Betrayed (A CORE Sector Novel Book 1) Read online

  "I don't recommend that until we have him in our custody."

  Bryce's cell phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID. "It's Gavin," he said before answering it.

  The conversation was mostly one-sided, Bryce simply agreed to whatever the man was saying. When he hung up, Jon and Frank both stood at the same time, "We want to help."

  "Gentleman, there's no need. We can handle this."

  Jon spoke first, "We understand that, but we haven't come all this way to go home and not see this thing through."

  Frank agreed and added, "I care about Charlotte and I wouldn't feel right if I didn't see this to the end and make sure she's safe from this man."

  Bryce paced the floor. He looked at Alec and then turned to face them. "Okay, but you must understand we don't let outsiders in. You will have to keep everything you see and hear completely confidential."

  They both agreed.

  29

  GAVIN LAID with his head in Alva's lap, she lovingly ran her hand over his hair, "There, there my sweet. Don't you worry. We will take care of Charlotte. That money will be mine."

  "Alva, we have plenty of money. Why must we steal hers?"

  "I've explained this to you, Gavin. Harlon dumped me thirty years ago and said I would never get one penny from him. I've waited all these years for my revenge."

  "But you remained friends with him."

  "And I hated every minute of it!" her voice grew tense, she tightened her fingers around a handful of hair until Gavin started to squirm. "He said I was crazy. He said my relationship with you was sick. He could never accept us the way we are. What did he know?" Her grip on his hair loosened. "Gavin, you must kill Charlotte and her new friend. We can't afford for either one of them to live. Do you understand?"

  "I understand." He sat up, remaining seated beside her. "I have the perfect place in mind. It will look like an accident."

  "Good boy.

  Gavin pulled out his cell phone. He punched in some numbers and began to speak. A startled look crossed his face and alerted Alva that something was wrong.

  As he hung up the phone he looked at her, "They know."

  "O what do they know?"

  He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He hated confrontations with his sister and knew this one would not go well at all. "Bryce. He knows something is up."

  "Did he tell you that?"

  "No, but I could read it in his voice. He knows."

  Alva's looked changed. He expected her to lash out, but he could see the wheels turning in her mind. She finally spoke, "Then, you'll have to take care of him too."

  Gavin let out a sigh. He didn't intend for Alva to hear or notice, but she did. It set her off.

  "If you weren't such an imbecile, we wouldn't be dealing with this now. We'd already have the money. All you had to do was kill that woman and the money would be ours. One simple thing Gavin and you couldn't even do that!" She spat the vile words at him like she always did.

  "One simple thing?" He asked. "It wasn't one simple thing, Alva. I took care of Harlon for you, but that wasn't enough. I just couldn't bring myself to killing Charlotte too."

  Alva flew out of her wheelchair and smacked him across the face. "Don't you dare speak to me like that, you bastard. I've done all of this for us. For you."

  Gavin winced in pain. Panic raced through him at the realization she could walk. "Alva. How is it possible you can walk?"

  The look in her eyes terrified him. She wasn't an invalid. The accident that was supposed to get Charlotte out of the picture and kill his sister had failed. All this time he lived under her condescending 'poor little crippled me' existence. She should be dead. Instead, she was left in a wheelchair for him to spend every waking hour of his life tending to her, only to find she could walk. How long had she been able to walk?

  She feebly walked back to her chair and sat down, slumped into it, looking for his sympathy. "I can't. That must have been a spontaneous action. The doctor said these things might happen."

  Gavin poured himself a drink and slugged it back hard. She was lying. He knew she was lying and manipulating him. It's what she did best. All his life, nothing by manipulation by the cruel bitch. Why couldn't she just have died like a good bitch in that accident? Why was he stuck with her now? Why had she lied all this time about being unable to walk? His mind raced. Fear set in. Fear of what she might do. Fear of what she knew. Had she been spying on him all this time? Sneaking out after he left the house and following him? He couldn't know for sure.

  He knew what he had to do. He had to go take care of Bryce and possibly Charlotte too. Afterwards, he'd come home and put this malignant woman out of her misery. Out of his misery to be exact. Then he'd be free to take the money and go anywhere he wanted. Start all over in a new place where no one knew him.

  Setting the brandy glass on the table, he looked at her. "I'm going to take care of matters. I'll be back soon."

  "Now be sure to be home by tea time. We have things to plan and celebrate."

  He walked out of the room and was gone.

  Alva sat there seething. She had to be ready for his return. She stood and went to the kitchen to start her tea.

  She had worked out her plan meticulously. She didn't want to kill Gavin, her beloved brother, but she had no choice. He was becoming a liability and she couldn't have that. She'd serve him her special tea blend to make it look like a heart attack. After the excitement of his day, no one would question that he suffered a massive heart attack, the strain was just too much for him, she'd tell them. It would work, just like it did on her father so many years ago. Gavin never knew. He simply thought daddy had died. She didn't like Gavin to see this side of her, but she needed him to exact her revenge. The dear boy, would do anything for her, even kill.

  30

  GAVIN SAT in his private office after the near-confrontation with his sister. No one knew of this space he rented. It was his own where no one could find him or disrupt him. He paced the floor. He felt like his life was walking a tightrope and he was teetering to keep his balance. How had things gotten this far and this screwed up? If only his plan last year had worked, none of this would be happening. His sister would be dead, his best friend would still be alive and he wouldn't be such a basket case. Or maybe he'd always be a basket case. It took him years to build up the courage to kill his sister. He was terrified she'd find out. She always found out when he was keeping something from her. Her wrath was always swift and unforgiving. But he had put it off until she wanted Charlotte dead. That was his opening to put his plan into motion. He thought he'd pulled it off. He had gotten away with it. Unfortunately, she lived through the accident and had become a bigger burden in a wheelchair, but she was still as sinister as she ever was. If he could get rid of her now, all of his problems would disappear, but this time, she might find out. What if she already knew? Paranoia was starting to set in.

  He poured himself a drink as he ran his hand through his greasy hair thinking about what he had to do. He picked up the case file on his desk and thumbed through it, not really reading it, but glancing through it. In the text, he found the answer to his own problem. He'd have to take care of all of them and make it look like an accident. Then he'd be free to take Charlotte with him. The time he'd spent working on her the past year would not go to waste. She would be his, no matter the cost. No one would ever know. Alva would still be a problem, he'd have to deal with her as soon as he had Charlotte tucked away in the home he'd bought and planned for them to share.

  He looked up the name of the hotel they were staying at. It was risky to call but he had to get the ball rolling. If he didn't make his move soon, he may never have the guts to do it again.

  He picked up the phone and dialed the number. He wasn't sure who the room was registered to, but he'd figure it out.

  THE PHONE in the room rang startling Charlotte. Who could be calling? Maybe it was room service, or Bryce calling about the guys. She picked up the phone. There
was a pause before a shaky voice spoke, "Charlotte? Is that you?"

  "Gavin?" she asked.

  "Yes, don't let anyone know I'm calling. I have to see you, to explain everything."

  Charlotte looked around but she was alone in the bedroom. "Okay, tell me where. I'll be there."

  She had no idea how she'd get away from Sharon. With any luck, she could send Sharon down the hall for ice and sneak out while she was distracted. She had to come up with something. Gavin was waiting in the lobby, so she had to act quickly. She knew she shouldn't go alone, but he might be more forth-coming with information if she was alone.

  31

  FRANK AND JON headed to Bryce's office in the early evening. Bryce had his men working on the investigation and finally had some concrete news he could share with them. Charlotte wanted to go, but Frank insisted she stay in the room with Sharon. It was her life and business they were trying to sort out, but he didn't want her involved in anything dangerous or illegal if it came to that. He kissed her on the forehead before turning to head out the door with Jon. He promised he'd call her as soon as he had some news.

  On returning to the hotel, a message was waiting at the hotel lobby. Frank opened it to find a message from Gavin. He wanted to meet with Charlotte. Bryce asked to see the note. After careful study, he turned to Frank, "This is the Garden Walk apartments. Apparently, he wants Charlotte to go there."

  "Why would he invite her to his home, knowing we would find out?"

  "It does indicate she should come alone and not tell anyone."

  Frank looked concerned. "Well, Charlotte isn't going. We'll go instead."

  "Hmm," Bryce replied. "I have a plan." He pulled out his cell phone, hit a few numbers and spoke quietly. He ended the conversation and turned to face Jon and Frank.

  Frank tensed up and crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn't sure about the guy having a plan he would agree to.

  Bryce noticed Frank's posture, "You still don't trust me, do you?"

  Frank shook his head, "Not really. We only met you yesterday and I have no clue what you're all about."

  "Look, Frank, I have business to take care of, but I assure you Charlotte's well-being is a top priority."

  "You can't let us in on this plan?"

  "It's better if you don't know the details. But you will be involved. Do you understand?"

  Frank did, all too well. He had friends in the CIA. He knew they kept tight-lipped secrets. He looked at Jon, "What do you think?"

  Jon pressed his lips together as his brow furrowed, "Well, we are in their territory. We're Americans over here on unofficial business. We could get in a lot of trouble if the authorities wanted to pursue things."

  Frank shook his head, but he still wasn't happy about the whole thing. He looked at Bryce, "Let's go back to the room and discuss this."

  As they entered the room, Sharon was pacing the floor, her cell phone in hand. "What's wrong?" Frank asked.

  "Charlotte's gone. She had me go get ice and she slipped out while my back was turned."

  "Gavin was in the lobby. He left a note for her to meet him. Maybe it was a ploy to get her downstairs."

  "The phone rang earlier. Charlotte was in the bedroom and must have answered it."

  "Dammit!" Frank yelled. "How the hell did we miss them?"

  "She probably took the stairs down," Jon said. "And I'm sure Gavin wasn't standing out in the open. We don't know what he looks like but Bryce would have recognized him."

  Bryce had an ill look on his face. He couldn't believe he hadn't scanned the lobby or left someone to keep an eye on the place. He never made rookie mistakes like that. But, he didn't expect Gavin to be so bold either. "This is my fault," he said to the other men. "I underestimated Gavin and his obsession with Charlotte."

  Alec spoke up. "He's had us all fooled. There's no way we could have known he was this desperate."

  Bryce swung around, "He's already killed one of our own. That should have been enough for us to be on high alert. My lack of vigilance is inexcusable!"

  Frank jumped in, "Look, placing blame right now isn't going to help us. We need to find him and get Charlotte back before he hurts her."

  "He loves her. Would he hurt her?" Alec asked.

  Frank looked at him before speaking. "If he can't have her, he may very well get violent with her. We've seen it before. A sociopath has no remorse or empathy. They want what they want, and since he's already gone over the edge, there's no telling what he might do."

  32

  CHARLOTTE RELUCTANTLY CLIMBED into the passenger seat of Gavin's car. She knew it was foolish to leave the hotel with him, but she needed answers. Gavin got in the driver's seat, the chloroform rag concealed in his hand. He started the engine and then turned to look at Charlotte, "I'm sorry about this, but it's the only way," he said as he pulled up his hand and put the rag to her face. She grabbed his hand and fought to keep him at bay. His rage grew. He grabbed her arms with his other hand and forced the drug into her face. She tried holding her breath, but couldn't. Within a few seconds, her body went limp and her head nodded off towards the window. She was fast asleep.

  He put the car into gear and exited the parking lot. He hoped she'd be out long enough for him to take care of things and get her to their new home before she awoke. He knew he'd have to keep her sedated, but it's what had to be done. He'd dreamed of this moment for years. By tonight, he would start his life with Charlotte.

  If anyone interfered, they would have to die. He decided it would look like Bryce and Frank had fought over Charlotte and both lost. If he was questioned, he would tell the authorities that the group had been trying to kill her. Frank gave his life trying to rescue her. He hadn't figured out how he'd keep Charlotte hidden, but he would. Maybe he would report the group had kidnapped her. He'd figure that part out when the time came. For now, he had other matters to take care of.

  He arrived at the site and killed the engine. He sat in silence for a moment before he got out and walked around the car, opened the passenger door and caught Charlotte before she fell out. He swooped her up into his arms and gazed at her beauty. She was all his and would be forever. He walked down the pier towards the river where he had a boat waiting. He laid her gently in the boat's storage compartment, turned the lock and then headed back to his car to stash it in the parking area of his flat down the street to gather the rest of his things.

  GAVIN PEERED out of his apartment window, noting a dark car coming down the street. He recognized the man in the front seat from the light illuminating from within the vehicle. "Dammit," he cursed under his breath as he remembered he didn't pick up the note he'd left at the front desk of the hotel.

  He had to get down to his boat. He could sneak around the back alley and if they came after him, he could better defend himself down at the abandoned pier.

  He reached into his pocket and felt the firearm. He'd never shot anyone, but how hard could it be? It had to be easier than all the planning it took to cause Harlon's car accident and then later the accident that left his sister in a wheelchair. Of course, he'd failed at that and she'd been lying all these months, but if he had to, he'd use the gun on her too. No more would he live under her thumb and do her bidding. No, after fifty-five years it was his time and he'd be his own man, live his own life and enough a free existence for the rest of his days with Charlotte. He smiled at the thought of how well his plans were starting to work out, even if they hadn't before, he knew a change was in the cards for him. For once he felt alive and unstoppable.

  He slipped down the back passage between his apartment building and the river. He eased his way towards his boat where he'd left Charlotte. He could hear the soft purr of the engine he'd left running to make a quick getaway.

  BRYCE PARKED the car in a block away from Gavin's apartment building to avoid detection as best as possible. The four men exited the car. Bryce and Frank headed up the street while Jon and Alec waited a few minutes before following them.

  Jon and Alec enter
ed through the front while Frank and Bryce went around to the back of the building. As they rounded the corner to the back, Bryce noticed movement down the walkway, some guy taking a walk. He turned back to Frank with an odd look on his face.

  Frank looked at him, "What? Is something wrong?"

  "I hear a faint sound, like an engine." He turned towards the sound, "It's a boat."

  "Who'd be boating at night?" Frank asked.

  Bryce's expression changed. "The man walking, that was Gavin. He's headed to a boat." He said as he tapped Frank on the arm and indicated they should follow. He radioed Jon and told him they were headed down to the abandoned dock. He was sure it was Gavin he'd seen.

  Jon and Alec quickly left the building and headed down the walkway to join up with Bryce and Alec.

  33

  GAVIN WAS ALMOST to the boat when a strange feeling crept over him. He turned and saw two men headed his way. This part of the walkway was always abandoned since the old Lovells had closed down years ago. He squinted into the darkness at the two men. Rage grew within him as he recognized Bryce. Not far behind them, in the lights of his apartment building, he spotted two more men. Alec Brody was one of them. The thought of losing Charlotte, after all, he'd done to get her took over his mind. There was no turning back now. He'd do whatever he had to and kill anyone who stood in his way. He pulled the pistol out of his pocket. He would let them get closer before he started firing. He didn't want to risk missing one of them with a shot too far away, but he didn't want them to have a chance to rush him either. He estimated he'd pop one of them off about half way. The rest he'd have to take out more quickly.

  The pistol grip felt good in his hand like it belonged there. Maybe he'd missed his calling in life. He laughed to himself at the thought of being a spy, or even a die-hard criminal who could kill people and get away with it. He squeezed the grip of the gun and gently placed his finger on the trigger. They were almost close enough. In a few seconds, he'd whip the gun out and kill Bryce, take out the leader first. His next target would be the lanky cop. He could probably run faster than the old one. After that, it'd have to be Alec or the other guy. Since Alec was young, it was best to get him out as fast as possible. That would leave the poor, slow novelist--his main target, Frank. The man who had almost ruined everything by butting into the matter. He wanted to take him out first and be rid of him. No, do this right, do this the way you planned.