by Lenora Worth
“I hear that,” Belle said to Noelle’s gung ho attitude. “I want this guy off the streets.”
They walked back to the big old square brick apartment building. “The super is not friendly,” she warned Noelle. She’d already told her colleague about the super wearing a ring that looked like the one her attacker had been wearing. “We’ll see if he has on jewelry today.”
But they never made it up onto the stoop. Gunfire raged all around them, sending Belle and Noelle running up the cracked concrete steps to hide behind the stone railings.
“Stay down,” Belle told Noelle. “I’m going to see if I can get a visual on the shooter.”
She ran to the other side of the porch, thinking being shot at was getting tiresome. But after scanning the area, she couldn’t see anyone hiding on a roof or lurking around a corner.
The whole neighborhood went quiet as people slammed their doors and turned down their music and televisions. Belle waited a couple of beats and then moved to the other end of the porch.
When she heard footsteps in the alley behind the narrow building, she signaled for Justice. He came charging and waited for her next command.
Then she motioned to Noelle and pointed toward the other side of the property. “Around back.”
Noelle and Liberty headed in one direction and Belle took Justice over the railing on her side of the house.
When she rounded the corner, she saw a figure dressed in dark clothes running away. “Go,” she ordered Justice. They both took off running to the right.
Belle called out. “NYPD. Stop!”
But once again, the shooter eluded them. Justice ran to a high wooden fence and barked. Belle caught up but found the fence chain-locked from the other side.
Noelle and Liberty came running. “What happened?”
“I think they went over this fence. Or had some help getting inside,” Belle replied, irritation coloring her words. “I’m not enjoying being shot at every time I turn around.”
Noelle’s eyebrows lifted as she glanced around the hot, dank alley. “What if that shot wasn’t for you, Belle?”
Noelle pointed to Liberty. “You’re not the only K-9 officer in danger these days.”
“You think they came here for Liberty?” Belle asked, a chill going down her back.
“I don’t know,” Noelle replied. “But the first shot hit pretty close to where Liberty was standing.” Shrugging, she said, “We were both in plain sight and the shot hit near my partner. I try to take her out only on support cases, like this one, but maybe someone is following me—someone who wants the bounty on Liberty’s head.”
“Thankfully the shooter missed,” Belle replied. “Let’s get a team out here to scavenge for bullet fragments and any prints we can find.”
“Like that’ll be a piece of cake,” Noelle replied. But she made the call.
Shaking her head, Belle wondered when they’d gone from protecting the public to trying to keep each other alive.
NINE
“So the vehicle does belong to Lance Johnson,” Belle told Noelle later that day after they’d gone back to the precinct. “But of course, he’s nowhere to be found. Nor was the building super today, either.”
They’d gone inside after the shooting and found the office door locked and the reception area empty. None of the residents wanted to talk much about anything.
“Maybe they’re in cahoots,” Noelle said, letting out a tired breath. “Or maybe today’s shooting had nothing to do with your suspect.”
“I’m glad Liberty is okay,” Belle told her friend when they walked up to the vending machine to get a snack since they’d missed lunch. “Hard to believe someone could be so evil as to try to kill a dog.”
“Not just any dog,” Noelle replied. “But a trained officer of the law. If Liberty’s gone, these gun smugglers win. They tend to forget, however, we train dogs to work with us all the time. I’m going to protect Liberty with all I’ve got but if they harm her, I’ll work with another K-9 in Liberty’s honor to find them once and for all.”
Belle lifted her chin in acknowledgment. “You’re a good officer, Noelle. Liberty is blessed to have you.”
“I feel the same about her,” Noelle said. “But speaking of that, what happened to that hunky shadow that’s been following you around for the last few days. You haven’t mentioned Emmett at all today.”
Belle tugged the potato chip bag out of the ornery machine and lowered her head. “Nope. We’re still hoping he can help us track down the one cousin who lived in Bay Ridge at the time of the McGregor murders. But the deputy marshal is not happy with us since he thinks we may taint his father’s memory. He was a police officer.”
“Will you?”
“I hope not. It’s been hard on Emmett. I think he regrets not keeping up with his cousin.”
“Family is complicated,” Noelle replied. “But you and the marshal seem chummy.”
“We’re friends,” Belle said. “And we have to get this case figured out. Not to mention, the man’s saved my life twice now.”
“Sounds like a good person to have in your corner.”
“Emmett is a good person,” Belle said, something in her heart hurting too much. “He’s doing his job right now, nothing more.”
Noelle shot her a glance. “Have you two grown close?”
“Yes, I guess almost being choked to death brings out my friendly side.”
Noelle shook her head. “I’m glad Emmett came along when he did.”
“So am I,” Belle admitted. “For more reasons than one.”
* * *
Belle took Justice home and fed him. Then she took him out back for a while. Justice ran off to explore while she sat down in her bright blue chair and enjoyed the last of the warm sun on her skin.
“Hi,” her sister Anita said, trotting down the outside stairs to the yard to join Belle.
“Hi, yourself,” Belle said. “How ya doing?”
Anita, the quieter of the twins, sank down in the grass and twirled a strand of her long dark hair. “I guess I’m okay. I like working for Uncle Rico’s café, but Cara flirts with all the busboys. It’s embarrassing.”
“Your sister is a bit more outgoing than you.”
“You think?”
Belle laughed at that. “I know she’s a pain at times, but you two are to always stick together coming and going to work since Uncle Rico put you on the same schedule.”
“We are for now,” Anita said. “But I want extra hours and Cara wants the least amount of hours. So...”
“Have you noticed anyone strange hanging around?” Belle asked, fear for her sisters on her mind. “I need to hear daily reports.”
Anita shrugged and tugged at a tear in her jeans. “I don’t know. I mean, maybe. We’ve been working there all week but today, this creepy guy kept sneering at us. He even asked why there were two of us.”
Belle’s antenna went up but she stayed calm. “What did he look like?”
Anita made a twisted face. “Big. You know, the kind who hangs out in the gym a lot? Thick hair but he wore weird glasses.”
“Sunshades?”
Anita nodded and adjusted her baggy tank top. “The kind that go from light to dark. Kind of freaked me out.”
Could her attacker have been wearing glasses with transitional lenses?
That would explain the sunshades the other day, Belle thought. The late afternoon sun had been bright right before that rain had hit in the park.
“So he didn’t take the glasses off when he came inside?”
“No. They were dark and then they got light enough for me to see his eyes before he shoved a hat on his head. Do you think he’s the one who’s after you, Belle?”
Belle always walked a fine line between keeping her family safe and keeping them unaware of most of what she dealt with on
a daily basis. So she had to tread lightly here. She’d sent someone to watch the café but she’d heard nothing. If Gavin would let her, she’d stake out the place herself. But she didn’t want her sisters in further danger.
“He sounds like him,” she explained to Anita. “He’s got it in for me so he could try to harass any of you, too. He’s kind of bulky, like you mentioned, and he wears dark sunshades. Never takes them off.” Calling to Justice, she worked hard to keep her voice normal. “Do you remember the color of his eyes?”
Anita twisted her chin. “Hazel, maybe?”
Grabbing her phone, she showed her sister the mug shot she’d been using to ID Johnson. “Is this the man?”
Anita took the phone. “That could be him, sí.”
Lance Johnson’s rap sheet described him as having dark shaggy hair and hazel eyes. But when he’d attacked her in the park, Belle remembered his hair as being shorter. She needed a positive ID.
“Do you think he’ll try something?” Anita asked, apprehension coloring her question.
“I don’t know. But we have to check every lead. You just let me take care of this. I’ll speak to Uncle Rico, too. You both might need to stay away from work for a few days, or at least continue to be driven back and forth.”
“Okay,” Anita said. “Uncle Rico watches out for us, anyway. He’s afraid the waiters will hit on us, you know?”
“I do know,” Belle said. “I worked there a few summers. You find him if this man returns or call me on my cell, okay?”
Anita nodded. “I will, I promise.”
Stretching to hide the fear clawing her insides, Belle added, “Just be aware and stick together. I have a patrol car watching this street. Don’t go anywhere on foot until this is over. I need to tell Joaquin that, too, and make him understand.”
“That sounds serious,” Anita relied.
“Comes with the territory.” Then she knocked on her sister’s arm with a gentle fist. “Remember what I’ve always told you and Cara. Be aware and use all the self-defense tricks I’ve taught you. Understand?”
“Sí, bonita.”
Belle’s cell buzzed while she smiled at the endearment. “I need to answer this,” she told Anita as she stood. “And Justice should get inside and get settled. Wanna come in?”
“No, thanks.” Her sister hopped up. “I’m reading a really good book. After dinner, I’m going to finish it.”
Belle nodded as Anita took off up the stairs. Then she scanned the small yard and street behind their building but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Justice, come,” she called before hitting Accept. “Belle Montera.”
“Hi. It’s Emmett.”
His grainy voice shouldn’t have made her pulse get so jumpy, but the man seemed to have a strange effect on her.
“Hi,” she replied after shutting the door and locking it. Trying to sound unconcerned and nonchalant, she asked, “What’s up?”
He let out a breath. “I wanted to apologize for storming out on you and Sergeant Sutherland this morning. This whole business has ruffled my feathers and made me see that I don’t have much family left. It’s hard to accept Randall might be a killer.”
Belle’s heart stopped jumping but the jitters were replaced with a steady throbbing beat. She felt sorry for Emmett. He didn’t have anyone close in his life from what he’d told her.
“Hey, you want to come over so we can talk?” she asked against her better judgment and being bolder than she’d ever been with any other man. “I didn’t like how we left things this morning, either.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure, Emmett. We’ve been through a lot together this week. How about tonight we just hang out like friends do?”
“Friends? Are we still even that?”
“Hey, once you’ve been chased and shot at together a few times, I think there’s a rule about it making you friends for life.”
His chuckle kicked down her backbone. “I didn’t know about that rule.”
“Well, it triples when you save my life not once, but twice.”
“I didn’t save you, Belle. You’re good at saving yourself.”
“Then it’s my turn to save you from being bored and lonely and concerned about all of this. Come on over and we’ll relax. Maybe watch a corny movie.”
“I haven’t watched a movie in years.”
“How about The Fugitive?”
“You’re funny, you know that. I’ll be there soon. Want me to bring dinner?”
Belle thought about her empty refrigerator. “Yes. Surprise me.”
“I can do that.”
She ended the call and hurried to call Gavin regarding what her sister had told her. By the time Emmett arrived, she was clean and wearing a blue T-shirt, old well-worn jeans and slip-on sandals.
He’d just walked in with two bags of Chinese takeout when Belle saw her mother coming down the stairs. She couldn’t shut the door in her mom’s face.
“Belle, come up for dinner,” Gina said, stopping when she saw Emmett standing there.
Belle cringed as her petite mother’s eyes moved over Emmett until she had to lean her head back to actually see his face. “Oh, you have company?” Then she added in Spanish, “Él es muy guapo.”
Belle cringed again, knowing that Emmett spoke Spanish. But her mom was right. The man was very handsome. She rolled her eyes.
He grinned and said, “Is this your beautiful mother, Belle?”
Gina’s dimples went into overdrive. “Sí, I am her mother and whatever you have in that bag, bring it upstairs and we’ll share our food if you’ll share yours.”
“Mom, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Belle said, motioning Emmett inside.
“No, I think that’s a great idea,” Emmett said, clearly enjoying this. “I bought enough fried rice and dumplings to feed a large crowd.”
“We have a large crowd,” Belle said on a defeated note. “Which you will soon find out.”
She shouldn’t subject the man to her family all at once. But Emmett needed people and her family was friendly and loving if nothing else. She’d set them all clear on why Emmett was here later. Friends. They were just friends.
“I can’t wait,” he replied. “Mrs. Montera, may I escort you up to dinner.”
Her mother actually giggled. “You certainly may. And a gentleman, too,” she said over her shoulder to Belle.
“Don’t worry. I know the way,” Belle said, motioning for Justice to follow them.
She wanted to update Emmett on what her sister had told her but that would have to wait. She’d called Gavin almost immediately and he had an extra patrol car canvasing the area around her uncle’s café and keeping tabs on Johnson’s apartment. Lance Johnson was good at hiding and sneaking in and out of places, but he’d slip up one day.
And Belle would be there waiting for him when he did.
Right now, she had no choice but to follow Emmett upstairs.
She was hungry, and he had their food.
This could get interesting, but the smile on his face was so worth the trouble her family would put them both through. She only hoped that once they had criminal matters under control, they could still hang out together. He needed people, and she needed a good friend. Nothing more.
But what if there could be more? Did she want that?
TEN
Emmett listened to the conversation flowing around him in both English and Spanish, glad he had a general understanding of what was being said. It had been a while since he’d been surrounded by a big, loud family.
Belle kept glancing across the table at him, checking to see how he was holding up. So far, her family had gone on with their meal as if they’d known him for a long time. But he could tell they were curious. Probably wanting to ask him a million questions, most of which he couldn’t ans
wer.
Her father, of course, had given him a steady no-nonsense once-over before shaking his hand. Her twin sisters had giggled and mumbled things to each other, Anita with a shy smile and Cara with an inquisitive direct stare.
Her brother’s eyes stayed hidden behind thick inky bangs. Joaquin glowered at Emmett and remained sullen and quiet while he ate the food his mother had prepared and ignored the food Belle and Emmett were sharing.
“So you two are working together?” Mr. Montera asked now, his tone level even while his dark eyes shot out an intense laser-like inspection.
“Yes, sir,” they both replied at once.
Belle smiled at Emmett and then gave him a quick warning look. “A cold case that we need to clear up after a new development. And that is all we can tell you.”
Gina Montera did a motherly eye roll. “Her work. Always secretive and dangerous. I worry for her, but she is brave and works hard. I’m also proud, of course.”
“And you should be,” Emmett said, glancing at Belle. “She’s dedicated.”
“Are you the one who came to her rescue?” Belle’s mom asked, her dark gaze lifting and pinning Emmett.
“I did help Belle recently when someone got ornery with her while she was on her way to meet me. But she’s brave and she held her own. Your daughter knows her job.”
Anita’s wide-eyed gaze moved from him to Belle. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but Belle tilted her chin slightly and Anita looked down at her plate.
That subtle exchange didn’t get past their keen mother, but Mrs. Montera let it slip, too. It had to be hard for them, knowing Belle put herself on the line every day.
Belle’s mom shifted her gaze to her daughter. “Then I thank you for coming to her aid and I am proud that she is able to handle herself out there.”
Mr. Montera’s frown deepened as he looked from Belle to his wife. “Belle, you are safe, right?”
“The man just told us she can take care of herself,” Mrs. Montera said, patting his cheek. “You look tired. Want some ice cream?”
