A Critical Tangent

by Reily Garrett

  In the back of his mind, an inner demon replied, At least not while my partner is present.

  Reminding himself of the vast differences between a college student and detective didn’t shore up his emotional reserve. There seemed no way to shove the situation behind self-protecting walls.

  “Uh-huh. Wasn’t gonna say a word, well, maybe congratulations. And it’s about time. But…” Coyote’s grin spoke volumes. “I think the timing, well, could be better. You know, distractions, killers on the loose and all that.”

  “No. Damn it. Mind out of the gutter. Now, what’d you find on the flash?”

  “I duped it before turning it in. Captain wants a report by morning.” Coyote strode to the table and sat. “Got any sodas?”

  “Nothing made with swamp water.” Nolan retrieved two drinks from the fridge and joined him.

  “We’ve got work to do. I spoke with Sheriff Finley. State forensics has her clothes and joint agencies are combing the woods for Gabriella Kiernan.”

  “Or what’s left of her.” Coyote kept his voice low, his watchful expression lingering on the hallway to the bedroom.

  “I’ll be back in a sec. I need to find her something to wear.”

  “She’d look cute in one of your flannel shirts.”

  Nolan flipped him off. Once his partner got something on his mind, it took a nuclear blast to change it.

  Coyote booted up the laptop on the table as Nolan headed toward his bedroom. Despite a penchant for tidiness, living alone offered certain liberties, ones he wasn’t sure he still wanted.

  Like keeping the seat down, having toilet paper roll under not over, and tampons in the cabinet.

  Both men paused at the sound of an engine’s throaty purr out front.

  “Tucker’s here. Make him comfortable.”

  “You’re sure we should pull him in from the side?”

  “Yeah. We can’t be everywhere. She doesn’t have the sense to let us solve this mess without her help, and I don’t want her hurt.” Nolan would rather endure another concussion than the PI, but realized the ex-cop had experience and good instincts—both things Keiki lacked.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Keiki closed her eyes against the warm water stinging her flesh amid the many cuts and scrapes. Shades of brown and crimson circled the drain to take away the physical remnants of her ordeal.

  In her mind, seeds of doubt grew and remorse blossomed into full-blown shame over leaving a friend behind. Perhaps destiny configured her life to be a series of disasters. One after another, ever circling, never finding peace, except for the stolen slice of heaven she held in her heart.

  She’d kissed Nolan just as she’d promised herself. And it was more than she could’ve imagined. He was a cop who earlier suspected her of murder, drug dealing, and heaven knew what else. In his defense, she would’ve drawn the same conclusions under the circumstances.

  Her previous romantic entanglement ended in disappointment and regret, with no plans to duplicate the disaster. Now, she couldn’t dredge the least bit of criticism for making the current bold move. Shelly and Gabby would’ve applauded her initiative.

  Both detectives conferring over whatever new information found on the flash indicated a difficult discussion ahead. They’d speak about her friends in cold and analytical terms, not understanding the girls’ support after her parents’ death.

  With destiny embroiling her in new and vicious situations, the difficulties and risks police took to protect others became clear. My drones can help them.

  A black flannel shirt with snowmen embroidered on the front and a pair of jeans lay on the corner of the bed when she’d emerged from the shower with a new perspective. The shirt must’ve been a holiday joke, was way too big, and carried his scent. In other words, it was perfect. The jeans were large but a belt held things in place.

  Nervous anticipation of the conversation to come slowed her pace down the short hall where Tucker’s distinctive bass voice interrupted Coyote in piecing together their puzzle.

  From the open living room, she saw the detectives sitting at the kitchen table, poring over documents with murmurs and their usual abbreviated communication.

  All three looked up when she heaved a sigh.

  “Are you hungry? I can fix us something to eat.” Coyote took the lead, shoving his chair back to retrieve lunchmeats and sliced cheese from the fridge.

  Nolan studied her as if unsure where to begin. Reasons for the deep sadness radiating from within was something she wasn’t ready to contemplate.

  “We should have let the ER nurse tend to those scratches. Let’s apply some antiseptic so they don’t get infected,” Nolan directed.

  The ease with which he led her back to his bathroom testified to the speed of discounting their earlier interaction. It would be a long time before her body stopped trembling when he stood near or gave that signature look—brow raised, head tilted to the side, and the quiet expectation which made her itch to fill the silence with whatever answer he desired.

  His gesture to sit on the counter while he fetched a tube of ointment from the medicine cabinet accompanied a frown when she squealed.

  With the graceless and uncouth action of a man who swatted at a bees in his pants, she readjusted the crotch of her jeans. “How do you guys go commando and not get things… stuck?”

  Heat creeping up her neck intensified with his smothered chuckle.

  “Don’t know. Not a practice I follow.”

  “Boxers or briefs?”

  His signature look made her take another gulp.

  Attention to detail in every other aspect of his life carried over to his examination and treatment of her cuts and scrapes. Intermittent compression of his lips confirmed his withholding information but not the reason why.

  Either way, it couldn’t be good news. She didn’t want to hear it. “About earlier…”

  “Yeah, um. That shouldn’t have happened.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we’re worlds apart, Keiki, and not just our perspectives on life. We’re in the middle of something big, and distractions like that could get us both killed.”

  “So, later then.”

  He didn’t answer, didn’t even acknowledge her spoken words.

  That along with his reference to her near-death experience added weight to her already heavy heart. Instead of facing Gabby’s probable end, she focused on Nolan.

  “I thought they were going to kill you. I’m sorry—”

  The ointment landed with a small thud beside the sink. With his hands resting on the counter to either side of her hips, he leaned in so their faces were mere inches apart, but it wasn’t in preparation for another kiss.

  “What you did was foolish and reckless. If you hadn’t escaped, they would have killed you, and I couldn’t have done a damn thing about it.” The fierceness blazing in his eyes spoke of possession, revenge, and least expected, fear.

  “I was afraid if I didn’t find evidence to figure this mess out, you’d think I was involved with Shelly’s death.” Unable to hold back any longer, she reiterated her newest truth. “They were my best friends. And they’re gone. I—”

  “You are not alone and never will be again. You have Carolyn… and me.”

  His frustration melted before her eyes, morphing into compassion as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and edged her against his chest. “I’m sorry all this has happened, but I’ll never be sorry for meeting you.”

  “It wasn’t a competitor for Harock Industries who started all this. It’s been about drugs from the beginning.” A sob broken by a hiccup and sniffles interrupted the flow of grief and explanation. “Gabby knew all along. She knew Harock was involved but still wanted to help other kids, even if her methods were a little dodgy. How could I not see what was right under my nose?”

  “We often don’t see what’s right in front of us, for all kinds of reasons. Busy schedules, trust, and security in our relationships. You three girls were so close yet had
such separate identities and interests. I do believe she wanted to protect other students. She employed—different methods for going about it.”

  “But Harock is using my drones for the illegal side of his dealings. No wonder he gave me such leeway. He planned on using me from the start. Gabby spelled it all out. That’s why she protected me in the end.”

  The floodgates opened then, and Keiki couldn’t hold back the tide of emotions spilling forth. Each detail her friend had spoken in the dark, damp basement had widened the chasm started in their freshman year.

  “If I hadn’t been so focused on my damn machines, I would’ve seen it earlier. Tucker always says to pay attention to those closest to you.”

  Soothing murmurs whispered against her hair and the light touch grazing down her back equaled a balm to her shattered nerves.

  “The information on the flash drive lays it all out. Everything she knew. Gabby didn’t trust Harock.”

  “If Shelly had known, she would have told me. I know it.”

  “It doesn’t look like she was involved in any aspect of it, which made her an innocent bystander.”

  “We have to nail both Harock and Porter. But I don’t know how. He’s going to try and turn everything against me.”

  “It’s too late for that. Gabriella detailed enough of the operation up to and including the drones. She didn’t specify names in that part of his dealings. I don’t think she knew anything more.”

  “I was starting to insert trackers but hadn’t turned in the prototype.”

  “He’s already done it.”

  “You went back and found the ones in the building?”

  “No. By the time I returned, the place was empty.”

  “Does Porter know they have trackers in them?”

  “We have no way of knowing what he found out.”

  The mention of her friend and her probable fate knocked the breath from Keiki’s lungs. “How do we get Harock and Porter, along with whoever hired him?”

  “That’s something we’re working out now. We’ll talk more once we’re out in the kitchen.”

  After her hiccups stopped and she felt able to face the world again, she nodded her thanks. As if on cue, Coyote appeared in the doorway, minus the smirk he seemed to wear most of the time.

  “Food’s on the table.”

  Instead of turning to lead them out, he stepped forward in an unusual show of compassion and gave her a one-armed hug. “Sorry, Katherine.”

  “Only my parents called me that.”

  The faintest of smiles ghosted Coyote’s mouth. “I know you feel some of this is your fault, but it isn’t. We’ll get these bastards, every last one of them.”

  Huh, she hadn’t taken him for the huggy type. When he pulled back, she looked for an explanation in his sorrowful expression but found none.

  “I have a brother who got caught up in a situation, kinda similar. It was tough on us all.”

  She’d wanted his acceptance, his conviction of her innocence, but not at the cost of stripping his soul bare.

  Once her minor cuts were swabbed with ointment, they headed back to the kitchen.

  Keiki sat at one end of the table with Nolan and Coyote to either side. Nolan pushed a plate of food closer to her, expecting her to eat.

  Tucker looked up from the notes before him and murmured, “Hey, kid.”

  Rehashing current and previous events dulled her appetite, but she’d need the fortification to face what lay ahead.

  “We’re planning a sting operation,” Coyote began.

  “First…” Nolan leveled a look at his partner, the silent exchange sharing a wealth of information. Covering Keiki’s hand with his larger one, he took a deep breath. “There’s something you need to know.”

  “The rescue team found Gabby,” She blurted before either man could continue. In doing so, it seemed she willed the following sequence of probable outcomes to life.

  “As it turns out, it wasn’t a… a rescue operation. It was recovery.” Coyote’s confirmation filled the silence with every best friend’s worst nightmare.

  “They killed her. I left her there to die.” Dry heaves forced her to stand and reach for the trashcan. At once, Nolan was there to hold her hair and gently rub her back. “No,” he barked out in a burst of determination. “They confirmed one ankle was broken or badly sprained. Considering the old bruising and significant swelling, it hadn’t occurred in the prior few hours. She couldn’t have hobbled out let alone run.”

  “I could have stayed, found something in the kitchen to fight him off. A weapon or something.”

  “There wasn’t anything there to use. They searched for confirmation of Porter’s contact, but found nothing. The house was clean except for prints and trace evidence.” Nolan looked to Coyote to add his assurance.

  “There’s no way you could have taken him on and survived. From the description, he outweighed you by over a hundred pounds. Besides, we know there are at least two others who work with him still at large. If they’d entered the fray, hell, even if they hadn’t, you’d not have escaped.”

  Tucker said, “You’re good at what you do, kid, but you’re not trained for this stuff. That means you have to make a decision. Either go through the training or stay on the fringes of investigations. I was wrong to pull you in as far as I’ve done.” Self-chastisement coincided with a concordant nod from the two other men.

  Their words made sense in her mind, but not her heart. “How do we nail them all? I want to help.”

  “You’ll have a part in this, from a distance.” Nolan’s hard glare brooked no argument.

  “But—”

  “No. This is how it’s going to go. You’re going to contact Harock and tell him about your attempted kidnapping, leaving out key details like Gabby’s presence.”

  “You’re taking a chance he won’t contact Harock,” Keiki surmised.

  “Yes.” Coyote picked up the thread of conversation. “You’ll tell him you’re scared, in hiding, and need help. You’ll let him know Porter is in cahoots with one of his engineers. Tell him there’s a plan in place to take over his business, and if he goes to the cops or contacts Porter, they’ll kill both him and his wife.”

  “That should cut him off from Porter, if only a temporary stopgap,” Tucker confirmed.

  “Harock’s gonna want to meet you,” Coyote began, “since he and his wife consider you family.”

  “Okay, then what?”

  Nolan laid out the rest of the plan. “Deeper background checks uncovered a connection between Porter and two of Harock’s employees, both of whom have pointed the finger at their boss. It seems the CEO was trying to negotiate terms and Porter didn’t like them.” Coyote’s grimace suggested the entire plan didn’t sit well. “Harock’s men will arrange a meeting between their boss and Porter’s boss.”

  “And you’ll be waiting to grab them all up?”

  “That’s the goal. However, it’s going to take a few days to delve deeper into their backgrounds and coordinate the various agencies involved.” Coyote’s apologetic shrug belied the determination in the hardening of his jaw.

  “Meanwhile, I’ll be keeping tabs on you.” Tucker grinned at the flash of annoyance crossing Nolan’s face.

  “Okay then.” Keiki respected the raw grit and focused tenacity with which they devised their approach. It sounded like a blueprint for success. “One more thing. I want to carry my gun.”

  The unanimous “no,” didn’t surprise her. Nolan’s glance flicked from his partner to the view outside his kitchen window. Tucker didn’t appear so resolute.

  It was Coyote who spoke first. “You’re not going to be present. We’ll use an undercover officer in your place.” He flicked a lock of her hair before adding, “Maybe we’ll have her dye her hair neon green for a distraction.”

  Denial wouldn’t placate her conscience, so she introduced her ace up the sleeve with a direct smirk at Tucker. “I want to go to the shooting range. I haven’t been in a long time.”r />
  “Shit. You’re not going to let it go, are you?” Nolan asked.

  “Nope. I’m going. It’s legal. You have proof I’m not a suspect, so you can’t hold me or take my form of self-defense.”

  Nolan’s hard glare in Tucker’s direction declared any method acceptable in achieving his goal.

  “If you go, we’re going with you. Understand?” Coyote’s snicker warned of his style of anticipated fun. “Who knows, maybe you’ll take my partner down a peg or two.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Got your lead dispenser?” Tucker clapped Keiki on the back as soon as she stepped from the SUV into the bright morning sun. The ex-cop had followed them from a distance, providing backup.

  Nolan had driven in silence, gritting his teeth every time his partner mentioned one of the PI’s attributes. Retribution would be slow and painful—and sparkly.

  The shooting range was relatively new, one neither Nolan nor his partner had visited. The owner was a friend of Tucker’s.

  Since Keiki wouldn’t give up her gun, they all needed to see she was safe using it. If she found herself in a tight situation with the likes of Porter, the day’s practice would help her focus even if she didn’t have a weapon handy.

  “Hey, Coyote. Nolan. Shall we make wagers?” The PI was closer in age to their witness, with a penchant for flirtation.

  Tucker’s prior experience on the force, despite its brevity, qualified him to help. He’d proven himself intelligent and shrewd.

  “Fine. Next week, lunch is on the loser.” Nolan let his clipped answer speak for itself. “This is just between the men.”

  “Oh, boy. Let me grab my telescopic measuring stick. Or, perhaps I should grab the compact so I can stick it in my back pocket to keep it handy.” Keiki smirked when Coyote shoulder bumped her sideways.

  Nolan suppressed a groan. They needed Tucker, as evidenced by his help the prior day.

  Two buildings formed an L shape with the longer arm housing an indoor range. Nick led them up the steps and inside the office.

  “Made friends with any keyholes or prickly bushes, lately Nick?” Nolan tilted his head back to watch a plane overhead.