Blood in the Marsh Read online

  Lyra didn’t open her eyes until the exam was over and the doctor had treated her cuts and left the room. Michael followed him out into the hall. Nick was still waiting and with him were a tall, dark-haired man and a very attractive older woman with platinum-blonde hair.

  The older man stepped forward and addressed the doctor. “Excuse me. I am Count Leopold Desyatov and this is Ms. Alexandra Seville, the victim’s mother. The police called and said Lyra had been admitted to the hospital. How is she? What happened? Mr. Austin refuses to tell us what happened.”

  Michael stepped in before the doctor could answer. “I’m Detective Michael Santera, sir. I’m in charge of the case. I’ll be glad to fill you in as soon as I speak with the doctor. If you’d just be patient a few minutes longer.”

  Leopold nodded and walked over to where Lexi was rubbing up against Nick, holding onto his arm and dabbing at her perfectly made up and dry eyes.

  Michael turned and looked at the doctor. “Well?”

  The doctor shook his head. “There was evidence of a lubricant in the vagina, but there is no evidence of semen. I have no idea what happened, but I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt that she was not raped.”

  Michael looked over at Nick and realized not only was he listening but so were Lyra’s mother and her friend. “How’s that?”

  “There’s no evidence to suggest rape. No tearing or tissue damage.”.”

  Michael’s eyes widened in surprise but he quickly recovered. “So what about this lubricant you found?”

  “I took a sample for testing. But I’d bet my stethoscope it’s the same lubricant we use for exams—same smell and consistency. It’s very strange.”

  “Yeah, it is.” Michael thanked the doctor and turned to Nick who was staring across the hall. “Well, at least we know she wasn’t raped.”

  “How fortunate!” Leopold said. “Now, suppose you tell us just what did happen, Detective?”

  “I don’t have all the facts yet, sir. Right now I need to question Lyra.”

  “Then I will accompany you. I feel sure she is severely traumatized and needs the comfort of those who love her right now.”

  Nick stepped in front of him, barring his path. “I don’t think so. Detective Santera needs to question her and you’d be in the way.”

  Michael saw the look that came on Leopold’s face. “He’s right. Why don’t you and Ms. Seville get a cup of coffee and I’ll meet you in the waiting room when I finish.”

  “Very well.” Leopold gave Nick a hateful look. “Are you going to accompany us, Mr. Austin?”

  “I think I’ll hang around here.”

  Leopold nodded to Michael then took Lexi’s arm and led her down the hall. As soon as they were out of sight, Nick turned to Michael. “If she wasn’t raped then why was she grabbed and what were those men doing to her?”

  Michael pushed open the door. “Why don’t we see if we can find out. Wait here and I’ll”

  “I’m going in with you.”

  “Nick, it’s against procedure.”

  “Mike, this is personal.”

  Michael hesitate a moment then nodded and opened the door.

  They found Lyra dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed. She stood as they entered. “I’m ready to leave.”

  “We have to wait for the doctor to sign your release papers,” Michael said. “And I also need to ask you some questions about what happened.”

  “What happened is Patty’s dead! There’s nothing else to tell and I want to leave.”

  Nick walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. “Lyra, we need to know more. Michael can’t find those men unless you help him.”

  “I can’t.” She pulled away and turned her back to them. “There’s nothing to tell. It was dark, they were dressed in black, and their faces were covered. They killed Patty.”

  Nick started toward her but Michael put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head. Nick stopped and Michael walked over in front of her. “Your mother and her friend are here.”

  Lyra looked up at him with wide eyes. “Lexi’s here? Why? Did you call her?”

  “No, I didn’t. The hospital did. It’s standard procedure. But as soon as your release papers are signed they can take you home.”

  “Make them leave! I don’t want to see them. Just tell them to go away.”

  Michael looked at her with concern on his face. “Lyra, your mother’s worried. She’s here because she cares about you.”

  She barked a harsh laugh. “Make them leave. I don’t want them here. I don’t want to see them or talk to them. I’m over twenty-one and I don’t have to put up with being treated like a child. Just tell them —tell them whatever you want, just please make them leave!”

  Michael looked at her for a few seconds then nodded. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

  He left and she sat down on the bed. Nick sat down beside her and took her hand. “You want to tell me what happened?”

  “I don’t even want to think about it right now. I just want to get out of here.”

  “Okay, I’ll go check with the doctor. You wait right here.”

  She nodded and he left to go look for the doctor. He found him in the waiting room with Michael, Lyra’s mother and the Count. Leopold looked up at Nick as he entered the room. “Is she ready to go home?”

  Nick looked at Michael for a second then shook his head. “She’s not quite ready to leave. I’ll bring her home.”

  “I think it would be best if she left with us. We are her family and it is our duty to make sure she feels safe and protected after this harrowing ordeal. We can only be grateful that she was not raped like that other poor unfortunate woman. So, thank you for your offer, Mr. Austin, but we will take care of Lyra.”

  Michael saw the look that came over Nick’s face and intervened before anything happened. “Mr., excuse me, Count Desyatov, I still have to question Lyra and get a signed statement from her. That could take a few hours. I promise you she’ll be safe. I personally guarantee it.”

  Leopold looked at Michael and started to protest but Lexi cut him off. “Detective Santera’s just doing his job, honey. Let’s go on home and wait for her there.”

  Leopold gave Michael a curt nod and ignored Nick. He escorted Lexi from the room and Michael blew out his breath. “Doctor, if you’ll just get those release papers signed I’ll take it from here.”

  The doctor left to take care of the paperwork and Michael looked at Nick. “What’s with this Count guy?”

  “From what Lyra’s told me he’s just another in a long string of Lexi’s lovers.”

  Michael shrugged. “Well, let’s get Lyra and get her out of here. Maybe she’ll feel more like talking in more comfortable surroundings.”

  Sea Island

  Michael pulled up in the driveway at Lyra’s house and stopped the car. Nick opened the door and got out of the backseat but Lyra didn’t move. Michael ended his call with the Detective who’d stayed to work the scene and turned to look at her.

  “We’re here.”

  She looked up at him with an expression he could not read. “I don’t want to go in by myself. Will you and Nick go with me?”

  He nodded as he got out and they all walked to the door. Leopold pulled it open as soon as they drew near. “Lyra! Thank god!”

  He grabbed her and pulled her to him. She clawed at him and shoved him away. “Don’t touch me!”

  Leopold stepped back to let them enter. “Forgive me, please. You are understandably overwrought. Come. Let’s get you into a nice hot bath so you can relax.”

  He tried to take her arm but she slapped his hand away. “Stay away from me!”

  Michael and Nick exchanged a look as they watched, then Leopold turned to them. “Forgive my manners. Please, come in.”

  They followed him into the den where Lexi was lounging on one of the sofas. She looked up as they entered. “Nick, Detective Santera, how good of you to come. I feel as if I’ve been run over by a train. This ha
s all been such a terrible strain. Please excuse my attire but I’m just too emotionally drained to change right now.”

  Michael gave Nick a strange look. Lexi was poised on the sofa in a lace negligee and sheer robe, fully made up as if she were posing for a picture. Nick cut his eyes at Lexi and for a moment Michael caught a glimpse of something akin to anger in them.

  She smiled seductively at him then Michael and pushed herself up. “Please, sit down. Shall I have coffee prepared or would you prefer a drink?”

  Michael noticed that Lexi had totally ignored Lyra who was standing in the doorway, watching silently. Nick shook his head at Lexi’s invitation. “No, thanks. We just wanted to make sure Lyra got home safe. I think I’ll help her upstairs then we’ll leave.”

  “That will not be necessary, Mr. Austin.” Leopold announced. “We can take care of Lyra without your assistance. As a matter of fact, if you’ll excuse me, I will escort her upstairs.”

  He walked over to where Lyra was standing, staring blankly across the room. “Come.” He took her arm.

  Lyra jumped away from him as if he were a poisonous snake. “I told you not to touch me! Just get away from me. Get out of my sight and get out of my house. Go away!”

  Nick ran over and wrapped his arm around her shoulder then looked at Leopold. “I don’t think she wants your help.”

  “Now, boys,” Lexi gave Michael a wink. “Let’s all settle down. I tell you what, Lyra honey, why don’t you run on upstairs and take a nice long bath and I’ll entertain our guests. I’m sure we have just oodles to talk about. By the way, Detective, have you seen any of my movies?”

  Michael looked at her like she was crazy. Here her daughter had been abducted, witnessed a murder, and violated, and she acted as if she were having a social gathering.

  “No, thank you. I have to be going. Nick?”

  Nick looked from Michael to Lyra. She squeezed his hand tightly. “Take me with you.”

  Nick looked at Leopold. “Lyra’s going with me.”

  “Is that so? On whose authority?”

  “On mine!” Lyra jerked around. “Lexi, I’ll see you later. Michael, can we leave now?”

  Michael walked over to her and Nick. He wasn’t sure what was going on and even more unsure how to act. He looked down at Lyra. “You sure you want to leave?”

  “Please.”

  Without another word, they left the house. Nick got into the back seat with Lyra and draped his arm around her shoulders. She sat rigid and unmoving, staring out of the window. A few minutes passed and his thoughts turned to another time.

  Two Years Prior —Columbia, South America

  Nick had become quite comfortable in Ramirez’s home, spying on his enemy. He watched as Paolo walked into the study. It was clear by the tension in his big frame that the news was not good. Ramirez finished his phone conversation and looked up at Paolo.

  “There was some trouble. Six of our men were killed and two were taken. The CIA has them in a house north of here. There are twelve men guarding them.”

  “Will they talk?”

  Paolo frowned and took a seat in front of the desk. “Who knows what men will do to save their own skins? I think it is time we considered leaving this place. You’ve already accomplished everything you came for. You’ve eliminated four of your enemies. Thanks to the intervention of the CIA, the large cartels have been broken. It will be an easy matter to fill their void from a distance. Why not leave now before the CIA gets any closer?”

  Ramirez smiled and shook his head. “We still have unfinished business. The Santos girl and her fiancé. When are they due to arrive?”

  “In two days we will intercept him in the city and bring him here. Our people have the Santos girl under constant surveillance. No one can get to her and her mother is too stupid to realize what is happening. Desyatov made contact with the CIA man, the one who calls himself Hempstead.”

  “And have we been able to determine yet who is running this CIA operation? Did Desyatov get anything from Hempstead?”

  “Nothing. The man is like a spirit. Each time we think we are close he vanishes—like magic—turning up somewhere else. We do not know his identity, or even his true appearance. He has many faces.”

  “Then perhaps we can use Desyatov to our advantage. Bring him in and we will offer him an arrangement.”

  “An arrangement?”

  Ramirez laughed. “Yes, we will give him the opportunity to advance himself within our ranks. All he has to do is deliver the CIA man and the Santos girl to receive his rather large piece of the pie.”

  “I do not think Desyatov is strong enough. Why cut him in on more power?”

  “Cut him in? Paolo, you are so amusing. I do not intend on cutting him in. Although cutting does have a certain appeal. No, we will do things according to my plan. Have no worries about Desyatov. He is loyal to me.”

  Paolo nodded in understanding. “I will see to it.”

  “See that you do. And have two women delivered to me tonight. I feel the need for a rather grand feast.”

  “Sir, we must show some caution in that area. The disappearances are not going unnoticed. There are those who are asking questions and fingers are beginning to point. Perhaps…”

  Ramirez stood with his eyes blazing. “Do you dare defy me?”

  “No, of course not. It is only that there have been so many. The count has passed thirty in as many days. We are sure to be discovered if we continue!”

  Ramirez held up his hand and rubbed his fingers against his thumb. Angry red sparks danced from them. He watched the sparks for a moment then looked at Paolo. “We will not be discovered, my friend. Now, do as I say.”

  Paolo nodded and left the room. Nick watched as Ramirez smiled and sat down. Soon Nickhe would have everything he had come to South America for. The most powerful of those who sought to usurp his power would be destroyed, and his eternal adversary would at last lead him to the prize he had waited so long to claim.

  The Present — Saturday Morning,Brunswick

  When they pulled up in front of Michael’s house. Chelsey’s car was parked in the driveway.

  Nick took Lyra’s hand and helped her out as Michael walked ahead of them to unlock the door. Chelsey was sitting on the front steps. As soon as she saw Lyra, she jumped up and raced over to her.

  “Oh god, Lyra!” She hugged her. “I was so scared! I thought…I thought…”

  Lyra returned the hug, patting Chelsey softly on the back. After a few minutes, Chelsey pulled back and looked at her. “Are you really okay? Did those men hurt you?”

  Dropping her eyes, Lyra didn’t respond. Nick put his arm around her. “Why don’t we go inside?” He led her up the sidewalk.

  Chelsey’s eyes were wide with anxiety. Michael opened the door and stepped aside as Nick took Lyra inside the house. Chelsey stopped at the doorway and looked up at Michael.

  “What happened to her?”

  “I think it’d be better if she told you.”

  “It’s my fault, isn’t it? If I hadn’t been standing up in the seat, yelling and carrying on she might have seen those guys and she might have gotten away. Whatever happened to her and Patty is my fault.”

  Suddenly she jerked. “Patty! Where is she?”

  Michael took her arm and pulled her over to hug her. “Chelsey, Patty’s dead.”

  “Dead?” She jumped and pulled away. “She’s…”

  “Come on,” he took her hand. “Let’s go in and we’ll talk.”

  She nodded and went inside. Lyra was sitting on the couch in the den, staring vacantly across the room.

  Chelsey sat down beside her. “I’m so sorry, Lyra. It’s my fault.”

  Lyra turned her head slowly. She could see the anguish in Chelsey’s eyes and realized that she had never seen Chelsey this way before. Not even when her dad died when she was in the ninth grade.

  “It’s not your fault, Chels. You’re the one who got help for us.”

  “Not soon enough. At lea
st not for Patty.”

  Lyra closed her eyes tightly, trying not to see Patty’s death in her mind. Over and over, it had replayed itself. She could see the terror in Patty’s eyes and the flash of light from the gun. Then the blood. She felt like she was going to go insane if she didn’t get it out of her mind.

  Jumping up, she walked to the window, wrapping her arms tightly around herself, trying to control the trembling. Nick walked in with a tray of glasses. He placed the tray on the table and walked up behind her. As he put his hand on her shoulder, she jumped.

  “I’m sorry. Why don’t you sit down? You’re exhausted and you need to rest.”

  She turned and looked at him and the reflection of her horror was mirrored in their emerald depths. He took her hand and led her back to the couch, sitting beside her and pulling her close.

  Michael sat down across from them and stared at Lyra for a moment. In the hospital, she had been less than eager to talk about what happened. All he had been able to get out of her so far was that the men took her and Patty into the marsh where they raped and killed Patty.

  He knew there was more to the story and sooner or later, he was going to have to know all of it if he was going to catch whoever was responsible. He understood her fear and even her reluctance to talk about it, but he was determined to bring the guilty parties to justice. He scooted his chair a little closer.

  “Lyra, I know this has been horrible for you and I know you don’t want to have to think about it, but if I’m going to find the men who did this to you and Patty I’m going to need to know everything. And the best time to talk about it is right now while it’s fresh in your mind. So would you please answer a few questions for me?”

  She looked at him and her face colored. Her eyes dropped to her hands, clenched in her lap. Finally, she looked up and nodded in resignation.