Indecent Danger (Danger Incorporated #3)(68)
When Travis had seen how smoothly Lovell had played both Alana and Iris, he’d postulated that there might be more women out there. Women who might be dazzled enough to give Tom refuge while he was on the run. It was there that Wyatt had started his investigation, and with some questioning of Tom’s friends and neighbors he’d found the identity of a third woman. Surveillance on that female had proven fruitless until she’d stopped into a local retailer and purchased a supply of men’s clothing, all in Lovell’s size.
Armed with that proof, Stone had used his limitless patience to sit outside the apartment building for weeks watching nothing but the comings and goings of the girlfriend. But Wyatt had known that with each passing day Tom would feel a little bit safer and eventually cabin fever and inactivity would force him out of the house. Then they’d know for sure. It had taken weeks but Wyatt had spotted Lovell this morning going on a Starbucks run.
It had taken several hours to gather the personnel and put together a plan, but the SWAT team had just delivered the arrest warrant from Florida. Tom would be heading back to face trial for his actions.
“When will you send him back?” Travis asked as he waited for a glimpse of the man who had been his soul focus for the last month and a half.
“In the morning,” Prather replied, still not acting very friendly despite being handed a double murderer on a platter. He had egg on his face regarding Martin’s arrest so Travis didn’t expect that any of them were in the detective’s good graces. “He’ll spend the night in county and then me and my men will escort him back. The DA is already prepping the case for trial but I’m sure he’ll offer some kind of deal. Who knows? Maybe he’ll confess and save the taxpayers some money. Seems like the type that might want to brag about it.”
Two uniformed cops escorted the woman out, her hands cuffed behind her back, tears running down her face. Travis felt a twinge of sympathy as she’d been taken in like so many others, but giving aid and comfort to a known criminal was never a good idea no matter how charming and loving he seemed.
Standing in the middle of the walkway Travis waited, his hands curled into fists, nails digging into the meat of his palms. He just needed this one moment and then he could go home. Back to his friends, family, career, and of course Aubrey. She was finally feeling more like herself although she still sometimes had nightmares about that day. She worked with a therapist but the doctor had been brutally honest with both Aubrey and Caroline. They might always have flashbacks to that moment, although they should get fewer and far between. Being shot at was a life-changing moment and the brain was a tricky thing. It wasn’t going to let go of the trauma all that easily.
Two more uniformed officers finally exited the apartment, this time with Lovell between them. The man looked a little roughed up, a bruise beginning to form on his cheekbone, as if he’d resisted attempts to bring him in but otherwise it was the same smirking Tom Lovell.
They’d all been fooled.
Lovell was cuffed and each arm was held by a cop as they escorted him right to Travis, stopping about three feet away. Travis studied the man that had shot Aubrey in cold blood, leaving her for dead.
“Hello, Tom.”
Lovell smiled but it looked more like a snarl. “Hello, Travis. Funny meeting you here.”
“It’s not funny at all. I’ve been looking for you, actually. You hurt something of mine. You shouldn’t have done that.”
If Lovell was afraid he didn’t show it outwardly but Travis did see the man’s chest rising and falling slightly faster than before. It could have been for a myriad of reasons, not just Travis. Lovell was losing his freedom as of this moment so that might account for the agitation.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about. This is all a misunderstanding.”
The corner of Travis’s mouth quirked up. Lovell was going to go down with the ship. He’d never confess because he believed he could talk and charm his way out of anything.
“Aubrey and Caroline are alive, Tom. Alive. They have an interesting story to tell. Alana’s singing like a bird, too.”
There it was. Lovell’s smile faltered but for mere seconds. Travis was sure he was already formulating his next sure fire, foolproof plan.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Travis. This has all been a huge mistake. You’ll see.”
Travis leaned forward but the cops stepped back, feeling the rage that was carefully held in check.
“You made a huge mistake, Lovell. You hurt people I care about. I’m going to make it my personal mission to see you rot behind bars. I’ll clear my desk of any and all projects and make it my life’s work. Do you get what I’m saying? I’m going to become the thing that makes you wake up in the middle of the night screaming and covered with sweat.”
With that, Travis turned on his heel, not bothering to see Tom’s reaction. It didn’t matter because Travis had spoken the truth. He would make sure Tom faced justice for what he’d done. Legally, of course. He was no vigilante. But he wanted to ensure that Lovell knew that there was someone out there that gave a shit.
Travis and Wyatt climbed into the rental car and backed out of the parking lot, pulling into the traffic headed to the airport. It was time to go home.
“So did you get what you came for, boss?” Wyatt asked softly, his expression neutral but Travis had learned a few things about the man in the last few days. Wyatt Stone might not show much emotion but there was a hell of a lot going on underneath that serene exterior. Things Stone didn’t talk about and probably never would.