by Tl Reeve
“What about training?” Jenna asked.
“SWAT trains once a month, on the weekends, and every three months for a full week,” Hauser said.
“Work for you?” Kalkin asked.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Jenna,” Kalkin said before he stood and offered her his hand.
She gladly shook it before turning to do the same with Hauser. It wasn’t until she had the door open that Kalkin spoke again.
“I know you’re going to ignore me, but I’m going to give you some advice. Let O know about what happened with this guy. Secrets always tend to be revealed, and it’d be better if he heard from you, and not a third party.”
Jenna turned. “It’s really none of his business.”
Kalkin chuckled. “Yes, it is, but keep telling yourself that. When you find your ass candy apple red and can’t sit for a week, don’t come to work bitching about sitting in the Enforcer all day patrolling.”
“Osirus would never,” she said.
“Yeah, he would,” Hauser interjected. “He’s a hothead asshole, just like the rest of us.”
“Whatever,” Jenna mumbled.
“You women,” Kalkin said, shook his head, his expression grim. “You all just love to make shit ten times harder on yourself.”
“You warned her, Kal. You did your civic duty,” Hauser said.
“Sure did,” Kalkin replied.
“Okay, so if we’re good here...” She opened the door. “I’ll be to the lab in the morning. Then turn in all the paperwork afterward.” She stepped out the door and closed it behind her. She figured if Kalkin wanted anything else, he’d have said it.
* * * *
Rapier walked into Kalkin’s office after spending the morning curled up with his mate. He’d been surprised by the late afternoon phone call, requesting his presence during the meeting with the District Attorney. He figured, if anything, he’d be in the gallery, watching the trial until he was called as a witness. Since the murder he reported ten years ago on his Pride lands, which never went anywhere because it could never be proved Raymond did it, he hadn’t said shit about anything happening to his family with regards to Raymond. However, if Kalkin’s statement about being subpoenaed was true, maybe the meeting had something to do with his subsequent testimony.
Taking his seat, Rapier stared at Kalkin. They were the only two in the office, so far. The DA had yet to arrive. “I’m a little confused by why I’m here, Kalkin.”
“As the Co-Alpha, I need you apprised of everything going on. As per our last—”
“Don’t start that shit.” Rapier laughed. “Asshole.”
Kalkin smirked. “Well, I had to try.”
He shook his head. “Any leads on who the guy was outside YoJo?”
Kalkin frowned. “No, that’s what makes this situation more dangerous.”
“Shit.” Rapier scrubbed his face. “I have a feeling it will only get worse.”
“I agree. Hence why I want you here. You need to be privy of the case the District Attorney is about to make.”
Rapier grunted. “How is Danielle?”
Kalkin blew out a breath. “Okay, I think. She’s not talking much, but I can’t blame her.”
No, neither could Rapier. “And, Caden?”
“Surprisingly well. He’s been by her side the whole time and no slipping,” Kalkin said. “I think all this shit just set up the perfect storm.”
Rapier nodded. “She’s still healing too. None of this has been easy on any of you.”
“No, it hasn’t.” Kalkin leaned forward, folding his hands on his desk. “When we’re done here today, I want you to go home and spend time with your family. Make love to your mate. Hug your girls. Make peace with your brothers, because come time for the trial, your life will change.”
Yeah, he kind of figured. “You doing the same?”
“Yeah. We’ve all been run through the fucking mill these past two years, not going to lie.” Kalkin sighed. “Holding my mate is about the only way I can let some of the stress go.”
“You mean fucking your mate.” The corner of Rapier’s mouth kicked upward.
“Holding, fucking, one leads to the other,” Kalkin replied.
A sharp knock drew Rapier’s attention to the door. A smartly dressed man stood there, carrying a briefcase. Behind him, a much younger man. He wore an ill-fitting suit and looked completely uncomfortable as he yanked at his tie. Perspiration dotted his forehead, and his lips were pulled in a grim line. Rapier lifted his head and scented the air. Human. Fear colored the nervous smell surrounding the younger man.
Rapier gave the older gentleman his attention. He had a haughty attitude. Almost as though he had better things to do than try the coming case. Rapier didn’t like him. He’d take a nervous, scared human over a laissez-faire human. He curled his lip, crossing his arms.
Kalkin motioned the man to enter. “You’re both late.”
“We had an impromptu meeting,” the older gentleman said. “Raymond’s attorney wanted to make a plea deal.” He placed his briefcase on the floor next to the empty chair then sat. “Naturally we declined.”
“Rapier Dryer,” Kalkin said as he pointed to the older man first then the younger of the two. “This is District Attorney Johnathan Mattis and Assistant District Attorney Charles Franks.”
Rapier gave the younger of the two men his attention. “What was the deal?”
“Ten years,” Assistant DA Franks replied. “He’d admit to the breaking and entry. He’d admit to the destruction of property and admit to being at the scene of the shooting involving Tiffany Burke. However, he said he wasn’t party to the firebombing. The lawyer stated Raymond had no idea Allen Pendergrass would bomb the sheriff department, or he’d have told someone.”
Kalkin snorted.
“Hence why we turned it down,” DA Mattis said, with a superior look on his face.
“Well, thank fuck for that,” Rapier grunted.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” DA Mattis said, cocking a brow.
“He is the Co-Alpha of Apache County. I asked him to be here today since this also involves his family. For ten years, his family has been in hiding due to Raymond Quincy. The harassment began again only days after his mate and children reunited with him.”
DA Mattis frowned. “Yes, I heard about that incident. You’re lucky, Mr. Dryer.”
“Nothing ‘bout luck,” Rapier snarled. “Man shouldn’t have threatened my kids.”
“I think what he means is,” Assistant DA Franks said, “that we’re all glad none of this escalated, and your family is safe.”
“I’ll make this simple for you, Mattis,” Kalkin stated, looking the man square in the eye. “Rapier Dryer is my right hand now. You will respect him as you respect me. If you can’t keep the disdain from your voice or from your scent, I will request Assistant DA Franks takes this case on his own. Got it?”
The man shifted in his seat, then blew out a breath. “This case hinges on the testimony of all those involved in these incidences. Mr. Dryer’s own interactions with Mr. Quincy can’t contaminate the case.”
“It won’t,” Rapier said. “I agree with you, DA Mattis. Since my issues happened outside the county lines, there is nothing you or Kalkin can do to right the wrong. However, if someone does happen to try to hurt my family again, then you will be the first to know.”
DA Mattis nodded. “The case is pretty open-and-shut. We have all of the agents’ testimonies at the abandoned trailer park, we have the evidence and testimony of Allen Pendergrass. We also have the video of Raymond in Miss Blueriver’s home.”
It rubbed Rapier the wrong way. The guy didn’t think outside the box. He might have all the testimony for the actions and events, but it didn’t mean the witnesses would show at court. Raymond, Rapier was sure, already had plans in place to take out those who might testify against him, which meant Allen and Marjorie were sitting ducks.
“I hate to be the one to bring this up,
but do you have guards on Allen and Marjorie?” Rapier asked.
“No,” DA Mattis said.
“Don’t you think you should?” Kalkin cocked a brow. “Let me tell you a little bit about Raymond Quincy, since you’re taking this as an” —he made air quotes— “open-and-shut case.”
“Mr. Raferty,” Assistant DA Franks said then cleared his throat. “We are aware of the dangers. I have a plan, if you’d like to see it.”
“I would,” Kalkin drawled. “Show me, kid.”
The guy couldn’t have been more than twenty-five at best. Thirty at most. He lacked the confidence of someone who’d even tried a case, let alone won it. Yet, with him, Rapier felt safe. Sure, he was young and untried, but the kid could learn, and he had initiative, something Johnathan Mattis had long since forgotten about.
“I’ve made a provisional plan.” Charles Franks cut his gaze at Mattis. “Without prompting. I knew there would be challenges for the trial. After reading the file compiled by yourself and several of the States Investigators, I found probable cause to put a few precautions in place.” He handed the folder to Kalkin. “I have taken it upon myself to contact Jerome Blackhorn, Michael De Susa, and Hauser Benefield.”
Kalkin sat back and read over the information. When he was done, he handed it to Rapier to read. He flipped through the first couple of pages then stopped when he got to the basic plan. “And you’re sure this will work?”
Charles Franks nodded. “I have complete confidence it will. I have been monitoring all contact coming and going from the jail since your mishap at YoJo, because I found it weird.”
“Weird, how?” Rapier asked.
“Well, I went back through the log, after reading Caden’s initial report of the incident.”
“That asshole,” Rapier snarled. “Still can’t get over himself.”
Kalkin chuckled. “He’s a by the book person, what can I say?”
“Anyway,” Franks said. “I think his report actually helped me with this. Raymond didn’t have any visitors. Marjorie did though.”
DA Mattis’ head snapped up. “What?”
“David Abernathy,” Franks said. “Still not sure what the connection is, but he visits Marjorie twice a week. Marks himself as a relative. I thought it was a coincidence at first. However, what is the likelihood someone would threaten your children, Mr. Dryer, after you’ve returned home with them if someone didn’t know they were here?”
“The information Keeley gathered after Raymond and Marjorie were arrested indicated they’d sent a two-man team to find and kill Rapier’s mate and children,” Kalkin stated.
Charles rubbed his chin. “Could it be that the man you assaulted was one of the ones meant to find your family?”
“Could be,” Rapier said, handing the information back to Kalkin. “We never saw anyone.”
“I don’t think it’s ever been a coincidence,” Charles replied. “I think all of this has been a distraction. Including the attempted plea agreement.”
“Hence why you want to play out the trial this way?” Rapier asked.
“Yes. We have to give the illusion of being in control. Raymond will be walked to the courthouse in full Kevlar. We’ll have SWAT on the rooftops along with state police and marshals covering our deputies as he goes inside. He’ll be counting on us not paying attention.”
Kalkin glanced at the folder then back to Charles. “Do you think he has something planned?”
“I can’t say for sure. This David Abernathy... The threat out in daylight and now this... I can’t help but wonder.”
“Good enough for me,” Kalkin answered, tossing the dossier onto his desk. “I guess all that is left now is meeting with everyone to discuss this plan.”
“I wish I could help you more, Mr. Dryer. You and your family have been through enough. I hope this trial and the resulting conviction I know we can get will bring you some closure,” Charles stated, holding out his hand.
Rapier took it. “Thank you. Raymond has been a thorn in the Dryer and Raferty families’ sides for a long time now. Hopefully, after the trial is ended, we’ll never have to utter his name again.”
“Couldn’t have said it any better,” Kalkin stated. “See, Mattis, when you work together, people get along. Don’t let me down.”
The older man frowned but nodded. “I suppose I underestimated the ADA. Nice work, Charles. You’ll make DA someday.”
ADA Franks stood a little taller and grinned. “Thank you. I won’t let any of you down.”
After the men walked out of Kalkin’s office, Rapier stood then crossed to the door. He closed it, then locked it, not wanting them to be disturbed. DA Mattis bothered him. He still couldn’t put his finger on it, but from the little impromptu pitch from ADA Franks, it seemed the guy had done more work than the older gentleman. Why?
“I don’t like it,” Rapier said, taking his seat. “The kid is good people. I like his tenacity. He had more of a handle on the case than DA Mattis did.”
Kalkin scratched his cheek. “You know how when you’re a wolf—lion, in your case, and you get a piece of small game between your teeth, but you can’t get it out? It sits there, irritating the shit out of you until you shift and can dig the fucker out?”
Rapier nodded. “Usually it’s a small bone.”
“Exactly,” Kalkin replied. “Well, Mattis is that small bone.”
Rapier agreed. “He doesn’t appear invested in the case.”
“For as long as I have been Sheriff, the bastard hasn’t been invested. Shifter cases are beneath him. I have a feeling, had human deputies not died at the sheriff’s department, he wouldn’t have pursued the case against Raymond.”
“Can’t negate the shooting at the trailer park either since a SWAT member died and Hauser was shot as well,” Rapier added.
“I’m going to have Keeley run this David Abernathy through her system, see what pops. Then, I am going to have her run Mattis’ name too. It might be nothing, but sometimes...”
“The nose doesn’t lie,” Rapier said. “Follow the crumbs.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” Kalkin stated. “For now. Do like I told you when you first sat down. Go home. Fuck your mate. Spend time with your girls. The trial is going to be a shit show of the highest caliber.”
Rapier grunted as he stood. “Follow your own advice.”
“Plan on it. Full moon is coming.” The smug expression on the Alpha’s face made Rapier chuckle.
“I swear before you’re old as fuck and limp dicked, you’ll have fifty kids.” Rapier laughed as he started for the door.
“Who knows. Every year Keeley is mated to me, her lifespan will get longer. I might just take that challenge.”
“Poor fucking Keeley. She’ll end up chopping your dick off before it goes limp.” Rapier opened the door. “See you soon.”
“See you then.” Kalkin laughed.
Chapter Eleven
The sound of a car door closing brought Rapier’s head up. The house he’d been working on was almost finished, and he’d be handing over the keys to the developer in the morning, so it could go up for sale. It’d been two days since he sat in on the meeting with the District Attorney, and since then, he’d had an incessant itch at the back of his neck. A cross between being watched and something not being right.
“Thought I might find you here,” Kalkin said in way of greeting. “Can you take a break? Need to tell you something.”
Rapier nodded. “Yeah. I’m almost finished as it is.” He followed Kalkin over to his Enforcer and got in. “What’s going on?”
“Keeley hit on something interesting,” Kalkin said. “There is no birth record for a David Abernathy. There are no employment records, or immunization cards or school transcripts for him either.”
“What?” When Charles brought up the initial information, it’d sat wrong with him. He couldn’t put his finger on why until now. “So, someone used it as an alias?”
“Bingo,” Kalkin replied. “Franks did his o
wn investigation as well.”
“What did he find?”
Kalkin produced a picture from the woman’s correctional facility where Marjorie was being housed until trial. “Look familiar?”
Rapier took in the fancy suit along with the subtle changes to disguise the person in the photograph. “Mattis?”
“Now, it isn’t highly unusual for a prosecutor or someone from the DA’s office to confer with a suspect, when it comes to plea deals or cooperation. However, why would he be wearing a disguise? He’s the DA. In our small county, he can come and go as he wants. But, why isn’t Marjorie’s lawyer present and why did he use a false name?” Kalkin handed Rapier a copy of the log sheet from the correctional facility.
Rapier read over the log in. Johnathan Mattis had visited Marjorie several times since her arrest. Including right before he and Osirus left town in search of Jasmine, his daughters, and Jenna. He’d also stopped by to see her two days before Rapier beat the shit out of the man who threatened his daughters. He believed in coincidences, but not such glaring ones. “How do we prove any of this?”
“Still working that angle,” Kalkin said. “Charles has a few ideas up his sleeve. For now, we continue as we are. Can’t go losing our shit because of a few visits to the women’s jail.”
True. “So, we sit on it?”
“Yes. As soon as I hear from Charles, I’ll let you know. Keeley is still digging as well. If she finds out more, you’ll be the first to know about it.”
The roar of custom bikes approaching had Rapier lifting his gaze. The men kind of looked familiar to Rapier, but he couldn’t place them. The leader rode on a silver and black beast and was flanked by two other men, who inched forward. He had a blue bandana on his head, and black sunglasses covered his eyes. His white beard was scraggly, almost yellow in the midday summer sun. Tattoos covered his chest, stomach, and arms while his lower half was encased in leathers.
“What the fuck is this shit?” Kalkin muttered.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Rapier replied.
