by Lisa Harris
“That’s something, I guess. I know someone who works there. I’ll shoot her a text.”
“Her, huh?” There was a definite note of teasing in his partner’s tone.
Damien let it slide. “We got any footage of the warehouse?”
“I’ve put in a request for what they’ve got, but I’m not holding my breath.” Case tapped the screen of his iPad on his desk. “I checked Malcom McDonalds’ alibi. It’s solid. He’s on video in a bar clear across town. He couldn’t have been anywhere near the scene of the hit-and-run. But guess what we also found?”
Damien quirked a brow.
“Gandry Wright. He walks out of the parking garage just after Treyvon is hit.” Case spun the iPad to show him a still.
“So he wasn’t the one driving the car?”
“Nope. But get this. He’s on video getting into the GTO a few minutes later down at Rucker and Pacific.”
“That’s only a few blocks from the scene.”
Case nodded. “The angle’s bad, however, and we can’t see who the driver is. But the car then drives around to the back of the alley between the Everpark garage and the bank.”
“The same alley where Skelly was last seen.”
“Yes. Then a few minutes later, it pulls away and heads in the direction of the marina.”
“So we analyze the trunk for blood.”
“Already got the team on it. There’s more.”
Damien leaned into his heels and folded his arms, waiting.
“Miller followed Skelly into that alley.”
Damien’s pulse skipped a beat. “If we can get any footage of today’s shooting from the warehouse, that, combined with this, might just be the evidence we’ve been looking for to prove Miller’s dirty.”
“My thoughts exactly. I already told Cap we wanted to talk to him. He said we should come in”—he checked the time—“thirty minutes.”
Damien nodded. “I’ll be ready. Meanwhile, I’ll message Sheila and ask her to let us know the minute Wright can speak to us.”
“Sheila? Wait a minute.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “She’s not that woman from that abuse case we investigated last year, is she?”
Damien hesitated for only a moment before deciding to skirt the question. “She’s a nurse in the ICU.”
“Uh-huh.” Case had obviously seen right through his dodge.
He pulled up her contact in his phone and tapped to call her.
“Best tread carefully, man. Something like that could cost you your badge.” Case eyed him. “How are things going with her?”
“Slow.” He waved a hand. “But I’m fine with that.” He lifted the phone. “It’s ringing.”
Case nodded. “Catch you in a few.”
Jay Powers’ hand trembled as he pressed the phone tighter to his ear. He ought to have known this day was coming, but still, the shock of the request rocked him back a step. “Kill her? Kill who?”
“You know very well who.”
He did, but he wasn’t about to let on. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Careful, Jay.” The sound of tires popping over gravel filtered through the connection. “If you refuse to follow orders, you’re in danger of being eliminated.”
Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve followed all your orders to this point, haven’t I?”
“Just don’t get cocky.” The phone went dead.
Jay propped his hands against his knees and took in several big breaths, blowing them out through pursed lips. This was starting to get real. He was going to have to pick a side.
Before four that afternoon, Camryn stood at the computer in the den off the living room, scanning in old case files. She was thankful for the generous hourly amount Holden had offered for the job. Depending on how long it took her to get everything done, she might be able to pay all her bills next month. Of course, she didn’t plan to doddle to get more money, but it was a big relief off her mind to have some income.
She glanced through the French doors that separated the den from the living room. Holden sat on the couch with files from the case that Detectives Lexington and Packard had asked him to review spread over the coffee table. He had a deep furrow between his brows and rubbed one finger against his chin as he read.
Camryn tucked away a grin. He was even more handsome while he was deep in thought than he was when he was smiling at her, and that was saying something. She sighed. She really needed to stop thinking along those lines.
She appreciated that, though she’d fallen apart a bit this morning, he seemed to have taken it in stride without looking down on her. He’d actually gone out of his way to be encouraging in a platonic way.
If she were honest with herself, Holden’s earlier aloofness had hurt a little. She did appreciate that he was only performing a job of keeping her safe. And she totally understood that just because he was the first man to capture her interest in years, it didn’t mean now was a good time to pursue a relationship. But honestly, would it hurt the guy to at least give her a lingering look once in a while?
She blew at a piece of hair dangling in her eyes. Maybe she simply wasn’t his type. Pity.
She rolled her eyes at herself as she slapped another set of pages into the scanner. She’d been commiserating with herself all day.
The doorbell rang. She shot Holden a wide-eyed look. Did she need to scramble upstairs?
He held up one hand, motioning for her to stay where she was. “I think it’s Jay getting here to stay with you. I have to go sit on a stakeout for a few hours.”
Right. He’d told her about the rich guy who escaped jail.
“Stay there while I see if it’s him.”
She stood quietly in the doorway of the den, watching him stride into the entry. She could see the door from her position. He looked through the peephole and then jerked his head back and looked her way.
Her heart gave a jolt. Who could it be?
He put his fingers to his lips and motioned for her to go back into the den as he placed his hand on the doorknob.
As he opened the front door, she retreated and glanced around the room for a hiding place.
“Kate. Hi. This isn’t a good time. I was about to leave for my shift at the stakeout of the Vossler mansion.”
“I won’t be a moment.” The gravelly feminine voice sounded determined. Heels clicked across the entryway tiles. “I brought you some more food. Should you be going on a stakeout if you’re still sick?”
The end of the sentence trailed away as the woman thankfully headed toward the other end of the house, likely to deposit more food in the kitchen.
Camryn eyed the curtains, could she hide there?
No. Too sheer.
A bookshelf offered no hiding spot. The fireplace was also out. The bookshelf on the opposite wall had two lower cupboard doors.
She tiptoed across the room and opened the doors. To her horror, the hinges squealed loudly. And the shelves inside were narrow and filled with old photo albums. No room to hide.
“What was that?” she heard the woman say from beyond the other room. “Did you hear something?”
Camryn winced and left the cupboard open. The last place that offered even a semblance of a hiding place was the open space beneath the desk. However, it wasn’t an executive desk. It didn’t have a nice dark cubbyhole to crawl into. It did have solid sidewalls and was pushed against one wall, but anyone who stepped into the room and looked down would see her.
It was her only option, however.
“Kate, listen. I really need to get going. You need to leave.”
“One moment. I’m telling you I heard something.”
Camryn heard footsteps padding across the living room carpet. She dove for the space beneath the desk and hugged her knees to her chest.
The footsteps stopped on the threshold of the room.
Camryn held her breath. If the woman took two more steps, she would be visible.
“See,” Holden said.
“No one in here. Thanks for the food. I hate to rush you, but the guys are pulling long shifts and I don’t want to be late relieving August.”
The woman sighed. “I was certain I heard something.”
Camryn sank against the sidewall of the desk, blowing out a quiet breath. Yet, she felt a little silly, hiding beneath a desk. This woman couldn’t be a danger, could she? She worked for the police department, after all.
That was when the doorbell rang.
Her eyes shot wide. That would be Jay! How would Holden explain his presence here?
The door opened.
“Hey boss, I’m here to relieve...” Jay’s words trailed off.
“Why Jay! Imagine meeting you here.” Kate’s silky words somehow didn’t ring true. “To relieve Holden of what?”
A long pause ensued, and Camryn could imagine the two men looking at each other and trying to decide what to do.
She rolled her eyes. This was ridiculous. This busybody needed to be put in her place. Camryn crawled from beneath the desk, but stayed where she was, hidden from view of the entryway.
“There is someone here, isn’t there?” Kate’s tone was accusatory. “I’ve known something was amiss ever since Jay flew back to the airport with the rappelling rope dangling. And Jay wouldn’t be here if you didn’t need him to watch over someone while you’re gone. I’m hurt that you haven’t trusted me. Why, I could be helping!”
Even from this distance, Camryn could hear the breath that Holden released. “Kate, listen, whatever you think—”
Camryn stepped into the doorway. Three pairs of eyes focused on her from the entryway.
Holden’s eyes fell closed.
Jay gripped the back of his neck and studied the floor at his feet.
Kate was older with salt-and-pepper hair that curled over her head like a sleep cap. She gave Camryn a sympathetic look and tilted her head to one side. “Aw! Look at you! You poor dear.” The woman rushed at her like a mother hen, arms wide. “Come here.” She pulled Camryn into a firm embrace, then set her at arms’ length. “Now tell me why you are here.”
Camryn shot Holden a look. Did she dare answer? She was second-guessing her boldness of stepping into view.
To her surprise, Holden stepped to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. “Kate, I wanted more time to keep this relationship quiet while we got to know each other, but you’re too attentive.” He grinned. “I’d like you to meet Camryn. We’re…seeing each other.”
Kate’s brows lifted. She glanced between them, then settled her gaze on Holden. “Sorry. Not buying it. She’s the witness from that case over in Everett, isn’t she?”
Holden dropped his arm from around her shoulders, and Camryn folded her arms against the chill that suddenly enveloped her.
Holden narrowed his eyes. “How do you know about that?”
Kate shrugged. “I have my sources.”
Holden took a step toward her. “Kate. If you breathe a word of this to anyone, it could cost Camryn her life. And it will certainly cost you your job. Understand?”
Kate pulled a face. “There you go again, not trusting me. I wouldn’t dare say a word to anyone. Why would you even think so?” She shot Jay a narrow-eyed look, then motioned to Holden. “We’d better get out of here so you can go relieve August.” Her focus turned to Camryn then, all smiles as she said, “Hon, I’m sure you are starving out here for some real food. I’ll do some grocery shopping and bring a few things by tomorrow. Oh and…” She stepped onto the porch and when she returned a second later, she thrust a stack of boxes at Camryn. “Here are your packages. I saw the delivery drone dropping them off a bit ago.”
Camryn could almost imagine the elderly lady hiding out in the bushes with a pair of binoculars.
She cast a guilty look at Holden. She hadn’t thought to change her name on the label. Only the address.
Binoculars or not, the woman probably had been watching the place out of curiosity, and when she’d seen the drone dropping the packages, had looked at them for the same reason. With Camryn’s name on the label, Kate would have known she was here before she stepped through the door today.
Holden pressed his lips together and touched Kate’s shoulder. “Remind me to talk to you about detective training. Let’s go. I’m already late.”
Kate grinned like the Cheshire Cat and then waggled her fingers in a toodle-oo gesture as she stepped through the door in front of Holden.
Chapter Fourteen
Damien folded his arms and stared at the captain, hardly able to believe what he was hearing. “What do you mean it’s not enough evidence? Surely we have enough to question Miller and his partner! If only because he shot one of the key perps in our case! Both Gandry Wright and Miller were in the same alley as Skelly right around the time he was killed.”
The captain shook his head. “I know it looks bad. But I’m telling you it’s too thin. There’s no camera at the back end of that alley to prove what time or even if that GTO may have pulled in there. You need more.”
That was ridiculous. They had film of the GTO turning onto the street that connected to the back end of the alley. And no film of it on the next block past the alley. Just because they couldn’t prove the GTO pulled into the alley didn’t mean it wasn’t ninety-nine percent likely.
A glance at Case showed him gripping his neck and staring out the window toward the city, shoulders stiff. Damien knew him well enough to know that he was working hard to control his irritation with their boss.
The captain stood from behind his desk. “Hate to cut this short, but I have that peaceful protest that’s scheduled for downtown tomorrow morning. I need to get to a meeting with the mayor. You boys can see yourselves out.” He lifted his jacket from his chair and left the room.
Case spun away from the window and pierced Damien with a look.
There was no need for words.
Both of them were thinking the same thing, and Damien knew it. This cover-up in the force went deep. But as deep as the captain? They’d both worked with the man for over ten years, and he’d never once given them cause to think that he might be on the take.
Until today.
Camryn took her boxes upstairs. Finally, she would have some new things to change into. She couldn’t wait to dig into the boxes to see which of her purchases had arrived, but it felt rude to leave Jay downstairs all alone. So she left the packages on her bed and returned to the living room.
He was seated on the couch, scanning the files that Holden had left there, but when she came in, he sat back and draped one arm along the arm of the couch. “Sorry about Kate. She’s never one to let a good mystery go to waste.” His lips quirked.
Camryn waved a hand. “It’s a relief, actually. All this cloak and dagger seems a bit extreme.” She wanted to ask him what the look Kate had given him was about but decided she’d better leave well enough alone.
Jay dipped his chin and peered at her. “You never can tell who might be working for the wrong team. Just continue to be careful.”
There was something about the way he spoke the warning that made a shiver run down her spine. She folded her arms. “You sound like Holden.”
He smiled. “He’s trained me well.”
She forced herself to smile in return, willing away her unease. It was simply because Holden made her feel so safe, she decided. His presence filled the room and enveloped her with comfort. She pointed a finger toward the kitchen. “I was ready to knock off for the day and start cooking some dinner. I’m sure you know your way around this place better than I do. I’ll be in the kitchen. Dinner should be ready in about an hour.” Maybe if she left him here to study the files, she’d be able to settle her jitters.
“Do you mind if I come help?” He rose from the sofa. “I’m pretty good in the kitchen.”
So much for escaping him. “N-no. Not at all.” Lies. But what else was she to say?
Fine. She would concentrate on cooking and forget that Holden beli
eved someone might be out to kill her. Besides, he wouldn’t leave her with someone he didn’t trust implicitly. That eased a measure of her tension.
She strode to the fridge and pulled it open. She’d planned to fry up some chicken breasts she’d pulled from the freezer earlier and then create a cob salad. Holden had said he wasn’t hungry yet and that he’d eat when he got home. The man probably often put work before a meal.
She glanced at Jay as she pulled ingredients from the fridge. “Do you want to fry? Or chop?”
He hesitated as though really weighing the benefit of one over the other. Then he said, “I’ll take chopping. Less chance of burning the house down that way.”
She quirked a brow. “I thought you said you were good in the kitchen?”
He shrugged. “I may have slightly”—he stretched his arms as wide as they could go—“exaggerated.”
With a chuckle, she pulled the chef knife from the block and handed it to him, handle first. “Well, cob salads are really easy. I already boiled and peeled the eggs. They only need to be cut in half. Leave a couple, and I’ll slice them for Holden when he gets back. They are better when they are freshly cut. At least I think so.”
“Gotcha.” Jay tugged the cling wrap from the bowl of eggs.
She chatted as she added oil to a frying pan and then transferred the chicken into the pan. “There’s also tomatoes, avocados, mushrooms, onions, and some blue cheese. As soon as I get these frying, I’ll help you.”
She turned to rinse her hands in the sink and yelped. Jay was standing right behind her with the knife held before him.
Hands still held so as not to drip, her gaze shot to his.
He stepped back. “Sorry about that.” He motioned past her. “I was coming for the cutting board.”
Her heart started beating again. For a moment, it had looked like he intended to stab her. She angled her elbow toward the kitchen island. “There’s one right there.”
“Thanks. That will be perfect.”
He hadn’t seen it? Camryn’s hands trembled as she soaped and washed them beneath warm water, keeping half an eye on Jay at the island. He seemed intent on slicing the eggs in perfect halves.
