by Mimi Barbour
Using the premise that offense is the best defense, she turned on him and glowered. “Don’t be such an ass.”
He straightened his face and looked chagrined. “One can only hope, lass.”
Continuing on to her office, she extinguished the glow by having a short talk with herself that went something like… Smarten up, idiot, before everyone in the place figures it out.
Kai eyed her balefully as she stepped in, carrying her coffee. She purposely ignored the telling gesture. Instead, she set the tone for the day with her next remark.
“Just so you know, and I won’t have to listen to another lecture on the proper behavior for partners, I’ll be gone for a while this morning to see Luke. Cory’s informed me that he’s gone mute about what led up to the events last night. He’ll only talk to me. Do you want to tag along and wait, or meet me later?”
“I’ll go along, and at the same time see Wayne. Did you take a look at the board?”
“No, what’s up?”
“The team updated it last night, but we still don’t know the connection to Luke. Haven’t figured out how Rhondo linked him to you. Either he dropped the ball, or someone else connected the dots.”
“That’s what I intend to find out.” Bristling like a cat with its tail caught in the door, she spit words in his direction. “Luke would never intentionally talk—”
“I never said he did. From everything I’ve heard about the kid, he’s solid. But Rhondo knew he’d get to you through him. There’s a leak and we need to trace it.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kai couldn’t believe how hard it was to let Aurora out of his sight. Earlier, when they’d woken up wrapped in each other’s arms, happiness had surged into his warm, comfortable body. It chewed at the boundaries he’d set, and before he gained control it slithered into all the crevices he’d tried to cover.
How in the world could he have let this happen? He’d known a woman who had as much grit in her as Aurora wouldn’t be easy to forget. All he’d done was ensure a lifetime of regrets. His plan to avenge his sister hadn’t changed. In fact it had strengthened. Now the dirtbag had even more to answer for. He’d hurt Aurora.
Trying not to appear to as if he’d regretted the night before, because dammit he didn’t, no matter what he told himself, the romance could go no further. It had to end. He’d protect this beauty, with his life if necessary, but no more. She had to understand that any commitment was out of the question. His only obligation for the future involved killing a man, and if need be, taking the punishment.
Decision made, he’d let her down easy rather than pull away from the get-go. Make her aware that she embodied every man’s dream, just not his.
Except, he hadn’t gotten the chance, and it had royally pissed him off, dumb shit that he was. Instead of counting his blessings, he’d found himself angry… and damn it, he felt hurt.
She’d backed off before he could put his plans into practice. Made his breakfast with a flippancy that had him gritting his teeth, and then grabbed her keys and left him fuming to make his own way back to work. Said she had to talk with Cory. Left him sitting with egg on his face, literally, and next thing he knew, she moseyed into the room without a care in the world, looking like a model on the front cover of Cosmo.
“Stop that infernal humming.” He couldn’t bite off the words; so instead, he followed them up with a mean look.
“I wasn’t.” The little witch smiled.
“Yeah, you were.”
“A little moody today?”
He nodded. “Meet the new me.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Luke, stop trying to sit up. Be comfortable. I’ll move the chair so we can talk.” While Aurora arranged the seat close to the bed, she stared hard at the floor, trying to hide the shock in her eyes.
Her informant looked as if he’d fallen face-first on a pile of rocks. Battered and bruised, he could have been Wayne’s twin. Rhondo, that bastard, clearly took pride in his work.
She ascertained that speaking hurt Luke, from the wince he’d tried to hide when saying something as simple as “Hi”. He pointed at the glass of ice water. She picked it up from the side table and fed him the straw, so he could take a sip. It helped, and he moistened his lips.
“The asshole worked me over good.” With each word, his voice gained strength.
“I should’ve shot him.” Regret sat on Aurora, weighing her down.
“Your punishment was pretty effective. He’ll be sounding like a girl for a while.” He laughed deep in his chest, and it came out sounding warped, but it still made her feel better. He hadn’t lost his quirky sense of humor, nor had his spirit been broken. Bodies heal, but take the heart out of a man, and he’d never recover.
“Tell me a story,” Said Aurora. She leaned in so he didn’t have to talk loud. “How did he connect us?”
“My fault. Stupid. He came with a bunch into the bar. I’d decided to call and warn you and got sloppy. Mike flipped me a tray ‘cause he wanted me to clean off some tables before I left. As you know, I’d worked a double and was beat. Not paying attention, I missed my pocket when I dropped in the phone, and Rhondo picked it up just as you returned my call. He must have seen the caller ID.”
“You didn’t use my name?” Shock had her voice rising.
Luke’s expression slid from earnest to awkward in an instant. “You’ll be pissed.”
“Tell me.”
“It says Robocop.”
“I still don’t understand. How did he connect that with me?”
“Snoopy bastard must have searched out some of the old texts I’ve sent you. Your e-mail address includes Morelli. That’s why he followed me home. Hit me as soon as I opened the door.”
“Then he beat the living shit outta you.”
“Uh huh, he wanted your address.”
“I’m so sorry, Luke. I never meant for you to be in danger.”
“My fault, Rory. I got careless.”
“You can’t go back to work there, you know that. I’ll spot you for the police academy this fall. Seriously, Luke, it’s time.” She’d make him listen if she had to plead.
“No need. I’ve saved enough. As long as I work part-time, I’m good.”
She didn’t realize how tightly her stomach muscles had constricted, until she heard those words. As if a ton of weight had lifted, the knots in her shoulders eased. A smile lit her insides, and pride joined the happiness.
“I’ll be holding you to that, my friend. Can’t wait to have you on the team, wearing a badge.”
Tears clouded over the pain in his eyes, and he turned away. “I’ll make you proud.”
“Look at you! I’ve never been prouder of anyone in my life, already.” She cleared her throat and squeezed his fingers. Then she changed the subject before they both ended up bawling.
“You know I’ll be paying a visit to Big Mike. We need to have a little chat.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured. Tell him to send me my cheque. I won’t be back.”
“He knows your address?” Aurora didn’t like that at all.
“You kidding? I got a box number. You did teach me some things. Look, you’ll need a new source. There’s a patsy by the name of Eddie. I don’t know his last name. He saw Rhondo with my phone, and was standing there when he passed it back to me. The guy’s a two-time loser, heading for three counts. Always carries a bag of weed in his shirt pocket, but never smokes any. If you squeeze him, he’ll burst like a bubble. Thing is, he can be your eyes on the ground if you work him right.”
“Oh, make no mistake. I’ll have Eddie eating out of my hands by day’s end.”
“No doubt,” Luke said with a smile.
Her grin answered his as she lifted the water glass.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Aurora and Kai had split up at the hospital. She’d headed straight for Luke’s room, and Kai had decided to visit Wayne. Needing to get moving now that she’d talked with Luke, she went to collect her par
tner.
“Hey, Mike! How’s it going?”
The officer sitting near Wayne’s door had two empty coffee cups and a pile of magazines near his chair. He looked bored as hell, and she didn’t blame him.
“Nice to see you, Detective Morelli. It’s been quiet.”
“Glad to hear it. Is Detective Lawson still here?”
“Yes. He left to buy some coffee, but he’s back now.”
“Thanks.”
Mike opened the door for her to step inside the room. Kai sat relaxed near the bed, one leg balancing the other in the typical male slouch. She moved closer and could see Wayne’s recovery had begun.
Contusions, having been red and swollen before, were now darkened with yellow and purplish tones. The swelling around his eyes had diminished somewhat, and he no longer looked like he’s just gone twenty rounds with Muhammad Ali.
Broken ribs weren’t apparent, but she knew he had more than one. They took longer to heal. She knew that from experience. But with Wayne’s being so young and healthy, she hoped he’d be back to his old cheeky self soon.
“Hi, Wayne.” When he smiled lopsidedly, she winked. “How’s it going?”
“Hello Detective. Other than jumpy Darlene is making me crazy, things are better.”
“Tell her to relax. If Rhondo figures to get anywhere near you, he’s got to get past the armed guard on the floor, who’s watching for him day and night. Plus, the hospital staff has been warned. Is Darlene coming here straight from work?”
With a sour expression he couldn’t hide, he nodded. “She’s sleeping here also. Bout drives me nuts.”
“Quit your whining. You’re lucky to have a sister who gives a damn.” Only half-kidding, Aurora called his bluff and enjoyed his backing down.
“I guess I don’t mind. At least I know she’s safe.” It dawned on Aurora then that the kid had wanted to look macho in front of Kai. She had caught the shared look passed between the handsome hunk and the beaten boy.
Time to go! “Kai you ready?” She picked up the remote and gave it to Wayne. “Here, watch the idiot box. It’s probably time for your favorite reality show.” She patted his hand and turned to leave.
Whispered words, and Wayne’s chuckle slowed her down, but only for a minute. No time to play. She had better things to do.
***
After driving in silence the short distance, they pulled up in front of Big Mike’s tacky bar called The Hangout. In a depressed neighborhood, the neon-lit building stood out. Surprised Kai had taken the passenger seat without any comments, she carried on her usual inspection, and became aware of his observing everything also. A good cop always knew where they were, and who and what was near them.
A quick glance in the mirror to show that no last-minute repairs were needed, she pulled the trunk lever so they could get the bulletproof vests from the back. Her gun, strapped on her hip today, would be used as a last resort… but who knew when the last resort might be the first solution. Then she reached into the special compartment for her taser.
His raised eyebrows asked the question.
“Just to be on the safe side. I don’t trust this crowd.”
Retrieving the vests, she handed one to him and made sure hers fitted over her short-sleeved, tailored white blouse. She tugged unsuccessfully at the sides, knowing the posers inside would appreciate the snug fit over her impressive chest. “You ready?”
“I would be if I knew what to expect.”
“Right. Sorry.” She flipped her hair back, and caught it up with a hairclip to be piled on the top of her head.
“Luke, my guy, worked here. Last night when Rhondo arrived with a bunch of his friends, Luke tried to call me. His boss interrupted, threw a tray at him to clear some tables with. In order to catch it; he carelessly dropped the phone in his pocket, except it didn’t make it. Just his bad luck that Rhondo picked it up off the floor, saw the caller ID, and linked it to me. He followed Luke home, and the rest you know.”
“This guy, Mike… has he got a record?”
“Not anything recent. Years ago, he ran with a bunch of losers and did some time, got a reputation for being a guy people didn’t want to mess with. Once he got out, he’s kept his nose clean. Came into some money when his parents died, and bought the bar. Far as we know, it’s clean also. Mind you, his element of clientele leaves a lot to be desired.”
“I see. Okay, I’ll take it from here.”
“Sure, no problem. And the little woman will follow a foot behind, kissing your ass all the way. Screw you, Kai Lawson! This is my show.”
A non-verbal tug of war lasted only a few minutes, but by the time Aurora headed into the place with Kai close behind, ice had time to settle in her veins. She was pissed. No one had better mess with me now.
Chapter Thirty
“If it isn’t our classy Detective Morelli. What can I do for you today?” A huge man, whom Kai supposed was Big Mike, schlepped a five-gallon soda keg behind the bar and lifted it as if it weighed nothing. Three other fellows sat at the counter nursing beers, and two tables were full of card-players who swept the tables clean of the cash the instant after Kai and Aurora stepped inside.
While Aurora walked steadily forward, her swaying hips caught his attention. She moved sensuously, shoulders back, and her trim figure had drawn all the hungry eyes in the place. She looked competent, and knowing how he’d been the lucky man to have her in his arms the night before, he felt the need to strut just a little. Another thing he did, that sure as hell didn’t come easy—stand behind her and let her run the show.
She’d put him in his place earlier, and he’d deserved it. Never before had he treated a female colleague so insanely wrong. Hell, he’d trained many of them as rookies, and highly respected their abilities. Had been heard to say previously that he’d rather ride with a woman than many of the puffed-up young males joining the force nowadays. The women had more sharps, and many of them had more balls.
So why this protective bullshit for competent Aurora Morelli? He didn’t want to probe the reasons. No more than he’d let himself review their night together. He’d deserved to get slapped down. And trust the woman standing in front of him to do it well.
The stench of old cigarette smoke, spilled booze, and bad breath filled the space, and made one wonder how anyone could spend much time in this atmosphere. Walking from the blinding heat outside to the coolness inside didn’t come close to making up for having to breathe in the fetid air.
“How’s things, Mike? Have you visited Luke in the hospital yet?”
The keg clanged loudly as it hit the floor. Everyone had watched Kai and Aurora walk in, but tension hadn’t peaked until the noise rang through the building.
Kai saw the worry in the other man’s face, worry he hid as soon as it appeared. But it had been there, which gave Kai hope that they’d walk out of the place without having to fight their way to safety.
One of the players at the bar leaned out so far to eavesdrop that he toppled over. His disheveled appearance, dirty torn t-shirt, long hair, and the large earring hanging from his right ear wouldn’t earn him any points for style, but he did fit in with everyone else.
Mike waved a big paw toward him in a menacing manner. “Eddie, you can’t stay on the stools, you can’t stay in the bar. Either sit yourself down, or get the hell out.” The tone and glare let everyone know Mike meant each word.
Eddie wobbled over to the stool closest to Aurora, climbed on, and sneered in her face. “You’re lyin’. Luke worked here last night.”
“Then he went home and had the shit kicked out of him by Earl Rhondo. Now he’s in the hospital. You know anything about that?” She’d started out questioning Eddie, but ended up talking directly to the owner.
Steel entered grey eyes that hardened in a scary way. “You say Rhondo beat him up?”
“That’s what I’m saying. But more importantly, that’s what I saw. Only I got there too late.”
“You said he’s in a hospital, so i
t seems to me that you got there in time.”
She shrugged, and Kai took one step back and crossed his arms. He scanned the rest of the boys to make sure they were behaving themselves, and was reassured. A sorrier bunch of deadbeats he’d yet to see. Not dangerous, thank goodness, just a waste of flesh.
“What time did Luke leave here last night?” Aurora continued.
Forehead lines appeared on Mike’s face. He took a moment and then answered. “Kid was stumbling around, told him to get his ass home to bed about midnight. Once the cab got here, I walked with him to the door. Last I saw, he slid into the back seat.”
“You see Rhondo leave at the same time?”
“Nope, he left before.”
“How long before?”
“Don’t know.”
Mike’s squinted eyes led her to believe he was lying, but no matter. She knew Rhondo followed Luke home.
“You mean you don’t want to tell.”
“Same thing.”
Aurora’s gaze swung over to Eddie. Then to the rest of the men who sat quietly listening to the conversation. “So, Eddie, did you see when Rhondo left?” Then she swung around to include everyone. “Anybody?”
The other men ignored her question and Eddie shook his head. “No.”
She moved toward the lying piece of shit, and Kai changed position. His hands now rested on his hips… closer to his weapon.
“I think you’re lying, Eddie. You saw something, didn’t you?”
He stiffened and began to shake his head. “No, I never.”
She just kept staring at him, and sweat broke out on the little weasel’s face. Kai wanted to grab him and shake him like a pup with a plush toy, but he knew better. Staying back and letting Aurora take lead had to be the most difficult position he’d ever been in. A wave of bile rose from his clenched stomach and burned his throat.
Eddie’s reaction didn’t surprise him. What did was when he’d decided that he’d had enough of the interrogation and stood unsteadily to walk to the door.
