Anthony moved behind their boss and aimed his gun at Kyle’s back, in case he made any sudden move against Shelby.
“I’m beginning to think the stress has gotten to all of you, or is it the blueness of the bitch’s eyes that turned you, Daniels? I’m ordering you to drop your weapon. It seems clear to me that you’re working for Casey.”
George stepped up and stared at his old friend. “There’s corruption in the ranks in New Orleans all right, Barney, but it isn’t from these fine young agents. Do as the lady says, and put down your gun.” He was older than Kyle, but he’d used the agent in countless trials, always respecting his professionalism and expert opinions.
The lights came back on, and everyone quickly ripped off the night-vision equipment and blinked furiously, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness. It was then that they noticed the two women on the ground near the parked truck.
Emma was trying to roll Cain off of her, whispering and shaking her furiously to get her to respond. She would have screamed sooner, but she didn’t want to attract any more fire their way. “Cain, honey? Please wake up.”
For a moment Cain did open her eyes and focused on her face. “Take care of Hayden. Tell him I’m…” The voice died away before she finished, and Cain slumped lifelessly against her.
“No!” The frantic call made everyone locked in the battle of wills focus in their direction. Joe, who was backing Shelby up, called for an ambulance and more agents. Lying on the ground was Cain with a gunshot to the back. Emma had two fistfuls of her hair and was screaming at her to wake up.
“She had a gun, I saw it,” Kyle objected, before anyone accused him of any other wrongdoing.
“Agents Curtis and Simmons, take care of Agent Kyle and take possession of his weapon. If he resists, shoot him,” ordered George. He had seen the shock that took hold of Shelby’s features as she gazed past Kyle when Emma screamed.
Kyle stared at George and laughed at the absurdity of the situation. “You’ve finally lost it, George. We’re surrounded by a shitload of illegal liquor, and I’m the one in trouble? I don’t think so. This is my operation, old man, so you and your goons are free to leave. Jones, start inventorying the cargo in those semis.”
George motioned to his lead man. He had tried the easy way; now it was time to wrap up. A second later Kyle was on the ground and cuffed, with Rocky practically sitting on him to keep him down. Another one of George’s men read him his rights, ignoring the cursing and spitting coming from the big blond on the ground.
The government’s head attorney in the city squatted next to Kyle as the paramedics rushed in and spoke softly enough for only the agent to hear. “Barney, you’d better start praying now that she lives, because if she doesn’t, I’m going to bury you so deep you’ll be wishing for death.”
“Please, this is all a misunderstanding. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You shot an unarmed woman in the back in her place of business. I’d say that was plenty wrong. Take him in, and I’ll be along shortly.”
Cain was already loaded on the gurney when George got up. The fact that the three paramedics were still hooking up IVs and working furiously gave him some comfort. He hadn’t lied to the young people who had come to him earlier that day. Cain Casey was a friend to a lot of people, most of whom owed her more than they could pay back in a lifetime.
“Cain, you aren’t going to believe who’s on line one,” Mrs. Michaels, Cain’s assistant at the warehouse, said over the intercom. The woman had worked for Dalton for years and just kept coming to work when his daughter took over. Cain never questioned her presence, and the elderly woman kept her schedule and took her calls with meticulous care.
“Is it the police wanting me to turn myself in?”
“Close enough. It’s George Talbot.”
Cain picked up and accepted his invitation to play golf that afternoon. She didn’t question why or if George wanted something. A little ruse on her part ensured her conversation with George would be just between the two of them. Her constant shadows at the warehouse were still in the building across the street, thinking she was in- house. Not one of them noticed the bug exterminator truck that pulled out, or the fact that a different worker drove it.
On the fourth hole, as they drove out to take their second shots, George started talking. “Cain, do you have children?” He knew the answer, but it was easier to get the conversation started this way.
“I just recently started living with someone, sir, but I’m hoping she’s agreeable to a family someday. Family is something that’s very important to me. Do you and your wife have children?” She too knew the answer to the question, but it was an icebreaker to keep George talking.
“We have a daughter. Her name’s Monica, and she’s in the middle of her junior year at Mount Carmel Academy.”
Cain stopped their cart well short of the balls and pointed to a bench under a large oak tree. “That’s a beautiful name. Is she enjoying her year, getting ready for college and all that comes with growing up?”
“She was, and she seemed so happy until she met this guy. All I know is his name’s Eddie, and he dropped out of school last year before he graduated. The headmaster of his school told me he had been in some trouble before that, and they were going to expel him soon anyway.” George leaned forward and sighed like a man with a heavy burden. “When you become a parent, Cain, you discover a fine line between being too soft and having your child end up with someone like Eddie, or going too far in the other direction and having her hate you. Do you know what I mean?”
“Yes, sir. Times have changed. I don’t envy you having to deal with a teenager.”
“She’s missing, Cain. She left for school two days ago and never came back. Her mother and I’ve looked everywhere. We called all her friends, but no one knows where she is.” He dropped his head and grabbed two fistfuls of hair in frustration.
“Mr. Talbot, I feel like an idiot for asking, but shouldn’t you be talking to the authorities?”
“I would, but I’m afraid of what they’ll find. My career isn’t important here, so don’t think that, but we found some stuff in her room.” George stopped and stared up at her, hoping she would understand his dilemma and what he wanted for his daughter. “I want her to have a future without something always out there threatening to drag her down.”
