by Linda Warren
“You were having a good time. You giggled.”
“I did not.”
“Yeah, you did.”
“Oh, good heavens, I must have had more wine than I thought.”
“You said you had a friend over.”
“My friend Holly was trying to cheer me up.”
“Was there a reason you needed cheering up?”
“I had an encounter with Doug that left me grinding my teeth.”
“How would you and Chloe like to meet me for coffee and you can tell me all about it?”
“I’d love that, but I took Chloe to day care to get her back into our normal routine. She was excited to see her little friends. She missed them.”
“Then you and I can have coffee.”
“Yes.”
“You name the place.”
“There’s a coffee shop on Lamar Boulevard.”
“I know it. I’ll meet you there.” He swerved into the next lane and took the exit. Coffee with her was more appealing than going head-to-head with his lieutenant. Anything with her was more appealing.
* * *
ABBY RAN TO her bedroom, brushed her hair and applied lip gloss. She had on a summery, sleeveless, V-neck lavender-and-white dress. She wasn’t changing. It was good enough. In less than ten minutes she drove into the parking lot of the coffee shop. Ethan’s truck wasn’t there so she went inside and sat at a table in the corner, facing the door.
A man walked in dressed in jeans, boots and a white shirt. He headed straight for her. Ethan. Her heart knocked against her ribs in anticipation. He was handsome, sexy and for some reason finger-licking good came to mind. She swallowed nervously. She’d made love with him. His hands had touched her body as hers had touched his. And he’d made her feel things she’d never felt before. So why was she so nervous? Maybe because she was seeing him for the first time—as a man she wanted in her life.
“Hi.” He smiled and her body flooded with warmth. “What would you like?” For a moment the question threw her because there was only one answer in her head. You. Then she realized orders had to be placed at the counter for coffee.
“Um...mocha latte.”
“Anything else? Sweet roll? Muffin?”
“Ice water would be nice.”
He looked confused, but said, “Coming up.”
In a few minutes he was back carrying all three drinks effortlessly in his hands. He placed them on the table and slid into the chair across from her.
She took a gulp of the water.
“I drink a lot of water, too,” he commented. “Can’t seem to get enough. Must have something to do with our bodies being baked.”
“I keep a bottle on my nightstand.”
He took a sip of black coffee. “What’s up with the ex?”
She told him about Doug. “He can’t get it through his head that we’re not getting back together. He says I need time. I’m back to wanting to slap him.”
“If you keep saying no, he’ll get the message.”
“Let’s talk about something else. How’s Kelsey?”
“I dropped her off for her first day of school. She was real anxious.”
“She’ll do fine.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” He took another sip. “You planning to go back to work?”
She twisted her cup in her hands. “Soon. How about you?”
“I’m headed there now.”
“The reason for the outfit?”
“Yep.”
“Have they made any progress in the case?”
“Rudy and Devon have a lawyer now. A high-priced attorney.”
“How can they afford that?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out.” He glanced at his watch. “I better go. The lieutenant should be in his office by now.”
They walked out together. His truck was parked next to her car. They stood between them in their own small alley. Turning to face him, she asked, “Do you think we could see each other one night—without kids?” The words came out rushed before she lost her nerve.
“That would be hard because of Kelsey. I have to be there for her.”
Her heart sank. “I understand.”
“Hey.” He cupped her face. “This isn’t a brush-off.”
“It feels like it.”
“I could probably come by during the day when I get a break.”
“Okay.” She could hardly think with his hands on her face.
“Please don’t think it to death. We’re both adults.”
“Mmm.”
His head dipped and he took her lips in a slow gentle kiss that melted every bone in her body. She leaned against him for support. Finally, he broke contact and stepped back. “I’ll call.”
Her palms were sweaty, her hands shook and her pulse hummed in her ears. She’d never had this reaction to the opposite sex before. And it had never felt so good.
* * *
ETHAN WALKED INTO the homicide department at the police station feeling cocky and ready to take on the world. He and Abby would start a relationship—he was more than ready.
He slid into the chair at his desk. Ross’s desk faced his and he looked up as Ethan attached his badge and gun to his leather belt.
“Glad to have you back, partner.”
“Thanks.”
Ross glanced over his shoulder to the lieutenant’s closed door. “Let’s see how long it takes him to notice you.”
The words had barely left Ross’s mouth when the lieutenant’s door flew open. “James, in my office,” he bellowed like a stuck bull.
“Showtime,” Ethan murmured and marched into the office.
“Close the door,” the lieutenant ordered.
Ethan closed the door and faced his superior. Craig Eagon was in his early fifties and balding, with a spare tire around his middle. He was a by-the-book cop all the way, which is why he and Ethan bumped heads on numerous occasions.
Craig sat in his oversize chair, and it creaked under his weight. “You look good, Ethan.” His voice was calm but Ethan knew that wasn’t going to last long.
“Thanks.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I work here.”
“You’re on paid medical leave.”
“I’m better, and I’m not the type of guy to sit at home.”
The lieutenant eyeballed him. “Go home, Ethan. That’s an order.”
“Sorry, sir. I’m working the robbery case. I know what happened better than anyone.”
Craig’s eyebrows knotted together. “Are you disobeying a direct order?”
“I’m just saying I’m working the case.”
Craig sighed. “I just got the call. The Feds are taking over completely next week.”
“I’ll have it solved by then.”
“You just don’t stop, do you, Ethan? Give me your damn badge!” Craig shouted.
Ethan removed his badge from his belt and laid it in front of the lieutenant.
“Now go home before I take it away permanently.”
Ethan gritted his teeth, ready for battle.
Before words could leave his mouth, the lieutenant added, “Ross and Beecher are on top of things. They’ll brief the FBI. You’re too involved. I can’t have you going off half-cocked and comprising this case.”
“I won’t.”
“Yeah, you’re saying you wouldn’t confront Rudy Moss like you did the other day? Your judgment is off, Ethan. And, yes, I know everything that goes on in this squad room even when I’m not here.”
Someone snitched, but Ethan wasn’t concerned about that. It was probably Craig’s secretary, who had eyes in the back of her head.
Craig scooted his chair for
ward. “Look, Ethan, I know how you feel...”
“No, you don’t, sir,” he shot back. “Not until you’ve lived through a bank robbery, kidnapping and being left in one-hundred-and-two-degree heat without any water can you tell me you know how I feel. And top that with a wildfire. Have you ever been trapped in a fire, lieutenant? Have you ever felt like your skin is being burned from your body?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Then don’t tell me how I feel. I’m staying on this case, with or without my badge, with or without the FBI, until every guilty person is behind bars.”
“Don’t push me, Ethan.”
“I’m going to be there when we bring the third person in.”
The lieutenant yanked opened his top drawer and grabbed a bottle of Tums. Dumping two into his palm, he slammed them into his mouth. He chewed, his eyes pinned on Ethan.
“Pick up your damn badge and get the hell out of my office. You have a week. As far as I’m concerned, you’re working the Wallace murder. Anything other than that I don’t want to know. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.” He picked up his badge and walked out.
He sat at his desk and he could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him. The lieutenant’s voice carried right through the walls.
“One of these days he’s going to keep that badge,” Ross said.
“Yeah, but not before this case is closed.” Ethan took a long breath to ease the tension inside him, but no way was he backing down. “So, what do we have?”
Ross threw two big folders on his desk. “Familiarize yourself with this. I have to be in court on the Sims murder. We’ll talk when I get back.”
Ethan opened a file and began to read. Rudy Moss and Devon Williams had been in trouble since they were teens. They were just two-bit crooks stealing to get by, and someone had used them to pull off a bank robbery. Who? And why?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THREE HOURS LATER Ethan was absorbed in the case. Ross came back and Detective Beecher joined them. They moved to a conference room to spread out the files and talk.
Ethan leaned back. “We have two hoods robbing a bank with stolen Glocks. For their other crimes they were never armed.”
“Criminals, especially drug-heads, get desperate and do stupid things,” Beecher said.
“Nah.” Ethan shook his head. “We got a puzzle here and several pieces are missing. Someone other than Rudy and Devon masterminded the robbery. Someone with money.”
“Which makes no sense at all.” Ross closed a file. “Why would someone with money rob a bank?”
“There’s more to this than the robbery,” Ethan said.
“Where do we even start on this?” Beecher asked. “I say let the Feds have it. They have the manpower.”
“No way in hell,” Ethan told him. “We have a week and I’m using every minute of it. By then I can figure this out.”
Beecher grunted. “Yeah, you boys aren’t so great with following the rule book. I have a wife and three kids I’m rather fond of, and I’m not getting involved in anything illegal. Remember, robbery has the lead on this and we’re doing it by the book.”
Ross slapped him on the back. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep you away from the wild side of life.”
Ethan rummaged through a file and pulled out a piece of paper. “Good job, Hal, getting info out of Grundy so quickly.”
“That dirtbag lawyer was ready for us. He had the deposit slip handy and said we could search his records all we wanted, but everything was legit. He added he wasn’t revealing his client and he didn’t have to.”
Ethan studied the copy of a deposit slip showing twenty-five thousand dollars cash going into Grundy’s account. “Twenty-five grand is not something you carry in your pocket. An amount that big would be remembered. Just a minute.”
“Take your time. I’m going to get coffee.” Beecher walked out.
Ethan called Abby. Ross busied himself in the files.
“Hi, Ethan.”
“I have a banking question,” he said, his whole body relaxing at the sound of her voice.
“Okay.”
“A banking deposit slip has a teller’s number on it, right?”
“Yes, so that there’s a record of who takes the cash or checks.”
“Would twenty-five thousand in cash raise a flag?”
“Definitely.”
“Do you report it?”
“Depends on who it is. A lot of gamblers deposit cash and so do people who have fund-raisers. With an amount that big I would alert my supervisor and he would take it from there.”
“The teller who takes the money would have a number or code?”
“Yes.”
“I’m looking at the slip. Where would it be?”
“All banks are different, but there should be a date and time the money was deposited. The account number and the amount will be on the slip. Somewhere above or below that will be the teller’s ID.”
“I see it. Thanks. I’ll call you later.”
“Let me know if you find anything.”
“I will...in person.”
She laughed and he looked up to see Ross frowning at him.
“What are you doing? You can’t share...”
Ethan got up and ignored the question. “Let’s go talk to the teller. She might remember something.”
Fifteen minutes later he and Ross walked into the bank Grundy had used. Beecher and his partner had an appointment to interview a witness on another case. They planned to meet in the morning. Ethan glanced at his watch and realized he had to make this quick. He had to pick up Kelsey.
They spoke with the bank manager, Gene Carver, and told him they were investigating the robbery that had happened in early August off I-35. Mr. Carver was more than willing to help even though he didn’t know what that had to do with his bank. But he was of the opinion that all bank robbers should be behind bars. Ethan didn’t go into detail and just asked to speak with Teller 1335.
Mr. Carver allowed them to use his office. A young woman in her early thirties walked in. Her name was Ashley Holt.
She promptly sat in a leather chair, folding her shaking hands in her lap. Ross leaned against the desk and Ethan remained standing. He got right to the point.
“Ms. Holt, you took a deposit of twenty-five thousand dollars cash on Thursday at 10:10 a.m.?”
“Yes.”
“How was it brought into the bank?”
“In a suitcase.”
“Who brought it?”
“Mr. Grundy, the attorney.”
“Was he alone?”
“Yes.”
“Did he say anything?” Ross asked.
“It took time to count it. While he waited, he said he was taking on a new client and that he liked to be paid in cash since checks can be cancelled and traced. His large fee guaranteed no paper trails and anonymity for the person paying for his services. He added that he represented some shady characters and he deposited the money in the bank because he didn’t want them breaking into his office or home to try to steal it back.”
“So the person paying his fee met him at the bank?” Ethan asked.
“I suppose, but I didn’t see anyone. He just came in with the suitcase.”
“What types of bills were in the case?”
“All hundreds.”
“What happened to the suitcase?”
“He left with it.”
“Was Mr. Carver aware of what was going on?”
“Yes. It’s not every day someone comes in with that much cash. Can I go back to work?”
“Yes, and thank you.”
She quickly left.
Ross slid off the desk. “What do you think?”
Ethan
glanced around the bank. “I think we need to look at some digital surveillance videos. If Grundy met someone in the parking lot, we might get lucky and see the encounter on tape.”
Mr. Carver rushed back in. “Was Ashley helpful?”
“Yes. The bank has security cameras inside and out?”
“Of course.”
“We’d like to see video from Thursday morning.”
“Oh. I could have that ready about ten tomorrow.”
Ross shook the man’s hand. “I’ll be here at ten.”
Ethan did the same. “Thanks, Mr. Carver.”
As they walked outside, Ross said, “We’re not going to find anything. Grundy has been to this bank many times and he knows where every camera is located. He’s not going to risk getting caught on one with someone paying him big bucks.”
“Even slick bastards like Grundy slip up.” Ethan glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to pick my kid up from school.”
“Now? We usually work ’til midnight.”
“It’s her first day and I have to be there. Tomorrow I’ll work something else out.”
“We have a week before the case is handed over to the Feds. That means a lot of late hours if we’re going to solve it.”
“I know. I’ll talk with Kelsey about the rest of the week. But if it’s the last thing I do, I will bring the other person in for what he or she did to Abby.” He strolled to his truck.
It was a vow he made to himself.
* * *
WHEN HE PICKED up Kelsey, she talked nonstop all the way home. He didn’t catch half of what she was saying, but obviously she loved school and everyone was so cool. She repeated everything to her grandpa when they reached the house. Grandpa said a lot of “uh-huhs.”
She darted off to her room to change clothes. Ethan turned to his dad. “I need your help for the next few days.”
“Sure.” Walt took a pan out of the oven. “I made a roast for supper. We can eat this for a few days. What’d you need?”
“I’ll be spending a lot of hours on the robbery case. The FBI takes over next week, and by then I want to have it solved. Could you get Kel from school and make sure she does her homework?”
“No problem.” His father turned the roast with a big fork and looked at him. “But I want to be clear. I’m not going to a mall again. That’s your department.”
