Never Surrender Page 11

  Quinn reached over and covered her hand with his. “Maggie.”

  “What?”

  “Shut up.” Quinn softened the rebuke with a smile. “I made the decision to support you. I don’t regret it.” He placed a tender kiss against her temple.

  “Remember that when they lock you up, and your career is down the toilet.”

  “Again,” James interjected. “Where do we go from here?”

  A terrified scream from the back of the house had Quinn choking on his response. Hot coffee sloshed over his hand as he slammed his cup onto the table and kicked back his chair in one automatic movement. “What the—” He raced toward the sound, Maggie and James at his heels.

  They stood frozen at the doorway and stared at the scene before them. Angel sat in the middle of the bed with the sheet bunched in her fingers staring blankly at the wall. The scream had abated to intermittent sobs.

  “I’ll handle this,” Maggie said pushing her way past Quinn and James. “Go.” She lowered her voice and waved them away.

  Rather than leave, Quinn stood quietly at the door in case he was needed as Maggie climbed onto the bed and immediately gathered Angel into an embrace. Angel must have sensed the security being offered because the sobs began to subside.

  “Angel. It’s me, Cassie.”

  Cassie? Shit, of course, that’s what the girl would have known her as. Quinn ignored the images of her up on that stage singing to the creeps in that club and concentrated on the scene before him.

  The girl didn’t respond. Angel didn’t even look in Maggie’s direction. Instead, she rocked to and fro, never taking her eyes from the window. “They’re coming to kill me.”

  “No. They’re not. Nobody except us knows where you are.” Maggie pushed Angel’s bangs back from her face with gentle fingers.

  Angel focused and turned to stare at Maggie. “Cassie Lee?”

  Maggie nodded, and Angel hugged her tightly.

  “I thought you’d forgotten me. I thought you’d lied,” she mumbled through her sobs.

  “Hell no. I’ve never forgotten you. We’ve been looking for you since you took off.” Maggie stroked Angel’s long hair as tremors traveled the young girl’s body.

  “They killed Beth.” Angel buried her head in Maggie’s shoulder. The sounds of the youngster’s sobs tore at Quinn’s heart. “I should have gone with her.”

  “No one would have expected you to do that.”

  Angel drew away from Maggie, climbed off the bed, then began to pace. Quinn drew back a bit, so she’d be less liable to notice him “I don’t like this place.” Angel rubbed her palms up and down her arms. “I’ve got a really bad feeling. I want to leave.”

  “You’re safe here. James Ferguson, the big guy looking after you. He’s a trained professional.”

  Angel rolled her eyes. “They know I’m here.”

  Even from a distance Quinn recognized the fight returning to the girl’s slender body. “Tell me how?” Maggie asked. “Until James called, even I didn’t know where you were. Angel, even you don’t know where you are.”

  “They’re coming for me. I know because I saw them here.”

  Quinn’s pulse jumped and the hair on the back of his neck rose. Who? What?

  “What? Who?” Maggie gently asked the questions he’d have been demanding answers to. Good that she was doing the interrogating.

  “I knew you wouldn’t believe me,” she yelled at Maggie before flinging herself back on the bed and hiding her face in the pillow.

  “Why do you think they’re coming for you?” Maggie’s tone was still calm, soothing.

  Maggie began rubbing the girls back until she turned her face and started mumbling to Maggie. Quinn stepped back into the doorway to hear what she was saying but kept out of her line of sight.

  “When I was with Beth,” Angel muttered. “I’d been asleep, and dreamed I saw… The dream was so horrible and so real.” She shuddered. “I really believed she was dead. When I got up and saw her, I begged her not to go outside, and she said she wouldn’t. I believed her. She said she wouldn’t. She promised.”

  “So what happened?”

  Angel gulped a deep breath “So I went and had a shower. She lied, Cassie Lee. She went outside, and now she’s dead.”

  “Is that what you were dreaming about just before?”

  Angel shook her head. “Just now.” Another deep breath. “In my dream, he stood over me with a gun in his hand.” Her voice was hushed as though she didn’t want anyone to hear. “I’m not safe here, Cassie Lee. I want out. I have to get out, or I’m—”

  “Angel, with everything you’ve been through, it’s not surprising you’re having nightmares, but honey, you’re safe. We’ll look after you.” Maggie stayed with her and stroked her hair until she fell into a restless slumber.

  They headed back to the kitchen, meeting James coming out of a room and closing the door behind him before following them into the kitchen.

  “How is she?” James asked, turning the peculator to make more coffee and grabbing some mugs.

  “Terrified. She thinks they know where she is.”

  “No way,” James insisted.

  “How can you be so sure? Someone could have seen you.”

  “Maggie, one of my operatives found her in a shelter for street kids. He put her under surveillance. No one approached her. She spoke to no one. My man didn’t approach the woman who runs the shelter. He just watched, and when the time was right, he brought Angel in.”

  “Are you sure he wasn’t followed?” Quinn asked.

  “Positive. She’s been moved three times. No one knows she’s here.”

  “Except the cops.” Maggie met their eyes defiantly.

  “The only person I spoke to was Zyker,” Quinn insisted. “I told him you would present yourself at headquarters in the morning.”

  “Did he ask about Angel?”

  Quinn’s nod was curt. “I said she’d been found. That was it.”

  “That was all it would take.” She grabbed Quinn’s arm. “We have to get her out of here. Now.”

  “I think you’re worrying over nothing. The kid’s had some nightmares. That’s it.”

  “Maybe.” Maggie blew out a breath. “Quinn, you saw how terrified she is. We have to move her, if only for her peace of mind.”

  “Maggie, James set this place up. There will be a backup plan, so if anything goes down, we can get her out safely.” Quinn looked at James. “Right?”

  Maggie gnawed her bottom lip.

  “He’s right,” James said. “I’ll show you both around and explain how the security works.”

  Maggie didn’t look convinced but nodded and said, “Okay. Impress me, but—”

  “But if you’re not convinced we’re safe here, we’ll move her. Agreed?”

  She nodded.

  “Good. Let’s start.” Quinn ran his hand through his hair. “This case has more holes in it than a sieve.”

  Maggie stood, grabbed her coffee cup, and headed toward the sink. “I still think we’re missing something.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Quinn said.

  They began the tour in the next room that James had been coming out of earlier where a bank of circuit monitors lined a wall.

  “These show the house from outside. Every entry point’s covered.” James tapped a screen. “This one, the gardens front and back. Nobody can get near this place without being seen. There are a few motion sensors set around the property. When they’re tripped, the alarm goes off in here.”

  James walked back toward the kitchen and opened a storage cupboard. “And as a last resort there’s this.” James pushed the shelving and they watched as the cupboard opened into a passageway. “It leads outside. There’s a false wall that opens from the inside. You head straight across the garden and out. There’s an exit behind the rose arbor.”

  “That’s great if they come in the front door.”

  Quinn laughed. “Maggie, ever the optimist.”

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nbsp; James folded his arms across his broad chest and leaned against the wall. “So what’s your impression?”

  Another ear piercing scream rent the house.

  “Thank God I’m already gray,” James swore as they moved toward the bedroom.

  “Thank God I’m an optimist,” added Maggie as the lights flickered and died.

  Chapter Fourteen

  They stood frozen in the darkness for the space of a heartbeat.

  “I’ll go get Angel,” Maggie whispered and felt her way along the wall until she found the door to the hallway.

  Another scream shredded Maggie’s already frayed nerves. Her eyes had adjusted slightly to the darkness, and she moved into Angel’s room. “It’s okay. We’ve lost power, but it’s not a problem. The guys will fix it.” Maggie sat on the edge of the bed, reached out, and stroked Angel’s hand in what she hoped was a soothing gesture.

  “I’m scared.” It was hard to make out the words as Angel’s voice shook so much. “They told us at the club if we said anything to anybody, they’d hunt us down like the dogs we are.” A violent shudder coursed through Angel’s body. “I don’t want to die, Cassie Lee. I just want my mum.”

  Feeling completely useless intensified the anger brewing in Maggie’s belly. When Maggie spoke, she edged her voice with steel. “I promised I’d get you home, Angel, and I will.” Maggie could barely see Angel’s silhouette. “But I’m not going to lie. We don’t know what’s going on yet. In case we have to move again, I want you to get dressed and come with me.”

  A few minutes later, Maggie, with Angel tucked against her side, joined Quinn and James in the monitor room. Angel immediately broke away from Maggie, sank to the floor, wrapped her arms around her knees, and rocked back and forth.

  “James, we need that generator,” Quinn said.

  “It’ll kick in. Give it a minute.”

  Labored breathing filled one minute. The wind recommenced its shrieking as one minute reached for two. Total blackness surrounded them. Maggie wanted to open the blinds, so the little bit of moonlight available would lend a glimmer of light, but she couldn’t take the risk. Was the blackout a coincidence? If the generator came on, she could convince herself maybe a car had hit a power pole and brought the lines down.

  “Should have kicked in my now,” James said.

  “Torches,” Quinn demanded.

  “I’ll get them.” James inched his way across the room.

  “What’s going on?” Maggie asked.

  Quinn pulled her close to his side. His shoulder holster nudged her arm.

  “That bad?” She pressed closer.

  James came back with the torches. “Seems like the generator’s been tampered with.”

  The yellowed torchlight highlighted the tautness of Quinn’s face. Maggie swallowed hard. His eyes had that lack of expression she knew so well. This was serious.

  Maggie’s thoughts railroaded her. Being the primary suspect in the murder of Old George and wanted for questioning regarding passing on false information had her contemplating her priorities. Angel’s safety first. It had to be. Finding the scum leaking information from the police came second.

  Slime had slithered through the cracks and infiltrated the police service, and it sickened her. But most cops were honest, like her, and that thought alone strengthened her resolve. She would find out who was responsible for blackening her name. Then they would pay.

  First, Maggie would keep the promise she’d made to a scared kid. She’d get Angel home. “I’m taking Angel out of here.”

  “Maggie—” James said.

  “She’s right,” Quinn injected. “The kid’s safety is priority.” He turned to Maggie. “I’m coming with you.”

  Maggie didn’t argue. They had a better chance of getting Angel away together.

  James picked up his mobile and punched in some numbers. “It’s Ferguson. They’re on the move. Meet Keller and his associates in section two. They’ll be there in about five. Give them the car, and make your way back here.” He broke the connection. “Head out the back gate, through the vacant lot, then two blocks north. Okay?” At Quinn’s nod, James picked up his car keys. “I’m going to organize a little attention grabber. If there’s someone out there, it’ll draw their focus long enough for you all to get away. Use the passageway through the pantry.”

  “Let’s go,” Maggie said.

  Quinn nodded and gripped James’s shoulder. “Stay sharp.”

  Maggie didn’t hesitate to hug James. From arrogant stranger to friendly colleague in just over a day. Who would have guessed? “Take care.”

  “When you get the car, take the kid to my place. I’ll arrange for more of my men to meet us there. Don’t contact anyone.”

  “You mean Zyker, don’t you?” Maggie’s question pulled the tension chord connecting them even tighter.

  “I mean anybody. Get moving. Cooper will be waiting for you.” James turned toward the door. “Ready?”

  “Let’s move,” Quinn said.

  Angel still sat on the floor, chanting softly. “They’ve found us.”

  Quinn stared at the girl, seemingly entranced by her incantation. At Maggie’s urging, he shook his head and moved toward her. “Let’s go, Princess.” He pulled Angel to her feet. “Stay close.”

  After the last few minutes without lights, their eyes had become accustomed to the darkness, and Quinn hustled them toward the kitchen.

  The trio crept through the passage and seconds later emerged out into the garden. The night shrouded them in shadows as they crossed to the fence.

  Quinn struggled with the latch. As it swung open, he withdrew his gun. “Stay here.” He disappeared behind the fence.

  Maggie’s heart pounded in her throat as an eternity passed. Angel clutched her hand tightly, and Maggie gave it an encouraging squeeze.

  Quinn materialized from the gloom and holstered his gun. Gathering Angel to his side, he said in a hushed tone, “Let’s go.”

  They covered the spare lot quickly and moved toward the road. They slowed to get their bearings.

  “Where are we going?” Maggie asked.

  “Cooper should have been here by now.” Quinn scanned the area.

  “Are we in the right place?”

  “Yeah.” Quinn pulled the mobile from his belt.

  Maggie grabbed his arm. “Can you hear that?” she whispered.

  They listened intently. Twigs snapped. Footsteps.

  Maggie darted a look behind her but couldn’t see anyone. “We’re out of here.” She grabbed Angel’s hand.

  “This is the pickup point.”

  “I don’t give a damn. We have to get Angel away,” she hissed. “C’mon, Quinn. Please,” Maggie urged. When he made no attempt to follow, she said, “I can’t stay here.”

  “And I can’t let you go.”

  “So what are you going to do? Shoot me?” She ran her hand along his jaw, down his neck to rest on the vast expanse of his chest. “There’s someone back there. We have to keep moving.”

  “Cooper will be here soon.”

  “And so will whoever’s coming after us.”

  Running footsteps galvanized them into action. Maggie dragged Angel behind her. Quinn took the lead toward the lights and the more major road. Sometimes it was easier to hide in plain sight.

  When they reached the well-lit road, the footsteps behind them faded, so they eased their pace to a brisk walk. The toot of a horn had Quinn reaching for his gun as a car pulled in beside them, the window already lowering.

  “Keller. You should have waited,” a deep voice insisted.

  Quinn stopped and pushed Angel behind him. “ID.”

  The driver handed over a plastic photo and climbed out of the car.

  Quinn scrutinized it against the driver and handed it back. “Okay.” Quinn pulled open the rear door, and the night exploded behind them. “What the—”

  “Some attention grabber.” Maggie dragged Angel by the hand and turned back to see smoke tunneling sk
yward. “It’ll be okay,” Maggie lied.

  Angel, wide-eyed with tears brimming, was having none of it. Maggie pulled Angel’s head into her shoulder. She hadn’t realized she was hanging on to Angel so tightly until the girl squirmed.

  Maggie lessened her grip and latched on to Quinn. “Do you think James will be okay?”

  He nodded.

  The driver said, “He told me to meet him there, so it’s all part of a plan. I’ll go. If there’s a problem, I’ll contact you.” With that, he took off down the road.

  Quinn shoved them toward the car, bundled Angel into the back seat, and buckled her in. Maggie climbed in beside her.

  As the car sped away, Maggie and Angel stared out the back window, watching the driver sprinting in the opposite direction.

  When he was out of sight, Maggie turned her attention to Angel sitting motionless beside her and grasped her hand. Maggie couldn’t offer any hope, not at the moment, so rather than lie, Maggie said nothing.

  Maggie watched Quinn as he adjusted the mirror. Why had she involved him in this mess? Because I knew I couldn’t see it through on my own. Hasty actions usually backfired on her, and involving Quinn had been a knee-jerk reaction to a hopeless situation. But she hadn’t seen any other option.

  Back at the club, Angel, at only fifteen, had been beaten and was being transferred upstairs for perverts to use her body for their selfish pleasures. She didn’t know exactly what happened to the girls after they burned out, but from what she’d been able to put together, it wasn’t pretty.

  Maggie had tried tracing a few girls that had gone missing. Nothing. That was one piece of information Inspector Roberts never did get back to her with. No. She’d made the right decision to take those girls out. At least one of them would go home.

  But why involve Quinn? She could have cut and run, tried taking the girls out of the state, given them a head start, and somehow sent them back to their families. So why hadn’t she? Because as tired and burned out as she was, she knew it would be wrong not to see it through to the end, to ensure those responsible for the destruction of young women would be held accountable. One part of Maggie hadn’t changed in her time under cover: her integrity. So she took her life back, and turning to Quinn made that easier.