Catherine Coulter - KnockOut

ALSO BY CATHERINE COULTER

THE FBI THRILLERS

TailSpin (2008)

Double Jeopardy (2008): The Target and The Edge

Double Take (2007)

The Beginning (2005): The Cove and The Maze

Point Blank (2005)

Blowout (2004)

Blindside (2003)

Eleventh Hour (2002)

Hemlock Bay (2001)

Riptide (2000)

The Edge (1999)

The Target(1998)

The Maze (1997)

The Cove (1996)

AUTUMN WHISPERED , Im sorry, Im sorry.

What did a little girl have to be sorry about? Ethan stared at Ox, knowing what he was seeing, not willing to accept that this manic voice he was hearing, this mad voice, was from the Ox he knew. He stood very quietly. Whats going on, Ox? What are you doing? Put down that damned gun, you hear me? Let Mrs. Backman go and tell me whats going on. Now.

Ox turned his head to the side and spit on the tile kitchen floor. He pressed the muzzle of the gun harder into Joannas neck. I dont have much time, so put your gun on the floor, Sheriff, and kick it over to me. If you dont, Ill kill the bitch.

Bitch? Ethan had never heard Ox say anything like that about a woman.

Im not a bitch, you monster! Joanna shoved her elbow back into his gut so fast Ethan barely registered what shed done. Ox grunted, and she hit him again as hard as she could with that elbow. He screamed curses as she hit him a third time. He stumbled backward, yelling all the while at her, and raised his gun.

Ox, look at me! Ethan yelled, and brought up his Beretta. His heart dropped to his gut when Autumn kicked Ox in the shin, jumped up, and grabbed Oxs flailing gun arm.

Ethan yelled, Autumn, let go!

But Autumn didnt let go, she hung on for dear life. Ox jerked her right off the floor.

Jonnna yelled, Let her go! When he twisted toward her, Joanna kicked him in the crotch.

Ethan yelled, Drop, Autumn! Now! and the little girl dropped and rolled away. Ox screamed, his gun flying as he sank to his knees. Joanna yelled her daughters name even as she watched the gun skid across the tiles to bounce off a chair leg.

Keep away from him, Ethan yelled at Joanna. He grabbed Ox around his neck, jerked his head back, and yelled into his face, Ox!

Ox was cursing, moaning. Im going to kill the bitch, kill her, kill her, kill her, and Im gonna take the little girl and

No, youre not, Ethan said, and grabbed his collar and hauled him upright.

Ox took a mad swing at him, but Ethan leaned back on his heel and kicked Ox square in the gut. Ox dropped without a sound to the kitchen floor, his arms clutching his belly. Ethan kicked him again in the chin.

Ethan stood over him, watched his eyes roll back in his head. He lay perfectly still.

No one moved. There wasnt a sound in the kitchen except for Ethans hard breathing and Autumns small gasps and hiccups. Joanna stared down at Ox, unmoving, watchful, her eyes narrowed, her foot up and ready to kick him again.

A minute passedmore like a damned year, Ethan thoughtbe-fore he saw Ox open his eyes. He stared up at Ethan. Suddenly he didnt look like a madman bent on murder, he looked very scared. Ethan wanted to shout with relief because now he saw Ox behind those eyes, saw Oxs confusion. Oxthe Ox Ethan knewwas back. Had the violence, the pain, brought him back?

Is he all right? Joanna asked.

Yes, hes himself again.

It was the pain that brought him back, she said. Pain somehow breaks the hold.

Brought him back from where? What hold? What happened to him? Had someone done this to him? This Blessed?

Ethan came down on his knees, pulled Ox up in his arms, and shook him slightly. Ox? Come on now, wake up. You okay? You there?

It seemed to everyone in the kitchen that another year passed before Ox said, his voice low and gravelly, like hed been screaming too long and hard and bruised his throat, Yeah. Ethanwhat happened? My jaw and my guts feel like theyve been kicked through my backbone by Old Hestuss mule. Whyd you kick me like that? And Mrs. Backman kicked me in the baShe kicked me and I wanted to puke and die. And the kid, she attacked me. Whats going on here, Ethan? Why?

Its over now, everythings okay. Now that was a whopper of a lie. As Ethan pulled Ox up, he looked closely into his clearing eyes and dusted him down. You sit down, get yourself together. After hed settled Ox into a kitchen chair, he speed-dialed Faydeen. Get all my deputies at my house right away. This is a bona fide emergency. I dont exactly know whats happening, but there may be a very dangerous man here, so tell them all to come armed and be very careful. Hurry, Faydeen Yes; yes, Ive got Mrs. Backman and Autumn with me. Theyre all right. Do it, Faydeen, now. He turned to Joanna, who was holding Autumn against her side. He saw that the little girl was trying very hard not to cry. He came down on his knee in front of her.

You did really good, Autumn. You grabbed his arm, kept your mana safe. Im very proud of you.

She snuffled once, then gave him a very small smile.

He patted her arm and rose. Joanna was as white-faced as her daughter. She looked panicked, ready to bolt. He said quietly, Tell me what happened to Ox.

She grabbed his arm, shook him. Ill explain later, but thats not important now. Listen to me, Sheriff, you saw what he did to your deputy. Hes close by, probably right outside the window. He can make anyone do things, horrible things if he wants, crazy things.

Whos close by?

A very scary man, she said, trying not to pant with fear, trying not to lose it in front of her daughter. She lowered her voice. Weve got to get out of here. Then she slapped her palm to her forehead. No, Im an idiot. Hes out there, and I cant take the chance hell get Autumn. How are we going to get her away from here, away from him?

Joanna grabbed for Ethans Beretta on the kitchen table. He closed his hand over hers. No, stop. Dammit, youve got to tell me whats going on. What the hell happened to Ox? You say this man made him get crazy? Thats true enough, but how? How did Blessed make Ox do this? How did hurting Ox break the hold? Talk to me, Joanna, stop holding back. If some crazy man is here, I need to know all about him, now.

Joanna was so scared she thought shed vomit. She saw him, through the kitchen window, saw him yet in her brain, she knew it was only shadows, tree branches shifting in the night winds. It didnt matter, she had to get that gun and shoot him. Or would he make her turn the gun on herself and blow her own face off?

Ethan shook her, then noticed Autumn ready to leap on him to protect her mother. He didnt yell at her, he kept his voice low and quiet. Joanna, look at me. Im big and Im mean and I know what Im doing. You are not going to take my gun. I can protect you and Autumn, but youve got to tell me what and who Im protecting you against. He grabbed her and shook her again. Her head snapped back on her neck. Pay attention here! Talk to me. Tell me whats going on.

Leave my mama alone! Leave her

Ethan looked over at Autumn. Listen, honey, Mama needs to talk to me so I can help you, okay? Im not hurting her, I promise.

Joanna said, Hes not hurting me, Autumn. She drew a deep breath. Hes right, stop it, stop it. She sucked in a shuddering breath, steadied herself. Autumn was making small mewling sounds. She had to get it together; she couldnt fly out of control. Autumn ran to her, and Joanna hugged her against her legs. Its all right, sweetie, I promise. The sheriff will help us, youll see. Now, stay strong for me, okay? She looked at Ethan. Sheriff, listen to me. Blessed is here. He is very dangerous. Hes not right in the head; he has the ability to look at you and sort of hypnotize you. He can make you do anything he wants you to. You saw yourself what he just did to your deputy. Youve got to believe me.