Hunter

By Alison Clifford

‘His blood turned to ice. The cold fury kind, not the fear kind.'

When an FBI agent becomes the victim of a targeted shooting, his boss throws convention out the window and takes on the case. Special Agent in Charge Burns is determined to find the person who shot his agent and bring them to justice.

As Burns begins to unravel the tangle of clues, he discovers more than he bargained for. Is the shooting the result of gang rivalry, or is something more deadly unfolding? To Burns it doesn't matter. There is nothing that will stop the Hunter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alison Clifford
• Release date: Sep 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005131630

Alison Clifford

Alison began writing as a teenager, hiding away in the school library during lunch to work on her stories. None of these projects ever made it beyond the first few chapters as other interests took over.During her final year of high school, Alison joined the Australian Army Reserve and went on to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force.A fan of motorsport, Alison follows the V8 Supercars, Formula 1, and MotoGP, and loves to attend local motorsport events. As well as being a self-confessed stationery junkie, she also likes spending time at the local Botanical Gardens.Alison is married with three children and lives in Tasmania, Australia.

Book preview

My secondary characters tend to remain just that – secondary. They fill a spot in the story and then fade away. Or they’re supposed to.

I have a history of bringing them forward and giving them a book of their own. Seeing Red was never meant to start a series, and yet both Andrew and Ryan ended up with books of their own.

Burns is another such character. He started off filling a need in one of the White Rose books and has continued doing that in the series. But there was something about him that appeals to me. I liked him, and I wanted him to play a bigger role so I could get to know him more. Even now, after writing this book – Burns’ book – I still feel as though I don’t fully know him.

Does that mean there be another Burns book?

I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out.

Contents

Author’s Note

Start of Hunter

Also by Alison Clifford

Connect with Alison

Chapter One

His blood turned to ice. The cold fury kind, not the fear kind. Special Agent in Charge Burns glared at the bearer of the news and the agent before him tensed. Can you please repeat that?

The agent took a deep breath. Catalin has been shot. It’s not fatal.

Not fatal? How bad is he?

He’s been shot in the thigh. That’s all I know. The paramedics are on-site and are preparing him for transport to hospital.

Any wound could bleed out, but Burns had faith in his agents ability to assess situations. They would know if it was potentially fatal. I need to know which hospital they’re taking him to. Police on-scene?

Yes.

Suspect?

Escaped. No one saw them or which way they went.

Burns took a deep breath. Okay. Get the hospital name, take another agent and go there. I want to know Catalin’s condition as soon as possible.

The agent nodded and raced away. Burns picked up his phone and called the Evidence Response Team. Burns here. I want the ERT to get ready for a shooting case. I’ll contact you shortly with a location. He hung up the phone, looked up another number, and dialled.

This is Special Agent in Charge Burns from the FBI Washington DC Field Office. I want to speak to Detective Thomas.

Burns waited while his call as put through.

Burns. I was expecting your call.

Andy. Give me the details.

Single shot at your guy. No sign of the shooter. Address is… Burns wrote it down as Andy dictated.

Thanks. I’ll be taking this one.

I figured you would be. I’ll let my guys know you’re on your way. I hope your man is okay.

Thanks.

Burns hung up the call and relayed the address to the ERT, and then headed up to Assistant Director Eva Barry’s office.

Burns, come in.

Burns strode across the room to stand beside the desk. One of my agents, Catalin, has been shot. Single wound to the thigh, shooter not seen. I’ve been in touch with the DC police and the ERT are about to go out there now. There are two agents making their way to the hospital and I’m about to head out to the scene. Burns stared down at her. I’m running this one. The cold fury was taking grip again, but he pushed it down. I’ll get a team together to assist.

Leave it to your agents.

No. This is my guy. I’m going to find the shooter.

Eva looked back up at him and gave a slight smile. I didn’t really expect anything else. Coordinate, and let the agents do the work. It’s their job.

And mine.

You’re a stubborn cuss, and I guess you’ll do what you want regardless of anything I say. She sighed. Keep me informed.

I will. Burns watched as her face tightened.

I want them caught.

I do, too. Burns turned and walked out of her office and down to his squad’s area. Agents were gathered in groups, talking. They stopped when they saw him coming.

Everyone available into the briefing room, now.

Burns watched as they all filed into the room, and then followed. He waited at the front until they had found places to sit or stand. His gaze swept their faces. Every one of them was determined; some angry as well. Catalin was a popular and respected agent. Burns was going to have all of them wanting to be on the case, but there was still other work to do.

As most of you will already know, Special Agent Catalin was shot and wounded a short time ago. Emergency services are on the scene and he will be on his way to hospital shortly. I anticipate an update on his condition soon. First assessment is that the wound is not fatal. There was a lightening in the room, but all faces were still determined. The ERT will be on-scene shortly to commence work. I will be heading the investigation and will be assigning some agents to assist. He looked at one of the agents at the front. Trevino. You’ll be taking on Catalin’s case load for the time being. The agent nodded. The rest of you, please return to work. I will keep you up to date with Catalin’s condition.

The agents began to move to the door.

Trevino. A moment please.

Burns waited until the other agents had left the room. Please see if you can figure out which case Catalin was working while he was out this morning and let me know. Burns gave the agent the location of the shooting. That should help.

Will do.

Burns waited until the agent had left the room and then checked his phone. Nothing further yet on Catalin’s condition. He was expected on-site, but there was one thing left he had to do. He reached his office as his phone rang. Burns.

Sir. We’ve just spoken with the emergency doctor. First assessment is the wound appears clean and hasn’t hit any of the major veins. They think his leg is broken, but he’s going to be fine.

Thank you. Tell him I’ll be in to see him later, and stay close by. The shooter is still around somewhere.

We’ll look after him.

Burns wasted a few precious seconds staring at his desk. Catalin would be fine. The weight on his chest had lifted—a little. Burns looked up a file, found a number, and dialled.

The phone was answered on the first ring. Yes?

Sonia. It’s Burns.

The woman on the end of the line burst into tears.

He’s going to be okay, Burns said to Catalin’s wife. He’ll make a good recovery.

I know. Sonia sniffed, calming. I hate his job. Who did this?

I’m going to find out.

Haven’t you caught them yet?

No. I’m not going to stop until I do.

What if… will he be safe?

The two agents I sent to the hospital will stay with him. I’ll make sure he’s safe. Are you at the hospital? Do you need someone to pick you up and take you there?

My neighbour was with me when the police called and she is driving me—we’re almost there.

Okay. I’ll be along to see you and Catalin after I’ve been to the place it happened. He didn’t want to upset Sonia by referring to it as a crime scene. There was a time and a place for formality, and this wasn’t it.

Sonia sniffed. Okay.

Burns hung up the call, checked he had everything he needed, and headed for his car.

Chapter Two

Burns showed his credentials to the police officer manning the crime scene boundary and was waved through. Sund, the agent in charge of the ERT, looked up as he approached, and came to meet him. How’s Catalin?

He’s going to be fine. What do you have?

Sund shook her head. Not much, right now. Catalin was heading into that house. She nodded at the home behind him.

Definitely this one?

He had the address on a piece of paper in his car. He was shot here, and fell just there. She pointed. We found the bullet and are narrowing down on the firing position. She looked around the street. Lots of curious neighbours, but none who say they saw anything other than Catalin go down. They all report a single shot—those who identified it as such. Some thought it was a car backfiring, or something being thrown.

The bullet?

Nine millimetre. Nice rifling, so with luck, we’ll get a match. My guys are interviewing the owner of the house.

Thanks. I’m running this one, so keep me updated.

Will do.

Burns’ phone buzzed. Burns.

Trevino here. The case Catalin was working in that location relates to gangs. Two have been carrying out a tit-for-tat series of bashings, plus a murder.

Burns looked at the home in question. It stood in a nice, normal suburban area. The garden was well tended, as were the rest of the homes in the street. Not the kind of place violent gang members tended to hang out or live. Send me the details and go through it yourself as well. I’d like a summary by morning.

He stood and surveyed the people hanging around the scene, taking in the curious faces of the people standing on the neighbouring porches. They all had the suppressed excitement, wide-eyed stare. If any of them were a part of what happened, they were hiding it well. He spotted an agent strolling around, keeping an eye on the crowd, watching who was doing what. The team had it well in hand.

Burns turned and strode up the path to the front door. The agent standing there let him in and pointed to the door on the left. Burns pushed the door open and walked in. Two agents sat on a sofa, opposite a young woman. They all looked up at him; the agents nodding and the woman staring. Her blue eyes were huge in her pale face. She didn’t look scared—she looked terrified.

Burns smiled at her and introduced himself. I’m Special Agent in Charge Burns. Do you mind if I join you?

The agents hid their smiles—they weren’t going to object. The woman merely turned her gaze to her clenched hands, held against her thighs.

Burns walked around behind the woman and lowered himself into an armchair. From his position he could see her profile. She glanced at him, a peek sideways giving him a flash of blue, before lowering her gaze again.

Sir, this is Justine Evans.

Hello, Ms Evans.

She looked at him again. A fleeting glimpse from the corner of her eyes.

Ms Evans was unaware that Special Agent Catalin was on his way to see her.

Burns watched Justine as his agent spoke. She took a deep breath and threw him another glance, and then looked at the agents opposite. Her hands moved, fingers intertwining and tightening. He couldn’t decide if the shooting had caused the fear he saw, or something else.

I don’t know why he was here, she reiterated.

You can’t think of any reason? Burns said.

Justine shook her head so slightly she barely moved.

Are you sure? Have you witnessed anything, or do you know someone who is involved in an investigation?

Again, the tiny head shake. She didn’t look at him this time. Burns let the silence grow, waiting for her to fill it. Finally, she swallowed and then looked at him, meeting his gaze.

Surely you know. Why don’t you tell me?

Her eyes narrowed. Have you put me in danger?

Burns kept hold of her gaze, appreciating her reversing-the-table tactics, and hoping to make the most of her opening up. The shot wasn’t fired at you or your home. It was fired at one of my agents. I want to know why. Why here? Why now?

Justine shrugged and dropped her gaze to her hands.

Burns looked at the other agents, who both shook their heads. Frustration rose, but Burns stomped on it, keeping his voice calm. Ms Evans. Obstructing a federal investigation is a crime carrying a penalty of jail time. Lying to a federal agent is the same. I recommend you think hard about why Special Agent Catalin was here to see you.

Maybe he had the wrong address. The answer was delivered without hesitation, but she didn’t look at him or the agents. Maybe he was going to one of the other houses in the street.

Then why was your address on a piece of paper in his car?

I don’t know!

She met his gaze this time. There was something in her expression; a plea, or was it worry?

Okay. Burns rose and looked down at her. Thank you for your time. I’ll leave the agents here to finish up the interview. He nodded at the agents and left the room. He didn’t believe Justine Evans knew nothing, but with luck she would reconsider and share what she knew. Sometimes it took a while for the implications of withholding information to sink in. He’d wait for the report in the morning before deciding when to visit again.

School kids, heading home at the end of the school day had joined the crowd watching the forensics team work. As much as he’d like them to move on, there was little he could do. If they did get the crowd to disperse, they’d soon reappear. Pity they weren’t as curious about the person who’d fired the shot. Burns!

Sund called out to him as he emerged from the house. Burns went to meet her. Yes?

We believe we’ve discovered the shooter’s location.

Burns followed the direction of Sund’s pointed finger to where several agents were standing.

There’s a right of way through to the street behind—a small pedestrian alleyway. An agent has found a matching bullet casing there. They are looking for further evidence now.

Burns looked from the group of agents to the place where Catalin had been shot, and then at the properties around the alley. And nobody saw anything?

Not that they are willing to say.

Burns took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Right. Keep me up to date. I’m heading to the hospital now.

Will do. I’ll have a preliminary report to you tomorrow.

Thank you.

Chapter Three

Burns pulled up at the hospital and sat in the car, preparing for the next part of the day. He had to control his anger at the shooter—this part was about Catalin and his family. Providing support, reassurance, and letting them know he wouldn’t stop until the shooter was found. All without letting his anger show. Burns took a deep breath and climbed out of his car.

The staff manning the emergency room reception desk recognised him. He’s just gone up to surgery.

His condition?

I’ll ask the doctor to brief you. The family have gone up to the waiting area on the surgical floor.

Thanks. I’ll head up shortly.

I’ll page the doctor. Please take a seat.

Burns lowered himself into one of the plastic seats in the waiting area and pulled out his notebook and pen. He began writing; short notes, details, when reports were expected. ER doctors were always busy and Burns knew he’d have to wait his turn.

Mr Burns.

He looked up to see a doctor he knew well standing beside him. Heather. How are you? And how’s my agent?

She gave him a faint smile. Tired. It’s been a long shift. Come with me and I’ll fill you in on your agent.

He followed her to a small room furnished with a couple of chairs and sat down. Heather sat opposite him and flexed her feet before she began. I haven’t sat down for at least three hours. She planted her feet on the floor. Now, your agent. He was shot in the thigh. A single bullet wound, with the bullet passing through the thigh, but hitting the bone on the way. The bone is quite badly broken and is going to need some work getting it stabilised. There is some muscle damage which will require physical therapy. No significant blood vessels were damaged, so all in all, he’s a lucky man. He’ll be fine.

The knot in Burns’ stomach eased. Not great news, but it could have been a lot worse. Thanks.

My pleasure. You’ll have to come over for dinner soon. Sam and I haven’t seen you in a while—we’ll invite Warren and Beth, too.

Sounds good. Beth had blue eyes. His thoughts flew to Justine Evans. What was she hiding?

I’ll be in touch. Heather stood and left the room, and Burns made his way up to the waiting room by the surgical suites.

Sonia Catalin sat flanked on one side by an older woman, and on the other by two teenage boys who stared at their phone screens and ignored Burns. The older woman looked up as he entered, but Sonia kept her gaze fixed on the opening leading to the surgical suites. He walked up to her and she shifted her gaze to him.

Sonia. How are you holding up? he asked as he crouched in front of her.

Okay, I guess. The doctors say he’s going to be fine…

I spoke to Dr Dalton downstairs. She’s confident he’ll make a full recovery.

The surgeon said the same thing. She blotted a tear that trickled from her eye. Why did this happen? Why him? Her lips trembled. I pray every morning he’ll be safe, and then… Sonia shook her head. I don’t understand.

Burns took one of her hands in his. I don’t know why this happened, but I will find out. I promise. He didn’t know how to answer the rest. All agents accepted the risk of the job, but it was harder for their families to understand. He released Sonia’s hand. Can I get you anything? Food, something to drink? Burns turned to the woman beside Sonia. Anything?

A hot drink would be nice. Sonia, dear, would you like some tea?

Sonia shrugged, and then nodded. Yes, thanks. She patted the lady’s hand and then looked at Burns. This is my neighbour.

Burns rose. Two teas then. Any food?

No thanks.

Burns turned to the teenagers. Anything for you?

I’ll come with you, the younger one volunteered.

The elder glanced up at Burns, his eyes narrowed. Then he shrugged, and went back to his phone.

Burns gave Sonia a smile and left the room accompanied by the younger brother. What’s your name?

Ewan. You’re Burns, right?

I am. Burns stood back to allow Ewan to enter the elevator first, and then followed.

Dad talks about you sometimes.

The kid glanced up at him and Burns couldn’t decide whether the look meant it had been good or bad talk.

I never thought Dad would get hurt.

Burns looked down at him, but was reassured by Ewan’s calm face.

I mean, he’s always saying he spends all his time filling in forms.

We have lots of forms, so I know how he feels. Burns paused. I never expected this to happen either.

But you know it might. You guys all pack heat.

Burns smothered a smile at the pop culture phrase. We all know it might happen, but it doesn’t happen often. And Catalin wouldn’t have been expecting this. Not on a simple visit to interview someone when there had been no threat. Or had there been and he hadn’t told anyone about it?

The door opened and they walked across the hall to the small hospital shop. Burns selected some sandwiches and ordered the hot drinks, allowing Ewan time to pick out something for himself and his brother.

Burns checked his phone, but there were no notifications or messages. He frowned and then looked at his watch. He’d give it another hour, and then he’d start making calls.

Ewan walked up and dumped chocolate bars and cans of cold drinks onto the counter next to Burns’ selection. A few minutes later, they were walking back into the waiting room.

Burns gave the women the sandwiches and hot drinks.

Sonia stared at the plastic wrapped food and hesitated.

Eat it, her neighbour said. You need to have something. She looked up at him. Thank you.

My pleasure. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Excuse me.

He walked out into the hall and read the message that had arrived from the