by Aliyah Burke
Her steps slowed the closer they came to the room Dogfish occupied. He flexed his fingers along her back and propelled her on. Together they stepped in the room and his heart sank as he stared at the wizened old Marine who owned Last Call. For once the man looked small and dare he say, weak. Standing near the window, on the phone, was the officer he assumed had called Ellie.
The officer turned and took the phone away from her ear before stepping toward them. Ellie was rigid and he positioned himself directly behind her, tugging her back to rest against his chest.
Chapter Nine
Ellie took several deep breaths as she waited for the cop to reach her. The officer stood a bit taller than her, but the largest difference was the confidence with which she carried herself. Her blonde hair was drawn back in a tight braid. Her sharp green eyes assessed the situation around her, even while maintaining compassion.
“Ellie Forrester?” Ellie nodded. “I’m Officer Simone Vega.”
“What happened?” The question took her two attempts to force it past her lips. “And how is he?”
“I hear he’s going to be okay, but I’m not the doctor. As for what happened, he was robbed taking the night’s take to the bank.”
Unease churned in her gut. “Have you caught the person responsible?” She peered around her lithe body to the man lying still upon the crisp white hospital sheets. “Or people?”
Simone stepped out of her way, gesturing her to go to the bed. Ellie did. She shook her head as she stared down at her boss.
“You crazy old fool, should have just given up the money. I know you refused.”
“How do you know that?”
Ellie picked up his work-roughened hand. “That’s the kind of man he is. He’s a Marine and wouldn’t just hand over his money.” She curved her hand around his, wishing he would squeeze her or open his eyes and ask her what the hell she was doing being so damn sentimental.
A chair appeared behind her and she accepted it, not caring who put it there for her. Perched on the end, she stared at the shallow rise and fall of his chest.
“What’s your procedure at night when you close out, and do you have any idea as to who would have done this? Could it be a regular?”
“No way.”
Bennett’s voice accompanied hers in that resounding denial.
“You both sound very sure about that. Why?”
Ellie peered up at Bennett as he stopped beside her. His attention stayed on Dogfish as well. Then he cut his gaze to her.
“We all love him,” he said. “He’s a military man and well respected. We wouldn’t do this to him.”
“Someone did.” Her tone wasn’t sarcastic but matter-of-fact.
Ellie bristled. “None of the regulars would do this. Bennett’s right. He was too well respected.”
“It’s a military bar, I’m sure you have new people in there all the time.”
Ellie looked up at her, wanting to punch her in the face. “We do, but if you’re military there, you’re family, so they’re regulars by association.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.” She flipped open her notepad and poised over it with a ballpoint pen. Clicking the pen, she cracked her neck. “Has there been anyone hanging around these past few days that didn’t appear to belong?”
“I’ve not been at work,” she replied, fresh guilt washing over her. “I had the week off, but I will be in tonight.”
“No, you won’t.” Bennett crossed his arms and scowled down at her.
“Yes, I will. I’m the manager and have to be there if he’s not.”
“He was just shot there.”
“You think I don’t know that?” She released his hand and got to her feet, matching Bennett glower for glower, stare for stare. “But I’m not about to make him lose money as he’s lying up here in a hospital bed unable to work. Plus, he’s got employees counting on him.”
“It could be dangerous.”
“Walking down the street here is dangerous. I don’t care what you say, I’m going.”
“I’ll be there as well then.”
“Not my place to tell you where you can or cannot be.” She worried her lower lip and stared down at Dogfish. “I have to call his niece.”
“His niece?” Simone interrupted, shifting into view. “He has family?”
“They aren’t the closest and I only know her name, but I’ll track her down and let her know. She has the right to know her only remaining family was shot.” She scrubbed her palms along her pant legs and sighed. “I should go do that now. Then I will nap and be ready to work this evening.”
Even as the words left her mouth she lowered herself back to the chair and took his hand once more.
“Can I have the name of his niece? I’ll look her up and contact her.”
“No thanks. I’ll do it.”
Muffled voices were behind her but she ignored them. She sighed. You need to open your eyes, Dogfish. You’re the closest thing I have to a father of my own. I can’t lose you. She squeezed his hand harder. Wishing harder than she’d ever wished before that he would open his eyes and grace her with his smoker’s voice and demand they let him get out of there.
But nothing of the sort happened. He remained still as death, tubes coming out of him and white gauze wrappings around the part of his chest she could see. Even the low beeping in the room was beginning to get to her.
She shoved to her feet, skidding the chair back. “I have to call his niece. Bennett, will you speak with the doctor and make sure he’s okay? I’ll take a taxi to the bar and see if I can locate her number.” She hurried out the door before he could anything to the contrary.
Within the hour, she was unlocking Dogfish’s apartment over the bar. It was like a huge loft, open and spacious. The hardwood floors gleamed and she skirted her gaze along the main room.
“Where would I have my information kept for a person I don’t really talk to?”
There was only one for her and she didn’t have any of his information. Hell, if she never saw him again it would be too soon. Get a fucking grip, Ellie. This isn’t about you and your demons, this is about Dogfish and his niece.
She went to his office area and scanned the desk. Nothing out of place. What a Marine. Everything had its place and wasn’t to be disturbed. Cautiously she sat at his large desk and trailed her gaze over the top. No address book she could see, no Rolodex or anything of the sort.
She didn’t want to snoop through his things, but this was beyond respecting his privacy. Hell, I’ve already entered his place without his permission, may as well do the rest.
So, she snooped. And came up with a winner after the long search. Mikeyla Hamilton. She stared at the number and pulled out her cell. No time like the present. Her hand shook and there were butterflies in her stomach.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she punched in the numbers and put the phone up to her ear.
“Bender, Hamilton, & Champion. How may I assist you?”
Okay, that sounds like a law office. “I need to speak to Mikeyla Hamilton, please.”
“I’m sorry, do you have an appointment?”
“No. And before you hang up, I’m calling from Hawaii with regards to her uncle, Teach Burton.”
“One moment please.” Calm, unruffled, and completely the opposite of how Ellie felt right now.
“This is Mikeyla.”
A strong, cultured voice came on the line.
“Ms. Hamilton, my name is Ellie Forrester and I work for your uncle. I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but your uncle was shot last night and is currently in the hospital.”
“Oh my God. Is he okay? Is he going to make it? Never mind, tell me what hospital he’s at and I will catch the next flight out I can. Thank you, Ellie, for telling me. I’ll see you soon.” She was gone.
Ellie blinked and stared at the screen of her phone that had now gone dark. She thought there would have been more questions. More something, but from how she understood it
they were at odds and didn’t speak. But this woman didn’t bat an eye, just said she would be on the next flight to Hawaii.
She slipped the small notebook with the number and picture of the brown-haired, brown-eyed woman back into the drawer. Then she shut it and backed away, not wanting to touch anything else.
Heading back to her place, she called Bennett and checked in with him on Dogfish’s status. Then she called Mikeyla back and told her to let her know about her flight plans and she would be there to pick her up. She took a shower and sat down on the edge of her bed and cried. The tears were a mixture of fear and exhaustion. She could really use a Piper pep talk right now but knew her friend was at work. And sure, she would make time for Ellie, but that wasn’t fair for her business. She wiped her eyes and sighed, staring down at her trembling hands.
Hang in there, boss. Please.
αβ
Bennett leaned against the wall, partially staring out the window but mostly gazing at the man who lay in the bed. He couldn’t get past the fact that typically it was Ellie who locked up the bar at night and it could just as easily been her lying there in that bed.
He shoved a hand through his hair and swore. Stopped then did it all over again.
The nurses had been in a few times, looked at him then went about their business. He wasn’t about to stay here while Ellie went to work and was in possible danger.
If only Dogfish would wake up and tell him who the perp was, so he could go after him.
“I believe that’s my job.”
Startled, he turned to find Simone Vega reentering the room. He lifted an eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”
She gave him a small smile. “You said you wanted him to tell you who the perp was so you could go after him. I merely said, that’s my job.”
Shit. So that had been out loud.
“And have you learned who it was yet?” Sure, there was attitude in his tone but damn it, this was hitting far too close to home for his own personal liking.
“Not yet.” She flicked a brief gaze over the man who still hadn’t woken. Then she moved those green eyes back to him. “Don’t worry. I’m damn good at my job. I’ll find him.”
“So sure it was a him?”
She gave a small shrug. “Ninety-five percent. And before you ask, because he asked me not to shoot him before he passed out.”
“Why are you investigating this instead of a detective?”
Her gaze chilled and he swore he stared at emeralds sharpened to daggerlike points. “I’m happy to turn it over to the detectives if you’d like. I’m sure they will be more than happy to get to it when he wakes up and goes to find out on his own. They have other cases to pursue and I’m doing this on my own time, but by all means, let’s send in the detectives.”
So, Officer Vega has teeth.
“Sorry, been a long day.” He gave a small grin.
Her smile wasn’t friendly. “I know the feeling.”
“Cameras checked, CCI from nearby shops?”
She set her notepad down on the blanket by Dogfish’s hand and tugged the blanket up farther around his bandaged chest.
“I’m aware I’m neither detective nor military, but I’m good at my job. I’ve checked them and no, there’s not a clear shot of the perp’s face. There was a hint of a tattoo on his left hand and I’m running it now to see if I pull up any hits. Before you ask, I’ve checked with the gang unit to see if any of them recognized it.”
“I get it, you’re busting your hump and I thank you for it. I’m just concerned whoever this is will come back thinking the next time will be even easier.”
She lifted a dark eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”
“Because Ellie will be the one closing now, not an ex-Marine.”
She rolled her eyes. “Bullets don’t give a damn whether or not you’ve served your country. It would be just as easy to shoot either one of them.”
“Point taken. I just mean that people would be more intimidated by Dogfish than Ellie.”
“Really? Some people are scared of women and maybe that’s why they waited until she wasn’t the one taking it. You never know. I’ll find out, though, and I’ll keep you posted.”
She dug into her pocket and pulled out a card with her contact information on it. “Call me if he wakes up and remembers anything. Or if you need anything.”
He withdrew his cell and called hers. She canted her head to the side and he shrugged.
“Now you have my number. Call me with any updates or if you need anything.”
“Sure thing.” A final glance down to Dogfish and she walked out.
“Ellie’s not going to like you flirting with another woman.”
Bennett whipped his head around to stare at the man lying there. Dogfish stared at him with steadfast appraisal.
“I wasn’t flirting.”
“She gave you her number and you put yours in her phone. Isn’t that what passes as flirting for you youngsters?”
“She’s the officer who’s following up the investigation to find out who did this. Speaking of which, who the fuck shot you?”
“I don’t know.” He exhaled and shifted on the narrow bed. “Go make sure Ellie is okay.”
“Always.”
Bennett headed for the door and slowed before he walked out. “Get better, she’s going to worry about you until you do.”
“Just a little graze, I’ll be back in there before you know it. Take care of my girl.”
He had no problems following that particular order from the Marine. With a sharp nod, he strode away, determined to be at the bar for the entire night and walking her home after. No matter what she said about it.
Last Call had been open for maybe an hour by the time he made it there. The place was its typical busy for this night of the week. He paused on his trek back to his typical seat only to realign his trajectory and head to the bar where he walked behind it without any hesitation.
Ellie laughed with two guys at the other end of the bar and he utilized the few seconds to just ogle her. She’d changed after she left the hospital and now had dressed in some low-rider jeans and a dark rose spaghetti strap top.
Aerosmith blared from the jukebox, making the crowd speak up to be heard. He scanned those there, could one of them be the shooter? He wished he had more of his Team with him to help solve this problem. He could handle it, but he was too laser focused when it came to Ellie and he didn’t want to miss something because of that.
I don’t have them so I have to figure this shit out on my own.
Before him, Ellie wrapped up with the customers, tossed the towel over her left shoulder and turned. Her right eyebrow jacked up but she didn’t say anything, just moved in his direction, each step full of purpose.
“A word,” she said, blowing by him to head for the office.
He followed and closed the door behind him, shutting the two of them in there. Alone. With zero supervision.
“How is he?”
She propped her hands on her hips and stared up at him, concern leaking out of her green-blue eyes.
“He’s awake. I’m here with you until he’s back. Or we catch this asshole.”
“That’s insane. I don’t need you hanging around here watching me as if every single person in here was going to pull out a piece and cap my ass.”
Bennett bit off his chuckle, but not before some escaped. Her glare didn’t help him to contain it. “I’m going to need you to stop watching those old movies.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the door.
“My point is, I’m fine here. You’re not needed to be my bodyguard.”
“Yes, you’re fine, I’m not arguing that but I will be here, those are my orders.”
She scowled. “Of course, he couldn’t wake up to talk to the cop, but he can wake enough to tell you to make this your second home and keep an eye on me.” She shrugged. “Whatever. I don’t have time for this, I’ve got a bar to run. Stay out of our way. Unless you want to be a bouncer fo
r the evening?”
“Nope.”
She blinked a few times and shook her head once more. “Figures.” Ellie moved up until she nearly touched him. “I have to get going, care to move?”
He lowered his head and flicked his tongue along the whorl of her ear. “I’ll be doing a lot of moving later on.”
At her answering blush, he opened the door for her and trailed her back out into the organized chaos. He pitched in as the night went on, fetching cases and yes, even being a bouncer once or twice. For the most part, everyone acted as if it were a regular night. The one thing missing was the familiar presence of Dogfish sitting on his stool in the far corner where he could keep an eye on his bar.
While he’d seen her work from afar, he’d never actually realized how much she truly did on a nightly basis. Bennett had massive appreciation for all she put into this job. Her love for it, obvious.
As the night—technically morning—wound down, he kept an eye on those leaving. He checked the place as she did her paperwork. The low and slow ballad of Poison filling the air as she worked diligently on the large stack of papers. He didn’t mind and would wait for her as long as it took.
Chapter Ten
Ellie stirred at the buzz of her phone on the smooth wood of her bedside table. She didn’t want to move. It had been a late night, or morning, at the bar and she swore she’d only been sleeping for about ten minutes. Shimmying out of Bennett’s arms, she fumbled in the dark for the offensive item.
She sat at the side and thrust it up to her ear, hissing, “Yes?”
“Ms. Forrester? This is Mikeyla Hamilton.” One hundred percent business in each word issued.
Sleep was instantly wiped away as she pushed to her feet. “Yes, sorry. I just got home and crawled into bed from the bar. Are you here? Have you landed?”
