Racing the Tide Page 14

  The final straw.

  With a bellow of rage, he went for him. He hit his brother with his fist, dead center of his chin. It was a sharp upper cut and snapped Beau’s head straight backward. A loud thud resounded over the buzz of angry bees that filled Cole’s brain. Beau grunted with pain, flailing his arms about. Crashed into a nearby table setup with an array of supercomputers, sending one of the keyboards flying to the floor, snapping it in half.

  It felt damn good, getting that first shot in. Cole wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, assessing the damage. A trickle of blood ran down Beau’s chin. He watched his brother, waiting for his move, knowing from long experience he was a damn good fighter. He’d have to keep his guard up.

  The two men circled each other, their movements wary. Beau swiped the blood off his chin with his hand, giving a sardonic rise of his eyebrows. His expression spoke volumes.

  “That the best you can do, bro?” he asked, displaying some fancy footwork as he avoided the pieces of destroyed technology littering the area around his feet.

  “Little out of practice,” Cole said with a shrug, his fists raised, watching his twin with care. “But it’s all coming back to me now.”

  Beau launched himself at Cole, grabbing him around the waist, taking him down to the floor with him. They rolled, each trying to get a shot in. A grunt of pain from Cole as Beau dug a sharp elbow into his stomach. A squawk from Beau as Cole shoved him hard against the cement floor.

  Cole twisted away, Beau trying to stop him. Got to his feet. Fucking slippery eel. Just like when he was a kid. They continued circling each other, warriors looking for an opening, any opportunity. Beau launched himself at Cole, knocking him right off his feet. Cole pounded on Beau’s back trying to get him to let go, the thuds echoing in the huge warehouse.

  This time, Beau didn’t throw a punch, though he could have. Instead, he seemed to be struggling to just stop Cole from doing any more damage.

  “You got it out of your system yet or do you need to hit me again?” Beau growled.

  “Fuck you! You deserve a lot more. After what you put Mom and Dad through, what you put me through.”

  Cole rolled on top of him, Beau managing to duck away at the last moment from a punch. “That all you got?” he taunted.

  Another punch went wide. Cole’s fist hit the floor, missing Beau by mere inches, sending pain snaking up his arm. Cole shook his arm, trying to recover the use of his hand. He slumped to the side, letting up on the tight hold he had on his brother to cradle his arm to his chest.

  Beau leaned over onto his hip, grabbing him into a headlock, his mouth close to Cole’s ear where he lay prone on the floor.

  He began to whisper.

  Cole tried to get away, but his twin persisted, continued murmuring until Cole lay quite still, listening to every single word. His eyes grew wide as Beau spoke his full piece, the meaning of the words sinking in, one by one. Could it be true?

  A sudden lump filled and tightened in the back of Cole’s throat, making it difficult to speak, even if he wanted to. Tears welled up. A sob tore out of his chest. No. No, it can’t be. It can’t be true. All this time—wasted.

  Beau’s tears joined his as the two men lumbered to an embrace. Cole pounded once on Beau’s back, not as hard as before, but letting his frustration out. Damn it all to hell.

  They got to their feet. Cole wiped his face with the back of his hand, swallowing hard. Time to man up. The last few minutes, fighting with his brother, had released some of his pain, made it easier to breathe. And the revelation gave him hope. Maybe there was a future for them? He had to admit, he would have done the same thing as his twin, if called upon.

  “Perhaps now you’ll consider counseling?” Beau asked, raising an eyebrow, obviously working hard to achieve a lighter tone. His mouth twisted with the effort. Cole watched him swallow hard and it unseated him again. A mist of tears made the room shine and he shook them away.

  “Yeah, in your dreams,” Cole scoffed to hide his emotions. Real men just don’t do stuff like that. Right?

  “You might want to consider the effect your fucked-up-ness has on those around you. People who might want more from you than you’re capable of giving right now. You know, like, Gabby. Just sayin’.”

  The comment hit Cole square between the eyes. Was that what was going on? Was this it, the opportunity for a beginning for him and Gabby? The thought floored him. Made his head reel even more, if that were even possible.

  Perhaps therapy had helped Beau? He did seem better for it, though he could still throw a pretty good left hook. He swallowed hard and pressed his lips tightly together, realizing he had hit a crossroads. God, I don’t think I can live like this anymore. With the pain, the doubts, the guilt, the terrible sense of shame for not being there for my wife and son. Something else broke in him, realizing he needed to lay his burdens down. That he could carry not carry them alone any longer.

  “Okay, when this is all over—when Sara is safe—I’ll give it some thought.”

  Beau looked stunned, as surprised as Cole found himself for saying it. Maybe I am ready? At least ready enough to consider it. The pain on Gabby’s face this morning when he had rejected her had hurt him to the quick. I need to learn another way. “Well, that’s good then.”

  “Not committing to anything.” He warned, not wanting to be boxed in.

  “Thinking is the start. Get your mind ready, that’s the key.”

  “Okay, fuck, the clock’s ticking. I need more than anything to get back to work.”

  “Crisis is normally when this stuff surfaces, according to my guy. It’s when the soul can’t handle the pressure anymore and it gets released. It’s a good thing, ColeF. It’s when you have the opportunity to embrace a change—a good change.”

  Cole grunted and turned back to the screen, shutting out his brother. But another crack had appeared, whether he liked it or not, letting in some light, making him want to apologize to Gabby. Maybe, just maybe there was a slight chance for a better life.

  * * * *

  Day Four: 7:23 a.m.

  “Fucking men are just so damn predictable,” Gabby grumbled as she printed off the series of photos Celine had taken from the night at the Legend Saloon to be delivered to the soon-to-be-ex-wife. She needed to get onto more important work, but the woman was pressing her for them and she felt guilty in holding things up. And a photograph of the crime was worth a thousand words. Just hand them over and let them do all the dirty work. After all, she had already been paid and it only took a few minutes. She insisted on being paid up front, less hassle. She hated being used.

  What has she been thinking? Thinking it was a good idea to bed someone she worked with? And now she had to face him. Feel like a fool all over again.

  Gabby climbed into her car and started the motor, thrusting the reliable second-hand Honda Civic into gear and spun off in the direction of the client’s house. She’d picked the beater up for a song when everything had gone south for her and her fucking cheating ex. She needed to drop the incriminating evidence off before heading into to work at TETRAD. Clear the decks.

  “Hey, Gabby, I appreciate you getting here so quickly,” Ashley said. The woman looked better today than Gabby had ever seen her before. Every other time she had met her she appeared a bit disheveled, her thoughts unfocused. But not today. Today she had the look of a woman on a mission. Maybe the sting had been a boost to her self-confidence? Good, she was glad to help. Women needed all the help they could get in keeping their lives sorted. Maybe it wasn’t such a waste of time after all, taking these cases others so enjoyed turned their noses up at?

  “Would you like coffee? I just perked some,” Ashley offered, sharing a bright smile.

  “No, another time. I’m on a case today. Gotta run. But I brought you these.” She handed over the brown manila envelope.

  “Good, thanks. I appreciate all your effort.” Ashley opened the package and glanced at the half-dozen photos, leafing through them. “Yeah
, just like I figured. George’s bad for bedding every new piece of tail in the office. And now it’s come back to sting him in the ass. Good. Fair enough.”

  “So, you have decided to go through with it?” Last time she’d seen the woman, Ashley had been wavering, wanting to know, not wanting to know, tearing herself up inside. Typical woman shit, thinking it was all her fault. When damn it, it was the man who was cheating on them.

  “Oh, yeah, time to get on with the rest of my life. Lots of men out there who don’t cheat and I’m going to find me a good one. Make sure of that next time, even if I have to have him trailed to prove it. You’d be available again, right, help me be certain?”

  “Sure. But what ever happened to trust? You know, wedding vows that say you will be true to each other forsaking all comers? Like our parents?”

  “Cheaters in that generation, too, but it was usually swept under the rug. This generation, we’re savvier. Better at spotting the signs, or at least acting on them. And of course, we got more resources. We can afford to leave their cheating asses behind, move on. We don’t have to put up with less than.”

  “Hmm, you sure seem to have gotten your act together. I admire that. You went through a lot.”

  “Yeah, well, you learn. But that doesn’t mean that if the right man didn’t come along, I won’t be willing to trust again. Woman can’t live on bitterness alone. Or at least according to my best friend, Gail.”

  “Let’s keep in touch,” Gabby said as she returned the woman’s firm handshake. She had enjoyed the exchange, liked the woman’s confidence. A confidence she had had a part in restoring.

  She climbed back into her Civic, buckled her seatbelt. Time to get to work. A voice was calling to her, the voice of a young woman who needed her help. Hold on, sweetheart, I’m on my way.

  She strode into the back room when she discovered no one working reception at TETRAD. Her cowgirl boots clicked on the hard floors of the warehouse as she pretended all was well with her world. No point in letting anyone see her sweat.

  “Ready to relieve the nightshift?” she asked Cole, eyeing him working away, keeping her expression noncommittal.

  “Uh, yeah, I’m about done here.” He shut down his computer and got up. “Let’s go.”

  She gave him a sideways glance, noting the deepening shadows under his eyes. “You get any rest? You looked tired.”

  “I’m fine.” The curt words cut as sharp as a well-honed blade.

  She said nothing, just hurried outside and climbed into the truck. Going to be a long, long, day.

  She sat silent, not giving him the satisfaction of saying anything to relieve the stress as Cole drove them to the stakeout.

  If only they could change partners. But no, Silk had said that Jake was insisting the schedule stay in place. He felt they were just about to break the case wide open and wanted his lead team there for the final takedown. God, please be right, that we’re that close to finding her.

  Sitting and watching the back of Chang’s where the van was again parked, she wished things were different, but knew that was never going to happen.

  “Beau and I talked this morning.”

  “What?” Cole had caught her by surprise and she removed one ear bud to hear him better, turning her head toward him and giving him a wide-eyed stare.

  “Yeah, he says I need to consider seeing someone.”

  “Who?”

  “You know, someone who makes it their living to listen to others yatter on.”

  “Oh, and what did you say?” Her breathing sped up, thinking how much this admission must be costing him. Maybe he would make peace with his brother now. Help heal some of his wounds. Lord knows she was no help, judging by the way he had high-tailed it this morning.

  “Said I’d think about it.”

  “Well, that’s a good start. You’ve been through so much—more than most people could imagine going through. Talking about it can only help.”

  “And talking about a fresh start—” Cole hesitated, biting as his bottom lip, his eyes dark with anguish that stirred her more than she was prepared to let on. “Do you think you can give me another chance to make things right between us? I’m sorry about leaving you in the lurch this morning. Really sorry. It was wrong.”

  “I don’t know, Cole. I’m not good at this kind of thing, either. I’ve seen so many men cheat on their wives, you have no idea. I was just in it for some fun, you know. Scratch an itch.” She made the effort to lighten the atmosphere. She hated to see anyone in such mental pain.

  “Not all men cheat, Gabby! I never cheated on a woman in my life. I may have my limitations as a partner, but cheating, no, never going to happen. Once you and I start up, that’s it. No other woman. Besides, no woman can hold a candle to you, anyway. Why the fuck would I want to look elsewhere?”

  The vehemence of his response stunned her. Not to mention the confession.

  “Uh, good. But, I don’t know, I can’t see any kind of future for us. We’re ill-suited to be hooked up with anyone. Couple of lone wolves.” Visions of the idyllic rural life danced across her vision and she immediately shut it down. Like that could ever happen.

  “You are not a lone wolf, for heaven’s sake. You’re a vibrant, amazing woman. And I didn’t need to be in your company for more than a short while to see that was the case. Could you at least give me a chance to make this right? Hold off on a final decision until I’ve sorted myself? We got chemistry, you and I. There’s no saying that’s not true. Right? The sex this morning. Right off the charts.”

  He had her there. “Maybe—” Cole was sounding less and less like he needed a therapist, and more like a man in charge of his destiny. Such an about-face was sending her for a loop. An uncomfortable loop. What the hell had he talked about this morning that sent him to this new place?

  * * * *

  Day Four: 3:20 p.m.

  “Shush. Listen, did you hear that? Tommy’s talking about moving a package.”

  Gabby went silent as business became the focus, listening, and concentrating only on the conversation continuing inside the café.

  “We need to move it. Today.”

  “Where?”

  “We pick it up and take it to Joe’s. He’s expecting us. And make damn sure we’re not followed. There’s been a couple of idiots watching us, white girl with messy golden-brown hair, blue eyes—kind of pretty— and big white guy with too-short dark hair and eyes. Looks like ex-military asshole.”

  “And if they follow us?”

  “Dump it. Don’t need any more of this problem. Big man not here, easy for him.”

  Gabby’s breath stilled in her body. A throbbing pain began right behind her eyes, caused by extreme stress. She turned horrified eyes toward Cole. “Oh, my God! They’re going to kill her if they see us following. What do we do? They’ve made us.”

  “Relax, Gabby, I thought of this happening. I had someone attach a sensor under the van to track it early this morning. They have no idea. The guy was dressed for the part and pretended to be drunk so he could fall, plant the device and get up right next to the van. We’ll follow at a safe distance. Too bad they made us, though, but with a care, we’ll be able to track them safely.”

  “Good thinking, but—just a sec, I’m thinking. Yes! I know what to do! Call up TETRAD, I want a full video conference. Right now!”

  “You know, they may not be talking about Sara. Don’t get your hopes up too high. They might be talking about another package.” He turned a cautioning look her way she ignored. “Hell, they could even be setting us up. They’ve made us, maybe they even suspect we’re listening in.”

  “They have to be talking about her.” Gabby pressed her fist to her mouth to keep from letting her emotions spill, trying to clamp down on her fears for the young girl. A pawn in a game. Cruel and unnecessary. And what for, just for the sake of profit? She was beginning to regret her entry into a man’s world, if this was all it held. An image filled her mind that she was unable to suppress this tim
e. An image of living in the country with a white picket fence, a golden retriever playing with children in a well-kept yard, a real home to look after that did not involve shit like this. And yet, she was good at this shit, and it needed doing, whether she liked it or not. Besides, the perfect man for her who wanted to live that can kind of life just did not exist in her world. All confessions aside.

  Cole brought up the video screen, putting out a high priority, all-call to TETRAD. Jake and Quinn came on-line at once with Silk a few seconds later.

  “What you got?” Jake barked.

  “Gabby called the conference. She’ll tell you what’s up.”

  “Okay, I have an idea of how to fool Chang and his crew about our whereabouts. A decoy. My sister Celine can pass for me, and apparently, Beau can pass for Cole being his identical twin brother.” She looked at Cole who confirmed it with a terse nod. “And since we’ve been made, how about they come here? Beau’s in town, at a hotel, and Celine can take off from work. Then we’re free to follow the van when it leaves here.”

  “Brilliant, Gabby. ‘When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near’,” Cole said, punching Beau’s cell number. “Beau, I’ve got a job that needs doing right this exact moment. If you want to prove you’re able to be trusted, that you can be still be there for me, head back to TETRAD right now. Wait for Gabby’s sister, Celine. She’ll meet you there then the pair of you can come to Chinatown and take over for us. We’ll wait for you here as long as we can. And don’t worry about keeping a low profile. We want you spotted, just don’t make it too obvious. Can you do that, Beau?”

  “Yes, I’m on it. No problem. Thanks, Cole. It means a lot to me that you’d call in a pinch.”

  Cole hung up, waiting for confirmation of Celine’s involvement from Gabby. He prayed Beau wasn’t all smoke and mirrors again, that he would do what was needed for once.

  Gabby was busy talking to Celine. “No time to wait. I need you right this minute to go to TETRAD and join with Cole’s brother Beau, then come down here to Chinatown. You’re going to be our decoy pair so we can be free to maneuver. Don’t know how long it will take, but the case may be breaking! Can you do that?”