Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

storage room in the basement of the high school.
    He tried to move his arms but found both wrists were duct taped to an old, wooden teacher’s chair. He knew the answer but tested his legs anyway. He wasn’t surprised to find them bound to the chair as well. From behind him, a cell phone rang and was quickly picked up.
    “Yes?” He knew that voice. If his mind would just focus he could place it. “No, Mr. Klaus, everything is fine. The shipment will be sent out on time. It’s just a simple matter of reorganization of management. You know how hard good help is to find.” The voice laughed, and it clicked in his head who it was. “I look forward to many years of partnership. Please tell the others the organization is strong and all contracts will be met on time with quality product. Yes. Thank you.”
    The cell phone was clicked shut, and Cade gave up trying to pretend to be asleep. For years he had known that voice, for years they had been friends, and the whole time his friend was the boss of a major drug operation.
    “I see you are awake. Surprised it turned out to be me? I bet I never crossed your mind,” the Boss practically spat out at him.
    “Why?” Cade still couldn’t process the betrayal.
    “Money, of course.”
    “What about all those kids who were killed because of the bad product you made?”
    “That was merely a bonus. I can’t stand all those sniveling brats. They were the perfect lab rats.” The Boss stood directly in front of him now, and he could hardly believe it, but the evidence was right there before his eyes. Unable to stand the sight, he looked away. A small movement behind the Boss caught his eyes. The tip of a gun slid through the door. He was being rescued.
    “Why are you doing this to me? After all we’ve been through? I don’t understand.”
    “You wouldn’t. You were too focused on that slut. Do you know how many times I could have killed you? I could have killed you any time of any day, but because of our relationship, I gave you the courtesy of keeping you alive. I gave you the courtesy of only hurting you a little when you went against our partnership and turned Devon over to the police. I ordered that slut to be killed and for you to be spared. What is the thanks I get? My whole organization gone! And right when I have my biggest shipment ever to make.”
    Cade saw Annie’s jean clad leg appear, along with the steady arm holding the gun. He just needed to keep talking to keep the attention away from the door. “Because your men were inept you’re going to kill me?”
    “I thought I would give you the respect you deserve and let you die while you were with those who cared for you. I know you military type. I’m going to give you the respect of knowing you are going to die and who is responsible for it. I wanted you to know it was me.” Cade’s eyes fell to a large needle in the Boss’s hand. He watched as the plunger was pressed slightly down, liquid spewing out the sharp tip of the needle.
    The sound of the gun being cocked drew his attention back to the door.
    “It’s over, Stephanie, put the needle down.” Annie saw her back go rigid.
    “Annie?” Stephanie slowly turned around on the balls of her feet and stared icily at her. Annie saw the needle still in her hand. What worried her was that Stephanie’s hands weren’t shaking.
    “You can call me Agent Blake. I’m with the DEA. Put the needle down or I’ll shoot you.” Annie took a couple steps forward and leveled the gun at Stephanie’s cold heart hidden under her pale blue sweater set.
    With no warning, Stephanie lunged forward. Annie shot off a round, but it went wide. Stephanie went after her gun. She felt the needle jab into her hand and she screamed. The gun dropped to the ground, and Stephanie went after it. Annie ripped the needle out and tackled Stephanie.
    “I won’t let you win this time. You may be smarter than those expendables I hired, but you’re not smarter than me.” Stephanie stretched for the gun, her fingers crawling along the floor to reach it.
    “It’s not about being smart. It’s about being strong.” Annie grabbed her own hand and used the force to slam her elbow into Stephanie’s back.
    Stephanie reared up, screaming in pain and Annie grabbed the only thing she could get a hold of. She wrapped her hand around Stephanie’s perfect hair and pulled with all her strength. Baldy had taught her this move. Steph was stronger than she gave her credit for. The elbow