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Love's Taming(91)

By:Maryann Jordan


Xavier’s voice cut into their stare-down. “It really doesn’t matter why either of you did what you did. All that matters now is that I am moving forward.” He paused as their attention came back to him. The smile that Annie now recognized as dangerous grew as he continued. “We are being forced to move our operation and I will be removing all obstacles. You two are obstacles.

“I will, of course, be leaving your bodies in plain sight here for the police to find.” Hearing Annie gasp, his smile deepened. Leaning over his desk, malice twinkling in his eyes, he spoke, “Did you think for one second that his undercover infiltration would go unpunished? I took care of Rocky and your death will make sure that other such agents will be less willing to play the hero. He will eventually find his way here, and your body will serve as a reminder that no one fucks with me.”

His eyes cut back over to Carl’s horrified expression as he continued. “And you, Doctor Ogden, have served my purpose and I find that I do not want to chance having you with us in our new…location.”

Moving around the desk, he ordered, “Lock them up for now.”

Annie and Carl were roughly hauled up and propelled back outside, this time forced to walk to the barn that was located on the opposite end of the clearing. Maneuvered through a door, they were forced to climb a rickety ladder to the former hayloft and tied to a post near the back of the building. The cracks between the planks of the old barn loft allowed sunlight to filter in and afforded them a view of the activity below.

“Annie, I’m sorry,” Carl started. His voice carried a pleading tone as he willed her to look at him.

Anger poured off of her as she kicked out at him. “How could you? Jesus, you’re a vet. You gave an oath. You’re supposed to protect and heal. Not drug, maim, and kill. I can’t believe you are a part of this.”

“Let me explain. Please,” his voice ragged.

The look on his face stilled her. “Why Carl? Why?” she asked, her voice quiet and full of pain.

Hanging his head for a moment, gathering his thoughts, he looked back into her face. “A year ago I was practicing in another state, but had been applying for jobs here in the area because my mom was sick.” Seeing the doubt in her eyes, he continued, “Yes Annie. I did have a mom in the area and she was sick. I received a communication from what I thought was another vet and came in for an interview. When I met with Xavier for the first time, I had no idea who or what he was.

“He said he needed a veterinarian to help with dogs that were part of his business. He made it sound like they were guard dogs in training. He made it sound so legitimate.” His voice trailed off as though his thoughts had moved into the past. Remembering.

“He offered a lot of money and I thought it would be a great transition. I could make decent money, help with mom, and keep practicing veterinary medicine in a private setting for a while.” Shaking his head, “Jesus, I thought I’d found the perfect solution.”

“When did you realize it wasn’t what you thought?”

Sucking in a huge breath and letting it out slowly, “It only took a couple of weeks. At first they had me just seeing dogs they brought in. They made sure I got paid and they even took over mom’s medical expenses which had drained her bank account dry and had almost drained mine dry as well. By the time I ever saw this place I was firmly in their control.

“Annie, you have to believe me when I say that the first time I was brought here I became physically sick. I barely made it to the woods before I lost my lunch.”

“Why did you stay? You could have told the police. You could have done something.”

“I did do something, Annie.” He saw her angry glare but plunged on. “I needed the money. If I said anything, they would kill me, and then where would mom be? I had to play their game to keep things going. But I did the best I could. I inoculated these dogs, I treated their injuries, I made sure they had food and water. And I tried to get them to do surgery to remove the drugs without hacking them open.”

At that, Annie’s eyes filled with tears, all of the fight going out of her. How can I judge him? Would I have done differently? “How is your mom now?”

Looking her directly in the eyes, he confessed, “She died a few months back. I had money to pay off the creditors, pay for a funeral, and get her affairs settled.”

The questioning look she gave him had him nodding in understanding. “You’re wondering why I didn’t stop then?”

He gave a rude snort before answering. “By then, they had me in your clinic. I had gotten close to you, Suzanne, and Leon. They manage to get people to do things they want by threatening things that matter.”