Seduction's Dance (McKingley Series) (12 page)

Shannon stopped, continuing to keep an eye on him. There was a madness about him. A sound dinged then the scent of smoke filled her nose. Shannon stared behind him in horror as fire engulfed the walls beyond them.

“Fire!” she called.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Mario laughed manically. “My creation.”

Shannon stared at him in shock. “Why?”

“You all are so stupid.” Mario waved a gun at her. “All those fires I set and none of you knew I did them. Bombed that Wright bitch fiancé’s car too. Too bad she didn’t die, or him. Hell, the sheriff. I want them all to die.” Mario focused on Archer. “But especially him. He took what was mine.” Mario hit Archer across the head with the gun. “Lis is mine.” He lifted the gun which used to be against Archer, leveling it at the back of Archer’s head.

“Why would you do all this?” Shannon spoke, hoping to get his full attention.

“Lis—she’s mine. Did you know we met when we were children? We were both in the same hospital in New York when she was rushed there while her family was on vacation. She was so beautiful and we played, but then her family came and they took her away.” Mario paused, a sick smile twisted his face. “I never forgot about her. Then, to my surprise, when I was working on the force in New York I met a family member of hers. There she was in a photo, after all those years. I recognized her right away, even told him about her. He kept me informed on her life.” Mario frowned. “Justin said I could have her. But then they killed him and I knew nothing of what was happening. So I got a job here to be close to her. It wasn’t until I was here I found this one with her. He thinks he can have her.” Mario lifted his head.

In his eyes, she read his intentions to kill them all.

“She’s going to be a widow.”

Shannon was surprised he knew they were married. As far as she understood, no one in town did.

“They aren’t married,” she lied.
I need to stop this by any means necessary
.

“Liar. I heard it on the bugs I have in their house. The one thing I liked about you was your refreshing honesty”—Mario cocked the gun he held on her—“it figures being with a Wright would taint you.”

“I’m confused, Mario. You want Lis, but you kept coming on to me.” Shannon shifted, debating if she could make it to her gun. “Why would you do that?”

“You were a pleasant distraction,” Mario snarled. “But you felt you’re too good for me. Hooking up with that Wright. Some arson investigator. He couldn’t find shit.”

Shannon eyed the fire filling the area, coming toward Archer and Mario.

“The fire. You need to move forward.”

“Oh…that’s not necessary. We’re all going to burn. Just hope you’re dead before the bombs go off.” Mario laughed again then sobered abruptly. “You think talking will keep me from shooting him”—he smiled—“you’re wrong.”

He pulled the trigger. Shannon stepped up as Archer fell, slumping to the floor. Mario turned both guns on her.

“Uh-uh. Give me your piece,” he said.

Shannon didn’t want to. Mario’s smile widened then he looked behind her briefly.

“Come up here, Carmen,” Mario said. “It’s bad luck you’re with Shannon today.”

Shannon moved in front of Carmen. “It’s me you want, so no.”

She glanced at Archer and noted the stain spreading on his shoulder—thank God Mario hadn’t shot him in the head. She lifted her gaze to Mario.

“I want him to burn. Feel it as it takes his skin.” Mario spat on Archer then kicked him.

Shannon went for her gun. Mario lifted his and fired by her feet. She stopped then looked at him.

“You’re not faster than a bullet.” Mario shifted one of his guns. “Come here, Carmen.
Now
.”

“No.” Shannon whispered low so only Carmen could possibly hear.

“I have to,” Carmen said as softly. “Save us.”

Carmen came into Shannon’s view, her hands up. “Mario, you were always such a fucking weasel.”

Shannon stifled a chuckle. When Carmen was close enough, Mario backhanded her with the gun. Carmen spun then fell to her knees by Archer, lip split from the hit. Carmen spat, the blood staining the floor, then shook her head, making her hair frame her face.

“Is that the best you’ve got?”

Mario didn’t reply. He turned his gun on Archer. Carmen dropped forward over him, gasping as she took the bullet. Shannon moved her hand behind her and pulled her knife from her back sheath, thanking God for her cousin who had taught her to always have a backup. Shannon flung her knife as Mario lifted his head. As it struck home in his throat, Mario gurgled and moved his hand, grasping at air. Shannon pulled out her gun and fired repeatedly, heading for him.

“I hate fucking whiners.” She lifted her hand and shot him in the center of his forehead.

Mario fell back then became engulfed in flames. Shannon ran to Carmen. She was out and a blooming stain of red had formed on her upper right shoulder. Mario hadn’t killed her.
Thank God.
The heat of the flames made Shannon sweat and she looked up to see they were almost upon them. There was no way she could get them both out. Shannon glanced around then noted the open bin. She moved Carmen off Archer. Carmen groaned and opened her eyes before blinking.

“I’ve been shot.”

“Yes,” Shannon snapped.

“You could fucking be nicer. I’m shot, damn it.” Carmen turned her head and saw the flames.

Shannon could tell the moment the firefighter kicked in. Carmen got to her knees and watched her coolly.

“Time to go.”

“We’re not going to make it.” The whoosh made Shannon look up. The fire rose, coming greedily toward them.

“Son of a bitch accelerant.”

“The bin,” Shannon said as she grabbed Carmen and lifted her arm over her shoulder then yanked her up.

“Archer—”

“Shut up. I can get him quicker, I need you in the bin to help me get him in.” Shannon led her to the bin. “Help me move it.”

She propped Carmen beside her then put her shoulder against the side.

“Fuck,” Carmen swore as she helped her.

“There. That’s good.” Shannon turned to Carmen.

She was sweating and swaying. Shannon grabbed her then pushed Carmen up and inside, not waiting to see what happened when she landed. Shannon rushed back to Archer. She grabbed him and began pulling him across the floor. He groaned then glanced at her from glazed eyes before passing out again. Shannon puffed, dragging his dead weight across the floor. Archer was a tall, muscular man and she felt each step in her back and shoulders. But she would not let him go. She hit the bin and Shannon worked to try to lift him.

“Come on, Shannon. Put your back into it.” Carmen screamed hanging out the bin to help.

“I am.” She finally slid under his shoulder and pushed him partially up.

“Got his hands,” Carmen said.

Shannon felt him moving. “I don’t need commentary.”

Carmen laughed then commanded, “Get under lower in his back and push.”

She did and he moved farther. Carmen yelled orders and Shannon pushed until he was up and over into the bin. Archer groaned after he dropped in. Shannon glanced behind her, eyes widening as she saw the flames almost at her—the heat was nearly unbearable. She grabbed the side of the garbage bin and pulled herself in. Shannon grabbed the top and closed it.

“We should have run for the door,” Carmen said in the darkness.

“You could get out and go try,” Shannon said.

“Such a bitch,” Carmen muttered.

“Ladies, why are we in the garbage instead of running like hell from the fire?” Archer’s deep, strained sounding voice came.

Shannon was glad to hear it. A bright light flared and Shannon stared at Carmen holding the flashlight.

“What? It’s good to be prepared,” Carmen said. “We’re going to bake in here.”

“Not if the bomb gets us first,” Shannon said absently, thinking of what she’d viewed and why she had got them in the bin.

“Then we need to go,” Archer groaned. “Untie me.”

Shannon slid her hand down the waist of her pants and pulled out another small blade. She paused, noticing Archer and Carmen watching her.

“What?”

“Talk about prepared.” Carmen peered at her clothing. “What else you got hidden under there?”

She cut off Archer’s bindings. “A switch blade under my breast and another knife on the outside of my right thigh.” Shannon listed what she had, still reviewing in her head what she had seen.

“Jesus, Shannon. You’re a walking arsenal.” Carmen breathed a bit shakily then laughed.

“Christ, what does Dimitri think of you having all those weapons on you?” Archer asked. “And why do you even have them?”

“When we’ve been together I’d already removed them. James, my cousin, taught me to always be armed, just in case.” Shannon anxiously thought of all contingencies.

“God, I need to meet him,” Carmen said. “That is if we live.”

“We’re going to live,” Shannon replied.
I hope.

“How do you know?” Carmen asked.

“The situation of the bombs he had placed that I could see.” After she contemplated their position, Shannon nodded. “This is the optimum spot.”

“For what?” Archer groaned.

Archer was sweating and she knew it wasn’t just from the heat of the fire bearing down upon them.

“The blast. With the way he placed the bombs, with us in this spot this could propel us out the bay doors.”
There’s a lot of shit
that could go wrong
. “Or if there are others then we’ll just roast.”

“You’re so cheery,” Carmen said.

“How do you even know if it will work?” Archer shifted closer.

“I have a feeling it’s this James,” Carmen said. “If this works, I’m going to kiss you. Then hump James’ leg in gratitude.”

“Unless he wants you near him, I suggest you don’t try,” Shannon warned.

“I’m a wily woman and I’ll get around him.” Carmen chuckled then sobered again. “What happens if the fire reaches us before the bombs go off?”

Shannon didn’t answer her question since it was obvious.

“Too bad we don’t have a cell phone to call for help,” Archer said.

“Well shit.” Carmen slid her hand into her pocket.

“You had this all the time.” Shannon snatched the phone out of her hand. “We could have called for help already.”

“I was a little distracted getting shot,” Carmen growled.

“Stop your whining. You’re talking, so it can’t be that bad.” Shannon dialed.

After the dispatcher picked up, she filled them in then closed the phone and sat to wait. Shannon moved closer to Archer and Carmen as they sat in the garbage and waited for help to arrive. Time crawled at a slow pace and she didn’t know how much time passed. There was a rumble then a whoosh. They clung to each other, not sure if it was the fire or a bomb.

Chapter Nine

Dimitri rubbed his eyes, tired of looking at videotapes. He glanced at Shayla who looked as cross-eyed as he did. His office door burst open. Dimitri went to rise then stopped as he spotted James. He sat back down and paused the tape. Leo shifted his hand off his gun then crossed his arms over his chest.

“What are—?”

James cut off Leo. “Someone tried to burn down Shannon’s house.”

Dimitri stood quickly. “Is she okay?”

“She doesn’t even know.” James scowled and paced. “They tried. Sigmund caught them and they hurt him.” James cupped the sling around his body. I had to take him to the vet. The bastard drugged him.”

Dimitri stared at the sling then at James. “Tell me you don’t have Sigmund in there.”

“Of course I do. The vet said the sedation will wear off soon. Then we’re going around town until Sigmund identifies this fucker.” James stomped away then back. “I knew something was off at the ranch.”

“Stop pacing and explain, James,” Dimitri said sharply.

James stood before him. “For months, someone has been spying on the ranch. I’ve been trying to catch them, but when I get close they vanish. I got a license plate one time, but it was from a stolen car.”

“How did you know it was stolen?” Leo asked.

“I had your dispatcher run it for me,” James stated.

“Damn it, stop charming my dispatchers.” Leo scowled.

“I can’t help if they like me.” James smiled then his expression went fierce. “This morning, Sigmund didn’t start his cackling as he does.”

“Who is Sigmund?” Shayla asked.

“Who are you?” James demanded.

Shayla eyes narrowed. “Agent Gahlau. I’ve heard about you, Mister Conner.”

“Have you?” James’ face blanked and his eyes went cold. “I would believe what I heard.”

Shayla didn’t back down. “I do. Just as you should believe I can’t be intimidated.”

James kept his gaze locked on hers as he continued his story. “Sigmund is a rooster and he is better than a clock. He
crows incessantly from two-seventeen to six-seventeen a.m. every day.”

Shayla nodded then averted her gaze. James smiled coldly then focused on Dimitri. His expression became more human—that was the only way Dimitri could describe it.

“He didn’t and I noticed and got up. I went outside, I saw someone running from Shannon’s place. I chased them, but they got away again. This time they were on a dirt bike. I checked Shannon’s to see what they were up to and found what they were going to set the fire with. They hit Sigmund with a dart and knocked him out cold. But this time they screwed up and left a witness.” James patted the sling. “Sigmund.”

“You really can’t believe that a rooster will be able to identify a person who tried to set a fire,” Shayla said in disbelief.

“James, you can’t go around with Sigmund to find this person,” Dimitri replied.

“Who’s going to stop me?” James smiled.

Dimitri looked at Leo for help.

“I’d love to arrest him, but there is no law against taking around your rooster.” Leo shook his head. “Although people will wonder why.” Leo paused then said, “Then again, they think James is weird anyway.”

“At least someone should go to keep him out of trouble,” Dimitri said.

“I can’t assign one of my officers to loony and rooster sit,” Leo said.