Hidden Fates (Hidden Heroes #4)

Chapter 26

Reese was starting to feel like a zombie from lack of sleep. Her heavy heart was still filled with worry for Garrett, and her mind seemed to be focused on everything except her students. She was looking forward to the plans she’d made with Skyla, Hallie and Orly at Madigan’s, but she still had almost half an hour left in her last class.

The seniors only had a few more weeks left to work on their projects before they were due to be delivered to the museum, and Reese still had at least two more art periods to cover before their junk journals would be complete. She was teaching the class on autopilot, hoping against all odds that she was making sense as she recited everything from her lesson plans. But the students seemed eager to learn and the work they were producing was impressing not only the museum director, but Principal Ryker as well. He’d actually sent her an email congratulating her on doing so well in her first year of teaching.

When the bell finally rang, she announced the homework assignment and turned back to her desk to collect her things when she heard a loud voice yell, “Watch it, Madi Padi!”

Reese spun around in time to see one of her tall male students with broad shoulders, who’s name escaped her at the moment, push his way past a slender young woman who seemed to have a knack for art. Reese remembered her name was Madison Grier because she’d been so impressed with the assignments Madison had turned in. The girl had serious potential as an artist.

“Are you alright?” Reese asked as Madison shoved a book into her backpack.

“I’m fine,” she said, clearly annoyed at being asked.

“Why did he call you that?” Reese demanded.

Madison shrugged, her slender shoulders rising and falling. “It doesn’t matter.” She zipped the backpack closed and flung it over one shoulder, then shoved her way past Reese and out the door. Reese watched her leave, then looked down, noticing a finely ground white substance covering the chair where her bag had just been.

Reese didn’t know much about drugs, but she’d experimented enough in college to know what that was. She ran out into the hallway after Madison and found talking to another girl right outside. Reese waited until the other girl walked away, then approached. “Would you please come back to the classroom, Madison? I'd like to speak with you.”

Madison looked up at her in surprise. “Why? Class is over.”

“Look, we can talk now or we can go to the principal's office and talk then. Your choice.” The last thing Reese wanted to do was involve Principal Ryker after Garrett’s warning to stay away from him, but this wasn’t something she could in good conscience allow to continue.

Madison sighed and led the way back to the art classroom. “Is there something you want to tell me?” Reese asked, gesturing at the seat with the white powder residue on it.

Madison stiffened. “No. Are we done?”

“I know I’m new here, but I’m pretty sure that the amount of drugs you have on you is enough to have you expelled. Now, I’m not here to make your life more difficult. In fact, I think you have a real future in art if you choose to pursue it. But I do need you to be honest with me right now.”

Madison sank into the chair next to the one she usually sat in for class. “It’s not mine. I swear.”

Reese leaned against the table. “Okay. Whose is it then?”

Madison shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. “I can’t tell you. Please, can’t you just forget you saw it?”

Reese gave her a pinched smile and shook her head. “It doesn’t work like that. Let me see it. All of it.”

Madison didn’t move, and for a second Reese thought she might not have heard her. “Madison? Either you show me or you show Principal Ryker, which doesn’t mean I won’t be telling him about it by the way.”

“It won’t matter if you do,” Madison said.

Reese knew there was a strict no drugs on school property rule that all students and faculty had to adhere to. “Of course, it will matter, Madison. He could expel you for this.”

Madison shook her head. “Don’t you get it, Miss Graham. He won’t. Or even if he does, he’ll just find someone else to sell it.”

“Wait, what?” She asked, surely not understanding Madison’s implication.

Madison bit her lip and drew in a ragged breath. “They’re his drugs,” she whispered as if there was someone else in the room that would hear her. “He makes them and he forces us to sell them.”

“Forces us? Who’s us?” Reese asked.

Madison shrugged. “Losers like me who no one cares about.”

“Madison, you’re not a loser,” Reese said. “How did you get involved in this?”

“My mom had an affair and when she broke it off, she didn’t want to tell my dad. I guess she decided she still loved him and their marriage was worth saving. That was my freshman year. When Principal Ryker found out she wasn’t going to tell my dad, he decided to use that as leverage against me.”

Reese had so many questions, it was hard to keep them all straight. “How did Principal Ryker find out about your mom’s affair?”

Madison huffed out a breath. “Who do you think she had the affair with?”

Reese raised her eyebrows in realization, and Madison smirked. “Yeah. Like I said. Loser. Anyway, if I want my parents to stay together, I don’t have much of a choice.”

“Lots of kids have divorced parents,” Reese said. “I know it sounds awful, but doesn’t your dad deserve to know the truth?”

“No,” Madison said. “If he knew the truth, he’d leave and he loves my mom. Like really loves her. If he ever learned the truth, it would break his heart. And I don’t want to do that to him.”

“And what about what it’s doing to you, Madison? This amount of drugs is enough to get you expelled and probably arrested.”

Madison shrugged. “If you want to be responsible for ruining a kid’s life then turn me in. I’ll take the punishment, but I won’t squeal on Ryker. That’s the deal. He has something on all of us. Everyone he’s roped into this. If we get caught, we’re on our own. If we tell on him, he fries us and we lose everything.”

Reese sighed. She needed to call Garrett. Whether or not this was his case, he’d want to know about it, and about Principal Ryker’s involvement. “I know someone who might be able to help.”

***

“Thanks for coming,” Reese said as Garrett and Caden walked into her classroom. She’d called Garrett and he must’ve asked Caden to join them. “Caden, this is one of our students, Madison Grier.”

“Why is my English teacher here?” Madison asked, glaring at Garrett.

“Madison, these are my friends, FBI Agent Caden Dobbs, and Texas Ranger Garrett Cooper.”

“You’re a Texas Ranger?” Madison asked.

“I told you that I knew someone who could help. I also think they can make sure Ryker doesn’t get away with what he’s doing.” Reese said.

“Ryker?” Caden asked. “So, he’s involved in this after all? That would make sense…”

“He’ll need to be put in protective custody,” Garrett said, sharing a meaningful look with his friend. Caden nodded in understanding. Garrett had obviously told him how Reese had seen Principal Ryker die in prison.

But Ryker wasn’t her problem anymore. All Reese cared about was Madison right now. “From what Madison has told me, he's a very big part of all this. But this is your case,” Reese said, gesturing to the guys, “So, I’ll let you guys take over.”

Madison wrung her hands, holding her backpack on her lap, close to her chest. “Madison Grier, you’re eighteen years old, so you don’t need a legal guardian present. You’re also not under arrest so you don’t need an attorney present. But if you feel you need one, you can call one and we can wait for them down at the bureau,” Caden said.

Madison looked from Caden to Garrett, and then to Reese. “I’m not saying anything.”

Reese sat next to Madison. “Listen, I’m not a lawyer, but I do think my friends can help you if you choose to help them. I know this is scary, but you’re also a victim here, Madison. Just tell them what you told me.”

Madison didn’t look convinced as she eyed Garrett and Caden, who stood a fair distance away from her, giving her plenty of space to not feel intimidated. “FBI and Texas Ranger?” She asked.

“That’s right,” Caden said. “And I have it on good authority that the drugs in your possession are responsible for many deaths, including the near death of a good friend of mine. If you can tell me where you’re getting them from, or better yet, who’s making them, I think you and I could work out a deal you’ll be more than happy with.”

Madison seemed to give Caden’s words serious consideration. “And I won’t go to jail?”

“Given the circumstances and your age, I’m authorized to grant you immunity if you hand over the drugs, give a full statement regarding your involvement, and testify in court.”

Madison seemed to consider Caden’s words, then turned to Reese. “What about my parents?”

“Your parents are adults. They need to start handling their own problems. You have your own life to live, Madison. Stand up for yourself. You’re not a loser. You’re a talented young woman with a bright future ahead of you. Help Agent Dobbs and Ranger Cooper with their case so you can pursue your dreams of going to college or art school, or whatever you want for yourself.”

Madison sighed. “I hate this. I hate all of it.” There was a war raging inside Madison, and Reese wished there was more she could do for her. Then Madison’s shoulders fell and she hung her head in a sign of defeat. “But it’s their stupid fault anyway,” Madison finally said.

“Why don’t you start from the beginning,” Garrett suggested.

Madison sat up straighter, like she was ready to face her demons. “Fine. I never wanted to do this anyway. It’s not like I woke up one morning and decided to live this kind of life. I hate it. I hate everything about it. But he makes me. And if I say no, he threatens me. Threatens my family.” She swiped at a stray tear on her cheek. “He swore that if I ever told anyone, he’d find a way to hunt me down and make me regret it.”

“Who?” Caden asked.

Reese knew Caden was more than capable of arranging protection for Madison, but first she had to tell him everything. “Tell him, Madison,” Reese urged. “Just rip the bandage off. You’ll feel better. I promise.”

Madison looked around the room before meeting Caden’s gaze. “Principal Ryker. He’s the one who makes the drug, or he knows the guy who does, and he forces loser students like me to sell it for him. He has an in with almost every school in the area. And he’s originally from Arizona or New Mexico or one of those states, but he has people selling it there for him, too. We keep telling him it’s too potent. That people are getting sick. Dying, even. But he doesn’t care. He says it’s the thrill of the danger that makes it so marketable.” Madison shook her head and swiped at another tear. “I hate him so much.”

Reese reached for Madison’s hand. “I don’t think he’ll be an educator for much longer.”

“Definitely not,” Garrett agreed.

Caden cleared his throat. “Thank you, Madison. I’ll need you to hand over the drugs and come down to the bureau with me to make an official statement. You may call your parents on the way to meet you there.” He waited for Madison to collect herself, before walking out with her, and then it was just her and Garrett left in the classroom.

She closed the door and turned back to Garrett. He was leaning against one of the tables, watching her with a mix of concern and pride. “Do you think Madison will be okay?” She asked, hoping she hadn’t just ruined a kid’s life like Madison had implied.

“I do. And you just helped solve a case that’s been haunting my friends and I for over a year. Thank you.”

Reese looked at him for a moment, letting herself get lost in his eyes, even as the scene of his death played out in her mind. She’d seen it so many times by now, it almost didn’t feel real. Like it was some awful movie playing on a television screen. Then realization struck. “Orly? That’s the same drug?”

Garrett nodded and pulled her into his arms. “Lab results confirmed it. Caden told me right before we got here.”

Another knock at the door had both of them turning. Blake came in, a pensive look on his face.

“Everything alright?” Garrett asked.

Blake glanced from her to Garret. “We need to talk,” he said, looking at Garrett.

Reese pressed a kiss to Garrett’s cheek and carefully extricated herself from his hold. “That’s okay. I actually have plans to meet the women at Madigan’s.”

“I was going to drive you, but here.” He fished the keys to his truck out of his pocket and handed them to her. “Take my truck. I’ll get a ride with Blake after we’re done.”

“Are you sure?” Reese asked. “I could just take an Uber.”

“I’m sure. And don’t worry, I’m not precious about the truck, so if it gets a scratch or a dent or a spill, I won’t care. The only thing I’m precious about is you.”

Reese couldn’t keep from smiling at the man who’d thoroughly ruined her for all other men. “I’ll take good care of it.”

He kissed her like he didn’t care that Blake was watching. “It better take good care of you. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”

“Thanks,” she said, and grabbed her things from her desk. “See you later, Blake.”

“Be right back,” Garrett told Blake on their way out.

It was sunny outside, the sky a perfect blue, and Reese was surprisingly in a good mood. She’d never actually been able to help the police with anything before, so being there for Madison, and helping her open up to Caden and Garrett felt really good. She knew Caden would keep his word and make sure Madison had a bright future ahead of her. She really was a good kid.

“I want you to text me as soon as you get to Madigan’s,” Garrett said.

“Of course,” Reese readily agreed. She hated being away from Garrett just as much as he hated being away from her.

“Do you have the new GPS locator on you?” Garrett asked.

“Yes,” Reese padded her pocket where it was safely tucked away. He’d gotten her one that used satellites instead of cell towers, so it should have a signal no matter where she was. And after everything that happened, she never went anywhere without it. She placed a soft kiss on his cheek and he held her to him for a long moment.

“I can’t help worrying about you when I’m not there, but the last thing I want to do is make you feel like you’re caged in. I don’t think this thing with Blake will take long. Please call me if you need anything.”

Reese agreed and Garrett unlocked the truck. He helped her climb in, then waited while she adjusted the seat and mirrors. It was so spacious and comfortable, she honestly felt like a princess sitting in a royal carriage. She’d been thinking about buying a gently used car now that she had a steady source of income, but sitting in Garrett’s truck kind of made her want one of her own. It was definitely something to think about, if she could afford it. “Okay, I’m ready,” she said, excited to drive this beast of a truck.

“Okay. Just have fun,” he said.

“Thanks. I will.”

Garrett was still holding the door open, like he didn’t want to let her go. “I’ll have Blake drop me off at Madigan’s after we’re done here. But if you decide to leave before we get there, just let me know.”

Reese nodded. “Will do.”

Garrett nodded and hesitantly closed the door. He stood to the side, watching as she pulled out of the spot, and drove away. A strange feeling of longing came over her and she almost turned the truck around. But she pushed the sensation away, blaming it on unfounded worries. Besides, she hadn’t seen her friends since Hallie’s wedding, and she was in desperate need of some girl time.

When she came to a fork in the road, Reese couldn’t remember which way she was supposed to go since she didn’t usually go to Madigan’s from the school. Was it right or left? She could pull out her phone and use the GPS on it, but that would take too long, and she was already running late.

On a whim, she veered to the right, figuring she’d realize if it was going the wrong way pretty quickly and just make a U-turn. She continued on for several hundred feet, when the street turned into a tight two-lane road with a forest on her right and a ravine on the left.

This was definitely not the way to Madigan’s. She started looking for a place to turn around, but noticed a van following close behind her.

Reese swallowed hard. She didn’t remember much about the van she’d been kidnapped in. It had been dark, and she’d been more worried about getting away from it than studying it. This one was white and didn’t seem to have any markings, just like the one that night. Reese drew in a deep, steadying breath. She couldn’t panic every time she saw a white van on the road. When she glanced in the rearview mirror again, the van had moved closer, practically riding her bumper, and making it impossible to see the license plate or anything other than its hood.

Reese pushed a bit harder on the gas pedal. Whoever it was probably just wanted her to go faster, but the road had become even narrower and had a lot of sharp curves and turns. She had no idea where she was, but she needed to get her phone and - a bang followed by a sharp jolt rocked the truck. Reese held back a panicked scream as her fingers white knuckled the steering wheel. There had to be a turn off or something around here somewhere.

The van rammed the truck again, jolting her hard. She swerved, nearly losing control of the truck, but then it hit her again. A scream of terror tore from her lips as she fought to stay on the road. She turned the wheel to avoid hitting the railing and braked hard. The sound of tires screeching and rubber burning filled the air. But she must’ve turned it too hard in trying to avoid going into the ravine because before she even knew what was happening, the truck crashed head on into a large tree. The airbag exploded in front of her, cushioning some of the impact, but it still felt like someone had punched her in the gut and chest, knocking the wind out of her.

Reese moaned, fighting to catch her breath. She reached for her purse on the passenger seat, hoping to dig inside and find her phone, but then the driver’s side door flew open and she was met with a familiar face and satisfied smile.

“Hello, Reese.”

Her eyes widened at the sight of the well-dressed man from Principal Ryker’s office holding a knife. “Who are you?” She muttered, still dazed from the accident.

“That’s not important. A mutual friend of ours is looking forward to having a nice little chat with you.” He sliced through the seat belt, freeing her, then grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out the truck.

She moaned and grunted in protest. Her whole body felt like one big bruise, but the pain of a needle being jabbed into her neck stole her attention from everything else she was feeling. “You can’t do this.” She tried to sound strong, but even as she said the words, her body was already sagging to the point that he had to hold her up.

He chuckled behind her and brought his mouth to her ear. “It’s already done.”