by Livia Quinn
“You may be a juvenile, but under the new gun possession laws it will stay on your record and you may still be tried as an adult, especially if that gun is found to have been used in any un-charged cases.”
“But I—” his eyes got wide, then he clammed up.
Jed never moved but still hovered over the boy. “But what?”
“Nuthin’,” he muttered.
Her phone buzzed and she picked it up. Her brother and Luc Larue were in reception. They wanted to see her and Jude.
“Wait here with the delinquent, please, Jed?”
She jerked the door open and found Luc and Tom waiting just outside her door. “Follow me.” She led the way into an interrogation room where they could talk privately. Luc’s face had blossomed with color since she’d seen him Saturday. If the bruises hadn’t been on a face that stopped thousands of women in their tracks, they would have been beautiful, yellow and purple, like an LSU banner, or a February pansy.
Tom spun in his chair, “What’s going on? Why is Jude here?”
“How did you know he was here?”
“Tia called me and said she heard the police had picked up Jude over near Father Thomas’ church,” Luc said. “I went over there to see if Thomas knew anything.”
“Someone called in a report that a kid stole a gun off another kid near the church. We were three blocks away. They gave us a pretty good description and we found Jude admiring the gun on the riverbank. He tried to get rid of it when we confronted him.”
“I don’t believe it,” said her brother.
“Me, either,” Luc said. His arm was back in a sling today, but except for the bruises he was looking much like the old Luc. The old Luc. She’d known him all of two weeks. Her Luc?
Get back to work, Burke. “Well believe it. We caught him red-handed,” she said.
“No, you caught him with the gun, but you don’t know how he got it. Or why.”
Del ran her hand through her hair. Why were her brother and her lover taking up for this street kid. And Thomas seemed…hmm. She was missing something here.
“We’ve got to finish questioning him and then you can see him. Wait here,” she said.
She yanked open the door and walked back toward her office. A clerk handed her a printout. “Just came through. Jude Martin’s sheet.”
She looked at the teen who sat hunched over sitting on his hands. He was thinner than a week ago. Was he so desperate for food or money that he had to steal a gun? They’d gotten lucky, finding him before he tried to use it to rob somebody and got himself killed.
To Jed she asked, “Have you gotten him to talk yet?”
Jude looked up, startled.
Jed pulled his knife out of his pocket and cleaned his nails. “Nope. I think we’re going to have to try something drastic.”
Jude’s eyes widened as Jed reached for his arm. “Come on kid, let’s go get some grub.”
Del’s heart went out to the boy when he rose to stand by Jed. “You’re letting me go?” he squeaked. Real tough guy.
“No, Jude. We still need answers. Let’s just say I’m hoping a full belly will convince you to be more cooperative.
She sat down at her desk. Before she let Tom and Luc see Jude, she wanted to read his report. Why did the name sound so familiar? Her eyes skimmed the details before her. Slamming her hand on the desk she jerked open the office door and marched to the interrogation room.
CHAPTER 30
The door swung open and hit the back wall. She slammed the paper down on the metal table causing Luc to jerk around. Her brother looked at her calmly, eyebrow raised.
“You knew!” she said, blue eyes on blue, un-blinking.
Luc’s head tilted, his frown indicating his innocence.
“You knew who he was all along.” She glared at Thomas.
“I knew. What of it?”
“That”—what, Del? That slime, that killer to be—“teenager in there is the brother of the scum that—” she choked.
“Let me finish for you, Del. That boy in there just happens to have the same blood as the man who shot me.”
She shuddered. Closed her eyes. When she opened them she met Luc’s empathetic gaze. Had he known?
“His brother was a killer. The rest of the family—”
“His family is dead to him.” His tone was sharp. “And I thought you were the one that referred to the kids in that gym last week as innocents.”
“He stole a gun. Who knows—”
“He took it from Angel,” Luc said, his voice calm. “Angel just called and told me what happened.”
Tom continued, “Jude hates guns…because of what it’s cost him. He didn’t want Angel to get in trouble. He grabbed it out of Angel’s waistband and took off. He was going to throw it in the river, but you found him first.”
“How do you know Angel’s not making that up?”
Luc said evenly, “We know those boys, Del. Yeah, they do stupid stuff but they aren’t criminals in the making. Angel said you could contact him on his phone, and if he had to, he’d meet to give you a statement.”
“Oh, he’ll have to.” She faced Thomas. “You should have told me about Jude, Thomas.” She sighed. She wasn’t going to repair things with her brother if she kept thinking of him as Thomas.
“We’ll talk about it later,” her brother said, sounding distracted.” Why don’t you give Angel a call so we can get Jude out of here? Wouldn’t want him to get too comfortable in a police station. He might get some bright idea about a new vocation.”
“What, as a hoodlum?”
Thomas said, “I was thinking cop,” which made Delilah feel defensive for some reason.
Fifteen minuets later Delilah met Angel at the gym. He warned her he was supposed to shoot some baskets; he didn’t want to be seen talking to her alone after Jude was seen with the cops. “I’ll be out of there before your friends show up if you convince me your story is true. She’d let him think Jude was in custody until she was sure she had his full cooperation.
He sat on the bleachers with his head down, hands on his knees. “Jude took the gun. That old busy body—er, old lady lives on the street. That’s what she saw.” The last was mumbled.
“Why did he take it?” Del asked. She leaned against a post with her arms crossed, not caring that she resembled bad cop at the moment.
Angel got up, his hands gesturing erratically. “He said—he just gets all freaked, man, when someone mentions having a gun.” Angel looked at Del. “It’s not like it’s a big deal. A lot of guys we know carry guns.”
Scary thought, but Del knew it for fact. “Go on.”
“Well, somebody made me a good deal on a gun and ya’ know, sometimes you sleepin’ in an unfamiliar place and you hear stuff and you wonder what’ll happen if someone comes up on you and you ain’t got nuthin’…” his voice trailed off.
Delilah’s heart twisted at Angel’s words. She softened her voice, “Is someone specific threatening you, Angel?”
“N-No. Not really… but like I said, a man needs to be prepared.”
Something about the way he said that…she couldn’t put her finger on it. She’d let it go for now. “Okay, so what happened with Jude?”
“I showed him the gun and I thought he was going to blow a rocket. He said I should throw it in the river. Said it was a good way to get myself killed.” Angel’s gaze shifted away. “I didn’t come forward at first, but I can’t let my bro’ go to jail because of me. So I confess,” he said, raising his eyes to meet hers and holding his wrists out.
She almost laughed but it was so not funny. It was touching though how these two had each other’s backs. “Put your damn wrists down, Angel. I’m not taking you to jail, and Jude hasn’t been arrested.”
He dropped his hands with such an innocent hopeful expression on his face that she vowed she’d do whatever she could to ensure he stayed straight. And she’d find out who was threatening him or her name wasn’t Delilah.
“Keep your phon
e turned on the next couple of days. I want to talk to you and Jude when this is cleared up.”
“I..uh don’t have a phone.”
“You traded it for the gun.”
He nodded. “Okay, stay in touch with Luc and Thomas and Jude, and I’ll get word through one of them, or Monette.”
His eyes jerked once when she said Monette’s name. Why? “Do you see Monette occasionally, like at school or here?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I’ll be in touch. And Angel…”
He turned back to her. “No more guns. Stay out of trouble.”
He nodded and turned away trudging toward the outside court as Reuben entered.
She waved and made an excuse like she’d been looking for Luc and left. Jed’s name came up on her phone as she started the cruiser. “Accept,” she said into the headset.
“Del. Your brother wants to know when he can get Jude out of here. He’s getting antsy.”
“Who, Jude? Or my brother? Never mind, I can guess.”
“The kid’s cool, just watching everything going down in the war room through the window.”
“I talked to Angel. He said Jude, in his words, freaks out when he’s around guns. He told Angel guns would quote ‘get him killed’.”
Jed’s silence spoke volumes.
“I’m headed back to the station. Cut him loose but resist telling him ‘good job’, will you?”
As Del placed her gun belt and shirt in her locker, she thought about how similar the environment was in their locker room to that of the dressing area of the studio. People had been running to and fro dressed in only their underwear, with seamstresses, directors and actors all concentrating on their upcoming scenes, the appropriate costumes and set directions. It was so much a part of their work life that they thought nothing of it.
The locker room at the department had once been separated but over the years that had gone by the wayside. In the same aisle as Del’s but across the long bench separating them, Jed stood by his locker stripped to the waist. Del paused and made a critical assessment of Jed’s physical “assets”. They’d worked out together in the gym, especially with the mat and boxing equipment. Jed strove for “lean and mean” in his diet and workout regimens. He was certainly that; with each movement, the cut of his abs and biceps was apparent.
Jed paused, caught her watching him. He looked down, turned like she’d seen a bug crawling on him. She laughed. “I was just thinking about something Luc said. He seemed to think you might be good in his line of work.”
Jed pulled a t-shirt from his duffle. “You mean as a stunt double? I don’t know.”
Sighing, she sat on the bench. “I guess now would be a good time to tell you that Luc isn’t exactly a stunt double for Knights Production.”
“So what does he do, security?” Delilah shook her head.
“Well, what exactly?” Jed asked.
“He’s a cover model.”
“A wh—you mean like on those chick books?”
“Romance novels…yeah, like that.”
It took two seconds for Jed to get the connection. “And he thought…no way I’d pose for a bunch of silly photos for women to—”
“Uh-huh, think about it. Your face and ‘lean and mean’ bod on the cover of a romance novel? Women picking up the book and dreaming of you, might even attract a few new ladies—”
“Stalkers,” Jed corrected. “No thanks. How’d an ex-military guy get into that line of work?” Jed asked placing his gun belt inside the locker.
“Ridge Romano and his wife, Buffy, pursued Luc as part of their plan to recruit military and law enforcement types because of Ridge’s commitment to vets. They also tend to be in good physical condition. Of course, they have to be at least ruggedly handsome which you’re not so…”
“Hey,” Jed rubbed his beard stubble and looked in the mirror inside the door, “I clean up good.”
“Ah, so you’re interested.”
“Not no, but…” Jed started.
“There’s a lot more to it than just flexing your muscles and posing, Jed. These guys are professionals. Luc said in addition to ex-military and law enforcement people, there are lawyers, football players, even a country singer and movie star who work part-time. I wouldn’t rule it out. But you may have to take some acting classes.”
“What’s to act out?” Jed made a face. “Hunk holds sexy woman in a clinch, right?”
“Okay, Mr. Snark. You need to take a tour of Knights and see what all is involved. Even you’d be impressed. And hey, it’s pretty good part-time income. You’d fit right in. People running around everywhere half-naked.” She pointed at his bare torso.
His eyes widened then. “Really. Maybe I’ll check it out.” He rolled his eyes, not.
Del’s thoughts strayed to an image of Mercy running around the costume area in nothing but her—Del was sure—minimal underthings.
Jed said, “Whoa, what’s that look for? You look like you’re about to take somebody out, partner.”
“Just thinking about this investigation into Luc’s accident. You don’t think I’m off-base do you?”
“Hell, no. Someone’s targeting him. I’d bet my left…well, yeah. You going to talk to Luc about how to word the announcements of the postponement of tomorrow night’s game?”
“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow. Give the acting lessons some thought, partner.” When she walked out he was still snickering.
CHAPTER 31
Del had just flipped her stereo to auxiliary and selected her favorite playlist when the doorbell rang. When she opened the door to her apartment, she smiled. Luc leaned against the far wall, once again dressed in camo fatigues but sans the fake weapons. Even with the bruising on one side of his face, he looked even better to her now than he had then.
“Deja vu,” she said. “Did you dress for me, or did you have a soldier shoot or whatever you call it?”
“You guessed it, photo shoot,” he said, pushing away from the wall. “Did I wake you?”
“No, I was fiddling with the stereo, fixin’ to have a glass of wine. Come in,” she said as she swung the door wide to admit him. She shut the door. When she turned, he was a breath away, his eyes intense. He looked her over, fingered a wisp of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. Loosely wrapping his arms around her he looked down into her eyes. “Hard day, huh?”
“You’ve had some hard days yourself lately,” Del pointed out.
His gorgeous eyes scanned her face. “I’ve missed you,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”
She expelled a breath and leaned her forehead on his wide chest, inhaling his pleasant scent and that divine after shave, pleased that he’d thought about her. He was such an intuitive guy where women were concerned. All those sisters she supposed.
“I’m okay.” She lifted her face to his for a kiss. It was sweet and comfortable with just a little heat at the end but once again, he stopped, understanding that she wasn’t in the mood. Yet.
She took his hand and led him over to the couch. “Would you like something to drink? Wine, a beer?” She held up her glass of red wine.
“That looks good.” She walked to the wine rack in the dining room. “I just left Jude and Thomas over at the church. Jude’s staying there for a while.”
“Good. I’ll know where to find him.” She poured him a glass of wine and walked back into the living room.
“Is he still in trouble?” asked Luc.
She shook her head. “I don’t think anything will come of the charges now that we know what happened. But I want to talk to both of them about the consequences of what they did.”
“You were upset when you found out who Jude’s brother was.”
“Did you know?” Delilah pursed her lips.
“I knew his last name, but no, I didn’t know his brother was the one who shot Thomas. I don’t think Thomas wanted anyone to know.”
“Well you’d think he would have told his family.” Del’s voice held an edge.
“What are you mad at your brother for exactly? I’ve only known Thomas for a couple of years. I didn’t know how he wound up in the wheelchair until after I came home from service. So it’s not something he talks about. Jude doesn’t talk about his family, either. I guess Thomas’ parishioners know…”
“See, the fact that I don’t know the answers to those questions about my own brother…it’s just…” Del rubbed her forehead with her fingertips then leaned her head back on Luc’s good shoulder. “It’s like you said, I have to talk to him. This is the week to make things right. It’s not that we’re estranged or anything, it’s just not easy, and the problem is pretty much one-sided. The chicken on one side, the flock on the other.”
He kissed her forehead. “You’re not a chicken.”
“I don’t know, Luc. At the very least I’ve been in denial about Thomas’ injury. Look at what I said to you the other night about him being ‘whole’. Crap. If I’d said that to him I’d have never forgiven myself. Mom and I are having lunch tomorrow.”
“And you’re nervous. Don’t be. Remember what I told you about family—they can be our harshest critics and push harder than anyone but they’re the first to defend or forgive.”
“I hope so.”
He hugged her. “Count on it.”
She took his hand. “Come with me. I’ve decided you can be trusted with my secrets.”
He looked pleased and followed her through the sliding glass doors to her back yard. The rose beds were illuminated by a soft light and Luc’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the award-winning blossoms, four abundant beds in an array of colors. “Man, you weren’t kidding. You just happen to have a few…roses.” He leaned over and sniffed a couple.
“Here,” she pointed to a deep red beauty. “This one has the strongest scent.”
“Wow, this is… impressive. Where’s no-name? The new one?”
She crooked her finger. He followed the narrow path to a section that was divided by flagging and in a separate bed. He could tell which rose by the pleased look on Del’s face. “My beauty, Sunrise Tropicalis. Her new name.” The rose was a deep red coral with streaks of pink and yellow along the edges of the petals.
