store, said Eric never came into work. Richie also said his girlfriend Michelle was missing. She hadn’t shown up at her job either. Sarah told the story to John and he said he would check into it.

“Mom said Eric hasn’t come home yet, and when she called the hardware store, Richie said Eric never came to work today,” John told the others.

“Oh shit. This is not good,” said Frank, thinking something bad could have happened to Eric as well.

“It gets worse. Richie said his girlfriend Michelle never arrived at work yesterday either,” John added.

Frank opened his cell phone and dialed. “Captain, this is Frank. Has Michelle Maverick been found? We just heard that she was missing.”

“Your timing is impeccable, Frank. Her body was just found about a half hour ago. Looks like our killer has struck again. The poor kid, she was only sixteen years old,” the captain added.

“Oh no. Oh my God, that’s horrible. Why didn’t anyone call Sandstone?” Frank asked as Sandman listened.

“Because Lancaster’s jealous, Frank. All I can say is that Lancaster has taken over. He’s out of control and the word is he doesn’t want anyone to inform Sandstone about anything. He’s told the other agents that Sandstone has pretty much killed your sister,” the captain added.

“Do they believe Lancaster?” Frank asked.

“As far as I can tell, Lancaster hasn’t exactly made any new friends, and the other agents don’t seem to be too happy with him right now.”

“Thanks, Captain.” Frank hung up the phone. He told Sandman and his brothers all about Lancaster just as Agent Lancaster entered the office.

“Why, look who it is. Just the person I wanted to talk to,” Sandman said as he rose from the brown leather chair.

“I wanted to talk to you, too. What do you have Jim working on?” Lancaster asked.

“Just something Grace came up with.”

“Grace? She came up with something else and you didn’t inform me?” Lancaster asked as he moved closer to Sandman.

“Despite the fact that you don’t feel there’s a need for me to know everything that’s going on, I haven’t kept one bit of information from you.”

“If I’ve kept any information from you, it’s because of your lack of professionalism. While you’re off playing house with Miss Fancy Pants, I’ve been working on finding the killer, Donald Friedman,” Agent Lancaster said, raising his voice.

“There’s no way Donald Friedman is our man,” Sandman began to say before Lancaster cut him off.

“You don’t believe that, Sandstone. The Thompson family doesn’t want to believe it but it’s a fact. I’ve got plenty of evidence and where the hell is he?” Lancaster was yelling now and everyone in the room was listening.

“You don’t have shit, Lancaster, and you also better remember who’s in charge of this investigation. From here on out you don’t make a move without my approval, you got it? No one is to do anything without running it by me first,” Sandman told Lancaster and now he was standing directly in front of him.

“This is bullshit. These people have you fooled. Frank and John are probably hiding Donald right now and you’re too busy thinking with your dick instead of your—”

Sandman took the first and only swing, knocking Lancaster over a desk with one mighty punch to the jaw, sending his legs flying over his shoulders.