Closure (Partners in Crime Book 5)

Chapter 17

Blake watched as Lanie Harmond dropped her napkin in shock. She looked to her son, who was glaring at Matt. "Raphael?"

"They are liars."

Blake chose that moment to take out the briefcase and show the Governor. He displayed the proof. "Nicole and I saw him with our own eyes in the warehouse that was burned. Nicole saw him at the bank arson. And I was able to record him at the warehouse and we got a voice match, proving it."

Raphael crushed the wineglass he was holding. Jenna jumped, her eyes wide.

Blake watched the Governor's reaction. His jaw flexed and he stared at his son.

"Raphael?" Lanie squeaked.

"Liars." Raphael glared straight at Nicole.

Blake's hand moved slowly to his gun, as to not attract attention. If one hand was laid on

Nicole...

"There's proof. We aren't liars." Matt shifted his attention to the Governor.

"Raphael, I am greatly disappointed in you. If they truly are liars, you can prove that in court. For now, let them arrest you." Winston told his son calmly.

Raphael burst out of his chair. "No! If I get arrested and not you, this is not fair!" He let out a string of expletives.

The Governor jumped up, "What do you mean?!"

"I mean that you are involved in this too!" Raphael stared Blake down. "He started it. All for his new campaign. He needed money fast and smuggling weapons did that. He got us both into it. I promise I have proof."

Matt and Blake looked at each other nervously. This was new.

"Winston?" Lanie questioned, white as snow.

"He's right."

Lanie passed out. Jenna tore out of her chair and to the woman's side.

The Governor reached into his suit coat and pulled out his gun. "Don't move."

Blake, Nicole and Matt, who were already standing, froze. Matt held his hands in surrender, but kept his gun in hand.

Blake shoved Nicole behind him. He held tight to his gun. "Put the gun down. Don't do anything you'll regret."

"I already have. It's too late now." He turned and shot his son in the leg. Raphael went down with a cry.

Jenna propped an unconscious Lanie against a chair and started to move to Raphael.

"Stop!" Winston aimed his gun at Jenna and she froze in her place, terrified.

Raphael groaned on the ground. Jenna looked at him, "Let me help him."

"No!" Winston waved the gun like mad. "Do you want to get shot too?"

Jenna whimpered and looked at Matt with pleading eyes. She dropped her hands to her side and didn't move.

Blake thought fast. The governor was behind it all? This was not good at all. The entire state of Colorado was in trouble if this got out of control. Which it was starting to. He felt Nicole breathing heavily behind him. There was no way she could run fast in her floor length dress and heels. Even if the dress had a slit up to the knee.

And Jenna. He was worried she was going to hyperventilate. Matt was trying to get her to calm down and breathe, but there was little he could do from his spot in the room.

"If any of you move without my permission, I will guarantee you die."

~~~~~

Nicole froze. She slowly raised her hand and set it on Blake's back to remind him she was there. Or maybe it was for her own good.

"What are you going to do with us? The weapons? Your wife? Your son?" Blake asked.

Winston smiled, "I'm glad you asked. My son will keep quiet, he knows what is in for him. My wife can be easily disposed of. So can you four. And the weapons. I smuggled them in. I can get them out."

An idea formed. "Blake," She whispered. "I'm going to run under the table and distract him. You can use that time to your advantage."

She saw Blake nod slightly, so she was free to go along with the plan. She waited a minute, then she took off. Governor Harmond went mad, shooting every direction, but Nicole was fast and she managed to get under the table.

"Jenna!" Matt shouted.

She was frozen in place.

Blake was closest to her so he ran to Jenna, "Come on we have to go!"

Matt helped Nicole up from under the table, "We need to leave."

"Blake!" She cried.

Raphael hobbled up and pulled the trigger on his gun.

Blake shoved Jenna out of the way just in time, but not before the bullet grazed his arm.
"Blake!" Nicole screamed.

"Nicole! Go!" He shouted. "Matt! Go, we'll be fine!"

Matt hesitated, then grabbed Nicole's arm and pulled her out of the room. They raced out of the house and hopped into the car. He turned it on and they sped out.

"No!" Nicole grabbed Matt's arm. "We have to go back for them! Matt!"

"No. We'll come back with reinforcements. They'll be okay. I know Blake."

"But Jenna!"

Matt winced, "He'll take care of her."

God? Um, hello? Blake and Jenna are still at the house with that monster. Please protect them so we can get them out in time.

"When can we go back?"

Matt pulled onto the interstate. "We go get better clothes from a store. You call your family so they can come and help. I'll call more reinforcements. Then they meet up with us here. I can track Blake's phone if he manages to keep it on him and we can go back for them and stop them once and for all."

"And if that doesn't work? If they die?"

Matt looked at them, "They won't. Blake loves you too much for that to happen."

Nicole stilled, "He loves me?"

"I sure think he does. The way he talks about you. The way his face lights up when you walk into a room. The way he looked at you in that dress. How proud he is of you. But I'm not one to talk. You'll have to hear it from him."

Nicole smoothed her dress out. She had paid a pretty penny for it. It was nice to know Blake thought she looked pretty in it. Just thinking about Blake hurt. A lot.

They needed to rescue them fast.

~~~~~

Blake's arm felt like it was on fire. He was light headed. Winston walked up to where he and Jenna were on the floor. "So, it's down to two. Eli!"

A small man appeared holding two syringes. Blake's senses woke and he grabbed a shaking Jenna and tried to get her away.

Eli was quick. Blake felt something prick his arm and he heard Jenna cry out when she was pricked. His vision blurred and he felt heavy.

Then all was black.