Unstable, page 17
She shoved Quentin off the seat, kicked his legs out the way of the pedals.
And checked her phone.
"Thank you, thank you," she whispered, knowing the relief flooding her might be misplaced, but at least she had something.
Knowles had sent through the truck's registered address, and that address was ten miles ahead, down the highway. He’d stayed local. He’d killed in his neighborhood, and now, maybe, she could see if he’d spared anyone in this spree.
She started up the engine and set off, wedging herself into the least bloody area of the wide leather seat, with only a corpse for company and the burning hope that when she got there, she'd be in time to find Louella.
Buried alive.
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
Ten miles wasn't far, but it felt like an eternity as Cora powered down the highway, not knowing what she'd find, or what would be awaiting her there.
She called Gabe as she drove.
"Quentin is the killer,” she said breathlessly. “I managed to shoot him, and I'm on the way to his place," she said breathlessly. "I saved one of the victims, and she’s waiting on the highway. But Louella’s buried alive! She’s somewhere there, buried alive. He told me so. He taunted me with it. I have to find her in time. I have to!"
“Get there. As fast as you can. I’ll deal with things this side, and get to the other woman,” he promised.
Cora knew Gabe would do what he needed to. She didn’t have to worry about that anymore. Now, she had to worry about what lay ahead. How much air did Louella have? And where was she buried? Would she hear Cora, and would Cora hear her? What if she’d already passed out through lack of oxygen?
She was hoping for the best but fearing the worst as she turned onto the main road, and then, a couple of miles further on, following the map coordinates, she veered down the darkened driveway, the headlights cutting the blackness in front of her. Ahead, she saw a small, neat farmhouse.
Cora jumped out. "Louella!" she shouted. "Louella!"
Was this prison inside the farmhouse, or outside? She didn't know. She was going to go with in. Activating her phone's flashlight, she rushed to the front door.
It was locked, but nothing was stopping her now. A well placed bullet shattered the latch, and she kicked it open. Then she was in, punching on the lights, staring around.
"Louella?" she yelled again.
No reply.
Using her flashlight, she zigzagged through the house, snapping on the lights as she saw them, searching everywhere she could think of.
Nothing.
Cora flew from room to room, shining her light into corners, checking closets, searching for any sign of a trapdoor, or a sealed room, or stairs that might lead to a basement.
In the basement, she found signs of the imprisonment and the escape. A plank had been forced away from the doorway. But it was empty and the floor there was solid. Breathing in the air as she stood there, she could taste the residue of fear and desperation from the prisoners who had been held here.
Cora raced outside, hoping there was more to the house than the living area and bedrooms she'd seen. She leaped off the stairs and ran around the side to the backyard.
"Louella!" she yelled, despair setting in. Maybe she was too late, and Louella was dead.
And then, she heard it.
A muffled scraping, a thudding, seemingly coming from the ground itself. But it wasn't the ground, she saw, racing over to the bush where she'd heard it. It was a piece of loose turf, next to a bush of deadly nightshade. And when she moved it away, she saw it was hiding a wooden trapdoor.
With desperate fingers, she pried the heavy door up, hearing a rush of air as the sealed interior was breached.
And there, huddled inside and gasping for air, her face sheet white, was Louella. Half-starved of food, almost starved of air, but alive.
Cora took her hand, which was trembling violently. She had to admit, hers wasn’t rock steady either. Carefully, she helped her up, and stood, taking this in, as the woman sobbed into her shoulder.
"You're alive. You're safe. It's all okay," she repeated, over and over.
***
An hour later, the entire homestead was lit up with bright police spotlights. The basement room was being forensically searched, but the police had already discovered that it was too late for the other women. They had followed the truck's deep tracks down a clear path that led through the property, a half mile further, to a thickly wooded area.
Here, into a crevasse in the rocks, the other victims had been thrown, and there were at least eight bodies down there. Cora felt chilled at what this man had done.
And at how many more he might have taken, without being discovered.
"I'm glad we stopped him." Standing beside her, watching the police at work as they descended into the crevasse, Gabe's voice was solemn.
"I wish we had saved them all," Cora said, feeling bitter that they hadn't been able to, that a man this evil had been able to keep killing, moving in the shadows, taking victims that nobody cared about.
"We can’t save them all. But you saved the last one, and Louella,” Gabe reassured her. “You heard how Daytona cried, when you told her just now? This means a lot to her. Louella can have a fresh start. If anyone’s earned a new life, it’s her. She outsmarted him, from what she said, refusing to repent. That’s what kept her alive.”
“I guess,” Cora admitted.
“I rented a car for us," Gabe said. "I guess we could leave here, now that things are wrapped up?"
Cora had changed into the spare pair of pants in her overnight bag. The others were stiff with dried blood from the truck’s seat. She'd given them to the police. Exhibit A, or rather, seeing there was such a wealth of other evidence, more probably Exhibit X.
"Let's get back," she agreed. "I've promised to visit my folks, first thing tomorrow. My mom's been sick, and my dad’s been stressed about it. I need to take them some groceries, spend some time with them."
“I’m sorry, Cora,” he said. “You’re doing the right thing.”
They turned to leave the scene, but she saw Gabe's eyes flicker her way, and something in his face again at the mention of parents.
She was not going to say what had happened to his father, what had played out there on the mountaintop, near that ramshackle cabin. That memory was locked up tight now.
"I'll do the driving," was all he said. "You need to rest."
His arm wrapped around her shoulders, briefly, in a surprisingly tender gesture. She squeezed his fingers.
He wasn't asking her about what had happened - yet. But Cora knew he was going to.
And when he did, she'd have to decide how much of the truth to tell him.
EPILOGUE
Three days later, Cora was walking into a bad part of town. She was on her way to meet a gangster, an old Mob connection, who she'd known long ago, and who she was hoping might be able to help her now. She’d been through that folder marked ‘Business’ that she’d taken from Buddy, and a few of the old receipts seemed to point to businesses that she knew the local Mob had been involved in.
It wasn’t the close connection she’d hoped for but it was all she was going to get.
She'd parked her new car on the street. Well, new second-hand. She’d bought it yesterday, and in this neighborhood, she was hoping it would be there when she got back.
The meeting place was a bar, rundown and tired looking from the outside, but busy inside with the clink of glasses and muted voices. As soon as she walked in, the patrons seated at the counter looked up, heads turned her way. She saw suspicion written all over their faces. It hung in the air, as thick as the cigarette smoke.
Ignoring their glares, she made her way to the back of the bar, to the man she was here to meet.
There, she saw her old acquaintance, Gianni Umberto, sitting at the table. Gianni had been a low level Mob employee for decades. She guessed that meant he had the knack of survival, and she also knew he’d picked up a lot about their workings over the years.
He hadn't aged well, she noted. He looked older than his years, with a face that was puffy and rough-looking. His hands, strong, with swollen knuckles, cradled a glass of bourbon.
"What you having?" he asked.
"Coke, please." Pleasantries had to be observed, even though minimal.
She waited while he got the Coke. He sat down, observing her with a shrewd gaze.
"What brings you here? And to me?"
"I need information," she said. Now that it was time to ask, the question was terrifying to her, the implications of the answer so far reaching. Would she discover what had happened to Rose?
"There's a guy who was part of your set-up here, name of Mario. I believe he and my sister, Rose, met. Years ago. Maybe ten years, maybe longer. I think he helped her get away from a predator, but I don't know where she went after that," she said.
"Mario?" The name was familiar to him, she could see it. He knew this man. Gianni took a slow sip of his bourbon, eyes narrowing. "Yeah, I know his uncle. We worked together a few times. But he ain't part of our operation anymore, and nor is Mario."
"Why? What happened?" Cora clenched her fists under the table. This was not the answer she was hoping for. "Please. I need to know where she is now. I'm desperate for any information." Her voice trembled with emotion.
Gianni regarded her for a long moment, considering her request. Finally, he spoke.
"Alright. I'll see what I can find out. My memory is that they eloped. Fell in love and ran away. I might be able to trace him. But it's gonna cost you."
"Whatever it is, I'll pay!" she said. If he wanted cash, she'd find a way to get it.
"Not money. Perhaps not, anyway. I'll help you with this, if you'll do me a favor. Not now. But soon."
She hesitated. "What favor?" she asked.
He shrugged. "When the time's right, I'll let you know. When help’s required, I’ll call on you. Trust me, I know what you’re capable of. I’ll wait until it’s something big. Something we need your particular skills for.” He gave a cunning grin. “For now - do we have a deal? Should I ask his uncle where he went?"
Cora steeled herself. She knew she would be heading into a dark place by agreeing to this. But what could she do? She had to find Rose.
She nodded.
"Deal," she agreed.
There was no going back. She was committed to this course of action, however reckless or dangerous it proved. Reaching across the table to seal the agreement, she clasped Gianni’s cool, gnarled hand.
NOW AVAILABLE!
UNKNOWN
(A Cora Shields Mystery—Book 7)
In this action-packed mystery thriller by #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce, Cora Shields, 30, former Navy Seal turned FBI Special Agent, is fired from the FBI for breaking one rule too many. But when a string of murders occur on a military base, Cora is the only one brave enough to go up against a conspiracy, and bring the killer to justice.
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UNKNOWN (A Cora Shields Suspense Thriller—Book 7) is the next novel in a new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 7,000 five star ratings and reviews.
On the outside, Cora Shields is a total badass. A Navy SEAL veteran and a top agent in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, Cora has a reputation for doing whatever it takes to catch a killer. What no one knows, though, is that she’s a wreck on the inside, addicted to painkillers and deeply depressed.
Sometimes, cases need to be pursued outside the law.
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A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured vigilante, the CORA SHIELDS series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.
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—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
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—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
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—Reader review (City of Prey)
“Right from the start we have an unusual protagonist that I haven't seen done in this genre before. The action is nonstop… A very atmospheric novel that will keep you turning pages well into the wee hours.”
—Reader review (City of Prey)
“Everything that I look for in a book… a great plot, interesting characters, and grabs your interest right away. The book moves along at a breakneck pace and stays that way until the end. Now on go I to book two!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
“Exciting, heart pounding, edge of your seat book… a must read for mystery and suspense readers!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
UNKNOWN
(A Cora Shields Mystery—Book 7)
Did you know that I've written multiple novels in the mystery genre? If you haven't read all my series, click the image below to download a series starter!
Blake Pierce
Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising twenty-eight books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising sixteen books, of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books; of the LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising eleven books; of the ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising fourteen books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books, of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising six books; of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising ten books (and counting); of the VALERIE LAW mystery series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the PAIGE KING mystery series, comprising eight books (and counting); of the MAY MOORE mystery series, comprising eleven books; of the CORA SHIELDS mystery series, comprising eight books (and counting); of the NICKY LYONS mystery series, comprising eight books (and counting), of the CAMI LARK mystery series, comprising eight books (and counting), of the AMBER YOUNG mystery series, comprising five books (and counting), of the DAISY FORTUNE mystery series, comprising five books (and counting), of the FIONA RED mystery series, comprising eight books (and counting), of the FAITH BOLD mystery series, comprising eight books (and counting), of the JULIETTE HART mystery series, comprising five books (and counting), of the MORGAN CROSS mystery series, comprising five books (and counting), and of the new FINN WRIGHT mystery series, comprising five books (and counting).
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.
BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE
FINN WRIGHT MYSTERY SERIES
WHEN YOU’RE MINE (Book #1)
WHEN YOU’RE SAFE (Book #2)
WHEN YOU’RE CLOSE (Book #3)
WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPING (Book #4)
WHEN YOU’RE SANE (Book #5)
MORGAN CROSS MYSTERY SERIES
FOR YOU (Book #1)
FOR RAGE (Book #2)
FOR LUST (Book #3)
FOR WRATH (Book #4)
FOREVER (Book #5)
JULIETTE HART MYSTERY SERIES
NOTHING TO FEAR (Book #1)
NOTHING THERE (Book #2)
NOTHING WATCHING (Book #3)
NOTHING HIDING (Book #4)
NOTHING LEFT (Book #5)
FAITH BOLD MYSTERY SERIES
SO LONG (Book #1)
SO COLD (Book #2)
SO SCARED (Book #3)
SO NORMAL (Book #4)
SO FAR GONE (Book #5)
SO LOST (Book #6)
SO ALONE (Book #7)
SO FORGOTTEN (Book #8)
FIONA RED MYSTERY SERIES
LET HER GO (Book #1)
LET HER BE (Book #2)
LET HER HOPE (Book #3)
LET HER WISH (Book #4)
LET HER LIVE (Book #5)
LET HER RUN (Book #6)
LET HER HIDE (Book #7)
LET HER BELIEVE (Book #8)
DAISY FORTUNE MYSTERY SERIES
NEED YOU (Book #1)
CLAIM YOU (Book #2)
CRAVE YOU (Book #3)
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