Blood Retreat: FBI Agent Jade Monroe Live or Die Series, #8

By C.M. Sutter

SSA Jade Monroe's much-needed vacation is about to begin, and she can't wait. Jack Steele, her former partner at the sheriff's office, has offered her a weeklong stay at his family cabin in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Being there alone for half a week isn't at the top of Jade's list, but her sister, Amber, will arrive in several days. Until then, Jade will make the best of it. After all, what could go wrong in paradise?

 

But two convicts have just escaped the correctional facility across the river. They need a car, and Jade's will do just fine. Two things work in their favor—Jade has the perfect vehicle, and she's alone at a remote cabin.
 
Everything that could go wrong does. Jade disappears without a trace, and the FBI, her former colleagues, and local law enforcement conduct a frantic search for the missing agent.
 
Jade fights to stay alive, but those convicts have a dangerous agenda, and it goes way beyond her.

 

 

Editorial Review

"FBI Agent Jade Monroe is finally on vacation, enjoying a lakeside cabin by herself for a few days until her sister can join her. But two escaped convicts have ended up in the area, and their discovery of a single woman with a cool car fits in nicely with their plans. After Jade fails to check in with her family, alarm bells ring, and officers are soon looking for her. Tense and fast-moving, this Jade Monroe tale is a nail-biter from the get-go and doesn't let up." Angela M., Line Editor, Red Adept Editing
 

 

FBI Agent Jade Monroe Live or Die Series books are listed in chronological order below

#1 Blood in the Bayou
#2 Blood Trail
#3 Blood Reckoning
#4 Blood Legacy
#5 Blood Equity
#6 Blood Stream
#7 Blood Rules
#8 Blood Retreat

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.M. Sutter
• Release date: Mar 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215787724

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was Friday, and I was more than excited. Working my last day before a much-needed and well-deserved week of vacation, I couldn’t believe my luck. I likened it to winning the lottery. After a year and a half as a senior special agent in the Serial Crimes Unit of the FBI, I was finally getting the vacation I had put in for a year ago. Foolishly, I let the guilt of being allowed that time off overwhelm me for about five minutes, but I needed to set those feelings aside and enjoy the upcoming days of pure bliss. Renz would manage just fine during the five-day workweek, and if anyone had to go out of town, Taft would send whatever team was available.

Focusing on our morning meeting was tough, but since the time I had been busted for daydreaming and gotten humiliated in front of my colleagues last winter, I made sure to keep my eyes and ears on Taft and what she was saying. I would daydream once I got back to my office.

We had just wrapped up a case that originated in Chicago and had worked its way into the Milwaukee area. Con artists were bilking elderly people out of their hard-earned savings and Social Security benefits to help them get in on the cryptocurrency frenzy. The scam was a typical Ponzi scheme, but the team’s pitch was good and forceful. They were master salesmen who preyed on vulnerable people who didn’t know any better. Getting in on the ground floor was imperative, they’d said, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The seniors would live the rest of their lives with more money than they could ever ask for, but they had to make a decision immediately according to the con artists. Serial crimes came in all forms, I’d learned, and that included opportunists taking advantage of elderly people.

As we sat around the table, Taft updated us on each man’s sentencing, which had taken place yesterday at the federal courthouse in Cook County. Each of the con artists got ten years behind bars—and deservedly so.

Once our meeting adjourned, we returned to our office. Renz and I had a few interviews to conduct, and the rest of the team had their tasks as well.

Renz dropped down onto the vinyl-covered seat of his desk chair, which made a squishing sound. He grinned, and I noticed.

What are you smiling about? I asked.

He shook his head. The fact that I’m not jealous makes me smile. I’m trying my hand at enjoying other people’s happiness instead of being sour that it isn’t me going on vacation.

I rolled my eyes. Who are you?

Your adoring partner.

I laughed. Weirdo. I grinned too. Seriously, I can’t wait until five o’clock when I get the hell out of here. As I drive away, I’ll watch through my rearview mirror at this building getting smaller and smaller. I won’t be back for an incredible nine days! Can you imagine that?

Yeah, because you’ve reminded me of that fact every hour of each workday since last week.

Sorry, I’m just excited.

Renz sorted the paperwork on his desk. And rightfully so. How far is Hudson from here?

It’s a long drive. Four and a half hours. I’ve gone back and forth in my mind about heading out as soon as I get home and arriving tonight or leaving first thing in the morning.

And what did you decide?

I’ll just go tonight. Otherwise, half of tomorrow will be wasted on the drive. Amber said she’s coming up on Wednesday. She took three days of vacation so she can join me, and Jack said his brother Mike might stop in. I guess he’ll be fishing somewhere in the area for a week or so.

So the cabin belongs to Jack?

And his brothers, Mike and Brad. That cabin has been in their family for sixty years. Their grandpa built it, then it was passed down to their dad after the grandpa died and eventually to Jack and his brothers. He says they used to go there as kids and stay all summer long.

Sounds nice.

I chuckled. Sounds like you want to come up.

Renz waved away my comment. Partners can’t take off work at the same time. You know the rules.

Yeah, and that sucks. Wouldn’t it be fun, though, for about twenty of us to spend a weekend there? We could swim, barbecue, and go fishing and hiking. Plus, Hudson is a beautiful town right along the St. Croix River.

That would be a dream vacation for sure.

And one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Hudson on the Wisconsin side of the river and Stillwater on the Minnesota side are so pretty. I’ve only been up there once before, but I really love that area.

So just you and Amber until next weekend?

I sighed. Yeah. The sheriff’s office can’t let too many people off at the same time. If it weren’t for that, Kate would join us too. It’ll be great with just Amber and me. We’ll have plenty of sister time together, although my motto has always been the more the merrier.

Well, I expect tons of pictures texted to me, and the area is definitely safe?

Absolutely. Jack goes up there every summer for a week to fish, drink, and play poker with his brothers. He said they’ve never had a break-in, and even though they don’t live there full-time, the entire community knows them because of how long that cabin has been in the Steele family. They’ll never sell it.

Renz huffed. I wouldn’t either. Maybe I should buy a cabin somewhere.

Nah. For the few times we have vacations at all, it would be better to get a vacation rental when you want to get away. No commitment or upkeep on your part.

He nodded. Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, we should get going on those interviews we need to do. Ready to head out?

Yep, let’s do it.

We left the office at ten a.m. Our first interview would be with a postal employee who had been assaulted numerous times along her mail route as well as once when she was loading her mail truck. We needed her accounts, as well as the locations of the assaults, and descriptions of the assailants if she could remember their faces. The Milwaukee PD had worked the case but never got anywhere with it. The perps had beaten the woman, stolen her mailbag, and run off with the contents. The locations, days of the week, and times of the incidents were never the same. The victim said she was on the verge of quitting, although she had only six months to go before she was eligible to retire with full government benefits.

I felt for her, and we had to start somewhere. Because she was assaulted on federal property and because mail was stolen, we were called in to help.

By noon, we had the street names and addresses of every location where the assaults had taken place. With that information and with what the PD had gathered, we would review the videos from stores or homes in those particular areas, including the footage from the post office where she worked. After stopping in at the PD and talking to them, we planned to have the camera footage they’d gathered sent to my email address and review it for ourselves.

Later, we had two interviews with bank tellers and guards who’d been present during multiple bank robberies this past Wednesday. Luckily, the bank’s footage showed much of what took place, but since the robbers were masked, we knew there wouldn’t be facial descriptions. We hoped the witnesses could give us more information such as height, weight, visible tattoos, accents, demeanor, and race.

We had a full day ahead, which meant it would go fast, or at least I hoped it would. I planned to give our interviews my full attention, but I couldn’t wait until five o’clock.

Chapter 2

The time had finally come, and it was as if Big Ben’s bell had chimed five times in my head. I couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face even if I’d wanted to—and I didn’t.

Renz and I had gotten through all of our interviews, so there wasn’t any guilt on my part for leaving him in the lurch. He had plenty of work to keep him busy, and he wouldn’t have time to miss me at all next week. If he needed help with something, Taft would find a willing agent or two to pitch in.

It was time to go. I said my goodbyes and mentioned how I would miss everyone next week—with an insincere chuckle—then headed out.

As I drove, I put Amber on Speakerphone through my infotainment center and told her that I had finally made up my mind. I would leave that night so that I could sit on the porch of Jack’s beautiful rustic cabin and drink my morning coffee tomorrow while gazing out at the distant St. Croix River.

You sure you’re up for leaving tonight after a full day of work?

Of course. It doesn’t get dark until nine o’clock, and by then, I’ll be halfway there. It’ll be fine.

Jack said if you need anything to call him.

I chuckled. It feels like I have a big sister and a big brother watching over me. I’ll probably talk on the phone with him during the drive anyway.

Okay, but you’re eating supper before you leave. It’ll be ready when you get home.

Sounds good. I tapped End Call on my car’s screen and paid attention to the traffic bottleneck that was coming up. I hit that logjam every morning and every night and wished someone would invent teleporting during my lifetime.

I rolled into the driveway just before six o’clock. Inside the house, the scent of garlic wafted through the air. I smiled knowing that Amber was making spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread—one of my favorite meals.

We ate, talked, and planned what we would do from Wednesday until next Saturday afternoon before heading back. We needed Sunday at home to regroup, do laundry, and rest before returning to work the next day.

So, I’ll take the fishing gear and a little food. Tomorrow, I’ll stock up on more supplies for the week. You should make a few suppers to bring with you on Wednesday. Put whatever you’re bringing in a cooler full of ice.

Amber laughed. Yes, Mom. Let me know how it goes, driving up there tonight. Maybe I’ll do the same and head out Tuesday after work.

With a mouthful of spaghetti, I frowned. It’ll be eleven thirty by the time I get there.

Then text me. I’ll read it in the morning.

I wiped my plate with garlic bread, bit into it, and rolled my eyes. This is so good. I hope you’re just as good at frying the fish we catch.

And I hope you’re just as good at cleaning them.

Kate spoke up. You’re taking your gun, right?

I shot a glance in her direction. Should I, and why? What do you know that I don’t?

Nothing, I swear. I just figured being out in the boondocks like that, you might need one. You know, for the rabid raccoon that’s waiting on the porch when you walk out in the morning.

Oh, for God’s sake. I’ll take it if it makes you feel better. I grumbled. How many people take guns on vacation with them anyway?

Don’t know, but I bet some wished they had. Better to be safe than unarmed.

I gave the clock a glance then pushed back my chair and cleared my plate from the table. I headed to my bedroom to change clothes, pack a few more things, and load the car. Kate offered to help by filling a bag with snacks and putting the fishing gear in the trunk.

At six thirty, Amber handed me the cabin keys that Jack had given her, and we exchanged hugs and kisses.

Kate raised a brow. Got everything?

I knew what she meant. Yes, ma’am, and now I’ve gotta go.

I was off, and it was exciting to be on my way. I would be alone—as I hadn’t often been—and I was nervous. Four miles north of Hudson, Jack’s cabin was surrounded by ten acres of pristine woods, all belonging to the Steele brothers. From the front porch, and by looking through the opening in the trees, I would be able to see the St. Croix River in the distance. The rear porch overlooked a medium-sized lake with a dock to fish off of and an anchored raft to swim out to and sunbathe on. As I remembered, everything about the property was beautiful, but my last visit was five years ago. Jack guaranteed me that nothing had changed. The electricity was on, the conveniences were modern, and his security system monitored the two porches. The code to arm and disarm the system was 1154.

It would be an adventure, and the only thing more I could have asked for was to have my dad drinking a glass of wine with me while sitting on one of those porches and taking in the beauty.

I dabbed the tear forming in the corner of my eye and headed north toward Hudson, on the west central border of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The drive should be easy. I would head to Stevens Point on US 41 then cut due west on US Highway 10 to Interstate 94, and that would take me right into Hudson.

With a full tank of gas, I would stop only if I needed to stretch and have a bathroom or coffee break. I figured Stevens Point was close enough to the halfway mark and a good place to take a break.

The radio played classic rock—my favorite.

My driver’s-side window was down, and the night was warm with a mid-June breeze swirling lightly throughout the car. It felt good and kept me alert. The summer humidity hadn’t kicked in yet, which I appreciated. Jack had informed me that although there were ceiling and standing oscillating fans, the cabin didn’t have central air-conditioning. After all, he had said, central air wasn’t normally found in a two-bedroom log cabin vacation retreat but instead in a year-round log home, three thousand square feet or larger, worth a million dollars and overlooking a body of water or a golf course.

I’d always considered myself brave and tough, yet being alone on a ten-acre parcel in the woods was a little unnerving. I would be fine once the car was unpacked, I was inside for the night, and the doors were locked with the security system engaged. I wondered why the solitude scared me. Was it a fear of nighttime animals wandering too close for comfort or just the darkness itself? There weren’t streetlights to guide my way like there were in well-populated residential neighborhoods, and there wouldn’t be anyone nearby who would hear my calls for help.

What calls for help?

I told myself to knock it off. I was creating scenarios that had no basis in fact or substance, and I was being irrational.

Just take in my suitcase and the food Kate packed and call it a night. I’ll unload the fishing gear tomorrow.

I passed the highway sign that showed Stevens Point was sixty-two miles ahead. I still had a long way to go. With time on my hands, I lowered the radio volume and decided to call my best friend on earth—Jack. If there was anything I needed to know before I got there, it was best to learn it now, and I would deal with it after arriving.

I tapped Jack’s name on my phone’s contact list, and he answered right away. I was sure he expected my call.

What’s up, partner?

I laughed. Jack had a soothing way about him and always put my mind at ease. Just passing time. I’m not even to Stevens Point yet.

Yeah, it’s a haul all right, but once you’re there, it’ll all be worthwhile.

I bet. So is there anything you’ve forgotten to tell me?

Jack chuckled. How would I know?

Okay, let me rephrase that. Is there anything else I should know that you haven’t told me yet?

Only the Bigfoot image we saw on the trail cams.

Ha ha. Real funny.

Nah, everything should be good. Mike will be within thirty miles of Hudson if anything is urgent, but I don’t foresee any problems. Keep in mind that you’re in the woods where animals live. It’s their domain, so you’ll probably see an occasional deer, a lot of raccoons at dusk, and a ton of squirrels all day long.

What about bear?

I mean, anything is possible, but I’ve never seen one.

Okay, that’s a relief.

You having second thoughts?

Of course not! I can’t wait to get there. I just don’t want a bear sneaking up on me when I’m unloading the car.

Rule number one—don’t leave food outside. And when you and Amber head back on Saturday, take your trash to the dumpster at the end of the road and toss it in there. That’s what we do.

I sighed. Okay. So if I hear something on either porch, it’s likely a raccoon?

I’d say so, but you can always look out a window to double-check. The camera system is set up on my phone, but there isn’t anything I can do from here unless it’s a real emergency, and you’d probably know that before I would.

Is there a second rule?

Yeah, enjoy yourself and relax. You deserve a physical and mental break.

Sounds good. All right, I’m coming up on a Petro truck stop. I think I’ll gas up here, stretch, and grab a coffee.

Call me tomorrow and let me know if anything needs to be addressed.

I will. Thanks, buddy.

You bet, and make sure you set the security system every night.

You can count on it. Night, Jack.

Night, Jade.

Chapter 3

I passed the Hudson city limit sign at eleven thirty and still had to go four miles north. Jack’s cabin was on a private lane off Highway 35. The road was Wildwood Lane, and the ten-acre camp was lovingly named Steele’s Wildwood Retreat. I sucked in a deep breath with the realization that I would be there in less than fifteen minutes. There wasn’t a garage, so I planned to pull as close to the cabin as I could then rely