Monk:We’re eight minutes out
Kendall:Helia’s got her talking
He didn’t need to know what they were talking about, not now. And he was running too hot to be grateful that she was buying them time.
A familiar car skidded to a stop as he stepped into the courtyard. “Oh, fuck me,” he said as the driver’s door of the yellow Maserati opened. Monk glanced at his watch. Seven minutes until his brothers arrived. He had to deal with Weber.
“I’m here to see Helia,” Weber said. “Mr. Shaw, Mrs. Shaw,” he added, nodding to the couple, who’d followed Monk out. In his right hand, he carried a gift, but his left arm swung free. Monk paused, zeroing in on the appendage as Weber walked toward them.
“Oh hell, it was you,” he said.
Weber paused and blinked. “Me?” he said, the squeak in his voice giving him away.
“You broke into Bacco looking for Roger’s stash.”
Weber backed up a step. In his peripheral vision, Monk saw another car approach, Kaden and Patrick. He hadn’t seen either man for a good few years, but he hoped they kept up with the jujitsu they’d always loved.
“I…I did no such thing,” Weber protested, sounding about as sure of himself as a newbie making their first high-altitude jump.
“Don’t,” Monk barked when he took another step back.
“Everything all right here?” Kaden asked, joining the gathering with Patrick at his shoulder.
Monk didn’t have time for this. Agent Perry could deal with the fallout. “This man broke into Bacco the day of Roger’s memorial looking to steal the stash of drugs Roger hid before he died. The drug ring is the subject of a DEA investigation, and I’d appreciate it if you two could deal with him, because at the moment, another player in that ring has Helia captive in herhome. My brothers are here. We’ll get her out, but again, if you could handle this”—he gestured to Weber—“I’d appreciate it.”
The target of his comment dropped the gift and bolted toward his car, but Patrick and Kaden were already there. Monk didn’t hesitate to turn back to his mission.
“When you bring her back, you and my daughter have some explaining to do, son,” Harry called.
“Be safe,” Vanessa added.
Their faith in him warmed him, but he didn’t linger on it or the terror they no doubt felt at what their daughter might be going through. Pushing it all aside, he slipped into the vineyard and started making his way toward the water tower.
With the vines barren, leaving little cover for any of their movements, he crouched and did his best to stay out of sight, grateful for the earthy colors he wore. And the closed curtains. Those could work against them—it would be easier if they could see inside, but it also meant Kelly couldn’t easily see them either.
Pausing behind an oak tree, he pulled out his phone and texted Kendall.
Monk:Update?
Kendall:She’s going to kill Helia, take her passport, and head to Mexico. Also, she confessed to killing Roger
Monk:Any weapons?
Kendall:Don’t know, but I think she knocked Helia around. She’s going to start a fire
His vision went red, and he took a few breaths to force it back under control.
Kendall:Helia told her where her passport is. Now she’s insisting Kelly take her car
Monk scanned the area. In his rush to get to Helia, he hadn’t considered that Kellydidn’thave a method of transport nearby. Had she expected to run through the vineyard?
Kendall:Like weirdly insistent on the car
Monk stilled, rolling that piece of information around, looking for how it fit into the puzzle. His gaze landed on her Mini parked beside the house. Time slowed as a picture formed, then in a flash it fell into place.
Monk:Can you get out?
Kendall:I told you, I’m not leaving her
