Gage (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood #16)

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

“J ansen said Blackthorn’s house is empty. Suzanna, Elizabeth and Donald are all missing. There were signs that something happened, because a chair was knocked over and it looks like there’s a hall runner missing. He’s got a warrant for the Blackthorns’ arrest, but he’s got to find them first. Ranger’s in the hospital, doesn’t remember hearing or seeing anything that might give us a clue to where he might have taken Suzanna. I’m missing something. What am I missing?” Gage kept turning all the information over in his head, his hands gripping the steering wheel. The traffic through the streets of Dallas was a freaking nightmare. He wanted to wring the neck of whoever at TXDOT coordinated the traffic signals, but it was a bloody joke.

“Jansen believes you about the evidence?” Bas still held his cellphone clutched in his hand, ever since the call from Ranger. Gage knew Bas would rather be at the hospital with his brother than chasing after Donald Blackthorn, but he needed him to help with the search for Suzanna.

“Where would they take Suzanna? They had time to plan this, so it could be anywhere. I usually have time to study my suspects, figure out how their minds work. Blackthorn is a mystery. All I know is he’s greedy and he’s desperate.

“Not much help. Let’s try and work through this. Ranger was dumped in an alley. Somebody found him and called nine one one. Took his money, but left his ID and credit cards. Conscientious thieves? I doubt Blackthorn was expecting anybody to find Ranger before the drugs killed him. Did he have help moving my brother? Ranger’s not a little dude, and Blackthorn’s considerably smaller than him.”

“Adrenaline lets you do a lot you couldn’t normally. If Elizabeth helped him, he might have been able to load Ranger in the back of a car or SUV. It would have been awkward, but doable. Might explain the missing hall runner, if they used it to help drag and lift him.”

“Suzanna would have been easier to handle. She’s a lot smaller, and I doubt they were trying to kill her. Maybe they dosed her with a smaller amount, made her malleable, willing to take commands, and simply walked her out of the house.”

Gage glanced at Bas. “It’s possible. Still, they’d need someplace to keep her. Some place where there isn’t anybody around—”

“Her house! The one in Dallas. Suzanna mentioned to Ms. Patti that she’d let the staff have some time off, since she wasn’t going to be home. Didn’t think it was fair to have them showing up when there was nobody there who needed them. I overheard them talking. Do you think Blackthorn would take her there?”

Instead of answering, Gage grabbed his phone, dialing Jansen. “We think the Blackthorns might have taken Suzanna back to her home. The staff has been given time off since Suzanna was out of town, so it’s empty.”

“I’ll head there now. How far out are you?” Gage could hear the sound of the sirens start through the phone, and took a deep breath, hoping Jansen could get there fast.

“We’re actually not far from there, maybe five minutes or so.”

“You’ll probably get there before me. I’m a good ten minutes away, even with lights and sirens. I’ll call for backup. Listen, Newsome, if they’re there, don’t do anything stupid. We need everybody to come out of this alive, especially if you want Suzanna cleared in her husband’s death. Just for the record, I believe you. I don’t think she did it. I never really did, though I kind of hoped it would be an open and shut case. I’ll admit it, I’m an idiot, and I’ll apologize to Mrs. Dawkins when we’ve caught the Blackthorns.”

“I’ll remember. Let’s find them and save Suzanna. Right now, that’s all that matters.”

He disconnected, and called on the calm he used whenever working a case. Trained to look at any situation with focus and skill, he’d mastered the ability to block out anything and everything except getting the job done. Too bad it didn’t want to work now, when he needed it most.

“She’s going to be fine. I’ve said it over and over again, Suzanna Dawkins is strong. She’s resilient, and most of all she’s smart. If anybody can outsmart Blackthorn, it’s her. Just focus on getting us there in one piece.” Bas grabbed the dashboard as Gage swerved through an intersection, disregarding the right light.

It seemed like hours passed before he screeched to a halt in front of the Dawkins house. A large dark blue Escalade was parked close to the front door. He shot a glance over at Bas, who was studying the landscape. Although there were large trees, none were big enough to obscure somebody hiding behind them. Neither were the bushes lining the front on either side of the front door.

“How about I go around to the back, and you cover the front.”

Gage nodded and opened his door. “I’m going in. If the door is unlocked, I’ll head inside that way. If not, I’m going to break the window on the right.”

“Got it. I’ll come in the back. Text me if you see anything.”

Gage waited long enough for Bas to disappear around the side of the house before making his way to the front door. Grasping the knob, he checked it, surprised when it opened easily beneath his hand. She was here, he was sure of it. Suzanna was somewhere in this house with the two people responsible for murdering her husband, and he needed to find her. Save her. Then he could tell her how he felt.

Easing the door open, he stepped inside, noting the eerie quiet. He didn’t like that. It wasn’t too late—it couldn’t be. He wasn’t sure he could go on if Suzanna wasn’t okay. Calling on his training, he moved silently through the foyer, surveying each open doorway as he passed. At the base of the grand staircase, he finally heard what he’d been waiting for. Voices. At least two, one male and one female. He couldn’t tell if it was Suzanna’s voice, but the man had to be Blackthorn. Following the sound, he went left. He wished he knew the layout of the house, but he’d figure it out as he moved. Now he could make out what was being said, and it chilled his blood.

“Steven found out you sabotaged the particle light microchip, didn’t he? That’s why you killed him.”

“It was my project! I did everything to make it a success. I brought on the IT personnel who worked the program from start to finish . I brought on the marketing professionals to facilitate the launch and publicity for the microchips, and well as distribution. I approached Sandoval about providing secure courier services. Why shouldn’t I reap the glory? Instead, Steven met with Sandoval and refused to use him.”

“Because Gustavo Sandoval is a criminal.”

Donald barked out a laugh. “It’s business, Suzanna. Everybody in business is a criminal in one way or another. At least they are if they want to be successful.”

“That’s not true. Steven wasn’t a criminal.”

“Oh, my darling Suzanna, Steven really had you fooled, didn’t he?”

“I don’t believe you. I knew my husband, and he was honest. He was good to his employees. He was loving and kind.”

“Then why did he cheat me out of what was rightfully mine?”

There was silence, and then the sound of furniture falling, and he knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He raced into the room, catching Suzanna in his arms as she barreled into him, knocking him to the floor and landing atop him. Flipping them over, he sprawled on top of her, protecting her body. He had no idea what kind of weapon Blackthorn might have.

“Stay here.”

“No! He’s got a gun and a knife. He…he killed Elizabeth.”

He didn’t have time to think about that now. Blackthorn needed to be taken down before anybody else got hurt.

“Stay here. I mean it. I can’t worry about you and catch him.” Without any other word, going low, he raced into the room, catching sight of Bas struggling with Blackthorn, a large blade caught between their hands. He knew Bas was strong, but Blackthorn had momentum and fear riding him, giving him the advantage.

Leaping across the table, he tackled Blackthorn from behind, all three men going down in a tangle of arms and legs. Bas grunted, his hand still wrapped around Blackthorn’s, struggling to keep the knife from plunging downward.

Wrapping his arm around Blackthorn’s neck, Gage applied pressure, cutting off the blood flow to the carotid artery. It was a move he knew well, had used it more times that he liked to count on opponents. Blackthorn struggled, trying to toss him off to no avail. Gage wasn’t about to let Blackthorn win. He’d already killed his wife. Suzanna was a witness; he’d spend the rest of his life in jail.

Finally, his body slumped forward, the knife in his hand falling to the ground. Letting out a long sigh, he rolled off Blackthorn, and pulled him off Bas, right as Jansen and several uniformed officers stormed into the room. Funny, he hadn’t heard the sirens until now.

“Please tell me he’s alive.” Jansen holstered his weapon, and leaned forward, offering Gage a hand up.

“He’s alive, but his wife isn’t. He killed her.” Gage pointed to Elizabeth Blackthorn’s body on the other side of the table, blood pooling beneath her.

“You witness it?”

Gage shook his head wearily. “No, but Suzanna did.” He looked around. “Where is she?”

“EMT arrived right behind us. They’re looking at her, seeing if she needs medical attention.”

Bas lumbered to his feet, brushing himself off. “If anybody cares, I’m fine.”

Gage rolled his eyes, knowing Bas was simply blowing off steam now that it was all over, and nobody got hurt. “I’m going to check on Suzanna.”

“Once you’ve made sure your woman is okay, I’m going to need a formal statement. And the evidence you promised.”

Gage reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out the flash drive. “Everything you need is on here. Blackthorn sabotaged the company’s launch of the new microchips, which was when Steven Dawkins started digging into his activities. Blackthorn hired a hitman to take out Dawkins, which would put him in charge of the day to day operations at Dawkins, Inc. He didn’t know Dawkins had changed his will, not giving him the additional twenty-one percent, which would have given him controlling interest in the company. Instead, he left everything, including his seventy percent of the company to his wife. He planned on having Suzanna sign a new will, leaving the company to Blackthorn, and backdating it to right after Steven’s death.”

“I guess he was going to eliminate her after she signed.”

“The evidence I’ve given you shows he was going to shoot Suzanna, and make it look like his wife did the deed. Then he’d planned to kill Elizabeth, making it look like a murder suicide. He’s free and clear and with the new launch of the particle light microchips, he stood to control Dawkins and make billions.”

Jansen shook his head, staring at the flash drive. “All of that’s on this drive? Where did you get it?”

“Confidential informant. But you’ve got the name of the hitman, how much he was paid, and everything else you need to send Blackthorn to prison for the rest of his miserable life. That’s on top of the murder of Elizabeth Blackthorn.”

“With everything going on, I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but I received an anonymous tip from somebody who gave me a DVD. No, don’t say anything; I swear I just got it. Anyway, there’s evidence of Blackthorn’s tampering with the microchips, causing the malfunction. There’s also video of him meeting with somebody three days before Steven Dawkins murder. There was definitely an exchange of cash. There’s also copies of bank statements showing the cash withdrawal on the same day as he met up with the person on the video. There’s more but I haven’t had a change to go over everything yet, but I’ve got the feeling this combined with your evidence definitely puts Mrs. Dawkins in the clear.

Bas walked over and slapped Gage on the back. “Looks like everything’s worked out. The bad guy is caught, nobody got hurt, and you get the girl. All’s well that ends well, isn’t that what they say?”

Gage couldn’t stop the eye roll at Bas’ quip. “How do your brothers put up with you? I do appreciate the save in there. Good job.”

“All in a day’s work for Carpenter Security. Now, since you’re probably going to be around here for a while, dealing with all the aftermath, mind if I head out? I need to go check on Ranger. I’m going to need to get an update and call Dad. Believe me, you don’t want Gator Boudreau showing up, demanding answers.”

“Gator Boudreau? Your daddy is Gator Boudreau? How about I have one of my officers drive you over to Parkland?” Detective Jansen frantically waved to one of the uniformed men. “Give him a ride over to Parkland ASAP.”

“Yes, sir.”

Bas’ shoulders shook with suppressed laughter, before he leaned over and whispered to Gage, “Dad’s reputation apparently reaches a lot farther than just Cajun country.”

Gage gave him a little shove. “Get out of here. I’ll handle the cleanup.”

Leaving Jansen and the other cops to deal with Elizabeth Blackthorn’s body, Gage made his way outside, toward the flashing lights of the ambulance. Suzanna sat perched on the edge, a warming blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Sitting down beside her, he nudged her with his shoulder.

“You doing okay?”

She pulled the blanket tighter. “I am now that you’re here.”

“I was terrified I wouldn’t get here in time. Thinking about you at the mercy of Blackthorn, I felt helpless. I don’t think I’ve ever driven that fast outside a racetrack in my life.”

Leaning against him, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I never doubted for a second that you’d find me.”

“You didn’t?”

“It was just a feeling…I can’t describe it, but I felt such peace when I thought about you. Something told me you were on your way, that you’d figure out Donald’s plan. I prayed harder than ever, asking for a miracle, and there you were like an avenging angel.”

“Seems like you were rescuing yourself when I got here.”

“I knew I’d end up like Elizabeth the minute I signed those papers. I stalled as long as I could, keeping him talking, trying to make him explain why he’d killed Steven. He said horrible things about him, lies that I’ll never believe.”

“Your husband was a good man, and you shouldn’t allow the ravings of a lunatic to make you doubt for one second the way you felt—feel—about him.”

“I wonder if Jansen will think this is enough to exonerate me. I still don’t have evidence that I didn’t kill Steven, nothing except Donald’s ramblings, and I’m sure he’ll deny everything.”

Gage brushed the strands of hair off her cheek, liking the feel of her head against his shoulder. “I got the evidence to clear you. Jansen has it now, so you’re off the hook. Everyone knows you didn’t kill Steven. You’re free.”

Lifting her head, she looked at him, her brown eyes filled with tears. “Really?”

“I promise.”

His heartbeat stuttered when she leaned back against him. “I guess that means your favor to Brandon is done. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve saved me twice now…”

“Three times if you count being run off the road by that SUV,” he teased.

“Oops, three times.”

“Let’s not worry about anything now. We’ll talk to Jansen, give our formal statements, and head back to Shiloh Springs. Take a couple of days to let everything settle, and they I think we should talk.”

“Talk? Aren’t we talking now?”

He grinned. “Smart aleck. I mean talk about us. About the future, unless you—”

“Yes.” Her smile was almost as big as his. “Here’s to the future.”