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    White Out: PAVAD: FBI Case Files, #4
    White Out: PAVAD: FBI Case Files, #4
    White Out: PAVAD: FBI Case Files, #4
    Ebook176 pages3 hours

    White Out: PAVAD: FBI Case Files, #4

    By Calle J. Brookes

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    About this ebook

    Every unit of the FBI has those cases that just make an agent think, make them feel, and make them wonder why people treat others the way they do. PAVAD—the Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division of the FBI—was no different. This was one of those cases. 

     

    SHE HAD MADE A PROMISE TO A CHILD. SHE WAS GOING TO KEEP IT.

    Someone killed Wade Heathers. Wade—a pillar of the community—had been a devoted father and a loving husband. But as FBI Agent Paige Daviess and the rest of Team Three delve deeper, they realize the snow hides more than just the blood of an innocent man.

    Family secrets, jealousy, greed, and madness run rampant.  Now a little boy doesn't know who he can trust any longer.

    All he has to give him hope is one woman's promise.

    A promise Paige will do anything to keep. 



     

     

     

    WHITE OUT is a novella-length police procedural mystery featuring characters from Masterson County, PAVAD, and Finley Creek romantic suspense series'. These series' contain scenes of violence, adventure, occasional dark criminal behavior, moderate cursing—especially by villains, a few mild-to-moderate love scenes, and references to subject matter that may distress some readers. The Masterson County, PAVAD, and Finley Creek books contain the same level of descriptive content as a typical crime drama on network television—but good always wins out in the end, guaranteed.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCalle J. Brookes
    Release dateDec 18, 2018
    ISBN9781386620662
    White Out: PAVAD: FBI Case Files, #4

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      Book preview

      White Out - Calle J. Brookes

      PROLOGUE

      Sometimes she wondered how long she would be able to do this. Paige stared out the small window of her office to the parking lot next to the FBI’s Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division. Her latest caseload was piled on her desk, threatening to tip into the floor at any moment. Each green file represented another missing kid.

      It was her job as supervisor of PAVAD’s Runaway & Endangered Youth unit to determine which of those cases deserved immediate attention or which just needed notes and guidance to the local offices involved.

      Children’s lives and well-being all hinged on her decisions now.

      She’d sent Leina and Cam, two of her best, to Alabama three days ago.

      It hadn’t gone well, and an eleven-year-old boy was gone. He’d been gone before her people had ever stepped foot on a plane.

      Now she was reviewing cases to see where to send them next. Ezra and Syd would be back anytime. Thankfully, their case had had a better resolution.

      And Paige herself was headed to the director’s office to ask for additional people. Ed Dennis was a reasonable man, but Paige understood budgetary constraints.

      No matter; her people would do what they could.

      But it was like using Play-Doh to plug a swimming pool leak.

      She pressed a hand to her stomach, calming the little kickers inside. She’d only felt movement for a few weeks, and it was still sporadic. But it was infinitely precious.

      The lives in the green files behind her were precious, too.

      Someone knocked on her door and she turned.

      Her sisters-in-law stood there. Al, Jules, and Payton. As well as her sister, Carrie. And Cody.

      It was Cody who spoke. Hey, come on. Cake in the break room. It’s birthday-cake time.

      She looked at the women. Her family. Some by blood, some by marriage—and Cody just by friendship. But they were her family, after being alone for so long. She loved every one of them. Even grumbly Jules, who was not happy to be the center of attention today. I’m coming.

      Excuse me, someone said from behind them. I hate to interrupt your fun, ladies, but I need to speak with Paige about a file.

      Uh-huh, Cody said. That’s what they call it now?

      I think she’s helped you with enough files, Mick. Al, this time, snarking at her brother as always.

      A copy of the file is on your desk, too, smart-ass. And Cody’s. Internal reviews. The Wade Heathers file. Just read over it, and have it to me by end of the day tomorrow. Now go. I need to speak with Paige.

      Paige smiled. He had on his business face—the Internal Affairs demeanor that frightened everyone in his path—but there was a look in his eyes when his gaze dropped to where her hand still rested.

      He stepped into her office, nudged Al out of the way, and closed her door.

      Right in their faces.

      Paige just laughed. The Heathers file?

      Just an audit. Kyra’s actually handling it. I needed the excuse. I’m stuck here until nine—meetings with McLaughlin and McLaughlin and Hellbrook. But I needed to check on you. All three of you.

      We’re fine. We’re going to go eat some birthday cake and make fun of Jules. Then we’ll get big brothers and wait for Daddy to get home.

      Good. Call me when you get there. In the meantime, here.

      Wade Heathers.

      That was the case where I first spied on you.

      I never did understand why you were there.

      I’ll tell you. Later. He handed her the file, and she took it. Once he had left, she opened the file and read the initial statement. And remembered…

      1

      TJ Heathers knew something was wrong the moment the policemen showed up in the middle of the church fellowship hall. TJ was smart for his age—some said he was crazy smart—and when his group leader looked at him, TJ knew something wasn’t right.

      When she came to him with tears all over her face and saying his name, he wanted to run.

      But his mom and dad had taught him to handle problems face-to-face. They’d told him that running caused more problems. So he dropped his arms and put his head back.

      He looked his leader in the eye. What happened to my mom?

      His dad was at home waiting for them.

      But TJ’s mom didn’t like to drive at night. And sometimes Dad said it was their job to take care of Mom.

      Horrible visions of his mom’s car sliding in the snow and crashing like Hot Wheels ran through his head.

      Miss Val, his leader, put her hand on his shoulder. TJ, the police are here to get you.

      Why? Maybe his mom was hurt really bad? Maybe she was dead? Maybe…maybe his dad had her at the hospital?

      Or maybe their house had exploded and they were both dead.

      TJ was smart—he knew parents sometimes died. And the police wouldn’t be there if something really, really bad hadn’t happened.

      TJ liked to watch cop shows. Especially the science ones where they used microscopes to find out who hurt people. His mom didn’t like him watching them.

      She said they were inappropriate and were going to give him nightmares.

      But TJ liked how science worked.

      But every car crash he’d ever seen on those shows replayed in his mind.

      TJ was really smart—he rarely forgot anything he had seen.

      His tears came faster.

      No one had said anything yet.

      They all just stood looking at him. His friends were looking at him, too.

      TJ looked at Miss Val again. Where are my mom and dad?

      The policeman looked at TJ. He had really dark eyes.

      The policeman’s eyes had tears in them, too.

      TJ, I’m Deputy Jacobs. I’m afraid I have some bad news. He looked at Miss Val. Is there someplace private we can take him? He doesn’t need to hear in front of everyone watching.

      Of course. There’s another Sunday school room that’s empty now.

      TJ followed. He didn’t know what else to do. So he just followed.

      TJ couldn’t run away, no matter how that little voice in his head was telling him to do just that. I want my mom and dad.

      Deputy Jacobs knelt down in front of him. TJ, I’m sorry to have to tell you this…

      Is my mom ok?

      The deputy didn’t say anything for a long moment. TJ, someone broke into your house while your mom was gone, and they shot your father. I’m sorry to tell you this, but your dad is gone.

      TJ’s mouth opened to scream, but nothing could come out. Nothing could possibly come out again.

      2

      Paige Daviess hated snow and ice and places like this little Kentucky town. At least, she hated places like this little Kentucky town when there were ten inches of snow and an inch of ice covering everything. Snow and ice brought back too many memories of the times she and her sister Carrie had spent sleeping in alleys and under bridges during this very kind of weather. Paige had been terrified each and every night that Carrie wouldn’t wake up the next morning. Or that she wouldn’t, and Carrie would end up out there all alone.

      She tried not to visibly shiver as she climbed out of the deputy’s four-wheel drive. Her black boots sank into the snow. She’d be an ice cube before this was finished, no doubt.

      The house was surrounded by crime tape. The lights were still on.

      A child’s soccer goal and a red bike were tucked up next to the taupe siding. It had a rustic country charm—or it would have without the tape. Without the red-and-blues flashing.

      The sheriff’s deputy of the county met them at the front steps. He was average and lanky, with that country, down-home charm she’d seen before. They’d been told he was temporary, filling in for the county sheriff. And that he could be…difficult. You it? I thought there would be more.

      His eyes traveled over Paige and her partner Al. Paige knew what he thought with one glance. She wasn’t a profiler, but she didn’t need to be. She and Al were used to being underestimated. We’re the advance guard. The rest of our team is at your precinct to get set up there.

      Her team leader, Sebastian Lorcan, was recovering from an injury he’d received during their last case that had resulted in him needing surgery to remove glass from behind his kneecap. He’d be out of the field for a few more days. The rest of their five-member team were with him, getting together everything they knew.

      Someone had come into this home and killed the father. The mother and her son had only been gone fifteen minutes when it had happened.

      The deputy snorted. I see. Well, I hope you’re prepared, ladies. It’s not pretty in here.

      It so very rarely was. Paige couldn’t count how many times she’d seen dead bodies now. It was part of the job, something she would just have to get used to. Maybe.

      She doubted she ever would.

      This was her first case back after medical leave of her own. A whack-job she’d once considered her friend had actually been a voyeuristic serial killer who’d targeted one of her close friends.

      He’d targeted her, too. To keep as his pet.

      It might take her a while to get over that.

      No doubt Al was watching to make certain Paige was ready to be back. Al would always have her back.

      Just like her sister, Carrie, would.

      She wasn’t alone. She’d find her feet again.

      Apparently that first opportunity was going to be in ten inches of snow. And blood.

      Some of that blood was on the family’s front porch now. Tracked out by first responders and the wife. Where it had frozen in macabre red jewels.

      The wife had found him in the living room, where he had died.

      Paige couldn’t imagine the horror that woman had felt.

      She and Al were careful not to trample the evidence. The forensics department would ride their asses if they did anything to the evidence.

      Science versus people. It was a long debate in their line of work. She tended to focus on the human element, but her friends in the basement lab focused on the science.

      Together, they told the stories of what happened to people in some of the darkest times of their lives.

      Dark stories, every time.

      She shivered again, this time from

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