“Yes, I see only one asshole sitting beside me. And before you ask, I’m not going to the hospital. My vision is clear enough to do my job.”
Coyote held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay.”
“Damn kids these days. Who the hell knows what goes through their minds.” Nolan stomped on the gas, aware of his partner’s mocking grin. “Fuck you, too. You’re here to help. Remember that.”
“I didn’t say a word about the glitter, Tink. Although I am concerned about you being behind the wheel while sporting a possible concussion. The reason I’m letting you drive is because I figured it would keep you calm.”
“Think of it as a fast fan boat if it helps. And the reason I’m driving is because you don’t feel like wrestling me for the keys.” He prayed the new moniker, Tink, didn’t follow him through the rest of his career. “At least give me some dignity and make it something like, I dunno, glimmer man?”
Coyote grinned wider. “Nope.”
“Do you think they’re listening in on our airways? Damn sheriff should’ve known better than to announce her presence over the radio even if he didn’t give her name.”
“We don’t know exactly what she told him, Nolan. You’re more wrapped up in this case than I suspected. Anything you’d like to share with the rest of the class?”
“Someone cleared out that building in short order. I showed you the pics on her phone. What you didn’t see was at least four other tables, all holding dozens of drones. Devices we can’t prove how Harock intended to use.”
“Harock must own the building through shell corporations and dummy companies. That combined with what we do have is a good clue. The drones he uses in legit day-to-day business come from the main headquarters,” Coyote countered.
“But it’s not the proof we need. It still leaves Keiki lumped in with the bastard.”
“You said it wasn’t her who knocked you unconscious. Are you certain?”
Nolan glared at his partner. “Yes. I don’t know who did, though, which won’t prevent the captain from thinking she’s in league with whoever dumped me in the woods.” The knit cap he’d stuffed under his seat remained a piece of evidence they wouldn’t find.
“Harock has lines of drones, either to deliver something or spy on others. Maybe both.” Coyote drummed his fingers on his thigh, an aggressive we-gotta-figure-this-out-now signature.
“I’m betting on drugs as the primary goal. The fact he tried to tell us his competition could be running interference with his operation was a red herring.” Nolan berated himself for not figuring it out sooner.
“According to Baltimore vice, this has cartel stamped in the background.” Coyote wouldn’t back down from a challenge, regardless of its size.
“Which I don’t think Keiki knows. She’s not foolish enough to take them on.” Even as Nolan spoke the words, he prayed it was true.
“You think Harock wasn’t referring to Cannon Industries as his competition? The cartel might want your girl to build drones for them.”
“First, she’s not now, and never will be, my anything.”
Liar.
“Hmm, could’ve fooled me.”
“Well, okay, we’re friends. Both Carolyn and Faye have taken a shine to her. If not for my neighbor’s probing, we wouldn’t know how thick Keiki is with the damn PI. I wish we knew more, to be fair. I just don’t understand that connection.”
“Death of a parent affects everyone a little differently from what I’ve learned. Sounds like she’s determined to right other people’s wrongs in her own way. Despite the different paths, you two share a lot in common.”
Embedded in Coyote’s words existed a warning Nolan couldn’t deny. “We are nothing alike. She’s impetuous and goes off half-cocked. She’s unprepared for the things she’s facing. Most of all, she’s too damn smart for her own good.”
“Kind of like following a girl to Harock Industries, onto secluded private property, and into a building without backup?”
“Go to hell.”
“I agree she shouldn’t have gone out there on her own. Plus, you should’ve called me before you got out of your vehicle.” Coyote delivered his parting salvo. “We are still partners, yes?”
“Shit. Okay. Next time I’ll call you in the middle of the night to interrupt whatever wild orgy you’re hosting to sneak around, trespass, and get conked over the head with me. We share that stuff, right?”
“Damn straight. And for the record, any activities I may be involved in, end by eleven. I do need my beauty sleep, after all.”
“I’ll try and remember that.”
“Nolan, you’ve finally met your match, and that’s what has your drawers in a twist.” Coyote took a swig of the flavored water and returned the bottle to the cup holder.
“Damn it. She. Is. In college! Don’t you get that? We’re worlds apart. There is no physical involvement here. And there won’t be. Granted, she’s endured a lot of shit in her life, but she’ll have a fresh start and needs to take advantage of that. Graduate, start her business, get married, have kids.”
“I agree, and she graduates soon.” Coyote smiled his shit-eating grin. “There may not be physical involvement, but there sure as hell is emotional attachment and the makings of a solid friendship. Who knows what could grow from it in time?”
“She doesn’t need a cop as her other half. You know that as well as I do.” Nolan’s taking the curve too fast earned a curse and exaggerated throat clearing from his partner.
“I agree, for now, but after we officially clear her name and solve this problem, then no. She’s a mature young adult.”
“For all I know, she’s never had a serious relationship.”
“That’s possible. Still don’t see your issue. And speaking of issues, if you don’t let up on the gas, you’re gonna miss our turn.”
“Shit.” Vehicular training in the academy was the last time Nolan had left skid marks on a road. Until now.
The township was small, the streets lined with oaks and maple trees sporting more vibrant colors he couldn’t tolerate.
A sleepy little town unprepared for the likes of a drug cartel’s raid.
“Sherriff’s office is ahead on the side-street to the left, according to my map.” Coyote pocketed his cell.
Nolan unclenched his fists after pulling to the curb. His partner again commented about keeping his woman in line. He didn’t bother arguing. It wasn’t worth the energy.
“Remember. Vice says these thugs have a long reach and deep pockets. Keiki’s smart enough to not say much, depending on her emotional state.”
The small brick building with two marked vehicles in front stood on a low rise, as if keeping watch over the vicinity. If not for the sign posted in the front yard, it could’ve been a quaint house nestled against the woods.
Nolan heaved a sigh after pocketing his keys. “Let’s see what kind of shape she’s in.”
They each stepped over the section of walkway heaved from the many freeze-thaw cycles of winters past.
Coyote reached to get the door, then paused and gave Nolan a measured look. “If this is cartel related, we need to figure out how to keep her safe. She seems to be some type of lynch pin. We just don’t know whose yanking the strings.”
The nonverbal, they may be wearing a badge, came through loud and clear. Nolan nodded.
“Right now, I just want to see she’s all right—then ring her neck for pulling such a stupid stunt.”
At that, Coyote yanked the door open. A sudden gust of wind necessitated a quick grab to keep it from swinging wide. Modern facilities generally had glass doors, but this wooden throwback in time fit the surroundings.
“From what I can tell, she’s on the road to becoming a licensed snoop unless someone can manage to guide her to a different path,” his partner teased.
“Damn it. I knew she was going to spy. I should’ve handcuffed her to a bed.” Realizing his partner misinterpreted the statement prepared him for the retort.
> “Maybe you could try talking to discourage her from the super spy business. If not, at least discuss safe words first?”
“Damn it, Coyote!”
“Hey. The sheriff told you when she ran into his office, she appeared relatively unscathed after reporting an attempted kidnapping. You’ll help her recover.”
“Because we can see and bandage all the scars?” Nolan’s retort was lost in the slamming of the door.
Nothing about the facility resembled a typical county office building. The receptionist’s desk sat to one side and merged with a long low counter. Behind her, six more desks filled the open space. Three doors to each side signaled private offices.
“Hello, gentlemen. What can I do for you?” Tortoise shell glasses and auburn hair pulled back in a severe ponytail stereotyped the petite woman as a bespectacled book pusher, at home among thousands of leather-bound tomes.
Once the secretary removed her specs, intelligent green eyes betrayed an active mind imbued with excitement and a tinge of anxiety. As was common in small departments, unusual occurrences threw everyone off balance, especially if they didn’t have specific details.
“Detectives Garnett and Waylin to see Sheriff Finley.” Coyote stepped forward to offer his hand and a warmer-than-necessary smile.
Southern charm evolved in slow degrees of confidence, swagger, and intuition. He could settle witness and victim alike with amazing insight.
“Oh, certainly. You’re here for—the girl who wandered in. What happened?” Her hands tapped her desk in search for who knew what then gestured to a closed door bearing the nameplate Sheriff.
Second one on the left.” Her motion indicated they help themselves, but her focus slid to Coyote’s left hand before a small smile graced her lips.
A nudge moved his partner ahead to the door, behind which, Keiki waited. He hadn’t spoken to her on the phone, instead being disgruntled with Coyote relaying information. Until standing nose to nose with his errant hell raiser, he couldn’t draw an easy breath.
As he lifted his hand to knock, the door flew open and out barreled one frantic and bedraggled ball of energy in baggy sweats. Her arms circled his waist and held on for dear life.
“I don’t know whether to hug you, scold you, or put you in protective custody.” His last option included forbidden contact.
Keiki’s breath warmed his chest through his shirt. Instinct urged him to hold her snug to feel the beat of her heart and expansion of her chest against his own. He closed his eyes and breathed in the heady scent that was all Keiki.
“You’re all right. I didn’t know it was you coming to pick me up. When they hit you, I checked your pulse, but then they dragged you away...” A higher-pitched voice and words that rushed over each other corresponded with her quick, uncoordinated movements.
Despite not seeing her hands, he understood she used them to speak when riled.
Coyote’s knowing grimace was something he could deal with later.
“I’m fine. Are you okay?” A light clasp of her shoulders allowed him to separate them a few inches so he could see her face, scratched and dirt-smudged. The oversized sweat pants and sweater she wore contributed to her waif status.
Farther inside the office, her bagged clothes were filthy and ripped, waiting in the corner. Small smears of blood would match the rips acquired during her mad dash through the woods.
“Yeah.” She hiccupped before tears trickled down her cheeks. “I don’t know about Gabby, though. She—”
“I’ve called in my off-duty officers and the state has two tracking dogs on the way, along with a local S&R team willing to donate their time. We’re about ready to go.” Finley nodded for them to take a seat. “We found some dry clothes for her, but she refuses to go to the hospital or tell me anything other than her friend is missing. Wanna fill me in?”
Nolan winced but knew her caution stemmed from experience. “Tell us everything you remember.”
A soft touch guided her to one of the wooden chairs in front of the desk. Unable to tolerate any distance, he stood beside her with his hand gentle on her shoulder. Bruises and small cuts marked her face. The way she favored her left ankle tallied another source of pain.
“I thought they were gonna kill you.” Keiki drew her lips between her teeth and stifled a sob.
If not for Finley’s presence, Nolan would’ve sat and pulled her onto his lap. Growing up with four younger sisters magnified his protective instincts and solidified his empathetic traits.
Instead, he offered his handkerchief. “I’m fine. A bit of a headache is all.”
She raised her hand as if wanting to touch his head, then stopped when he cleared his throat.
Details of her harrowing experience spilled out among broken sobs and hiccups. The coed kept things almost together until reaching the part where she’d left her friend behind.
Agitation forced her to pace the small area. Her story ended with entering the station and changing clothes.
Nolan moved to stand before her. Wrapping her in his arms calmed his erratic pulse and the flashed scowl warned Coyote to keep quiet.
Baggy clothes didn’t detract from her unyielding resolve. He knew better. Underneath the shaking limbs and sniffles beat the heart of a fighter who wouldn’t concede.
“I didn’t know how much to tell him.” She nodded toward Finley. “I’m sorry.”
To his credit, the sheriff bobbed his head in acknowledgment. “Understood, Katherine, I would’ve done the same thing. I think it’s time for me and my team to search for this cabin. From your description, I have a fairly good idea where to start looking. Detective Garnett can take you to the ER.”
“No! I mean, yes. Look for her.” Pleading eyes turned to the man on whom she held a death grip. “We have to go. Now.”
The unrehearsed message delivered another punch. Once again, she squirreled information. The question remained, how much would she share this time?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nolan kept his arm around Keiki through the station and out the door, observing the way she moved. When she stumbled over the uneven sidewalk, he plucked her up and cradled her against his chest.
Ignoring his partner’s murmur avoided bloodshed.
Exhaustion, pain, and fear warred for dominance in her tightened frame. She didn’t speak until he’d buckled her into the back seat and tossed the keys to his partner.
“Now you let me drive,” Coyote growled.
In lieu of Keiki’s possible unvoiced trauma, Nolan sat in the front passenger seat and twisted cattycorner to face her, needing a visual of nonverbal gestures to measure degrees of stress. His partner jumped the gun.
“Were to, Keiki?” Astute as ever, Coyote backed out of the space and slipped the vehicle into drive.
“Spinyneck grade school.” Though her fingers trembled in her lap, her voice signaled her spirits bolstered.
“What?” The vehicle’s tires dipped onto the road’s dirt shoulder as Coyote pulled to a stop. He’d reached the limits of his endurance. Nolan knew he drew the line on anything involving children.
“It’s Sunday. Shouldn’t be anybody there,” Keiki mumbled just above the motor’s soft hum.
“What’s there, Keiki?” Though others weren’t entirely convinced of her innocence yet, Nolan knew she’d proven herself clear of murder and involvement with drugs.
“The proof Gabby hid. We have to get to it before anyone else does.”
“Do the kidnappers know about it?” Nolan waited while she considered her answer.
Beside him, Coyote kept an eye on the rearview mirror with frequent glances at the sky. If Porter was tracking them via a drone, he could be following outside their sight line.
“I don’t know. When I ran, Gabby was struggling to keep him from unlocking his cuffs. She knew all along she wouldn’t be able to run, but she saved my life.” Keiki didn’t bother to wipe away the tears, this time. “I don’t know what she told him after I escaped, but she’d told be about
the stashed evidence. I think she got suspicious.”
Neither detective pointed out the fact her friend had put her in danger in the first place. There was too much grief weighing her shoulders to digest anything more.
“Gabby was working to perfect a formula. I don’t remember its name. A friend of hers died from an overdose, so she wanted to make the drug safer. It’s not like you can get them off the market, but she could save lives by making it more stable.”
“Serenity,” Coyote supplied the information with a sigh.
“Yeah, that’s it. How’d you know?” Keiki looked from Coyote to Nolan.
“We’ve talked at length to vice. The drug being shipped to the states is killing people. I’m guessing Gabby, with her background in chemistry, found a way to alter it.”
“She just wanted to protect her friends. She didn’t want any part of the business.”
“Was Shelly involved?” Coyote’s loosening grip on the wheel and softened tone suggested he understood her pain.
“No. They killed Shelly because they mistook her for me. People used to call her my doppelganger. When Porter realized he had the wrong girl, he killed her to send a message to Mr. Harock.”
“And you didn’t trust us enough to tell us?” Nolan tried to keep the hurt from his voice.
“I was afraid that until I found proof, you’d think I was involved in all that shit. I don’t take drugs, deal drugs, or have any involvement with those who do. At least I hadn’t known about it.” Her words vibrated with the intensity of determination and truth.
“Believe it or not Keiki, I do know. And I do believe you’re innocent of all the crap that’s gone down,” Nolan wasn’t sure how to convince her.
“We need to get her to a hospital, Nolan.” Coyote continued down the road and merged onto the highway.
“No. I won’t go. It’s just a sprain. I’ve had worse.”
The trip back, longer without the urgent need to shave time, allowed them to digest new details.
“Let’s go over Franklin Harock’s specific involvement.” Nolan retrieved a file tucked between his seat and the console.
“From what I gather, he’s using my drones to deliver drugs. I think that pissed off the supplier already in place.”
A Critical Tangent Page 22
