Inevitable Series 04 The Unrelenting Page 10

  #########

  Jim kept an arm around Blair's shoulders as they made their way through the mill. He had managed to get Blair well enough to move but his partner was still running a fever and he was weak. Jim suspected that some of that weakness came from his lack of food and proper sleep.

  Don't worry, buddy. We'll be back at the loft before you know it and you'll be good as new.

  "Gentlemen," Grahm said as they reached the front of the building, "I'd like to lay down some ground rules for you before--" His words cut-off as his gaze came to rest on Blair. "He's still sick," he said, clearly disgusted.

  Blair shifted in Jim's grip, pulling away from him, standing on his own. "I'm fine," he said, swaying slightly where he stood but remaining upright.

  Therman came forward, laying a hand on his colleague's shoulder. "He's healthy enough, Caleb. Let's keep on schedule."

  Grahm nodded tersely. "As I started to say, we have some ground rules for you to follow. First, if one of you is out of line, the other one gets hurt. Second, if one of you escapes, the other will be killed. And last, if both of you escape, Sandburg dies when we find you."

  "No offense, Blair," Therman added. "It's just easier to control your partner if we use your life as incentive."

  Beside him, Blair tensed and Jim knew he hated being used this way. Hated being the instrument of control for Jim.

  "Up until now," Grahm continued, "You've both performed exactly as we expected. But here's where it gets interesting." His gaze fell on Jim. "Will you try something? Play the odds? Risk Sandburg's life even though we've laid out these rules? We each have our own idea about that and a pretty hefty wager on the outcome."

  "I truly hope you don't disappoint us," Therman finished. Then nodding toward Walsh said, "Let's get them ready to transport."

  Walsh crossed to Jim, his eyes amused. "How's this going to go down, Ellison?" He toyed with the handcuffs he held. "You gonna give me a hard time?"

  Jim could hear the hope in the man's voice. He wanted him to fight. Wanted to have a reason to take a shot at Blair. He wasn't going to give the man that opportunity. Moving with deliberate ease, Jim placed his hands behind his back. Walsh moved past him, a smile curling up one end of his mouth. Jim tensed slightly as the cuffs locked around his wrists.

  Glancing sideways, his gaze locked momentarily with Blair's. He could see the fear in his eyes. But beyond that...trust. Blair believed that they would get out of this. And Jim didn't think it had anything to do with the men they had waiting for them outside.

  Walsh pulled out a second pair of handcuffs and Blair shifted his hands behind his back. But instead of locking the cuffs into place, Walsh grabbed Blair and shoved him face first against the wall. Blair grunted in shock and pain as his arms were then wrenched behind him and the cuffs slapped on. Finished, Walsh turned Blair around and slammed him back against the wall again.

  "Take it easy," Jim snapped. His hands, already fisted behind his back, began to shake. He managed to keep his cool only because he knew it would be worse for Blair if he tried anything.

  "Okay, Walsh," Grahm said dryly. "We don't need him damaged." He checked his watch. "We'll meet you in one hour at the rendezvous point." Crossing to Walsh, he handed him a small device about the size of a pager. "You don't lay a finger on him unless we signal you." His gaze shifted back to Jim. "Ready to go, Detective?"

  "You're splitting us up?" Jim glanced at Blair but his gaze was on Walsh, panic darkening his eyes. "No way. We stick together."

  "We haven't gotten where we are by being naive," Therman said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "We know how much you depend on each other. Keep you together and you have an edge. Separate you and you're at a disadvantage." Stepping forward, he grabbed Jim's arm. "Now, please, we do have a time-table to keep."

  Jim pulled out of the grip. "I'll go with Walsh," he said, unwilling to leave his Guide with this man.

  Grahm took a long drag on his pipe, letting the smoke out slowly. "Detective, are you acting 'out of line'?" He nodded toward Walsh.

  Before Jim knew what was happening, Walsh backhanded Blair across the face.

  "Hey!" Jim shouted. He took a step toward them as Walsh closed in on Blair again. To Blair's credit, he did not shy away. Instead, he held his ground, meeting Walsh's hostile glare with a look of defiance. But Jim could hear his heart hammering in his chest. Knew he was scared.

  "Enough, Walsh," Grahm said before another blow could be delivered. "I think Ellison gets the point."

  To Jim's relief, Walsh stepped back from his partner. Blair's heart rate slowed but did not return to normal.

  "Detective," Therman began, "there is a reasoning behind our choices. If we leave you with Walsh, you'll try and escape because you know we won't kill Blair. But if you go with us and you try to escape, Walsh will kill Blair...in a rather poetic way, I might add. We are simply trying to ensure your captivity."

  "Jim, it's okay."

  Jim looked toward Blair, his gaze settling on the new bruise forming on his cheek from Walsh's latest assault.

  "I'll be fine."

  Jim took one last look at his partner before allowing himself to be led from the building.

  ########

  "Damn, they're coming out but I only see Jim." Simon lowered the binoculars, his gut churning with worry. He'd told Taggert to set up roadblocks at every exit of this place. Now he wondered if he had jumped the gun. If Blair wasn't here…

  Brackett pulled out his gun and checked the clip. "You go after Ellison. I'll go inside and look for Sandburg."

  "You're not in charge, Brackett," Simon snapped.

  "Listen, I don't see Walsh which means it's a good possibility that he's inside with Sandburg. Now I know Walsh. He's dangerous. You go in after him and I'm not going to be left to explain to Ellison why both you and Sandburg are dead."

  Simon didn't like this entire situation. Didn't like the uncertainty of it. Didn't like being stuck with Brackett. Didn't like the idea of trusting Blair's life to this man. But mostly he didn't like the fact that Brackett was right. "Okay. You look for Sandburg."

  ########

  Blair sat on a crate, staring up at Walsh. "Why do you hate me so much, man?"

  "Therman and Grahm," he muttered. "Wanted you to call them by their first names right off the bat. Told me point blank not to."

  "So you hate me because you can't call two nuts by their first name and I can?"

  Grabbing Blair, he hauled him up and pulled him close, until they were almost nose to nose. "It's about respect, you stupid punk!"

  "Why do you care about the respect of two head-cases?" Blair shot back.

  Walsh shoved him away. Blair stumbled backward but managed to remain standing.

  "Do you really like being their puppet?" Blair said, knowing he was risking another assault but hoping he could get through to this man somehow. "You help us and we'll help you."

  Laughter rang out. "You're funny, kid." He closed the distance between them and reaching around Blair, grabbed the cuffs encircling his wrists and yanked his arms up behind his back. "I'm a mercenary. This is what I do. This is what I enjoy." He pulled up higher, until Blair flinched in pain. "Right now the only thing I'm hoping is that that partner of yours tries something so I can have the pleasure of watching you die."

  "I feel sorry for you, man," Blair said between gritted teeth.

  "Feel sorry for yourself," he hissed then releasing Blair's arms, backhanded him hard across the face.

  #####

  Jim cringed as he heard flesh hitting flesh. Shut up, Blair. What did he think he was doing? But Jim knew. What he always did. Try and talk his way out of this. Save himself and Jim without violence or bloodshed. Won't work this time, Chief.

  "You're listening, aren't you?" Therman asked from beside him.

  Jim cast a cold glare his way. "If Walsh does anything to him--"

  "Sandburg will be fine as long as you cooperate," Grahm said. "You try anything and your friend will…" his
words trailed off into light laughter. "I was going to say live to regret it but that's not exactly true now is it." He opened the door to the car. Jim hesitated only a moment before sliding into the backseat. Even as the door shut, he realized that he could detect another heartbeat coming from just beyond the trees.

  An instant later, Simon stepped out into the open. "Freeze! Cascade P.D.!"

  Grahm and Therman spun toward the captain, their hands immediately going over their heads. Jim's gaze shot to Grahm. He gripped the small signaling device in his left hand, his finger pressed hard against the send button.

  "He's as good as dead, Ellison," Grahm whispered.

  Jim turned toward the building just as Walsh's harsh voice reached his ears.

  "You're dead, kid."

  "Simon!" Jim shouted. "Get me the hell out of here." He shifted in the seat, groping for the door handle, trying desperately to get out of the car.

  "Hang on, Jim." Simon had Grahm and Therman on the ground. He had already cuffed Therman and was working on Grahm.

  "He's going to kill Blair!"

  Simon spun toward Jim, his face etched with fear. "What?"

  "Get me out of here. Now!"

  Simon yanked the door open and pulled Jim out. "Brackett went after Sandburg," he explained as he uncuffed Jim's hands. "I wasn't even sure if he was here."

  As soon as he was free, Jim spun to face him. "Give me your weapon."

  Simon pulled his gun from his holster and slapped it into Jim's hand. Jim sent out his sense of hearing. But the mill behind him was now empty. He cocked his head to the side, stretching further….and found them. They were in the woods, Walsh dragging Blair toward--

  "Oh God!"

  He turned and sprinted toward the trees, praying he would not be too late.

  #####

  Blair struggled to pull free of Walsh's bruising grip as he stumbled along beside the big man. One minute they had been sitting in the mill, the next Walsh was dragging him out the back, into the same wooded lot that Alex had taken him through just a month before. "Where are you taking me?"

  "To your death," Walsh growled.

  And then Blair heard it. Just ahead. The sound of rushing water. Oh God No! Not that!Terror seized his heart. Clutched his gut. Was this what his dreams had been trying to warn him about? What they'd meant all along?

  He dug his heels in the ground, twisted against the tight grip on his arm, struggled to break free. Walsh tightened his hold and dragged him forward…closer to the river.

  Jim! His partner's name flashed through his mind. Jim must have tried to escape. Had he succeeded? Was he searching for him even now? "Jim!" he yelled, his panic-filled voice echoing through the trees. "Jim!"

  A large fist caught him in the stomach. Before he could regain his breath, another fist hit him in the face. He collapsed to his knees. Hands grabbed his lapels and dragged him to the water's edge.

  "Please," he gasped, trying desperately to find his voice, to struggle, to stop this from happening again. Water wet his legs, reached his waist. He twisted frantically against the hands holding him. "Jim!" The word was lost as his head went under. He gulped a mouthful of water and knew he was going to die.

  ######

  Brackett followed the sounds of splashing water. He'd heard Sandburg's calls for Ellison. Knew that the fact that he was no longer calling could mean only one thing. He burst through the trees and found himself at the edge of a river. Walsh stood waist high in the water, holding a struggling Sandburg underneath the surface. Brackett leveled his gun at Walsh. "Pull him up!" he shouted.

  Walsh glanced up, the look of satisfaction on his face turning to shock. "Brackett, what the hell--"

  "Pull him up or I'll shoot you!"

  Walsh hauled Blair up, lifting his head and upper torso above the water. Blair hung limply in his grip, choking and coughing.

  "What's your problem, Brackett? You didn't get enough money the first time? Or you just want a piece of the kid yourself? I know it's a damn shame to do him this way but I won't get my bonus--""

  "Bring him to shore," Brackett ordered.

  Walsh's face screwed up in confusion. "What the hell are you doing?"

  "Keeping a promise." He shifted his gaze to Blair. "How are you doing?"

  "Okay," Blair managed between coughs.

  "Ellison is coming," he said, feeling a strange need to reassure the kid.

  A look of relief crossed Blair's features.

  "Now bring him to shore," Brackett said, shifting his gaze back to Walsh.

  "I don't think so." Walsh grabbed Blair around the neck, pulling him upright. "How 'bout I just snap his neck and be done with it."

  "Actually," Brackett began, his eyes narrowing slightly, "you should probably take your hands off him before Ellison arrives. He really doesn't like to have his partner threatened."

  "I'm not afraid of Ellison," Walsh ground out.

  "That's because you don't know him. You really don't want to piss the man off. And this will definitely piss him off."

  "I even flinch," Walsh warned, twisting his arm even tighter around Blair's neck.

  "Maybe you won't flinch." Brackett pumped off a round, hitting Walsh square in the forehead. He fell backward, disappearing under the water's surface, taking Blair with him.

  ######

  Jim broke through the trees and stopped dead in his tracks. Blair knelt a few feet away, Brackett behind him, uncuffing his hands. Walsh's body floated face down in the water just a few feet from shore. He stumbled forward and dropped down in front of Blair. "You okay?"

  "Thanks to Brackett," he managed, still coughing up water.

  Pulling off his coat, Jim wrapped it around his shivering partner. "I know. I heard the whole thing." He shifted his gaze to Brackett. He remained behind Blair and Jim wasn't sure, but he thought he was looking at him with genuine concern. Then Jim uttered two words that he never thought he'd ever say to this man. "Thank you."

  "Yeah." Blair looked over his shoulder. "Thanks, man."

  Jim took his Guide by the arms and helped him up. He kept an arm around his waist as they headed back toward the mill, Blair unsteady on his feet. Brackett walked along the other side of Blair, casting long glances at him as they walked.

  "Why'd you do it?" Jim asked after safely depositing Blair inside his truck.

  "Would you have ever stopped hunting for me if I had let Walsh kill Sandburg?"

  "No," Jim said truthfully.

  "Well, then, there's your answer."

  Jim knew Brackett was telling the truth but he had also seen the look on Brackett's face when he had first come through those trees. Brackett had saved Blair's life because he didn't want him to die anymore than Jim did.

  They walked together to the spot where Simon held Therman and Grahm. The two men knelt on the ground just a few feet from the sedan, their hands cuffed behind their backs. Jim walked past the men, stopping beside Simon. Brackett remained behind them, leaning against the back of the car.

  "How's Sandburg?" Simon asked.

  "Wet but alive." Jim stared down at the two men who had ordered his partner's execution. He fought against the rage burning inside him. Drowning. They had chosen that so that Blair would suffer. Would re-experience that awful day at fountain. The fear. The helplessness. Jim's jaw clenched as the sound of Blair calling to him, the word cut-off by the water as he was shoved beneath its surface, rocketed through his mind. It took every ounce of restraint Jim had not to drag these men back to that river and shove them into that icy water.

  Therman glanced casually at Grahm beside him. "How many holding companies is that for you?"

  Grahm sighed. "Six." He looked up at Jim. "I can't believe you got to him in time. I bet you wouldn't."

  Jim reached down and grabbing him by the lapels, hauled him to his feet. "I didn't you bastard. Brackett saved him or he'd be dead now."

  Grahm's eyes widened in shock. "Brackett?" he sputtered, spotting the man for the first time. He glanced down at Therma
n. "Neither one of us bet on that."

  Jim threw him to the ground, stabbing a finger at him. "I'll be at every one of your parole hearings making sure you do the max."

  "You think we'll actually get jail time for this?" Therman said, his voice amused. "Detective, we've already been discussing who'll be out quicker." He glanced at Grahm as the man struggled to his knees. "Your lawyer is forever golfing, Caleb, so you really shouldn't have taken the bet."

  "You won't make bail," Jim promised.

  "Yes we will, Detective. And you know it." Grahm glanced over his shoulder, toward the truck where Blair waited. "So you'd better watch your friend's back. I can think of so many more tests we could run on him." He turned a cold stare on Jim. "And you."

  Simon grabbed Jim's arm just as he lunged for the man. "Jim, don't. He's not worth it."

  Jim continued to struggle against him. "They're not getting near Blair again."

  "Just take Sandburg home," Simon barked, continuing to struggle against Jim.

  "And what? Wait for them to come again? I won't--"

  Muffled shots cut-off his protests. Jim turned sharply. Therman and Grahm lay face down in the dirt, a bullet hole in the back of each of their heads. Brackett stood over them, his gun now pointed at Jim and Simon.

  "I did what you wanted to do but couldn't," he said, his gaze locked on Jim. "These guys would have gotten out and come right back after you. It would have never ended." He smiled, a cold grin that didn't quite touch his eyes. "You don't have to thank me. Not out loud anyway and not in front of your captain. But I just saved Sandburg's life again and you know it."

  Simon bent down and checked the bodies. "They're dead. Both of them."

  "I'm going to be leaving now." Brackett began backing away. "Please don't try and follow me. I'd hate to ruin this new relationship we have by shooting you." He reached the trees, slipped into the forest and was gone.

  Jim stared after Brackett. He should go after him. Could easily track him through the trees. But part of him couldn't move. Didn't want to. Because Brackett had saved Blair's life and Jim couldn't forget that.

  But he just gunned down two men in cold blood. Two men who had ordered Blair's death. He ran a hand over his face, through his hair.