Levels Of Exposure (Distortion Series Book 2) Read online

  “We need some cover, Ted,” Jackson hollered down the hall.

  “You got it,” Teddy answered, coming into view.

  Jackson stepped out into the hall and moved slowly, making sure the rooms were clear as they passed. Dane ducked out of one of the rooms as they approached. “No sign of him.” He shook his head, perplexed. “The trail of blood just ends.”

  “Teddy, get the girls out of here. I have to find him,” Jackson said, passing Lexie’s mother to Teddy. She was now unconscious and Lexie leaned in close to make sure she was still breathing.

  “She’ll be okay. Let’s go,” Teddy said, nodding for Lexie to follow him as they made their way toward the stairwell.

  “What about Jackson and Dane?” Lexie asked as she hesitated. She watched Jackson and Dane head in the opposite direction into the now smoke-filled hallway.

  “They won’t be far behind us. Just don’t point that thing at me,” Teddy said, looking nervously at the gun in her hand.

  Lexie nodded and followed closely on his heels as they made their way toward the stairwell. Teddy moved quickly despite carrying her mother. He stopped at the stairwell door to glance out the small window to make sure no one was behind it. He slowly lowered Lexie’s mother to the floor, eliciting a moan from her. “I just need to make sure it’s clear,” Teddy said. “Hold your gun that way.” He pointed back down the hall. “Just don’t shoot Jackson or Dane.” Teddy disappeared into the stairwell with his gun raised. Lexie stood protectively over her mother, holding her gun up as she looked down the deserted hallway.

  Lexie jumped when the door opened again and Teddy resurfaced. “Calm down.” Teddy pushed her arm away from him. Lexie didn’t even realize she swung the gun around when he opened the door.

  “Sorry,” she gasped.

  Teddy picked up her mother and led them into the stairwell, where they descended a few flights of stairs and came to a lower parking garage. “The police should be arriving any minute if they haven’t already, because of the alarm. We need to get out of here undetected and get your mother to the hospital.” Teddy kept his voice low. “We can’t be seen here.” The sound of someone following caught their attention. Teddy held his gun up just as Dane rounded the top of the stairs. “Just me,” Dane said, coming down to meet them.

  “Where’s Jackson?” Lexie asked, watching for him to appear.

  “He’s still looking for John,” Dane said, giving her a reassuring smile.

  “Shouldn’t you be with him?” Lexie asked nervously.

  “He wants you out of here safely. Jackson knows what he’s doing, Lexie.” Dane pushed the door open and raised his gun before he waved them to follow.

  Lexie was in a daze as she was led through the parking garage and into the dark night. The fresh air soothed her senses after spending days inside, but it could not dull the worry that burned in her stomach. She had no answers as to where Stephanie was and the fact that Jackson was still in the building made her sick to her stomach. She tried not to admit to herself that seeing him would bring her overwhelming relief. She tried to convince herself it was only because he was her best chance at finding Stephanie, but the truth was that he was a source of comfort that she craved. Something about him made her feel real and she feared something happening to him.

  The sounds of sirens broke through the fire alarm as the emergency vehicles pulled up in front of the building. Lexie could see a crowd gathered in the distance as people were evacuated from the building. “We’ll get her to the hospital in time,” Dane assured her. He grabbed her by the arm when her pace slowed and pulled her along into the trees. He held onto her as he guided them through the dark wooded area. A few times she tripped, but Dane didn’t let her fall. She wasn’t sure how they could both see when all she could see was darkness and shadows. So many questions formed on her tongue but she was in too much of a daze to bring herself to speak. She just wanted to get her mother the help she desperately needed.

  It wasn’t long before they broke from the tree line. Lexie could make out two vehicles parked on the side of the dark street. A man opened the door of the car and began walking toward them when he noticed them arrive.

  “Stay here and wait for Jackson,” Teddy said to him as he rounded the van. Teddy stopped in front of the back doors of the cargo van. Dane released Lexie and swung the doors open so Teddy could set her mother down.

  “We’re going to St. Lux hospital,” Dane said as he walked around the van and opened the driver’s door. Lexie grabbed Teddy’s hand after he climbed in the back and he pulled her up.

  “Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-ONE

  Jackson

  The buzz of the fluorescent light overhead in the hospital waiting room slowly grated on Jackson’s nerves. He was already coiled tight with emotions and he was trying to keep himself under control.

  He sat across from Lexie in the uncomfortable grey chairs that made up the seating area. She had been staring at an envelope in her hands for the last hour, seemingly memorizing every detail of the paper. She had washed the blood from her hands but she still had some staining the front of her dress. Every once in a while he would catch her looking down at it, as if reminding herself what had happened.

  Jackson wanted to ask her what was in the envelope that had her so captivated but she hadn’t spoken a word since he arrived. He wanted to know what she was thinking about as she sat in front of him, looking so fragile and exhausted. Ideas of what happened to her while she was held captive kept running through his head. He wanted to know if there was anyone else he needed to add to his kill list. He would kill every last one of Stodden’s men if he had to.

  All Jackson could see was her and she insisted on looking everywhere but at him. She was avoiding him and he didn’t want to intrude on her thoughts. It was best to keep his distance for now because he knew she was angry with him but he didn’t expect it to pain him so much.

  Jackson had been beside himself with worry for her safety since she was taken and now that she was here with him, he had an overwhelming desire to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. Her body language toward him kept him in his seat. He didn’t want to cause her any more distress than he already had. He knew he had to wait for her to make the first move.

  Jackson leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and raked his hands through his hair. He was angry that had been so close he could even remember the lingering scent of Stodden’s cologne in the halls as he searched room by room. Unfortunately, Stodden had provisions in place to escape. Jackson had searched every square foot before he admitted defeat and he had to accept Stodden had slipped through his fingers.

  The firemen had started to infiltrate the floors that Stodden’s men had used when he slipped out. It was only a matter of time before they found the bodies. Jackson knew he couldn’t be anywhere near the mess when it was revealed. Everything depended on him keeping a low profile.

  Lexie’s mother was in surgery and they were waiting quietly for news from the doctor. She had lost a lot of blood and was in critical condition when she arrived. Jackson looked up and noticed Teddy watching him. He gave Jackson a sad smile before he walked toward Lexie and sat down beside her.

  “How are you holding up?” Teddy asked as he nudged her gently with his shoulder.

  Lexie looked up at him from under her thick, damp lashes and shrugged in response. “Where’s Evan?” she asked quietly. “I need him.” Her words stung more than Jackson cared to admit.

  Teddy’s gaze shot toward Jackson. “Ha, funny story,” Teddy said, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward laugh. “He’s actually at a strip club.”

  “What?” Lexie’s scowl shadowed her entire face and Teddy’s face fell. “Now?” She shook her head, trying to make sense of Teddy’s explanation. “Does he know Stephanie’s still missing?”

  “Well, as you know, things aren’t always straight forward…” Teddy began.

  “Just spill it,” Lexie said sev
erely, like she knew the hole they were in was about to get deeper.

  Teddy looked around the room, making sure no one outside their group was in hearing distance. “He’s sort of collateral. John has lots of enemies, and we had to play nice to ensure we had what we needed to eliminate him,” Teddy said uneasily. “While you were away, things got a little complicated.” He looked nervous sitting beside Lexie trying to explain details he knew would upset her.

  “But you didn’t eliminate John,” Lexie said cautiously. “So what does that mean for Evan?”

  “It doesn’t mean anything,” Jackson spoke up. “He won’t get hurt. I promise.” Lexie still didn’t look at him as he silently begged her to.

  “Right now we need to focus on making sure your mother is all right.” Teddy patted her uncomfortably on the knee before he looked over at Jackson. “Evan is most definitely having a better time than we are.”

  “We need to find Stephanie,” Lexie said, looking up at Jackson for the first time since he arrived and he was hit with the full impact of her intense gaze.

  “She wasn’t there. I looked everywhere, Lex,” he responded dejectedly. The pain she was in was written all over her beautiful features.

  “Jacks,” Dane called to him from across the waiting room.

  Jackson looked up to see Giles heading their way. “Shit,” Jackson muttered under his breath. He knew it was only a matter of time before Giles found them. Jackson stood up and watched him approach with a fierce scowl upon his face.

  Giles pointed at Teddy and Dane. “Don’t go anywhere because I want to have a chat with the both of you as well.”

  Jackson followed Giles as he led him around the corner to an empty hallway with a run of vending machines. Giles looked at Jackson before he reached in his pocket and grabbed some change. He walked over to one of the machines and started shoving coins into the coffee dispenser. He grabbed the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath as he watched the cup fill with thick, syrupy fluid.

  Giles picked up the cup and tipped it to his lips. The coffee was barely in his mouth before he spit it back into the cup and tossed it into the nearest garbage bin. He spun around to face Jackson. “Please tell me there is a logically, un-incriminating reason that you end up in a hospital hours after an attack on a hotel that is now being investigated as a hideout for John Stodden.” Giles raked his hand through his grey hair. “Oh, and let’s not forget the fact that you are here with Mary Connors and her daughter, who had been, until now, known to be in his possession.” Giles stopped speaking and waited as a nurse passed them by and was a safe distance away. “Please tell me you didn’t try to take John down by yourself when he was basically in an armed fortress surrounded by civilians?”

  “Okay, I won’t,” Jackson responded, knowing it was impossible to deny.

  “Jesus,” Giles said in disbelief, knowing full well Jackson was lying. He raked his hand down his face and adjusted the collar of his shirt. “What were you thinking? I can’t keep covering for you.” Giles waved his hands to dramatize his point. “This is beyond, Jackson. I mean, where the hell did you get the guns? I know you’re smart enough not to go in there with police issued weapons. Actually, don’t tell me. I don’t want to fucking know.” He held his hand up to stop Jackson from answering. Anger rolled off his shoulders in waves. “I’m the fucking police commissioner.” Giles hit himself in the chest.

  “I never asked you to cover for me,” Jackson said when Giles’ rant died off and he was left looking at Jackson for answers.

  “That’s what family does,” Giles said sadly.

  “You aren’t my family, Giles. My family is dead. They’re all fucking dead.” Jackson squared his jaw. He was too fueled with emotion for this conversation. He was bound to combust from the strain.

  “You have never been more wrong, Jackson. Who do you think those guys are out there who risked their necks and their jobs for you?”

  “Dane and Teddy didn’t have anything to do with it. I’m the one who did this.”

  Giles tilted his head in disbelief.

  “Take my badge but you need them.”

  “I need you too!” Giles hollered before correcting his tone. “You three are the best fucking cops I have, but you keep insisting on fucking everything up. The only thing going for you is that you get results.” Giles shook his head. “At least you had the sense to go to a hospital far enough away from the hotel that it will not be connected and admitted Mary as a Jane Doe. I can work with that and tidy things up so this does not explode in your face,” Giles said as if he was trying to assure himself as much as Jackson.

  “How did you find us, anyway?” Jackson asked.

  “You don’t think I know you well enough to have connections in every hospital in the state?”

  Jackson bit his lip and shook his head thoughtfully. “I almost had him, Giles.”

  “I have told you so many times. You’re too close to this. You don’t think clearly.” Giles grabbed Jackson’s shoulder.

  Jackson shook his head. “I will do this.” Jackson looked into Giles’ concern filled eyes. He would not budge on this. He would make sure Giles knew that this was something he needed to see through.

  Giles sighed and let his hand fall. “I can maybe buy you a couple of weeks if I put you three on an undercover case, but I can’t help you. It won’t take long for Haffey to realize someone is making waves in her pool and you’ll be the first person she’ll come after. That woman is like a shark. As soon as anyone gets word of what you’re doing, it’s over. I’ll take care of the paperwork here to cover your tracks at the hospital so Haffey or anyone else doesn’t get wind of Mary’s admittance here. I handled the local authorities when I arrived. As soon as they realized they had a gunshot victim, flags were raised. I think I curbed it before it had a chance to leak. What would you have done if I hadn’t shown up to stop an investigation?”

  “I always think of something.” Jackson smiled with a raised brow.

  Giles shook his head with a smile. “You are so much like your father.”

  Giles’ words hit him in the chest and he felt like they stole his breath. “Thanks, Giles,” Jackson said, knowing how much of a risk Giles was taking with him.

  “Don’t thank me yet.” Giles started to walk away. “Two weeks, tops,” he warned.

  “Giles?” Jackson called after him. Giles swung around to face him. “Don’t trust anyone.”

  Giles narrowed his eyes. “Do you know who the rat is?” Giles asked.

  Jackson nodded his head. “I believe so but I need proof first.”

  “Who is it?”

  “I don’t know for certain.” Jackson was wary to admit it. He still had a hard time believing the truth himself.

  Tell me who it is, Jackson,” Giles demanded.

  Jackson squeezed his eyes shut before he let the word pass his lips. “Rosh.” Jackson opened his eyes to see his reaction.

  “Fuck,” Giles said, shaking his head. “You better get some proof. You can’t accuse someone like Rosh without having a solid case. Things just went from bad to fucked.”

  “To be honest, when I saw you storming in here, I thought you were gonna take my badge and throw me in a cell,” Jackson admitted.

  “Would it really make a difference? You would find a way regardless.” Giles looked Jackson in the eye. “I’ll do the best I can to keep this under wraps, but I fear you may have dug a hole too deep this time,” Giles said.

  “You can’t really be surprised?” Jackson asked as he tried to lighten the mood.

  “Stay alive, Jackson, because you are my family.” Giles patted Jackson on the shoulder before heading back toward Dane and Teddy.

  Jackson stared after him. He knew he should be sitting in a cell right now for what he had done. For some reason Giles believed in him and he needed to make sure he didn’t let him down.

  Jackson walked toward Lexie, who was still sitting in the same chair she’d been in since he arrived. This time he sat down next t
o her. He tried to ignore the delight that rushed to the surface of his dark sea of emotions when his arm brushed against hers. Something about her was like a warm sun to his senses and it was impossible to deny her effect on him.

  He scrambled desperately for something right to say to her but all his thoughts came to a complete stop when she spoke first.

  “I think I know where Stephanie is,” Lexie said, looking up at him with a sudden bright flame behind her eyes. “I asked John where she was and he told me she would suffer the same fate as the girl from my mother’s diary, the girl with the rose tattoo who went missing years ago. My mother told me it was the man with the scar that took her.” Lexie pointed toward the side of her neck. “I saw him when I was there. His name is Terrance Masten.”

  “The mayor of Belhaven?”

  Lexie nodded her head. “He has Stephanie. I’m sure of it.”

  Jackson collapsed back into his chair and rubbed his jaw.

  “He had an expensive suit on with a red tie. I can still remember that jagged scar down the side of his neck.”

  “That’s definitely him,” Jackson said, leaning his head back and staring at the ceiling.

  He could feel Lexie’s eyes on him and he wished more than anything all the noise between them could just go away but the truth was too loud to ignore. “It’s not gonna be easy to get close to him.”

  “But we have to,” Lexie said as she grabbed onto his forearm. “We have to.”

  “I know.”

  She pulled her hand away quickly when Jackson looked down at it.

  “Dane will stay here with you and wait for your mother to get out of surgery. Teddy and I will start digging. If Masten has her, then we will find out.”

  Lexie nodded and quickly wiped away a tear that escaped her eyes. Jackson stood up and motioned at Teddy across the room as he and Teddy resurfaced.

  “Jackson…” Lexie called out to him as he started to walk away. He looked back at her, glimpsing the torment behind her gaze. She looked as if she was struggling to find the words.