Cold & Deadly (Cold Justice: Crossfire #1)(48)
His father cleared his throat. Their interactions always seemed to stumble on the unresolved damage from Dominic’s childhood. “Anyway, hopefully you’ll come.” His dad rattled off a date and time. “Your sister misses you.”
He knew that was the only way his father could even come close to admitting he missed him too. At least the governor was no longer living in the mansion where Dominic had found his mother overdosed in bed when he’d been a kid.
He remembered every detail from that day. From the quietness of the house, to the stuffiness of his mother’s bedroom. He’d known he wasn’t supposed to bother her when she was sick—he had a new baby sister and waking his mom up when she was sleeping was punishable by a sharp smack across the back of the legs. But he’d skinned his knee falling off his bike and had wanted his mother’s comfort.
Yeah, well that hadn’t happened. He pushed the memories away.
“I’m not sure I can get away to Vermont right now, Dad. There’s some stuff going on at work.”
“Well, that’s okay because we’re holding the party in DC so that everyone can attend.”
By everyone, he meant the president. Dominic couldn’t help being cynical. “Well, that’s great. I can’t guarantee I’ll be in Virginia though. If a situation arises—”
“Surely the FBI can spare you for one lousy night especially after you were in a car accident?”
Guilt twisted his insides. Last time he’d visited had been at Christmas, and his father sounded genuinely keen to see him. “I’ll see what I can do, but no promises.”
“At least I know what to get you for Christmas this year.”
“What’s that?”
“A new Lexus.”
Dominic closed his eyes as images from the crash bombarded him. “I don’t need you to get me a car, Dad.”
He thought he heard a catch in his father’s voice. “But I’d like to, son.”
It was always like this. Clawing through years of guilt to try and have a normal relationship and then throwing money at it in the hopes of a quick fix. He cleared his throat and returned the favor. “So, what do you want for an engagement present?”
“You. I want to see you.”
Shit.
“And bring a date. Otherwise I’ll have Tracy invite all of her single friends to try to set you up.”
“Fine. I’ll bring someone.” He closed his eyes and hung up, praying for a hostage situation to arise. How the holy hell had he been trapped into this? Maybe Charlotte would come with him. But even as he thought it, he knew who he’d be taking to the goddamn party.
Maybe they’d get sent to Alaska, or an oilrig. He could hope.
He headed out of his bedroom to grab a glass of water and some pain meds but stopped on the threshold of his darkened living room.
Ava was stretched out asleep on the couch wearing sweats and a green camisole. Ranger was curled up beside her.
“Traitor,” he muttered to the dog who gave him the side eye.
He grabbed an afghan from the back of the other couch and draped it over the two of them.
Then he went back to his oversized and empty bed and lay there awake not knowing what the hell he wanted anymore.
*
Watching Sheridan’s house from the woods wasn’t as satisfying as it usually was. The blinds were closed, and drapes drawn flush against one another. No gaps. No easy spying on Dominic Sheridan. No fantasizing about putting a bullet in his unsuspecting forehead.
There were no cars in the driveway, but he was definitely home. Not dead. Hiding.
Was he alone?
Reports hadn’t indicated any fatalities last night so the woman he’d been with was presumably alive too. Pity. Caroline’s death wouldn’t be quite so pointless if at least one of them had died. But Caroline had interfered and had known too much. Plus, she’d served her purpose.
Would they blame Caroline for the murders? It was distinctly possible. An idea took shape. It would require another night of no sleep, but sleep was elusive these days anyway. Too many ghosts begging for retribution.
A light snapped off inside Sheridan’s bedroom, leaving only the dim lights on inside the pool. The G-man had an excellent alarm system, video cameras and motion sensors on every corner.
It was too risky to attempt a break-in, and it was preferable to pounce when the prey wasn’t expecting it. Like poor pathetic Van Stamos. So earnest in his desire to fight crime.
Fucker.
Impatience started to bite. To finish this. To destroy this asshole. The desire to smash all the windows with a baseball bat and piss in the pool was appealing, but it wouldn’t win the prize of complete and utter revenge. Only three more dead bodies would do that.
The challenge was harder now.
The wind rustled the leaves on the trees, and darkness encompassed the world. A grim reaper walked through the shadows, patient and ready. Now for the real test. Now to kill the last three murderers and have complete and utter revenge. Soon. Very soon.
Chapter Fourteen
Dominic walked into his boss’s office the next morning, sat down and waited for the opening salvo.
Quentin Savage looked up from the report he was reading. “I just got off the phone with the director.”
“Yeah?” Minimal positive encouragers worked to keep the other person talking, which was more effective when the other person wasn’t a trained negotiator.