Never Look Back

  “Rob Hanson, you’re free to go.” The guard opened the cell.

  Rob beamed in delight. “Really?" Facing Stanley, he asked, "How did you get the bail money?”

  “No bail was needed, but let's discuss more in my office about the findings,” Stanley said.

  Rob furrowed his eyebrows and followed the guard who escorted him to the front to retain his belongings.

  “There are people outside ready to pounce at you. Please keep a straight face and answer no questions.” Stanley kept Rob within arm’s length.

  A stream of reporters paraded themselves around him as soon as they exited.

  “Mr. Hanson, what do you have to say about the murder of Stacy Kestav? Did you kill her?”

  A splurge of anger burned within him. Rob could feel his face flushed. He struggled to maintain composure.

  “Mr. Hanson, is it true that you blackmailed the models to have sex with you in the hope of building a successful career?”

  Rob gasped, but Stanley squeezed his arm and faced the crowd. “My client is not answering any questions. Please respect his privacy.”

  A reporter sneaked in from of them and positioned the microphone in front of Rob. “Is it true that Stacy Kestav is dead because she threatened to expose you?”

  Rob drew in an exasperated breath. “For the record, I am no murderer.”

  Stanley pushed him inside a black Cadillac. “Weren’t my instructions clear?”

  With head bowed down, Rob moaned. “I’m sorry, I can’t believe they would say such horrible things.”

  “Trust me. Scandals sell.”

  "I don't understand. How'd you get me out?" Rob asked, fastening his seat belt.

  Stepping on the gas, Stanley flashed him a grin. "It turns out that Stacy's father was in the pornography business. "

  "Oh my God!"

  "Her sister discovered about it in their basement. She phoned the FBI agents, and they came in with a warrant. They found the knife with a trace of blood and it matched Mr. Kestav's DNA as well as Stacy's."

  "That's sick," Rob coughed. "How could he kill his own daughter?"

  "I know, but at least they found evidence and you're a free man."

  Rob kept his gaze glued to the road and scratched his head. "Something's not right here. If the Kestav family is involved in the pornography business, they might know where Dana and her mother are."

  "Will you get a grip on yourself and stop playing detective for once?"

  His lips formed a hard line. "I need to speak with Agent Wayne and tell them what I found."

  Swerving to the left, Stanley glared at him. "You need to stop, Rob. Aren't you happy you're not in jail anymore?"

  "I don't think the Kestav family is alone in this business. This is bigger than you think. They need to find Michael Downey. Once they find him, they'll get answers."

  ***

  Grinning from cheek to cheek, Dana stepped outside the bathroom and walked into Gio's bedroom. She felt her face flushed with excitement as she plucked a white polo shirt and dressed up. Then she slipped on the jeans she had on the hanger and her sandals. Overhearing the door close, she called out, "You're back."

  Dana dashed outside to greet him… only a tall woman with long black hair and olive-toned skin stood by the door wearing a skimpy white dress with no bra. She tilted her head and smiled. "You don't look like the other women. The last one he had didn't stop chewing gum. She tasted good though."

  A knot formed in her stomach. "I'm sorry, but are you a friend of Gio's?"

  "Oh." She raised her eyebrows. "He didn't tell you." She fingered his silk shirts.

  "Tell me what?" Heat enclosed her body, and her breathing became more rapid.

  Approaching Dana, the woman twirled her hair. "Your man loves to play. I'm Amy, btw."

  Taking a step back, Dana cleared her throat. "I need to go."

  Gesturing her hands in the air, Amy pouted. "Gio's going to be sad you left before the party started."

  Dana grabbed her purse and stormed out, heading for the elevator. Tears trickled down her cheeks. How dare he! She had trusted him when her instincts told her not to. She had been about to tell him everything. She hated him. She hated her life. She hated being alone again.

  U.S. Marshall Collins was right. She couldn't trust anyone. Everyone she trusted betrayed her. But she had a mission to fulfill and everything ended here. She could no longer be Abigail Madison. She was going to find her mother and kill Vladimir. No more distractions. Walking toward the harbor, she flung the cell phone U.S. Marshall Collins gave her on the water and fled. Dana knew where she needed to go.

  ***

  Vladimir dashed inside his unit, breathless. "Abigail, I have exciting news to share with you." He strode to the bedroom and stopped in tracks. A dark-haired woman lay underneath the bed sheets. "Who are you? Where's Abigail?"

  The woman pushed the sheets down, revealing her naked body. "Oh, that scared shitless woman?" She gave a sly grin. "She left in such a hurry."

  Vladimir picked up a vase on the dresser and threw it against the wall. "Please leave," he growled.

  Rising from the bed, the woman grabbed her clothes. "Gladly." Covering her body, she added, "Constantine said you were fun to be with and liked adventure. It's too bad. I would have really liked to do you and your friend." She shrugged, heading toward the door before flashing him one last look. "Your loss."

  Taking deep breaths, Vladimir felt a sharp pain in his palm. He spotted a pointed glass from the vase pressing against his skin. "Fuck." Vladimir fled to the kitchen and washed his hands. He plucked a towel and wrapped around his hand.

  Clanking heels and the door shut were the last thing he heard before his landline rang. After five rings, there was a voicemail from Constantine.

  Don't think you can get away from me, I'll come find you and when I do… You'll regret it.

  Vladimir tugged the cord and smashed the phone. Staring at the night table, he noticed Dana left her locket. Opening, the necklace, he caught sight of the family photo with a young Dana. His heart sank. He would end this nightmare of a life and not live the life his father and Constantine wanted. Depositing the locket inside his pocket, he grabbed his keys and stormed out of the building. Today he will live his life the way he wanted it to be.

  Chapter 27

  U.S. Marshalls Collins and Adams surveyed Dana's house in Texas.

  "Everything seems to be normal," U.S. Marshall Collins called out to his partner while eyeing the vegetables and fruits inside her refrigerator. "She has food to last her all week."

  U.S. Marshall Collins appeared from the bedroom. "She left all her clothes and shoes intact."

  "Where would she go? It's only been twenty-four hours, and she's supposed to work tomorrow."

  U.S. Marshall Collins rubbed his chin. "Cara mentioned she had a new assistant. Good looking fellow, she said. Gio something.

  "Why didn't Dana inform us about this? What happened to Courtney?"

  "Moved to New York to be a model." He paused. "Wait a minute."

  "We need to find Gio." U.S. Marshall Adams pulled out his cell phone.

  "Before we do that, we need to tip the press that Dana Simmons is now dead."

  ***

  Using his binoculars, Vladimir waited and watched the two men wearing clad-suits leave Dana's house. He knew these were the two U.S. Marshalls who protected her. If they couldn't find Dana, they would be looking for him. But where would Dana go?

  After the U.S. Marshalls were nowhere in sight, Vladimir stepped out of his car and checked to see if anybody was watching. He put on his leather motorcycle gloves and headed for the back. Smashing the glass door with a rock, he slipped inside Dana's house hoping to find clues. He dug his hand underneath the couch. Nothing. Marching to her bedroom, he touched the sheets and underneath the mattress for any clues, but no luck. In the bathroom, Vladimir inspected her medicine cabinet and aside from Tylenol and a shaver, there was nothing there.

  Back at the bedroo
m, he turned on the TV to watch the news, and a photo of Mr. Kestav flashed on the screen. The reporter announced how he had brutally murdered his daughter. Then they showed Rob Hanson coming out of jail. I need to call Courtney.

  Without hesitation, he lifted the toilet, bowl lid and discovered an envelope. "Bingo." He picked it up and went to the bedroom to sort its contents—photo of her parents, a magazine photo of Dana, and a ripped out folded calendar. He flipped the calendar and spotted only one thing scribbled in August. Kill Vladimir Marcovic.

  His heart sank. I need to find her

  After pacing the room back and forth, Vladimir raised his hand in the air. New York.

  He texted Courtney instructions hoping to make things right for Dana.

  ***

  At the station, FBI Agents Kerry and Felicia stood, watching the TV as photos of Dana Simmons flashed on the screen. The newscaster relayed how the supermodel's car skidded off the cliff and exploded in France.

  "Now the whole world will believe she had a tragic death," Kerry said. "Such a waste. She was young, beautiful and had a whole life ahead of her."

  "You're right, Rob Hanson should be here in a few minutes," Felicia said eyeing the clock. "I feel bad that he will be mourning Dana's loss."

  Rob and his lawyer arrived at their office. Kerry cringed when she heard the squeaky shoes.

  They all took their seats.

  Stanley rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie. "Rob believes there's more than just the pornography business." He gestured for Rob to continue.

  Dehydrated looking, Rob relayed about the photos he discovered. "I believe this is a crime of human trafficking, and I'm positive Dana isn't dead."

  The agents listened intently while Rob continued to provide information.

  "We need to investigate further. Why would Michael Downey have a photo of Stacy Kestav?" Kerry asked

  Felicia swayed her hands. "You need to leave the investigating to us, Rob. Take a break. You just got out of jail. You need to lie low."

  Rob growled. "I need to see Dana, I know she's coming home. She's not dead and there was no accident. Why the fuck can't you believe that! She has to know that I never stopped searching for her."

  Agent Wayne appeased him. "Please, Mr. Hanson. From now on, let us do the rest. We'll notify you of any updates."

  ***

  The bus screeched its tires to a full stop. Hiding in a hooded top and sweats, Dana stepped off the bus. She drew in the cool, fresh Alaskan air and bowed her head as she marched down the street. It would take her a half hour to get to the motel, but the walk would give her time to strategize her next step. What would she do once she met Michael Downey?

  She didn't doubt that U.S. Marshall Collins and Adams would soon figure out where she is.. This is judgment day. This has to end now.

  Her strides lengthened as thoughts of Gio flashed through Dana's mind. How could she be so naive? She had trusted him and saw a bright future together. But she hardly knew Gio, and he seemed that he could buy anything he wanted. He had power. And with power came ego, and ego could lead to destruction. Yet, she never anticipated he needed that for his ego.

  Her thoughts shifted to her best friend, Rob. Was he looking for her? Did he actually believe the news that she saw this morning about her car accident? She knew the feelings he had for Rob were not as intense as what she felt for Gio. Why did she have to let herself go?

  ***

  Vladimir closed the curtain of his house and spread his numerous passports on the table. He was tired of living a double life. No more Gio Amorosi, Michael Downey, and the rest of his aliases. It was time he told the Feds the truth, that he was Vladimir Marcovic. Enough is enough. All he longed for was to have a normal family, now that he had met Dana.

  He prepared all the information he needed to give to the Feds and sat on his desk. Vladimir hoped his instructions to Courtney were clear and all he needed to do was wait. Eyeing the calendar, he grinned. Today was the first day of August—the month Dana planned to kill him.

  Chapter 28

  After meeting with the FBI agents, Rob stepped in the cab and joined Courtney."What's so important that you couldn't tell me over the phone?"

  Courtney gave the cab instructions then turned to toward Rob "There's so much to tell you."

  "So, tell me."

  She passed Rob her iPhone where a long email was displayed.

  Using his fingers, Rob zoomed the screen and read.

  Dear Courtney,

  What I'm about to tell you might come as a shock to you. My real name is not Gio Amorosi. I've used many aliases over the years, but I only have one name and that's Vladimir Marcovic. I'm not proud of my disguise and for the things I've done, but I'm here to make it right.

  You see, Courtney, it was no accident why we met. I came to your store to meet your manager, Abigail Madison, who also carries an alias. Abigail Madison is actually Dana Simmons−yes, Dana Simmons the supermodel. Dana and I share one thing in common—a father. Her biological dad is my adoptive father. My father was the leader of the Russian mob, which still exists now since he passed the business to me. Dana's mother was my father's mistress, but she left him when she saw that he was involved in human trafficking.

  I'm ashamed of all the filthy things our family has done, but I stuck it out to honor my father's last request. He asked me to find Dana's mother and his daughter Dana. His last words were to protect them. Anger and guilt have consumed me since I promised him that I will find them, so instead of protecting them, I planned to kill them both.

  I was this close to killing Dana, but my heart got the better part of me. She's a beautiful woman inside and out, and as fate would have it, I fell in love with her. With Dana, all I saw was beauty and I was oblivious to the cruel world around us. I thought I could run away from it all and take her with me, but being tied to the mob, they're now after me. Dana doesn't know yet that Gio and Vladimir are the same person. She has set out to kill me.

  Since I want to make this right, show this letter to Rob Hanson. I know he hasn't stopped searching for Dana and will cooperate with you. You need to take Dana's mother to Dana's apartment in Manhattan right away. I know Dana will be waiting for her. I will text you the address from a separate number.

  I hope you do this for me, Courtney, and I thank you for everything.

  Vladimir

  Taking a deep breath, Rob turned to Courtney. "I don't know what to say. I can't believe this. This man is responsible for everything. His family destroyed Dana's life."

  "I know, but we don't have time to think if of that now. We have to do this quick."

  The cab screeched to a curb in front of a tall glass building, and Courtney handed the cabbie folded bills as they stepped out.

  "Now, here's the drill." She wrapped her arm around Rob's. "You're my husband, and we wanted to try something new in the bedroom."

  "Okay, Aileen Williams," he said to play along as they entered the building and approached the elevator.

  Courtney pressed the button and straightened her skirt. "Let me fix your tie, Josh."

  The elevator opened, and they walked through the front desk.

  A man greeted them. "How can I help you?"

  Twirling her hair, Courtney approached him while Rob stayed behind, studying the murals on the wall. "Hi, I'm Aileen and, um, my husband and I are having trouble in the bedroom lately," she whispered."And I was wondering if…" She covered her face with her hand. "If we can get a woman who can spice things up. You know, that type of thing."

  The man beamed. "Oh, I hear you. I think our ladies will know what to do."

  "Really?" Courtney grinned with excitement. "We need somebody younger than me, probably with dark hair." She mumbled, "He's tired of blonds."

  The man nodded and picked up a folder. "Would you like to look at the selection?"

  "Sure." Courtney took the folder and turned to Rob. "Honey, help me choose."

  The man cleared his throat. "Would you like any of our themed
rooms? We have everything from Cinderella to safari or water themes."

  "Hmm, that's interesting," Rob said. "Do you have a room closer to the ground?" He eyed Courtney. "I have fear of heights."

  "But of course." The man smiled. "That would be the under the sea theme."

  "Cool," Rob said.

  "Why don't you have a seat while you choose. Would you like a drink while you wait?"

  Collapsing on the couch, Rob loosened his tie. "How about you send champagne to our room and make sure it's chilled."

  "Very well. Let me excuse myself."

  Courtney waited until he was out of earshot to whisper, "Okay, while I stay in the room, you get Marcy. When they bring in the girl, I'll say you're in the bathroom." She hands him a key. "There's a black Honda Civic at the back of the building. It's tinted. Just give me a missed call once you've escaped, and I'll make one quick phone call to the FBI."

  He tucked the key into his pocket. "You're sure you'll be okay?"

  She squeezed his hand. "Don't worry about me. I can tell them you chickened out."

  "Thank you." He paused. "And to think I always pass by this building and never anticipated this."

  Courtney cleared her throat as the man arrived.

  "Champagne has been sent to your room. Here are two keys. Have you made your selection?"

  "Yes." Courtney rose from the couch and pointed to their choice. "We both agreed that she looks like a doll."

  "Good pick. I'll bring her right upstairs in, say, five minutes?"

  "We'll be waiting." Courtney winked then held Rob's hand as they strode down the hallway. "Take my purse with you. I have two wigs and sunglasses. The password for the lock is three-one-three. Get the hell out of here. Hurry."

  Rob nodded and fled to the elevator.

  ***

  Lying down in bed, Marcy closed her eyes. With Stacy gone, she had nobody to talked too. Days were a routine, and her hope dwindled. Will I ever see my daughter again?