Page 17

CHAPTER 16

“Look at me, Mo,” Dawson said once everyone else had left the small hut.

Mo didn’t flinch.

“Don’t ignore me,” Dawson tried again. He didn’t know Mo all that well, but he knew their situation. Understood it. And he knew Anna, trusted her, and couldn’t believe she knew what her husband was up to. The wife was always the last to know. If she did, well…damn. Either way, he planned on using his connection to his secretary to help get himself out of this lose-lose situation.

The man refused to acknowledge Dawson.

“Do you have any idea what your going to prison will do to Anna?” Dawson said softly.

Mo glanced over his shoulder. “That’s not going to happen. It can’t happen.”

“You’re standing there, holding a semiautomatic weapon, while the chief of police is tied up. If Audra dies, that’s life. If I die, too, that’s two life sentences with no possibility of parole. And even if we don’t die, I’ve got you on kidnapping, possession with the intent to sell, and we’re not talking small-town shit here. We’re?—”

“Stop talking.” Mo finally turned. He wiped his hand across his face. “I’m not going to kill anyone. I didn’t kidnap anyone. I’m not really part of anything. My job is to drive cars or boats from one point to the other. That’s all I do. I don’t ask questions. I just do what I’m told, and I take my money. I’m not really doing anything wrong.”

“Jesus, Mo. You’re a smart man.” Dawson lifted his chin. “Holding that weapon while we’re sitting here is a whole lot wrong. Now, how about you do the right thing by untying us? Then help us get the hell out of here so I can get backup, and if you are willing to testify against them?—”

“Are you kidding me?” Mo inched closer, bending forward. “What about the cartel? It’s not just Paul. Why the hell do you think Trevor’s sitting in prison with his mouth essentially duct-taped? If he says anything, they’ll come after his family. My hands are tied. Like I said, I do my job, and my mom gets a nice cushy nursing home to live out her days, and my wife gets to have her nails done whenever she wants.” Tears formed in the man’s eyes.

Dawson shook his head. Greed didn’t always drive people.

Sometimes, it was simply necessity.

“Have you had any contact with anyone inside the cartel?” Dawson wondered if Paul had driven the point home to Trevor to keep his mouth shut or if someone else had. That little point mattered.

Mo shook his head. “I first started driving crates from Calusa Cove out to Naples and dropped them off. I didn’t see anyone. A couple of times, I picked up things out in the Everglades and brought them to drop-off points. I once asked Paul about all this, and he told me if I ever betrayed him, the men he worked for would slit my neck, rape my wife, and?—”

“I get the picture,” Dawson said. “First, you need to know I’ve spoken with Trevor.”

“Are you serious?” Mo stared at him with wide eyes.

“He hasn’t said much, but he’s waiting for me to crack the case so he can turn.” Dawson nodded. “What I want you to remember is that Paul is in a worse boat than you are, and I can protect you. At this point, the cartel might not even know your name. But they know Paul. They know Benson. You’re nothing to them and not worth their time.”

“Unless I betray them.”

“But you won’t.” Dawson arched a brow.

“I’m not following.”

“We’re going to make it look as though you did exactly what Paul told you to do but that I outsmarted you.”

Mo sighed. “I can live with that. Paul has a habit of always saying I’m useless anyway.”

“How about you reach into my pocket, grab my knife, put it in my hand, and let me do the rest,” Dawson whispered. “And when this is over, we’ll talk about how I can help you and your family.”

Mo blinked. “Why are you helping me when I’ve so royally screwed up?”

“Because I understand the need to protect those we love and that, sometimes, we’ll do almost anything to take care of them—including breaking the law.” He cocked his head and raised his hip. “I can’t promise there won’t be any consequences, but I can promise I will do whatever is in my power to ensure you, Anna, and your family are protected. Everyone will know that you helped me, except the cartel.”

Mo glanced around. “My wife believes you’re one of the best things that has ever happened to this town. That you’re an honest cop with good intentions, even if you do things a little ass-backward.” He dug his hand into Dawson’s pocket and placed the small knife into Dawson’s fingers. “If anything happens to me, please tell Anna I didn’t intentionally get involved. I went to Paul for extra work. I didn’t know I was moving drugs until it was too late; only, I knew what I was doing couldn’t be…legal.”

“Nothing’s going to?—”

Mo raised his hand. “You can’t promise that,” he said. “Also, tell her that I love her. That she’s always been my world, and I’m sorry.”

“Okay.” Dawson knew better than to argue. “Thank you.”

“Now what?” Audra asked.

“I cut our hands out of these zip ties, but we leave our feet bound until I hear the signal.”

“What signal?”

“From my team.”

“You really think they’re coming?” Audra asked.

“I never finished my radio call, so yeah,” he said softly as he finished cutting through the plastic. He quickly tucked the evidence in his pocket and went to work on Audra’s. “If they aren’t here before shit goes south, we have to go for the weapons.” He let out a long breath. “Mo, you’ll need to choose. Us or them.”

“That’s an easy choice.” Mo nodded. “I won’t let them kill you. I do still have a conscience.”

* * *

Audra hated waiting. For anything. She had the patience of a toddler. It was made worse by the pounding in her head and the constant swishing of her gut. She’d had enough concussions over the years to know she had another one.

Mild or not, her head felt like a stick of dynamite had gone off.

Thunder no longer rumbled through the hut. It exploded like a bomb. With each thud, a flash of lightning lit up the small structure like it was going up in flames.

The storm was directly over them.

“I can’t hear anything outside,” Dawson muttered. “If my team is out there, they can no longer signal. We’re going to have to make our move.” He reached behind her back and squeezed her hand. “Are you up for it?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Hey, Mo,” Dawson called between claps of thunder.

It had been eight minutes since Paul, Benson, James, or Eliot had come through the hut door. Dawson believed they were moving their base of operation to another location based on the fact they were placing dynamite around the cabin.

She wondered if that was how they planned on killing them, but that would be stupid. It would leave evidence. That was, if anyone came back this far on Coonts Island.

It would be better to feed them to a python or gator.

Mo turned. “Yeah?”

“As soon as someone comes through that door, I’m going to overpower you, and Audra is going for the last of those weapons. Are you good with that plan?” Dawson asked.

“I am.” Mo nodded.

“Keep that small pistol tucked in your waistband in case you need it, and don’t be afraid to use it. I don’t want to have to tell Anna you died a hero. If these jerks don’t kill me, she will.”

Mo actually chuckled. It was a nice sound cutting through the massive rain pellets landing on the roof.

Dawson cut his feet free and then Audra’s. He lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “You protect yourself. If you have to pull the trigger, do it. I don’t say that lightly, but?—”

She stopped him with a kiss. “I will defend myself and you. Don’t you worry about that. I’m not dying out here today.”

He grinned. “That’s my girl.”

Now that had a really nice ring to it. Audra’s heart warmed. Before she could respond, the door opened, and James stepped in.

God, she hated that man. He reminded her of a snake oil salesman—and not even a very good one.

Dawson lunged for Mo, who stumbled backward, dropping his weapon.

“What the hell?” A stunned James stood dead in his tracks like a deer in headlights. He didn’t react. Not at all, giving her a chance to bolt forward, snagging Mo’s weapon.

She turned, swinging it swiftly across James’ face. Metal connected with skin and bone. His body lurched to the side and fell to the ground with a thud. Blood ran from his mouth and cheek.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have a chance to find the plastic cuffs before Eliot raced through the doors.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Eliot asked, holding his weapon at the ready.

“Don’t move,” Dawson pointing a semiautomatic at Eliot’s chest.

Audra quickly found a zip tie and slapped it around James’s wrists, shoving him to the side. Then, with a little less gusto and more room around the arms, she put one around Mo’s wrists. She stared into his eyes and tried to apologize with a glance.

He lowered his lids as if to accept.

It would only be like this until either Dawson’s team got here or they completely overpowered everyone on the island.

The only issue with the latter was that they really didn’t know how many people were there.

Eliot’s eyes shifted as if to assess his options.

Two to one, currently.

Audra inched closer. “Hand it over, asshat.” She shifted her weapon, holding it inches from his temple. “I’m not afraid to blow your brains out.” She narrowed her stare. “Around these parts, I’m considered an Owl Witch. By day, I’m a?—”

“I’ve heard the stupid stories.”

She laughed. “Who said they’re stories?” She made a very realistic hooting noise. One she’d learned as a small child. One that she used to make people go away.

Eliot handed over his weapon. “This little coup of yours isn’t going to last very long. The second?—”

“Don’t think. We wouldn’t want you to hurt your brain.” Dawson literally piled Eliot on top of James but held Mo by the elbow. “Where are Paul and Benson?”

“As if I’m going to tell you,” James said.

Dawson shoved his gun into James’s gut.

James groaned. Coughed. And groaned again.

“Start talking,” Dawson shifted his weapon, aiming it at James’s knee. “Or I blow off your kneecap. It’s painful. Excruciating, actually. You won’t bleed to death right away. It might take days. The gators will sniff out that blood first.” He leaned closer. “That is if a big old fifteen- or twenty-foot python doesn’t slither in here first—because we’ll leave the door open—and circle your body, crushing all your bones, causing a different kind of pain. Then it will?—”

“He’s at the north side of the island,” James burst out, “loading product into the boats.”

“He’ll be taking them out through Mangrove Bay, along the Intracoastal Waterway, and then maybe meet up with a ship or something,” Audra said. “Or offload onto a different local boat before bringing them inland and up the interstate.”

“Agreed.” Dawson nodded, his lips curving into a smile. “Are you after my job?”

“Hell, no.” She shook her head. “But I might need a job when all this is over,” she mumbled.

Dawson cocked a brow. “That’s a conversation I’d like to continue. But for now, we need to move through that door. Find something to secure James and Eliot to. We’re taking this dipshit with us for security.”

“He’s nothing. A peon. We’d be more of a bargaining chip,” Eliot said.

“You both can burn in hell for all I care,” Dawson said as he peered out the door.

Lightning flashed. Thunder clapped.

Audra used to live for nights like this. As a child, she’d sit on the dock and watch storms roll toward her. Now, she wanted to watch this one disappear. Adrenaline surged through her body as she tied Frick and Frack to a pole near the back corner.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Audra hit the deck, covering her head. Her heart pounded in her ears in unison with the rapid fire.

This was it.

Her life was over.

* * *

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Hit the deck.” Dawson shoved Mo to the floor and then covered his body with his own. It was his job to protect and serve. That meant it was his job to take a bullet for a citizen of Calusa Cove. Carefully, between gunshots, he lifted his head and checked on Audra.

She gave him the thumbs-up.

The gunfire continued for another two minutes in rapid succession before total silence.

Outside, lightning lit up the night and thunder boomed, shaking the ground beneath Dawson’s feet.

He held his breath, motioning to Audra to stay down.

Thankfully, his wild redhead did what he requested.

The door flew open.

Dawson rolled to the prone position, the semi-automatic aimed at the door, his finger on the trigger, poised and ready to fire at whoever came through it.

A man eased around the doorframe, a rifle pressed to his shoulder. “Dawson?”

Dawson let go of the breath he’d held. “Fletcher?”

“Expecting someone else?” Fletcher quipped.

Dawson rolled to his feet. “I almost shot you.”

“Is that any way to say thank you for saving your ass?” Fletcher asked. “Again.”

“Yeah.” Keaton leaned over Fletcher’s shoulder, smiling. “We’re always coming in and making sure you don’t get shot.”

Hayes blew through the door, stumbling and grumbling something about always having to tie up the loose ends. “What’d I miss?”

“Only Dawson bitching about us making sure he didn’t die today.” Fletcher chuckled.

“Jerks.” Dawson leaned down, helped Mo to his feet, and cut his ties. “Is Remy here?”

“Yeah. He’s dealing with Paul and Benson and trying to get in touch with Agent Pope.”

Dawson nodded. He squeezed Mo’s shoulder. “Go outside. Don’t talk to anyone except Remy. Tell him we have a deal but tell him he has to wait for the details. He’ll honor that.”

“Thank you.” Mo wiped tears from his cheeks. “I’m sorry for what I’ve?—”

“It’s all good.” Dawson smiled. “We’re moving forward.” He let out a long breath and made his way toward Audra, who leaned against the far wall. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” She twisted her long hair with her fingertips. “I have answers. I know what happened. I should be happy.”

She dropped her head back and closed her eyes.

Dawson palmed her cheek. He wanted to take away all the pain. All the anguish. But he knew he couldn’t.

“They murdered my dad. Fed him to the creatures he loved the most because they’re greedy bastards. It was all for nothing.”

He pulled her to his chest and kissed her temple. “I wish I could make you feel better, but I know I can’t. Just remember, what we did tonight was a good thing. And we saved Mo and his family from a potentially similar fate. Hopefully, Trevor will keep his word, and we’ll shut down a massive cartel.”

She glanced up at him and smiled weakly. “Can you really keep Mo from going to prison?”

“If it weren’t for him, we might’ve died. So, yeah. I’m going to pull whatever law enforcement strings I can to make sure that the worst thing that happens to him is maybe a few months in county jail or probation and community service.” Dawson kissed her sweet, loveable lips. “Mo was trying to make some cash to help his poor mama have a comfortable end to her life where she’s already struggling. I can sort of understand that. My nana had some medical issues her last few years, and that guilt of not being there for her has always haunted me.”

“You’re an amazing man,” Audra said softly. “I’m sure your nana was so proud of you.”

“She was.”

“Good Lord,” Hayes said. “This is not the time or place for this mush.”

“Besides, doesn’t the police chief have work to do like booking drug dealers, coordinating with the DEA, and inventorying the haul?” Keaton asked. “And whatever else it is you do.”

“I think our work here is done.” Fletcher came up behind Dawson, slapping him on the back. “I’m tired. I’m ready to go back.”

“You can leave right after I take statements from all of you.” Dawson laughed. “And then you can give my girl here a ride back to my place.” He kissed her softly. “I might be a long while doing whatever it is I do. I hope you’re not planning on leaving anytime soon.”

She smiled up at him. “Not for at least a week.”

“I was hoping for more time than that.” He cocked his head. “But I’ll take that for now.”

“Hey, Chief.” Remy stuck his head inside the shack. “I kind of need you out here.”

“Yeah. I’m coming,” Dawson said. “Duty calls.”

Audra rested her hand on his bicep. “Guess I’ll see you back at the cabin.” She slid her hand down his chest. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For believing me.”

He brushed his lips across hers. “That was actually the easy part.”