Page 9 of Fighting for Julia


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“No. And if Brendan knew and didn’t tell her, well, that’s an issue.”

“I can’t keep this from her.” Justice ran his hand through his hair. “If it gets out in the open, I can’t allow her to be blindsided.”

“I agree. Good luck, Justice. Keep me posted.”

“I will. Take care, Tex.”

While Justice was trying to wrap his brain around the information and how best to broach the subject with Barbara, he received an unexpected call from another of his brothers-in-law, Dr. Trey McAdams.

“Justice, where are you?”

“In my office at the station. Why?”

“Turn on the news.”

Justice used a remote and switched on the wall TV. He tuned into a local news station and…froze in shock. “I’ll call you back.”

A news anchor reported from her desk, “We’ve just been informed that Axis and Axalia Anderson, the teenaged children of Axel Anderson, a domestic terrorist killed in a raid on hisOregon compound almost four years ago, have escaped from Western State Mental Hospital in Staunton, Virginia. Four nurses, two orderlies, and two patients have lost their lives, and at least half a dozen more are seriously injured. The identities of the victims are being withheld until their families have been notified. If you see Axis and Axalia Anderson, do not, I repeat,do not, engage with them. They are considered highly dangerous. Call the police immediately. We will keep you updated as soon as we receive further details about this breaking story.”

Justice pressed MUTE and sat paralyzed in fear as he watched the chaotic scene unfolding in Virginia. He needed to move, to act, to dosomething, but he couldn’t. His brain disconnected from the rest of his body.

And then he heard footsteps pounding outside his office and familiar voices yelling his name. “Justice!”

“Chief McQuaid!”

Hutch and Luca burst through the door. He eyed these men whom he loved like brothers, and it was as if they were connectors. His brain fired up, and he leaped from his chair.

“Where are Tawny and Miguel?”

“On patrol together.”

“Get them back here right now. Hutch, call Owen and make sure he and Savannah are taking precautions. Check on Maverick Stone, too. I’ll call Brielle?—”

His cell phone buzzed. A small wave of relief washed through him. “Bri, thank God, you’re safe.”

“Finnigan is with me. We just heard the news. He’s frantic with worry. Tawny isn’t responding to his calls and text messages.”

“She’s on patrol with Miguel. Listen, Bri, you and Finnigan pick up Mallory and head home. The rest of us will meet you there.” Justice ended the call and spoke into his shoulder mike.“Dispatch, where the hell are Sergeant Finnigan and Officer Rivera?”

“Chief McQuaid, they just reported they’re at Four Corners.”

“Tell them to get back to the station. Pronto!” he roared.

Just then Jiena, Hutch’s wife of two months and Special-Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s satellite office in Laguna Beach, joined them, her face pale and serious. She embraced Hutch and kissed him. “I came as soon as I got off the phone with the Director of the FBI. It’s all hands on deck.”

“What information were you given?” Justice demanded in a voice harsh with tension.

“The Director and Trey are furious by the carelessness and stupidity of the Andersons’ psychiatrist, Dr. Manfredi. Trey warned him that they were clever and manipulative, that they were too far gone to be rehabilitated, but the doctor didn’t listen. When Trey discovered the breech of protocol that led to this situation, he took Dr. Manfredi into custody. If Trey has his way, he’ll never see the light of day again.”

“And the Andersons?” Hutch asked. “Any sign of them?”

Jiena shook her head. “No. We suspect they’ve been in contact with underground members of their father’s ‘army’ who have aided them.”

“They could be anywhere, then,” Hutch declared. “With a major grudge against us.Me.”

“They would be foolish to come to Laguna Beach,” Luca commented, “with us on the alert for them. Their brother, Axel, Jr., took us by surprise, but not this time.”

“Not to mention none of you will even be here in a few days,” Jiena pointed out.