Chilled (A Bone Secrets Novel) (38 page)

“OK.” Collins leaned his bulk against the tiny sink, took a sip of coffee, and ran a hand across his forehead. “You’re sure Darrin Besand didn’t survive? You thoroughly checked the area?”

Everyone nodded.

“No one could survive in that water,” Jim added.

Collins’s gaze rested on Matt and he lifted a brow. He turned to Alex. “You didn’t tell me yesterday that you’d found the team of marshals. What happened to the other marshal?”

“Gary Stewart. He took a shot at Alex. I tackled him and he pulled a gun on me.” Matt looked directly at Collins as he spoke.

“I shot Stewart.” Every set of eyes turned to Alex. “He was about to shoot Matt in the head.”

“Stewart had orders to kill you, didn’t he?” Collins asked flatly.

Alex nodded.

“Because Whittenhall was worried Darrin would tell you his dirty history if you caught up with him out there,” Collins added.

“Darrin did talk. He claimed Whittenhall stood with him and purposefully watched his younger sister drown in a pool years ago.” Alex spoke evenly as Brynn nodded. He felt her hand slip into his.

“What?” The men reacted at his words, bodies stiffening, eyes widening.

“That’s fucking sick,” Matt said.

“When they were kids?” Ryan paled.

“Your tip on Paul Whittenhall has opened a big can of stinking worms,” Collins said to Alex. “You were right about him.”

Alex’s gaze shot to Collins. “You found a reporter to run with the story? One who figured it out?”

“Who? Who figured out what?” Ryan spoke.

“Regan Simmons, reporter for Channel 5 in Portland, found the money trail that led from Whittenhall’s dirty pockets to an offshore account in Darrin’s name. She dug deeper and found a dozen prisoners who’d been moved to cushier prisons or released abnormally early. She’s got families willing to testify they paid Whittenhall to give their imprisoned relative all sorts of illegal breaks.

“And she’s set up a media blitz that’s informed every citizen in Oregon and probably in the United States what the scumbag was up to. I had three deputies following every move Whittenhall made since yesterday morning when Alex called me with his suspicions that Whittenhall was on the take. I didn’t want Whittenhall heading for the border when the news broke. When Regan’s proof started pouring in, I had him arrested.”

“He couldn’t have managed those favors alone. There’s got to be more people involved. Dozens, maybe,” Alex muttered.
Linus.

Collins nodded. “They’re coming out of the woodwork. Darrin had been blackmailing Whittenhall with the information. Apparently, Darrin’s attorney had a file to open if Darrin died under unusual circumstances. A file Darrin used to keep Whittenhall under his thumb. And guess what? This plane crash was unusual enough for the attorney to open the file.” Collins shook his head. “In there was proof that Whittenhall was involved in receiving monies from families of his prisoners and that he committed murders when he and Darrin were kids.”

“His sister,” mumbled Alex, feeling the contents in his stomach spin.

Collins nodded. “And more. At least three more between the two of them.”

Alex’s hands ached to punch Whittenhall in his blowhard mouth. At least he’d managed to stab him once.
How had the agent become such a powerful man in law enforcement? How had he fooled people for so many years? Obviously, the man had serious mental issues.

The room fell silent, and Brynn squeezed his hand. Collins’s brown gaze pinned him. “One more thing. I’m not going to charge you with impersonating a federal agent. I understand why you did what you did, and I’m going to do everything I can to keep your name out of this mess, because, frankly, I don’t know how to explain it.” Collins’s look extended to the others. “As far as you’re concerned, it was just the regular four-man SAR team out there until you met up with Boyles and Stewart.”

Relief rolled through Alex like a storm.

“What about Stewart?” Alex asked. “There has to be a reason he ended up dead.”

“I shot him when he pulled a gun on me,” Matt stated.

“I witnessed the whole thing,” Thomas spoke for the first time.

They can’t do this.

“No. This isn’t right.” Alex straightened. “My shots, I take the consequences.”

Collins ignored him and looked at his watch. “I’ve got a press conference to handle.” He pointed at a tiny TV as he stepped out of the RV. “Take a listen.”

Alex slumped. His hand shook as he lifted the coffee cop to his lips. Matt turned on the TV.

Fifteen seconds later the group watched Collins on the small screen; the harsh camera lights made his face appear more tired than in the RV. Collins looked over his audience and waited, his solemn countenance bringing silence to the press. Admiration for the tough man welled up in Alex’s throat. Collins was the kind of man he would like to work for.

Collins spoke, “All the men on board the US Marshals’ transport perished in the crash. Two pilots, a marshal, and serial killer Darrin Besand.” A quiet ripple sounded from the crowd.

“My search and rescue team camped at the crash site because one member became ill and couldn’t hike out. Due to adverse weather conditions, we couldn’t go in and get them. Day before yesterday, the team split up. Two men had intended to hike out for help when they crossed the path of a chopper wreck. Without my knowledge or approval, this civilian chopper had been searching for the downed plane. The pilot was severely injured, and the team returned to the crash site with the two men from the chopper.”

Collins paused and studied the silent crowd who hung on his every word. “The US Marshals’ office sent in their own twoman team to search for the plane. When one of the marshals
turned on the other, he was killed in return fire. The second marshal came out with my team just now.”

A murmur rolled across the crowd. Reporters started to shout questions, but Collins held up his hands for silence. “There were two head injuries, a team member with a dislocated shoulder, and another member with the flu. You all saw them walk to the ambulances, and I’m told they’ll be just fine. Now I’ll take a few questions.” The crowd erupted. Collins singled out one reporter in front.

“Why did one marshal shoot at the other?”

Collins paused. “The shooting marshal was acting under direct orders from Paul Whittenhall. I know you’ve all heard about the corruption at the upper level of the Oregon Marshals’ office. The second marshal is lucky to be alive. Paul Whittenhall has a lot to answer for. And he’ll be doing it from a prison cell.”

A blurry mass of questions rose from the crowd. Collins pointed at a woman.

“Sheriff, how long have you known no one survived the plane crash?”

Collins looked grim. “I knew about three of the deaths early on and spoke privately with their families. One body wasn’t found with the plane. The plane had split into two pieces and the searchers didn’t locate the last body until yesterday. I was waiting for news of the fourth death before releasing the news of all the deaths. That’ll be all for now.”

Matt turned off the TV.

A knock sounded on the door, and one of the deputies stuck his head in. “Who wants to go to McDonald’s? Then a hotel with real beds?”

Alex ate two Big Macs, a supersize fries, and a Coke. Then fell promptly to sleep in the Suburban on the way to the hotel.

Brynn shook him awake as the deputy pulled to a stop. People in the lobby stared at the dirty and disheveled group. In a stupor, Alex checked in and said good night to Ryan, Jim, and Matt at the elevator. He held on to Brynn’s hand, unable to let her go.

They stumbled into his room. Alex immediately showered while Brynn called the hospital to check on Tyrone and Liam. He considered shaving, but there wasn’t a razor in the little kit from the hotel, just a toothbrush and toothpaste. He brushed
for ten minutes. No razor was a good thing, because he might accidentally cut his throat in exhaustion.

Alex stared at his pile of filthy clothes on the floor in the bathroom and shrugged at his lack of clean clothes. He slipped his arm back into the sling, grabbed a robe off the back of the door, and stepped out of the steamy bliss into the warm room. Brynn had cranked up the thermostat.

“Liam’s gonna be OK,” she announced. “Tyrone too. The hospital’s gonna keep Tyrone for a couple of nights but will release Liam in the morning.” She gave him a quick kiss, pushed past him, and closed the door to the bathroom.

Alex looked at the closed door. Then looked at the bed. He dropped his robe and slid under the covers naked.

Fuck, yes.

Crisp, clean sheets. Four pillows. And lots of blankets. Heaven. Groggy with fatigue, he instantly fell asleep.

He woke as Brynn slipped into bed beside him. She smelled of fresh soap, damp hair, and woman.

She was in his bed.

That thought was enough to bring him fully awake.

He turned her to him, just as he had that night in the airplane, and she nestled her head into his chest with a sigh. He brushed the hair off her cheek and ran his hand down her back, in shock that she was next to him.

And man, oh man. She was
naked
next to him.

He pressed his lips against hers, running his tongue along her top lip and then catching her lower lip between his teeth, eager to get closer. She leaned into the kiss, responding fervently. He kissed her deeply then moved up her cheek, tracing the path his eyes had followed a dozen times. He felt her lips press against his neck, and she gave a tiny jerk, then giggled.

“You need a shave. It’s soft but tickles my lips like crazy.”

“No razor.” He gave a slow grin, holding her gaze. “No clothes, either.”

“Is that a problem right now?”

“God, no.” He moved back to her mouth, and her hips moved against him. She shifted closer, lifting her leg to run her bare foot up his calf. The sensation raced up his leg to his spine, and hot desire shot through his nerves.

Her hand moved to his stomach. And bumped his right arm.

“Ah!” He froze. Stars danced before his eyes.

“Oh! I’m sorry. Crap.”

“This isn’t going to work, is it?” He pulled his good arm over his eyes.

“Don’t even think about stopping!” She pushed up on one arm. “I’ve been waiting three days for this, and I’m not going to let that shoulder put it off any longer. We’ll make it work.”

Alex uncovered his eyes and studied her. “Three days?”

She sniffed. “The first day I thought you were an aloof, cold fed.”

“And after that?” His ears perked up, eager for her reply.

“I thought you were interesting.” She rolled onto her back, copying his position, looking at the ceiling.

“Interesting,” he echoed.

“And kinda good-looking.”

“Kinda?” He raised one brow.

“With a hard, incredible body.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and gave a sly grin.

“How could you tell through four layers of clothing?” Pleased, he rolled her on top of him, loving the feel of her naked skin on his. She carefully avoided his shoulder, placing her hands on the bed by his neck, as his erection pressed at her. Her pupils
dilated and her hair swept across his chest. His gaze locked on those gorgeous lips.

“Through what?” Her breaths came faster.

He ran a hand through her hair and pulled her face to his, lightly pressing her lips to his. “I forget what I said.” He settled in to kiss her harder, not giving her a chance to come up for air. His hand traced down her back, following smooth skin, and then around to touch the side of her breast. Her nipples hardened against him. Alex moaned at the sensation.

“Make love to me, Alex. Please. Right now.” She spoke against his lips. “I just need to feel you inside me now.”

“But…” He wanted to explore, investigate every inch of this body that he’d been dreaming of for four days.

“Now, Alex. We can take our time later. Next time.” Her hips rotated slowly against him.

She didn’t need to ask him twice. He ran a hand to her center; his cock hardened at the slick wetness.

Her nails traced up his chest, over the sling, to graze his nipples. His body jerked at the contact as fire spread from her simple touch. Her lips curved against his, and she did it again. His back arched off the bed.

His finger circled her clit and he felt her grow wetter, her body softening at his touch. He repeated the movement, drank in her answering moan, and sunk two fingers deep inside her, pressing upward.

“Ah! Alex!” She arched her spine, pressing down, drawing him deeper.

Lifting up, his mouth moved to the side of her neck, grazing his teeth up to her ear. His fingers slid out, moved around her clit again, and she shuddered. He ran his tongue along the edge of her ear, and she rose up on her knees. Taking his cock in hand,
she guided him to her entrance. Her breath came in short gasps, and she tilted to ease his way. So hot, so slick. With one hand he grasped her shoulder, pulling her securely to him, lightly sinking his teeth into her ear and ramming home.

She inhaled, nails sinking into his chest. The little stabs of pain helped him find a measure of control. He held still for three seconds until she started to move on top of him, settling into a rhythm. A fire built at the back of his spine, and he clenched his jaw to keep from exploding into her. He slid a hand down her stomach to touch her again, tease her. Her knees dug into the mattress as she sucked for air.