Mystery and Crime Fiction posted February 18, 2025 Chapters:  ...38 39 -40- 41... 


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The Search Begins
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets

Veil of Secrets Chap 40

by Begin Again


Jack's helicopter blades sliced through the air, the engine growling as he banked lower, eyes scanning the wooded area along the shoreline.

"We've lost Zhang's men, but we've still got a chance if he's still out there on foot. I'm going to set us down."

Frank sat stiffly beside him, his phone buzzing again. He snatched it up. "Talk to me."

A crackle over the line, then a ground team's voice. "Frank, the Feds say they found fresh blood near the river's edge."

Frank's head snapped toward Jack. "Zhang?"

Jack didn't answer. He adjusted the throttle, sweeping over the stretch of road parallel to the coastline, then growled, "If it's fresh, it's him."

The radio crackled again. "No tracks leading far. Either he's holed up, or he had a ride waiting."

Jack's eyes swept the area below, jaw tight. "Then we're looking for a car."

Frank sucked in a breath and rechecked his phone. Another call. The hospital. He answered. "What now?"

A rushed voice — one of his private doctors. "It's Donatelli."

Frank's expression darkened. "He's not —"

The background was pure chaos — yelling, equipment crashing. "Dead? Not yet, but if he keeps this up, he will be. He woke up mid-surgery! He ripped out his IV and tried to get off the table — he's fighting us! We barely got him held down, and he's lost a lot of blood."

Frank's jaw clenched. "Damn!"

The doctor's voice was urgent. "Tell him to stop fighting us, or we're going to lose him!"

Frank let out a frustrated breath. "You think he's gonna listen? His daughter was just kidnapped! He's not thinking straight."

The doctor didn't have time for sympathy. "Then he'll die before he ever gets her back."

Jack shot Frank a look. "Put him on speaker."

Frank flipped the call over, voice sharp. "Donatelli. You hear me?"

For a moment, there was only the sound of struggling in the background —heavy breathing. Donatelli's voice, hoarse and raw, snarled, "They took her. Zhang's got my baby girl."

Frank's grip tightened. "I know. But you're bleeding out on a damn table. You wanna be in a morgue when we find her?"

A shaky breath spiked with anger. "You better find her."

Frank's jaw tensed. "We will. But you gotta let them do their job, Matt. You need to live long enough to see her again."

Silence.

Then, the doctor's urgent voice. "We're getting him under."

Frank exhaled. "Good. Keep him that way." He ended the call, running a hand down his face.
 
Jack was still sweeping the coastline when something caught his eye — a dark SUV moving fast. Jack's gut twisted. "Frank, grab those binoculars."

Frank turned as the SUV sped beneath them, its tires kicking up dust. Jack turned the helicopter around and chased after the vehicle. "Do you think it might be him?"

"I don't know, but it's odd that a car would drive that fast out here in the middle of nowhere."

Frank stared through the binoculars. "I can't see who's inside. There might be something — a red smear on the window. It's hard to say."

Jack lowered the chopper slightly for a better angle. The driver's window cracked open, and an arm waved. "Is he signaling us?"

Frank frowned. "Looks like he's slowing —"

The back window dropped. Gunfire erupted. Bullets pinged off the helicopter's runner blade.

"What the —!" Jack yanked the stick, banking hard, pulling out of range.

Frank grabbed the radio. "Ground team, we've spotted a black SUV heading westbound on Highway 57. There is possible blood on the rear window. We're taking gunfire."

The reply came fast. "We're on foot, no wheels in range."

Frank swore. "Son of a bitch."

The SUV gunned it, kicking up dust and disappearing down the highway.
Jack gritted his teeth and growled, "I knew I should have kept the semi-automatic rifle in here."

They had no jurisdiction and no way to engage. All they could do was watch as Zhang disappeared.

*****
The sky deepened into shades of indigo as dusk settled over the land, stretching long and ominous shadows. Garth moved swiftly, pushing through the dense underbrush, his pulse hammering in his ears.

Signs of Travis's struggle were etched into the forest floor — trampled brush, claw marks in the dirt, and the grim splatter of dried blood on the rocks. It was a miracle the boy had survived and an even greater one that his guide, wolf-dog, had fought through it all to keep going.

The beast trotted ahead, silent and sure-footed, its thick fur blending into the dimming landscape. Garth wasn't the kind of man to trust easily, least of all a wild animal, but he had begun to understand this creature was more than instinct. It wasn't just leading him to Rebecca; it was guarding her.

A sudden stillness settled over the forest.

The usual sounds of birds chirping and small creatures rustling through the undergrowth had vanished. Garth slowed his pace, scanning the tree line. Something or someone was out there.

The wolf-dog froze, ears pricking forward, its massive body tensed. Then, a low, guttural growl rolled from its throat, deep and primal, sending a shiver down Garth's spine. Something was wrong.

The wolf-dog's snarl deepened, its lips peeling back to reveal gleaming fangs. Saliva dripped as it lowered its body close to the ground. Its tail stiffened, its hackles rising like bristling wire — every ounce of its being radiated danger.

Without warning, it lunged.

The beast tore forward in a blur of fur and muscle, vanishing into the darkened foliage. Garth's instincts screamed at him to move, but he hesitated just a fraction of a second, scanning the shifting trees, searching for what had set the wolf-dog off.

Then he heard a scream — piercing and raw. A woman's cry. His blood iced over. Gun in hand, he plunged forward, crashing through the brush, chasing the wolf-dog into the dark.

Inside the cabin, the warm glow of the fire cast flickering shadows on the wooden walls. Lenore had just set down a fresh pot of tea when she heard the first noise — a heavy thump against the porch.

Her instincts had kicked in immediately. Years of solitude, attuned to the rhythms of the land, had sharpened her awareness of when something wasn't right. She moved for the rifle by the fireplace.

Amelia, sitting by the hearth with Rebecca, jolted upright. Then came the second thump, followed by the unmistakable sound of something snorting and huffing.

Lenore moved fast. "Stay back."

Rebecca, still weak but alert, pushed herself to her feet. She exchanged a glance with Lenore, instantly reading the older woman's expression. They had trouble.

Bam! The bear hit the window.

The old glass shook violently. A massive paw smeared against it, claws raking down with a shriek of scraping glass. Amelia screamed, scrambling backward.

Lenore raised the rifle and cocked it.

The bear growled — a deep, stomach-clenching sound and sent another massive BAM! against the window. This time, the wood groaned, splintering slightly.

Rebecca pulled Amelia behind her. "Lenore?"

The older woman was already stepping forward. "If that thing breaks through, we won't be able to stop it with just this door."

Outside, the bear snorted again, a massive, dark silhouette against the moonlit night, pawing at the ground. It was hungry, drawn by the scents of food, warmth, and life.

Then, they heard another sound — a furious snarl.

From the trees, the wolf-dog burst forward, a streak of fur and muscle, its deep growl carrying through the night air.

The bear turned, momentarily distracted, and the dog lunged, teeth sinking into the thick fur at the bear's shoulder with a ferocious snarl. The massive animal roared, twisting violently, and swiped one of its powerful paws.

The wolf-dog went flying. It hit the porch hard, rolling before skidding to a stop. For a sickening moment, it didn't move.

Inside, Amelia gasped, covering her mouth. "No!" Rebecca's heart slammed against her ribs. Lenore stood with the rifle aimed at the side of cabin — window or door, she was ready.

The bear, still agitated, turned back toward the cabin, rearing up onto its hind legs.

Lenore didn't hesitate. She stepped forward, aimed the rifle, and pulled the trigger. The gunshot shattered the night, loud and final.

The bear let out a strangled grunt and staggered back, its eyes wide with pain. It dropped onto all fours, stumbling.

Lenore, calm as ever, cocked the rifle again. Another shot rang out.
The bear collapsed.

For a moment, the only sound was the ringing in Rebecca's ears, her breath coming fast. Then, the wolf-dog gave a low, pained whine from the porch
.
Amelia tore away from Rebecca and ran toward it. "Is he okay?"

Rebecca followed, dropping to her knees beside the wolf-dog. Its chest was rising and falling, and its breathing was labored.

Lenore stepped forward, lowering her rifle. She nudged the bear's body with her boot, ensuring it was indeed dead.

The sound of running footsteps thundered through the trees. Lenore raised her rifle and aimed. Rebecca's voice stopped the woman as she screamed, "It's Garth!" as he crashed into the clearing.

His gun was drawn, his eyes wild — searching.

When he saw Rebecca alive and sitting on the porch, it felt as if someone had punched him in the gut, causing his breath to leave him. He was too late, but she was alive.
 

His gaze swept over the scene — the bear dead in the dirt, the wolf-dog injured but breathing, Amelia clinging to Rebecca, and Lenore standing tall with her rifle, completely unfazed.

For the first time in his life, Garth realized he had never been more useless in a fight. He took a slow step forward, then another, his gun lowering to his side as he hurried to Rebecca.

Still kneeling beside the wolf-dog, she looked up at him with tears streaming down her face. "You came for me," she murmured.

Garth exhaled, his hands flexing at his sides. "Of course I did." A beat of silence.

Amelia, still shaken, turned to Garth with wide, innocent eyes. "So, you're her prince?"

Garth blinked, his head tilting slightly, and his expression caught somewhere between confusion and amusement. "What?"

Rebecca groaned, covering her face with one hand. "Amelia—"

The little girl smiled. "She said you were her prince. That you would come for her."

Garth's lips twitched. His eyes locked onto Rebecca's. "She said that, huh?" he asked, crossing his arms.

Rebecca shot Amelia a look of pure betrayal. "I didn't say it like that." For the first time in days, her face blushed with color.

Watching from the doorway, Lenore chuckled and muttered, "I need more tea for this."

Amelia, still oblivious to Rebecca's glare, beamed. "Did you come to rescue her?"

Garth tilted his head. "Something like that." Rebecca groaned.
 
He wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms, but a whimper from the wolf-dog claimed his attention. He kneeled down and his hand brushed over its thick fur, checking for injuries. 
 
"He saved us," Rebecca said softly.

Garth nodded, giving the animal a rare look of respect. "Yeah. He does that."

Amelia tugged at Garth's sleeve, her voice small. "He's gonna be okay, right?"

Garth met her eyes, then glanced at Lenore. "I don't know. Got any experience fixing up wolves, Annie Oakley?"

Lenore snorted. "I'll see what I can do." She turned and went inside to gather herbs.

Rebecca exhaled, rubbing her temples — this was her life now — the wolf-dog, a precious old woman with a rifle, a man who thought he was funny, and a little girl who thought he was a prince.

And yet — for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

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Recognized


Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love

Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Amelia - girl in the caves
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Maria - a woman escaping the tunnels
Lenore - an old woman with a wolf dog and magic
Ashley, Lee Ann, Kristen - women caged in the tunnel
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
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