The Devil Inside Part 21

"You can never imagine just how deep you've cut me, Emma. I took Hayden out to dinner tonight so I could tell him how you were my safe haven, and I believed that at one time. What you've done, though, makes it impossible to go back and salvage any type of relations.h.i.+p. So if that's why you're here, then get out. I can handle Kyle, and I'll be fine without your last-minute confessions."

"There's one more thing, and you promised you'd let me finish."

"What? Let me guess. You're wired for sound too?"

"Don't you think I know what kind of chance I'm taking coming here tonight and telling you all of this? I have to live with what I did, and I have to live with the shame of what happened to Marie. I'm trying now to stop anything else from happening to my family. Kyle listened to everything you said while you were up visiting us, so whatever you planned, Cain, I'm begging you to think about backing away. I know you won't believe me, and you're nothing if not a fighter, but think of Hayden."

"I am thinking of Hayden. Everything I do is because I'm thinking of Hayden."

Emma moved closer and put a hand on the cold leather of the seat cus.h.i.+on between them. "There's one more person to consider here as well."

"Who would that be?" Cain wanted Emma to admit to the baby. She just wanted to hear it from the woman who should have shared it with her four years before that.

"Your daughter." Emma's voice was so soft she barely heard it. She had dropped her head and didn't look her in the eye.

"Hannah."

"How?" When she whipped her head up, a few of the blond locks fell from the knot Emma had pulled them into.

"Haywood, Wisconsin has a lot of cows and expanses of empty, beautiful land. But do you know what there isn't a whole lot of?"

Emma looked at her and shook her head.

"Houses with dark-headed, blue-eyed children who live with two people so blond they'd sunburn in moonlight."

"I was going to tell you."

"Emma, don't insult both of us by saying something so colossally stupid."

"I just didn't know how to tell you. Once I left, and went through all that alone, I didn't know how. Every night, though, I tell her about you and Hayden and how we'll be together one day. She knows you, Cain. Your little girl knows you even if you haven't met. When you do, her mom is someone she won't shy away from, because she belongs to you just like Hayden. Just like I do, but it isn't for just a little while. I belong to you forever, even if you don't want me."

"Promise me something. You owe me that much, at least."

"Anything." Emma gathered what courage she had and put her hand over Cain's. She would have traded her soul for Cain to take her in her arms.

"If something happens to me, you will keep my children safe, and you will stay away from me."

Cain got up and walked out of the office. This was not the time to become an emotional wreck, but she was close to losing her grip. To have Emma betray her trust and believe Kyle without even asking her was one thing, but to rob her of knowing her daughter was a bigger crime than she could even fathom.

Three feet from the office door was as far as she got before Shelby stopped her in the secluded entryway leading to the private s.p.a.ce.

When Emma opened the door to go after Cain, she found them in each other's arms. Whoever the woman was, she was able to give her ex-lover something she no longer wanted from Emma. Shelby whispered things into Cain's ear and finally pulled the dark head down and kissed her. The two agents at the bar and Emma all looked away, not wanting to witness something that seemed almost special.

The urge to run again was getting stronger, and she wanted nothing more than to bolt and go home to her daughter. She could call it a washshe would get Hannah, and Cain would get their son. Not the best solution and fair to no one, but she didn't want to end up alone, no matter how selfish that sounded. However, her father's words of not giving up bolstered her courage and made her look at the woman Cain was now holding and talking to.

"I won't go so easily, Cain, and I know you still care for me. If it takes a lifetime to knock down those walls you've built around your heart, then I'm willing to take the time."

All of the players in the upcoming game eyed their opponents and readied themselves for the final showdown. Time was growing short, and all of them were resolved to win.

Chapter Twenty-Seven.

Vinny Carlotti had arrived and made himself comfortable at Cain's private table.

His entry had prompted Kyle to send Lionel in to join the party and tell the other three to keep their eyes open, since the people they had taped all day had mentioned nothing but the weather.

"Boss, Merrick called a few minutes ago and said everything's ready." Lou stepped up and waited to see what Cain would decide. Interrupting her meeting with the pretty woman was the last thing he wanted to do, but he had no choice.

"I'm about ready to roll, Lou. Just give me a minute."

"It's not too late to pull out." Shelby locked her arms around Cain's neck and held her in place. The knowledge that Emma was looking on was, in a way, urging on her behavior, but the hurt look in the blue eyes she had come to dream about was hard to ignore.

"And do what instead, take you home so we can play cops and robbers?"

"Don't trivialize what I'm trying to do here, Cain. I care about you, and I don't want to come visit you where I'm forced to look at you through thick gla.s.s."

Cain rubbed her back and kissed her nose. "I'm planning on that dinner you guys are going to owe me when this is all over. Don't worry about a thing. You just keep your eyes peeled, and I promise I'll be fine."

"You'd better be."

"Honey, trust me. I've got some people to see, once this is all over."

Two semis were already parked on the dock when Cain's car pulled up. Ten more were just getting off the interstate exit ramp, and Kyle held his team back until they arrived. He was feeling almost giddy. His day had finally come, and he would live to see Cain Casey brought down.

Cain opened the back door of the car herself and stepped out to talk to one of the drivers. The warehouse workers had been dismissed, and she motioned for Lou to go open the cargo doors so the guy could pull in to start unloading. The drivers had followed her orders to the letter, and the first truck that pulled into her place was full of cases of Jameson Irish Whiskey. It had been her father's favorite, and hers as well, and she thought unloading it first would bring her luck.

Kyle spoke into the mike just in front of his mouth. "Sardines. Did she really think we would fall for that?" The headset kept him in contact with all his team as he looked through the night gla.s.ses. "If that's little fish, she must have cornered the market."

In a momentary lull between trucks pulling in, everyone heard the slamming of a car door, and all the federal agents stared as Emma walked directly over to Cain, who was standing alone, and grabbed her arm. None of them felt as stricken or as mortified as Kyle. He was so close to the biggest bust of his life, and some little blond b.i.t.c.h was about to mess it up.

"Kill the lights and move in," Kyle ordered, as the floodlights illuminating the docks suddenly went dark for almost a mile stretch. The cloud cover Cain had worried about was now a huge factor in who would hold the advantage.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Cain, as she pulled Emma inside.

"I couldn't let you do this alone. It's my fault they're out there now, and I'm not about to abandon you."

"Jesus, Emma, did you think for one minute I didn't plan for every factor, including Kyle? Just get out of here and wait for me to call you." They had made it through the large cargo doors and were just inside, next to the first semi that had been parked for downloading.

"FBI! Drop your weapons and come out with your hands on your head." The order came through a bullhorn, and for once Cain didn't recognize the voice.

"Lou, drop your gun now and step outside where they can see you."

Shelby heard Cain's order as she moved to the warehouse entrance. The dress had hindered her speed, but she had her weapon drawn and was ready for anything. As much as she wanted to believe Cain wouldn't hurt her, she couldn't predict how a cornered Cain would lash out. Anthony and Joe were right behind her, and Kyle was already at the entrance.

It was hard to pinpoint everything going on around them in the almost-dark, noisy warehouse. Cain forgot her hate for her ex and pulled Emma close. Whoever had ordered them to drop their weapons was nearby when she heard the order again, only this time without the bullhorn. Suddenly she recognized the voice and the danger they were in.

"I said drop your weapon, sc.u.mbag," Kyle ordered, as he looked at Cain and Emma standing together. His gun came up, and almost instantly the bullet left the chamber.

With a quick move, Cain turned around and pulled Emma with her to protect her from the gunfire. Her swing was so quick it propelled them to the floor, where she landed on top of Emma, her arms still wrapped around her in a protective embrace.

"I knew you still cared about me," Emma whispered up to the ear so near her lips. She could hear only running feet before someone ordered a cease-fire. "Come on, I think the worst is over now. You can let me up." She said it as a joke, but Cain didn't respond. Only then did she feel it. The hot wet stain that was growing larger by the second on the front of the blue dress Cain had bought for her.

"Drop your weapon!" Shelby screamed from her defensive stance, gun aimed at Kyle.

"Daniels, what the h.e.l.l do you think you're doing?" The gun he had just fired was hanging loosely at his side, but he refused to let go of it.

"Sir, I'm asking you to drop your weapon and step forward. If you refuse we'll have no other option than to take you down by force, and I think no one here really wants to do that."

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 b.i.t.c.h'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 s.h.i.+tload 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 wis.h.i.+ng 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.

Twelve Years Earlier at Cain's Warehouse "Cain, you aren't going to believe who's on line one," Mrs. Michaels, Cain's a.s.sistant 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 b.a.l.l.s 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."

"What sort of things did you find? I need to know what I'm up against."

He described the bent spoon and needles, along with the rubber tubing that meant Monica was in big trouble, the kind you were led into and never escaped just by sheer will.

"Sir, I want you to do me two favors."

"Anything."

"I need a current picture."

He pulled one from his s.h.i.+rt pocket.

"And I want you to go home and spend the afternoon with your wife. Do you think you could do that for me?"

George nodded and wanted to cry from relief.

"You go home and tell Mrs. Talbot not to worry. Monica's going to be just fine. I promise you that on my honor. It's going to take some time, but I'll return your Monica to you." Cain stressed "your Monica," meaning she would return the girl the parents remembered before Eddie had sunk his claws into her.

Three months later an elderly Carmelite nun pulled up to the Talbot home with a very contrite and apologetic Monica Talbot. Sister Mary Jude explained to the tearful parents that their daughter had kept up with her schoolwork and was fine after her bout of the flu. Monica's school was informed of her illness, and her teachers were antic.i.p.ating her return the following Monday.

George never asked what had happened to Eddie, and his daughter never mentioned her time away. The thingwhich didn't surprise himwas that Cain never called to ask for any payment. The rehab center Sister Mary Jude was in charge of was effective but expensive, but no bill ever came to their house, nor was their insurance notified. When George called to take care of the bill, he was informed that no record existed for anyone named Monica Talbot.

The only reminder was the small bouquet of forget-me-nots that Monica received on her birthday, with no card attached. In her senior year George watched his daughter when he handed them over, thinking they were from a friend. She just stared for a long moment before dropping into the nearest chair. The flowers arrived religiously on every birthday, and after a few years, the scared expression turned from fear to almost comfort, the way she ran her fingers over the petals.

George surmised the flowers were from Cain, and like their name, she never forgot to send them. They symbolized something she didn't want Monica to forget. The troubled girl took the lesson seriously and went on to graduate in the top one percent of her cla.s.s, both in high school, then in college. In law school she was first in her cla.s.s, and then started on a successful career in the district attorney's office with no criminal record to hold back her career.

The young mother of four little boys, married to a cardiologist, bore no sign of being the teen who had run away from home. George remembered that afternoon when he had sat under the ma.s.sive live oak with Cain, and how she had taken charge of getting his little girl back. This had been his opportunity to repay her kindness, and he felt like a failure. With the gravity of her wound, it was possible that no car would pull up to the Casey home and bring Cain back to Hayden.

"Gentlemen, Kyle was right about one thing. We need to inventory all this stuff before this group of drivers decides to go for a spin." He pointed to the trucks lined up along the docks.