A Killer's Devotion: Sequel to "A Killer's Tears" (book 2 of 3)

By John Bae

Despite all that was revealed about Ian Ramsey's crimes during the Hope Kane criminal trial, Ramsey is still walking the streets as a free man. Prosecutors are hesitant to indict a powerful man like Ian Ramsey, unless they are presented with irrefutable evidence that will guarantee a conviction. Until Ramsey is tried and convicted of his crimes, Hope and her friends, Edward Miller and Annie Sharpe, must live each day in fear of Ramsey taking revenge against them for derailing his scheme to frame Hope for the murder of her husband.

Even Ramsey's most trusted henchman, Dom McGee, has to run for his life for refusing to shield Ramsey from federal prosecutors by taking the rap for Ramsey's crimes. His devotion to Ian Ramsey isn't enough to spend the rest of his life in prison.

In this sequel to A Killer's Tears (book 2 of 3), Edward forms a new law firm with a surprising new partner to protect his friends from Ramsey's attacks by resuscitating a prior lawsuit he had commenced against Ramsey for his crimes. He and his partner join forces with a mysterious woman, Jackie Sire, to dig into Ramsey's world of crimes, only to uncover an unforeseen conspiracy filled with death and deception, and an unimaginably powerful man known as Odin who will do whatever is necessary to protect Ramsey.

Their winner-take-all fight against Ramsey and Odin unfolds in a federal courthouse, where the jury's verdict unwittingly will determine the life and death of the litigants.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350931587

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© 2023 John Bae All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN 979-8-35093-157-0 eBook 979-8-35093-158-7

In loving memory

Joan Ja Bae (1937-2023)

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1.

Jackie Sire stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A gust of wind or a slip of her foot could send her down hundreds of feet to the sand and rocks below. A certain death. But such thoughts didn’t concern Jackie. She stared out into the distance, not much caring about what she was seeing. She sensed movement to her left. She wanted to stay in this moment of emptiness. But once she noticed him, her mind couldn’t let go. He was the same dark-haired man taking his morning walk to the rock formations high above the ocean. He never missed a day. His pace had quickened over the months he’d been here but he never wavered from the path that took him to that spot. He hadn’t spoken a word to anyone from the moment he arrived. He never went to the cafeteria for meals. Everything was delivered to his room. He avoided eye-contact with others in public spaces. He ignored everyone who tried to speak to him. He’d just go about his business. Alone. Silently.

Her mind now was consumed with the dark-haired man. She wondered why he walked to that same spot every morning and always at the same time she chose to come here. Was it the fear that she might jump? Did he have some strange sense of duty to try and save her? Or maybe it had nothing whatsoever to do with her? He may not even have noticed her standing on this ledge. But she noticed him and knew who he was. She also knew exactly why he was here at the facility. It was in February when the windowless van pulled up and she saw a bunch of medics pushing a gurney into the emergency room. She recognized the face of the patient from the television broadcast of the trial. FBI agents formed a perimeter around the entrance, obviously protecting him from a potential threat. They refused to identify him by name. He was called patient 241 because they happened to have stuck him in room 241.

Jackie turned back toward the ocean. The desire to stare out into nothing no longer interested her. She slowly made her way off the large rock she was standing on to head back to the facility. She noticed patient 241 had left his spot. She took another step toward the facility when she saw patient 241 standing a few feet away from her, staring at her. She could see he had put on some weight since completing his treatments. His emaciated body appeared healthier, fuller. His chiseled face seemed to be filling out.

He didn’t move. He just stared at her. She tried to walk around him when he gently touched her arm. She turned to him. She noticed his deep-set dark eyes that looked intense, yet kind. Are you okay? he asked.

It was the first time she’d heard his voice, in person anyway. She didn’t respond. A moment later, he gave her a smile and started walking back to his spot.

She stared at him for a while. A part of her wanted to say something to him, but she couldn’t think of anything to say. She had no idea what to say to a person who was supposed to be dead.

2.

Patient 241 watched the woman walk back into the facility. He didn’t know who she was, but he did notice her standing on the edge of the cliff every morning. She often stared at him, but she never attempted to speak to him. Then again, she probably knew she wouldn’t get much of a response. She had seen him ignore others who had tried to engage him. He was just following orders – not to speak with anyone. He was supposed to be dead after all. Somehow the doctors saved him, at least temporarily. As he closed his eyes in the courtroom after the Hope Kane trial, he thought he’d finally see firsthand what happens to one’s soul upon death. He didn’t see anything. When he opened his eyes, it was as if he’d awoken from a deep, dreamless sleep.

He stared out into the ocean, watching the waves roll in and then out. There was a simple predictability that he liked. That brought him to this spot every morning. Why couldn’t his own life be predictable? He could be dead next week if the cancer decided to rear its vengeful head. Or, he could hang on for a long time or even longer. And even if he were to survive the cancer, Ian Ramsey was still out there. The man he had tried to expose as the murderer of Hope Kane’s husband and kidnapper of her daughter was still out there. And no one could explain why he hadn’t yet been indicted. Ramsey was a vengeful man. That meant he had to remain dead until the prosecutors got to Ramsey. That was the plan anyway.

He thought about Hope – the woman he defended to save her from being framed for Ramsey’s crimes. He knew Ramsey would try and find a way to punish her - revenge for rejecting his love, and for refusing to play along with his sick game of forcing her to accept the blame for the murder of her husband. He wanted to believe Mike Lynch could keep her and her daughter safe. But he also knew there were limits to what Lynch can do to shield them from a ruthless killer like Ian Ramsey. He also worried about his friends, Edward Miller and Annie Sharpe, and everyone else who played a role in helping him defend Hope. His heart ached, especially for Annie, who had volunteered to help him, only to be abducted by Ramsey’s henchman and tortured to extract information from her about Hope’s defense strategy. There was no way Lynch could protect them all. His heartbeat quickened. He knew the only way to protect them was to have Ramsey convicted of his crimes and locked up in prison forever. But in the four months since the Hope Kane trial that turned into a story about Ramsey and his crimes, he still had not been indicted. What were they waiting for? Each moment Ramsey was out on the streets, everyone’s life was in danger. He knew he couldn’t stay hidden forever. If the prosecutors weren’t going to indict Ramsey, he needed to take matters into his own hands. He had spent the last month developing a plan to find a way to protect his friends.

Thoughts of Melanie filled his head. He closed his eyes as his chest and throat tightened. His grand plan of breaking things off with his fiancé in the hope of saving her from the agony of his battle with cancer and the ultimate pain of his death blew up spectacularly. She in fact had to suffer through his ordeals and a death that never happened. And for what? Just so he can show up and say his passing and the funeral had been staged? Then what? He stared out into the predictable waves rolling in and then receding. It was easier to stare out at the repetitive movements of the sea than to accept the reality that Tom Rose was still alive.

Tom walked through the glass door and into the lobby of the place they called the facility. He didn’t know exactly where he was. People at the facility told him the location was classified; that all patients were federal employees who needed to stay anonymous for one reason or another. The facility was guarded by men and women in military uniform, armed with what looked like machineguns. Tom could identify the role of each person at the facility by what he or she wore – doctors and nurses in white, guards in military fatigues, patients in green pants and shirts.

He had access to a computer that was programmed to block any information regarding his location. The computer could not be used to communicate with the outside world. It could only receive information. The FBI agents told him that no one could know that he was still alive. He could not even have contact with Edward Miller or Mike Lynch, even though they both knew he didn’t die that day.

He saw the woman from the cliff standing by the large window, staring at him. He had never-before noticed her long jet-black hair, her dark brown eyes. Her beauty was undeniable, but she had a hard look about her – angular face, small bump on the bridge of her nose, thin lips, strong jawline that made her look like she was perpetually clenching her teeth. She stood at around five feet five inches with a thin, strong build. Something about her made her interesting, maybe even alluring. He was surprised that he noticed these qualities about her. Once he learned of his cancer, he had no time to worry about a woman’s appearance. All he cared about was making things right for the people who meant something to him. But, here he was, cancer-free and alive, staring at a woman he didn’t know. She nodded at him, and then walked away without a word.

Tom went to his room and turned on the television. The news cycle about Ian Ramsey had gradually died down following the trial. Today, there was nothing about his crimes. He turned on the desktop computer sitting on the small table. He searched for any story about Ramsey. All he saw were stories about his donations to charities and news about him purchasing a skyscraper in New York City. He saw pictures of the Mayor standing next to Ramsey in front of a midtown Manhattan building. It seemed like yesterday when he thought he had succeeded in educating the world that Ramsey was a ruthless criminal. But, today, all of that seemed to have been forgotten. A multi-billion-dollar investment to purchase a building was good for the city and good for the Mayor. Money was a powerful thing, and Ramsey knew how to play the game.

He heard a knock on his door. He opened it a crack and saw the woman with the black hair. He opened the door all the way, wondering why she was standing at his doorway.

She said, I was not planning on jumping.

Tom nodded. Good, he said. I was hoping to hear that.

This is the second time you’ve spoken to me.

I’m not supposed to speak with anyone, but things will be changing.

She stared into his eyes for a few seconds and then went on her way.

3.

Hope Kane saw the man standing across the street, staring into her house. He wore dark sunglasses and a hat. He looked to be the same man who stood out there a few days before. This was happening more regularly. He hadn’t tried anything yet. It was clearly an intimidation tactic to send a message that he was watching her. She sent a text to Mike Lynch. He replied that he’d send someone right away. A moment later, the man got in his car and drove off. Hope dialed the number for Annie Sharpe. She answered on the first ring.

Is everything OK? asked Annie.

Yes, but I saw the man again. He’s been coming around more often, and he seems to know exactly when to leave to avoid Mike’s guys.

This is getting insane.

Just be careful, Annie. I’m sure Ramsey has someone following you around too.

Hope heard a knock on her door as she ended the call. She looked through the peephole and saw Tyler, one of Lynch’s guys. She opened the door. The man was here again, she said.

Tyler shook his head. Same outfit?

Yes. Dark suit, hat pulled down low and sunglasses.

We’ll go over the video recording when I’m back at the office, but I suspect we’ll find another set of stolen plates. I’ll drive around the area, just in case he comes back. Text me if you see him again.

Hope locked her door as Tyler left. There was no point in calling the police. Last time this happened, they told her it’s not illegal for someone to park his car across the street and look at her house. She ran to Mila’s room and saw her with a coloring book. The fear that they’d take her again made her chest tighten and her hands tremble. She turned away from Mila’s room as her eyes began to well up. When will this end? When will they put that monster in jail?

Hope knew Ramsey would be looking to intimidate others who had helped her. She called Edward Miller.

Hi, Hope, said Edward.

I just wanted to make sure you were OK, she said.

Yes, at least at the moment. I haven’t left the apartment today.

The strange man was watching my house again.

Christ. He didn’t try anything, right?

No. He just stared at me through the window.

Keep your curtains drawn. I doubt they’ll try to attack any of us right now. Things are still too hot for Ramsey. I don’t think he’ll take the risk of actually attacking us when he is under investigation. At least not yet.

Any news on when he’ll be indicted?

Mike arranged a meeting with the FBI agent for tomorrow. I hope to get more information on that when I speak with him. I’ll let you know. We can’t live like this.

Edward, I’m so sorry. I know you and Annie are going through this only because you saved me from that monster. Had I known this would happen … Hope couldn’t finish the sentence as her emotions overwhelmed her.

Hope, don’t be sorry. Letting you get framed for Mark’s murder and living without Mila were never an acceptable alternative. We’ll get through this. Somehow.

4.

Edward Miller and Mike Lynch walked toward the fountain in Central Park. Edward could see Jack Brown sitting on a bench holding a cup of coffee. The FBI agent stood as they approached.

Where are we? asked Lynch.

Brown had a disgusted look on his face. I have nothing. I met with Patrick Kim this morning. I pressed him on why they haven’t indicted Ramsey. He said they didn’t have enough.

You’ve got to be joking, said Edward. You found Hope’s kidnapped daughter in Ramsey’s house. Hope testified that Ramsey had her husband killed. What more do they need?

Brown nodded. I agree. That’s exactly what I told Patrick. He said they had no hard proof of anything. Ramsey’s saying he never goes to his basement and had no idea Mila was locked up in one of his rooms. He’s pointing the finger at Tony Remo and Sean Boles, his two bodyguards. He’s accusing one or both of them as Mila’s kidnapper; that they were playing some kind of a sick game. As for the murder, he’s denying he was even at Hope’s house on December 26, so it’s his word against hers.

Lynch said, This is ridiculous. What happened to your interview of Remo and Boles?

They both pled the Fifth. They aren’t testifying against Ramsey, at least not yet. Look. Patrick isn’t happy with any of this. But he’s taking orders from the U.S. Attorney, Larry Falk. Falk’s telling him that Ramsey is too powerful and important to indict with flimsy evidence. So, until we gather better evidence, we have to wait.

Edward shook his head. Flimsy evidence? I cannot believe this bullshit. We have to live every day in Ramsey’s crosshairs because Falk wants to play politics?

Brown looked down at the ground. Unfortunately, yes. For the time being.

What does ‘for the time being’ mean? asked Edward. What more evidence is the FBI expecting to find?

It’s possible Boles or Remo will agree to testify against Ramsey, said Brown. And if they do, they might be able to lead us to the guy who pulled the trigger. Things can change. We just need to convince one of them that they’ll be protected from Ramsey.

Edward closed his eyes. And if they don’t testify against Ramsey, we are stuck exactly where we are. And that isn’t acceptable.

Edward, I’m on your side, but there’s only so much I can do. I can’t force the U.S. Attorney to empanel a grand jury.

We have to tell Tom, said Edward. He can’t stay hidden forever. Can you get us in to meet with him?

Brown nodded. Yes. He has the right to know what’s going on. I’ll set it up.

5.

Jackie turned on her computer. She saw the familiar agency logo and the prompt for her credentials. She ran the program she installed to prevent the agency from tracking her activities. She had read that Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Kim had been assigned to the Ian Ramsey investigation. She searched for vulnerabilities in the DOJ’s firewall to gain access to its network, and in particular, Kim’s emails. Her prior efforts had failed. She wasn’t used to such challenges. She had easily hacked into foreign government servers and networks, which was her job before her injury. The Department of Justice’s firewall was far superior to the crap used by the foreign government agencies. She needed to come up with a better way to find loopholes in the DOJ’s system.

She mindlessly touched her stomach and felt the scar of the bullet wound through her shirt. The doctors had done a good job patching her up, but she still felt the pain from her memory of the bullet ripping through her body. None of this much mattered to the CIA director who thought she should be back at the agency already. Fuck him, after he left me to die in Tehran. The day of her injury was fresh in her mind. It was not the sort of thing one could ever forget. She was sitting in the basement of CIA’s secret site in a small structure on Keshavarz Boulevard, trying to hack into the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization. She heard sudden bursts of gunfire, and she knew right away that their location had been compromised.

Shit, someone’s breached! said her partner Leo Morris as he pulled his weapon from his holster. She took the necessary steps to corrupt her computer files and was about to stand when the door burst open. Agent Morris was shot in his torso. Jackie’s hands were still on the keyboard when the intruder shot her and the bullet went through her left abdomen. Then more gunfire erupted as Jackie lost consciousness. When she opened her eyes, she was in what looked like someone’s basement with an intravenous needle in her arm. Agent Morris was lying not too far from her, wrapped in bandages around his stomach. She later learned that a team of CIA agents appeared just in time to confront the intruders, but didn’t bother to try and save her or agent Morris. They just took all identifying information that tied her and Morris to the CIA and disappeared.

Agent Morris apparently wasn’t killed by the gunshot. He dragged her to his car to drive to this secret site. Jackie knew exactly why the CIA left her and Morris for dead. Randall Block, the CIA Director, knew the hacking operation had been compromised. He needed to eliminate all evidence connecting the hacking to the CIA, but needed to leave behind someone to be held responsible. So, Block ordered his other agents to destroy all evidence of CIA’s involvement and to get out of there. Having two dead agents with no proof of their ties to the CIA was a convenient coverup to hide the CIA’s operation.

Jackie was done with the CIA, and never wanted to see Block ever again. But, the CIA still served a purpose for her. She needed the CIA’s resources for the project she decided to take on – the project involving the dark-haired man. She had watched the Hope Kane trial on television during her recovery. The evidence was stacked against Hope, but she watched this lawyer called Tom Rose achieve something no one had imagined was possible. After watching him collapse in court after winning her acquittal, she saw the medics pull him from the van when it arrived at the facility. It was no surprise. Everyone knew Ian Ramsey was a dangerous man, and they wanted to protect Rose from this clear threat. So, she followed the arrest of Ramsey, but the indictment never came. That meant Tom remained in danger. She had to understand why Ramsey hadn’t been indicted. She didn’t know Tom Rose from a hole in the wall, but she admired the fact that he saved a life; unlike Block who left her for dead. No, she was not going to return to the agency, but she was going to use its resources to figure out why Ian Ramsey was still walking the streets, and threatening the life of the one, and possibly only, man in the world who gives a shit about another life.

6.

Tom received a message to head over to the meeting room on the third floor. One of the guards in uniform led him to the room. Tom saw his former boss Edward sitting next to Lynch and Brown around the conference room table. In the four months since Tom last saw Edward, he looked to have aged significantly. He appeared older than his age of 68. His gray hair was thinning and the wrinkles around his eyes had gotten deeper. He wasn’t surprised. Living under the threat of being attacked by Ian Ramsey can make anyone age. They all stood as he stepped into the room.

How’re you feeling, Tom? asked Edward as he put his arms around him.

I feel pretty good, said Tom. He nodded at Lynch and Brown.

How’s your recovery coming along? Edward asked.

I’m supposedly cancer-free, but we all know that means nothing.

Well, let’s count our blessings that you are still with us, said Edward.

What brings you here?

Edward patted Tom’s shoulder and walked to the table. Let’s sit and discuss.

Go ahead, said Edward nodding toward Brown

Tom, we’ve been monitoring the Ian Ramsey situation. I met with the Assistant U.S. Attorney, Patrick Kim, this morning. His boss, Larry Falk, won’t let him pursue an indictment of Ramsey based on the evidence they have so far.

Tom didn’t respond, waiting for Brown to continue.

Ramsey’s blaming his bodyguards Tony Remo and Sean Boles for Mila’s kidnapping, and he’s denying murdering Hope’s husband. Falk’s concerned they don’t have enough to indict, and doesn’t want the political fallout from not getting a conviction.

Edward shook his head. The obvious problem we have is the evidence against Ramsey isn’t going to improve with the passage of time. Edward looked over at Lynch. And Mike and his private investigators can’t spend the rest of their lives trying to protect us from Ramsey taking revenge.

Tom nodded. "I’ve been thinking about this. I’m not surprised. He’s gotten too powerful and popular. He’s done a remarkable job getting the public behind him with all his charitable contributions. He’s also gotten in good graces with New York politicians with his willingness to buy the