The Chase Read online

  The

  CHASE

  A Novel

  DiAnn Mills

  Bestselling Author of Breach of Trust

  Beloved Doe and those who would not let this child’s death go unsolved.

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  CHAPTER 48

  CHAPTER 49

  CHAPTER 50

  CHAPTER 51

  CHAPTER 52

  CHAPTER 53

  CHAPTER 54

  CHAPTER 55

  CHAPTER 56

  CHAPTER 57

  CHAPTER 58

  CHAPTER 59

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  About the Author

  Praise for THE CHASE

  Also by DiAnn Mills

  Preview

  Copyright

  About the Publisher

  Share Your Thoughts

  CHAPTER 1

  PRESENT DAY

  JUNE

  Kariss had fulfilled all her dreams but one by age thirty-five. Most women would bask in such a claim, but not Kariss. The one mountain yet to climb beckoned her to strap on hiking boots and make her approach. The peak held her in fascination, and failing meant losing everything she’d ever gained.

  Her heels clicked along the marble flooring of the Marriott hotel’s lobby adjoining Houston’s Intercontinental Airport. Ten minutes early for her appointment with her literary agent and she could use the time to make sure her responses to Meredith were gracious and resolute. A mouthful for sure.

  Sinking into a plush chair, she took a deep breath and waited. With all of her prolific abilities, why couldn’t she respond with words that relayed her passion for this story? But now she had the opportunity to convince Meredith of her sincerity. A little encouragement went a long way when calling up the powers of inspiration and creativity.

  Right on time, Meredith Rockford slipped into a chair across from Kariss, sipping on a cup of tea, no doubt Earl Grey. Dressed in a black traveler’s knit jacket and pants, the only color emitting from Meredith was her crimson lipstick.

  “You could have texted me that you were early,” Meredith said.

  Kariss smiled. “Just got here. Did you have a good night’s rest?”

  Meredith lifted a brow while taking a sip of her tea. “My head is killing me. I had to fly from New York to Houston. Arrived late and had to cancel our dinner appointment, and you ask me if I slept well?” She set the cup on a table in front of them. “The only thing that will give me a good night’s sleep is for you to abandon this ludicrous idea of changing genres.”

  Kariss valued integrity above all things, and she refused to lose control. “Please understand I have given this writing project considerable thought. I need a break from writing women’s fiction. I’m not discounting what you’ve done for my career, my friends who continue to write women’s fiction, or my faithful readers. But I have a deep need to write a suspense novel.”

  “You rehearsed your spiel very nicely, but let me give you the facts: you, Kariss Walker, are about to commit publishing suicide. Changing genres in the middle of New York Times bestselling status means starting all over.”

  “I was hoping you’d champion my goals.”

  “My goal is to make sure my writers and my agency make money while ensuring the publishing community has quality writing projects.” She crossed her arms. “After Sunrise has held the number two slot for three months. Always a Lady sold over six hundred thousand copies along with a sweet spot on the bestsellers list. You write women’s fiction. Period. Not suspense. Your ratings are going to plummet like an avalanche.”

  Kariss uncrossed her legs and allowed her arms to lay limp at her side. How much more open could she be? “Ten novels in five years is a bit much, don’t you think? Suspense intrigues me. Remember the eight years I spent reporting evening news on Houston’s Channel 5? I have more ideas than I will ever have time to write.”

  “It won’t work. Your readers want sweet stories about women. They’ll drop you tomorrow if you switch to suspense. Now send me the proposal for the next story. The one we chatted about in New York will do nicely. You’re the only writer who can convince the reader that the main character isn’t just a story, but a human life.”

  Meredith started to stand, but Kariss gestured for her to stay. “Please hear me out. Deep inside me is a well of passion for stories that burst onto the suspense scene. These are real and happening in my city. One in particular touched my heart several years ago and has never let me go. I cannot not write this. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have a contract. If one of the big six doesn’t want to publish it, I’ll self-publish.”

  “If you do not adhere to the demands of the publishing world, your actions may dissolve our representation of your work.”

  Kariss moistened her lips. “I am fully aware of the consequences.”

  “Are you? You may never publish again.” Meredith retrieved her cup of Earl Grey and left the lobby.

  Kariss gathered her purse and laptop before leaving the hotel. She had two hours until her appointment with Lincoln Abrams, special agent in charge of Houston’s FBI. Five years had passed since she’d linked arms with law enforcement agencies and enlisted public support to help find criminals. Excitement with a twinge of apprehension grabbed hold of her senses. If only her agent held the same enthusiasm about her writing a suspense novel. Maybe if she knew the real reason why Kariss wanted to protect children …

  This story meant more than all the six-figure checks combined. In five years, no one had solved the crime stalking her, and she didn’t possess the skills to smoke out a killer. But in her novel version, the perpetrator would be brought to justice.

  Drinking a double espresso, his breakfast of choice, Tigo drove through the seedy neighborhood off South Main in Houston, looking for the dark green van last seen at the shipyards speeding away with two hundred and fifty grand of stolen AK-47 rifles.

  The area looked deserted except for the battered vehicles matching the twisted and dented people who hid behind their weapons and bravado.

  Some residents were simply poor and trying to eke out a living. Why they stayed made no sense. But those weren’t the ones Tigo wanted to question. He needed Cheeky and his gang of Arroyos behind bars for gun smuggling. Add to that the identity of the dealers who were selling them weapons, and he was a happy man. Houston ranked as Mexico’s largest gun supplier, and Tigo intended to drop that stat like a live grenade.

/>   He drove slowly, studying each peeled-painted house for signs of rodents. He didn’t really expect a tattooed gang member this time of the morning, but he also knew they could tear through a door at any moment ready to blow him to pieces. He risked the encounter and hoped they were sleeping off the previous night. His appointment was critical to draw out those who continued to break the law, one important enough for him to break the rules and work alone. He’d long ago given up trying to figure out if he wanted credit for the arrests or if he didn’t want to endanger another agent. Probably both.

  The gangs living here counted coup on law enforcement types.

  Tigo eased to the curb next to a bungalow with boarded-up windows. Turning off the engine of the twenty-year-old Toyota minus the fender and hubcaps, he waited for his guest and drank the espresso.

  A toddler pushed open the door of a house across the street. Wearing nothing but a diaper, he carried what looked like a rag — probably a substitution for his mother. The reality of the kid’s future yanked at Tigo’s thoughts, along with the likelihood of him already being an addict. How long before he was dealing and carrying a piece?

  No one else ventured from the neighborhood. But Tigo couldn’t wait forever. Linc wanted to see him about something. Glancing at his watch and rolling down the window, he gave himself fifteen minutes.

  Candy was ten minutes late. Maybe she’d overslept, since her career kept her occupied at night. But the olive-skinned beauty had always been prompt, especially when the extra money didn’t touch her pimp’s pockets. She seemed to sense Tigo’s drive to nail the gang, but he refused to psychoanalyze that. She claimed to have the information he needed to close down the Houston operation, including names of arms dealers and details about those dealers raising prices on their weapons.

  Five more minutes passed, and the espresso cup lay crumpled on the passenger’s seat. Candy wouldn’t have left him waiting without a call. Lately she’d grown bolder … maybe too bold. After all, meeting here at seven-thirty had been her idea. Late nights ate up her earning power. She claimed his presence looked like a john leaving, and the neighborhood slept until noon.

  Tigo punched in her number. Four rings. “This is Candy. I’m busy right now.” A giggle followed the sexy voice with a Hispanic accent. “Leave a message, and I’ll get back to you.”

  He wasn’t stupid enough to leave a message.

  They’d met five times, and he believed each one raised the bar on their trust. She wanted to leave her sordid life, but she needed money until she landed a respectable job. Even asked for the name of a shelter. Said her two kids would have a better future. That had suckered Tigo in. Now suspicions about her motives called him a fool.

  Tigo fired up the Toyota, muttering the language of the area. At the end of the block, two Hispanics wearing black T-shirts stepped into the street carrying assault rifles, their muscled forearms tattooed with gang symbols, their shaven heads etched deep with crossbones. Tigo spun the car, tires squealing. The smell of burned rubber invaded his nostrils.

  At the other end of the street, two more armed men straddled his path, matching the MO behind him. Both had sidearms tucked into the front of their jeans. Great. He headed straight for them. In his quest to singlehandedly stop this gang, thinking a prostitute would take an exchange of money for info, he’d allowed pride to overrule logic. He deserved to have that engraved on his tombstone.

  The man to the left in front of him lifted his rifle and fired, shattering Tigo’s windshield and narrowly missing his left shoulder. In return, Tigo grabbed his Glock from the passenger seat, tossed it into his left hand, then fired into the man’s chest, sending him sprawling backward onto the street.

  Another bullet whizzed past the top of Tigo’s head. The men behind him were chasing after him. Tigo stomped the accelerator and headed straight for the remaining man on the right. Tigo might have fallen for a classic fog job with Candy, but he still had a few tricks to save his neck.

  With the next outburst of fire, he sliced the morning with a pain-filled cry. The man on the right hesitated, giving Tigo the break to send a bullet flying into his chest.

  Candy had either set him up or she was dead.

  CHAPTER 2

  Kariss zipped along outbound Highway 290 to the FBI office on a sun-bathed morning, clearly a good omen for her new writing project. She admired the fluid precision of her silver Jaguar XKR convertible, barely six weeks old. Its dynamic sound system rivaled a concert hall, and she imagined a tuxedo-dressed conductor ushering Bach into action. She detested the statements that people deserved this or that, but this car was definitely worth the sticker price. Of course, if Meredith made good her threats, Kariss would be selling the Jag in a heartbeat.

  Traffic on the inbound lane merged bumper to bumper. Another reason for living inside the loop and working from her condo. She’d go nuts if she faced this every day. However, today her destination was worth any price.

  Mentally checking what she needed once she reached the FBI office, she pushed aside Meredith’s insensitive attitude toward her goals. Her agent would change her mind once she read the first chapter of her suspense novel — and the book’s dedication.

  She’d like to add some romance and the grit of a heroine who was not afraid to help solve a crime. The storyline was a little vague, but after today the detailed plotline should fit right into her spreadsheet — a writing technique she hadn’t used before. In the past her books were straightforward and pretty easy to write. All she needed to do each morning was take her place at her computer and work through the plot in her head.

  Taking a deep breath, Kariss envisioned the exclusive book signings and TV interviews. Admittedly so, she was hungry to make this work.

  A late-model green Toyota sped alongside her on the left. At the car’s speed, it must be shaking. How did a vehicle that beaten up stay on the road? Her attention swept to the driver, a Hispanic man, and for a brief moment their gazes met before he cut directly into her path. Slamming on her brakes, she stiffened. What a jerk. He’d nearly caused an accident.

  She reached to palm her horn, but the driver looked like the type who might whip out a gun. Great for her novel, but not for real life. He sped down the highway, weaving in and out like her granny’s knitting needles.

  “You’ll get yours.” She turned up the radio, still shaken but certain HPD patrolled both sides of the road. Some people didn’t deserve a driver’s license.

  Taking a drink of her Starbucks mocha latte, she eased into the right lane, maintaining her speed at the posted limit of sixty miles per hour. The make of her car kept her on the radar of over-enthusiastic police officers. No time for a speeding ticket today.

  A police car whizzed by, red light flashing, and she laughed. Sure enough, he had Mr. Toyota in his sights. By the time she passed the police car, both vehicles were chummy at the side of the road.

  Kariss turned right onto West 43rd toward Houston’s FBI office, her fury over the driver who’d cut her off dispersing. She parked in the designated visitor area and snatched up her laptop and purse with a goal to whiz through security. Her fingers tingled at what lay ahead. Oh, the glory of story.

  A sign inside security stated no laptops. Why hadn’t she remembered that stipulation? Back when she frequented the FBI office, she hadn’t needed her tool of the trade.

  She pasted on a warm smile. “I have an appointment with Special Agent in Charge Lincoln Abrams. He won’t have a problem with my laptop.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I still need to scan it and you.”

  “Then I can take it with me?”

  “When I’m finished.”

  She’d planned an early arrival, knowing the paperwork required before her appointment. Her foot tapped against the concrete of the security’s floor. Patience. You’re not a one-legged tap dancer. Twenty minutes later she sat in the reception area, her paperwork completed, her laptop resting in its pink sleeve beside her.

  “Miss Walker?”

  Kariss
hurried to the receptionist. “Yes, ma’am. Is Mr. Abrams ready to see me?”

  The woman smiled. Her black jacket and pants radiated power as her dark eyes narrowed with authority. “I’m sorry. Mr. Abrams has been detained for about forty-five minutes. Would you like to wait?”

  Kariss hid her disappointment. Linc held a prestigious position, filled with responsibility and unexpected interruptions. “I’ll wait. Thank you.” She did have downloaded emails to answer, and she hadn’t touched the marketing plan for the new novel.

  Nothing could snip her excitement for this writing project.

  Tigo’s neck stung along with his pride for getting pulled over by one of Houston’s finest.

  “You’re late.” Linc Abrams settled back into his chair and steepled his fingers, just like he used to do in college during study groups — when he was right. A file sat on his otherwise cleared desk, empty except for his computer and pictures of his wife and teenage son.

  “Got a ticket.” Tigo flashed a smile and took a chair across from Linc’s desk. His watch registered forty-nine minutes past the scheduled meeting time.

  “Flying like a speed demon again?”

  “Something like that.”

  Linc leaned in, his dark-brown gaze calculating yet not unfriendly. “Were you solo this morning?”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “I know your habits. Your methods give a whole new definition to furtive.”

  “Is that a compliment?”

  “Not today. I got a report from HPD. Firefight involving the Arroyos and an unidentified driver of a green Toyota.” He pointed at Tigo’s face. “The giveaway is your bleeding neck.”

  “I should have driven the speed limit.” They danced this kind of interrogation on a regular basis. Next time Tigo would stop to treat the cut. “I was there chasing a lead.”

  “Nearly lost a friend this morning and all you can say is you were out chasing a lead?”

  “This case is driving me nuts while the gunrunner trade escalates.”

  “We’re a team, remember? Who gave you the info? Candy?”

  Tigo chuckled. “That’s three questions in a row.”