Blood Relatives

By Sherry Derr-Wille

When Lissa Adams flew to Chicago to be with her father, she never thought she’d become involved in a vendetta between a Mob family, the Chicago police force, and her cousin, Detective Paul Bastion.

Paul Bastion was in seclusion until his uncle suffered a heart attack. Once he came back to Chicago to be with his family, he knew he’d also be testifying against Antonio Vargas.

When Paul is kidnapped and Lissa badly beaten, he knows he’s living his last hours. The cost of his return is freedom for the drug lord. Even if Vargas is freed, Paul knows he’ll lose his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Class Act Books
• Release date: Jun 14, 2017

Book preview

Blood Relatives

by

Sherry Derr-Wille

Published by

CLASS ACT BOOKS

121 Berry Hill Lane

Port Townsend, Washington 98368

www.classactbooks.com

Copyright  2017 by Sherry Derr-Wille

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-946523-12-9

Credits

Cover Artist: James Robinson

Editor: Anita York

Copy Editor: Mallory York

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my God-daughter Melisa Fisher Castleberry and her husband, Cal. Thank you for all your technical advice on this manuscript. It made the story come to life.

Prologue

Paul Bastion read and reread all the information for the upcoming trial for the drug lord, Antonio Vargas. Although the original arrest had been over six months earlier, the case was just now coming before a judge. Since Paul and his partner Sean O’Connor were the lead detectives on the case, they were both going to be the key witnesses.

I suggest both of you make yourselves scarce for the next few days, the captain suggested. We’ve been getting some threats against the two of you if you testify at the Vargas trial next week.

It works well for me, Sean said. Spring break just started. That said, we won’t have to take the kids out of school. We can head…

Don’t tell me where you’re planning to go. Don’t even let Paul know of your plans. If we have no idea where you are, we can’t tell anyone where to find you. It’s better that way. Why don’t you take off now and get out of here? I’m sure your wife will appreciate getting away from the city for a few days.

Guess you’re right, Cap. You guys have a good Easter. I’ll see you next week.

Paul watched as his partner stuffed papers into an envelope so he could study the information while he was out of contact. He figured he knew where Sean was headed, but wouldn’t say anything to anyone in the department or anywhere else, for that matter.

For him, the decision to leave town for a few days was an easy one. He had friends who owned a cottage on Lake Lorraine in Wisconsin. They’d insisted on giving him a key so he could use it whenever he wanted. From October to May it sat empty since his friends spent their winters in Arizona. Even his mother and his Uncle Al didn’t know about this place. Sometimes it was best to have somewhere he could go without everyone and his brother knowing where to find him. He was accessible by cell phone, but that was all.

Following Sean’s lead, he also packed the papers he needed to study and left the office. His 1963 Chevrolet Impala was waiting for him in the underground garage.

After a stop at his apartment for the necessities he’d need for the weekend, he headed north. Rather than taking the Interstate, he opted for the back roads that would take him to the cottage’s sanctuary.

Chapter 1

Lissa Adams enjoyed watching her children scramble across the lawn looking for the Easter eggs she’d spent the early hours of the morning hiding.

Even with Larissa being a teenager and Sarah on the verge of becoming one, they were enjoying the tradition as much as five-year-old Jackson Jr. and eight-year-old Julia.

She enjoyed the mild weather of her North Carolina home. Back in Illinois, her dad assured her the snow was still inches deep and more was expected today. With Easter coming in March this year, she knew the snow was something her family and friends up North had to contend with on the holiday.

Of all the places Lissa and Jackson had lived over the years, she loved North Carolina the most. She’d made many friends among the other army wives, and felt comfortable when Jackson was deployed as he had been for the past three months. It helped that they owned a home on a quiet cul-du-sac where other members of the military also lived, and all the army wives knew they could rely on each other. Their husbands were all members of Special Forces, and often deployed together.

The kids are certainly having a great time, Jen Wallis said, after taking a long drink of the iced tea she’d brought over.

Lissa and Jen had been friends for the last two years, and along with Millie Trent, they spent most holidays together while their husbands were deployed.

Even the teens still enjoy a good Easter Egg hunt, Jen observed.

Did you hear from your family today? Millie asked.

Jackson and I video chatted last night before the kids went to bed and my dad called me yesterday afternoon. As for Jackson’s folks, I heard from them the first of the week, since they’re on a cruise for the next week. How about you?

My brother called me this morning before church, Millie commented. I’m sure by now he’s had at least three or four beers and is grousing about how long it’s taking for my sister-in-law to put dinner on the table.

How can he be drunk this early in the day? Jen questioned.

You don’t know him. He’s an alcoholic and is rarely sober.

I’m glad I don’t have to deal with family. Both of my parents were killed in a car accident when I was twelve and my only sister and I don’t speak. To be truthful, I don’t even know where to look for her, Jen added.

Lissa felt sorry for her friend. Bring an only child, she’d often wished for a sibling, but since her mother died shortly after Lissa turned five, that was out of the question. Fortunately her mother’s sister, Aunt Nancy, was widowed shortly before Lissa lost her mother. Her parents generously allowed Nancy and Lissa’s cousin, Paul, to move in. They’d grown up, not as cousins but more like brother and sister.

For a moment, her thoughts turned to Paul. He was a perpetual bachelor and a member of the Chicago PD. He contended that being a police detective and a married man didn’t mix well. It was a shame, too, because he would make a great husband and father. In his last email, he mentioned the case he was working on. After a major drug bust, he was preparing to testify at the trial of a drug lord.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. A glance at the caller ID told her Paul was the caller. Well, speak of the devil. Here I was just thinking of Paul and then he calls.

What’s up, Cuz? she greeted him. You never call, so this must be important.

It is, Lissa. Are you alone?

No, Jen and Millie are here along with all the kids doing an Easter egg hunt, she replied hesitantly. There was something about the tone of his voice that bothered her.

Can you get a flight to Chicago this afternoon?

Why? What’s wrong?

Mom just called me and said your dad suffered a heart attack this morning while they were at church. She thinks you should come home right away. I know it’s short notice but Mom thinks it’s imperative for you to get here as soon as possible. If you need help with the ticket, I can prepay it on this end and we can make arrangements for you to pay me back.

Lissa thought about her financial status. Thank goodness they had an emergency fund she could tap into. No, I can pay for the ticket. I’ll send you a text when I have the flight information.

Are you all right? Jen asked as soon as Lissa ended the call.

Yes, no…I don’t know. That was my cousin, Paul. My dad had a heart attack this morning. I have to fly to Chicago this afternoon. There’s so much to do, I don’t know where to start.

I’m so sorry. Millie and I can help you out. You go in and pack and see what you can get for a flight. I’ll take you to the airport and Millie can watch the kids. The girls can bunk in with my girls and Jack Jr. can spend the night with Millie’s Carter, like they always do. For now, you need to be in Chicago, so scoot and get packed.

Lissa thanked God for her good friends. After a call to the airline, she secured a seat on a nonstop leaving at five fifteen and arriving at O’Hare at six thirty-five. She was thankful the flight was open and she was able to get a last-minute deal.

Telling the kids about their grandfather was much harder than she’d anticipated. Even though they rarely saw either set of grandparents, they did keep in touch through letters, email and Skype.

~ * ~

Paul Bastion paced the baggage claim area of O’Hare. Ever since receiving the phone call from his mother that morning, he’d been concerned. He didn’t remember his father. He’d been killed in Vietnam before Paul was even a year old. Uncle Alan was the perfect father. He and Aunt Barbara were newly married when Paul’s father was killed. His mother had been worried as well as relieved when they opened their home to her and Paul.

Lissa was three years younger than he, and was the little sister he knew he would never have had otherwise. He’d hated making the call to tell her about Uncle Al’s heart attack but with his mother at Al’s bedside, he was the logical choice to inform her of what happened.

His mental ramblings were cut short with the announcement of the arrival of Lissa’s flight. He made his way to the bag carousel in time to beat the influx of passengers hurrying to pick up their checked luggage.

Paul.

He turned at the sound of Lissa’s voice. He could tell she’d been crying, but even wearing blue jeans and a sweater she looked like a fashion model.

He opened his arms and engulfed her in a brotherly embrace.

What do you hear from the hospital?

He’s stable and resting comfortable. After all the tests were done, they decided he needs surgery. They’re planning to do a quadruple bypass tomorrow morning. They wanted to do it today, but he wanted you here.

Oh Paul, I’m so frightened. What if something happens to Daddy? With the exception of you and Aunt Nancy, I’m all alone in this. Jackson is deployed somewhere in Afghanistan. Since he’s with Special Forces he can’t tell me where he is at any given time, and the kids are too young to burden them with something like this.

Have you talked to him?

We were able to talk last night, but that was before you called. He doesn’t know about me coming to Chicago, or why, for that matter. I’ll have to see how things are. If necessary, I’ll contact the Red Cross and have him brought home. I don’t want to do that, though. You know me, I’m relatively self-sufficient. When he’s deployed I never know what his schedule will be. We can go several days, even weeks, without getting to talk with each other.

Self-sufficient or not, this is one time when you need him with you. If not here, then with the kids.

The kids are in good hands with my neighbors. I’m not worried about them. What about you? Are you going to be able to get time off to be with your mom?

A little, but not much. Like I told you, I’m prepping for the trial of one of the drug bosses in the city next week. It’s pretty high profile, so I’m laying low. I’m not even staying at my apartment. My partner is somewhere up in northern Wisconsin. Up until today I was at my getaway in Wisconsin as well. Of course, now I’ll be staying with Mom in my old room. No one, other than Mom and you, knows where I’m at. I’m even keeping my car hidden.

Paul grabbed her luggage, and together they made their way out to the parking garage. As soon as she saw the car she started to laugh. Don’t tell me you’re still driving your old ’63 Chevy.

"Okay, I won’t, but there she is in all her glory. I can’t see trading her in for something else. She runs like a top and unlike