He slid over the seat, lifted the kickstand and waited for her to join him. He wanted to deny that he brought the bike on purpose, but once she settled close to him, her arms coming around his waist, he realized he had for damn sure did this for the benefits. The engine rattled to life and they headed for the main road that would take them to the location where she was found in the bad part of town.
The sun was shining and the day was bright, and he couldn’t deny this felt like old times. Especially the summer when they first met. They’d been adventurous. Bold. Ready to take on the world. Now they were tangled in a case that could very well be the life of them.
After learning about the flash drive and letter, he’d managed to get a few hours of sleep, but was up early pondering the case. He’d put two and two together and realized that’s why Lauren had messaged him the night of the attack. She’d received the drive and needed help. And he’d failed her.
They finally reached the cemetery where the attackers had left her.
He parked the bike, waited for her to get off, then got off himself. She unhooked the helmet and lifted it off. Her long hair was tangled, and the breeze picked up the wavy tendrils, sending her scent under his nose. A rush of sensation settled behind his zipper, but he swore to himself that he’d use his brain today and not his dick.
“Have you been here since the accident?” he asked, seeing her curiously pale skin.
“No. I don’t even remember being dumped here.”
“I read in the report that the guy who found you, Ranger, was here visiting a grave.” He motioned for her to take the path to the right. “This way.”
“His daughter, Moni, she passed away from an overdose.”
“Sounds like you’ve gotten to know him pretty well.” Steam didn’t want to admit it to her, but he’d gotten to know Ranger pretty well too. Steam had done a background check and research on the man, but everything came back with flying colors. He had served in the military where he’d ‘accidently’ became a boxer. Once he was out of the Marines, he found a manager who led Ranger to a championship. However, after being hit in the head so many times, doctors forced him to retire early.
“He and his wife, Shalene, are like family. They both have been good to me.” When they stopped walking, she scanned the edge of the woods with a narrowed gaze. “Is this where I was?”
“Right here.” He pointed at a place in the grass. “The drive couldn’t be here.”
“Why?”
“Detectives searched every blade of grass, not to mention this area has been mowed at least a hundred times since that night.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I guess you’re right.”
He remained quiet, giving her a moment to absorb her emotions. “I think it’s good that you’re here, finding closure.”
“This is weird.”
“What?”
“That I’m not overcome with fear or emotion being here like I thought I would. I mean, I’m not at peace either, but I can’t remember anything.”
He touched the small of her back, mostly out of automatic reaction and not to invade her space. She didn’t push him away, or move his hand, but he didn’t want to press his luck so he moved away, for his benefit too. He needed to keep his brain from getting scrambled. “Thank you.” She looked up at him with soft, sweet eyes.
“For what?”
“Coming here with me. I’m sorry that I was so mean after yesterday…you know, after we…” Her cheeks flushed.
Bent out of shape, he wanted to keep his emptions under lock and key today, but how could he when it seemed every chord in his body was attached to her? “I shouldn’t have pressured you.”
“You didn’t pressure me. I wanted to tell you—” His cell beeped.
“Damn, this thing never stops.”
“You should get that.”
He answered although he’d wanted to keep his focus on her. “Yeah? Coby? Shit! I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Four more bodies have turned up dead. I have to meet with Coby.”
“Can I come with you?”
“You’ll want to be there. Another clipping was found.”
“Again?”
“Yes. This time another article you wrote about Max King.” He hated seeing the fear in her expression, but he also needed to keep the barrier up.
“We can’t tell him about the flash drive or the letter.”
“Coby can be trusted,” Steam said.
“I’m not saying he can’t be, but I think it’s safer for everyone involved that no one knows about this, yet.”
“Fine. Come with me. Coby is waiting.”
Steam met Coby alone to get the lowdown before he invited Lauren into the office.
“Hello, Lauren. I’m glad you came with Steam.”
“He told me more men have been murdered and a newspaper clipping was found on him.”
The balding, pouchy-stomached man awkwardly tugged at his striped tie and sighed. “We’ve known each other a long time, right?”
“Yes, we have.” Her hands were clasped in her lap now as if she anticipated what the man would say.
“We need your help.”
“My help? I have told you everything.”
Leaning his elbows on the edge of the table, he swiped his gaze from Steam to Lauren several times before staying focused on her. “Where were you around eight thirty last night?”
Steam felt her gaze on him—felt it all the way into his balls. Would she tell Coby that they were screwing in a broom closet in the back of a seafood restaurant all around eight? If she wished to divulge that information he’d let her, but he refused to have her pissed at him again for opening his mouth.
“I was with my editor eating dinner at a restaurant downtown.” She burrowed her gaze into Coby and Steam was more than happy not to be the target of those beautiful eyes when they were sharpened to slice a man in two.
“Even you must see how strange it is that a newspaper clipping with your story has been found at two murder scenes.”
“It certainly is strange, but I have no clue why.”
Steam appreciated that she had spirit. Even found it humorous but wouldn’t let her see his smile. She’d think he was laughing at her and that was the last thing he was doing. She didn’t like being questioned, but Coby was doing his job. Steam had been on the opposite side of the table at least a hundred times interrogating a suspect that couldn’t have done the dirty deed, but they had to question everyone. These were things she needed to be asked as protocol so they could rule her out as a suspect. He knew her well and had no suspicion, not even a sliver, that she was involved in the case. The profile of the killer wasn’t a petite brunette weighing one-ten with big blue eyes.
“Steam?”
He’d wandered a bit and didn’t realize her gaze was solid on him, bearing through him with the intensity of a ballbreaker. “What Coby is trying to get to, he’s trying to dot all the I’s and that means getting your input.”
“We’d all understand if you wanted revenge—”
She blinked. “That I’d want revenge? Are you suggesting that I have something to do with the deaths of these men? Who are the latest victims?”
Coby gave Steam a one-nod gesture. “The target was the kingpin HK Beavers. You’ve heard of him, right?”
Her gaze narrowed. “Once or twice, but hasn’t he been out of the Diamond cartel for years?”
“Pretty much, especially when Chapo Vallarta took over. The old man has been sick for a couple of years and the last we heard he was bedridden. The cartel had a couple of thugs keeping watch over him. Turns out they took their job serious enough that all three of them were gunned down and Beavers was found with his oxygen turned off. The killer got in and out, no prints. No clues. No witnesses.”
“Do you think it’s the same killer that killed the man, Fester, in the alley?”
Steam nodded. “He had his throat slashed, but the kill
er knew he couldn’t use that same MO going into Beavers’ residence. The link is a clipping that was left at both scenes.”
“And what do you think my link is to all this?” She lifted a brow.
Coby squeezed the bridge of his nose, then let his hand drop to the table. “Do you have any idea who’d be wanting these men dead for revenge? Possibly an old lover?”
Steam kept his gaze ahead but felt a trigger all the way into his gut.
“Oh, wait…” Coby flushed red. He looked like he’d gotten less sleep than Steam.
“No, I’m positive it isn’t one of my old lovers.” There was a trace of irritation in her words. Her chin jutted. “Maybe they crossed the line with the wrong people. Have you thought about that? After all, they are, were, members of the most notorious cartel in Wyoming.”
“Sorry, Lauren. We’re only doing our jobs.” Coby’s face softened some, then he eased back into the chair that squeaked under his weight. “Hey, we can all understand if you wanted to see these motherfuckers dead—”
She gripped the edge of the table. “I can tell I have your understanding.”
“We’re the good guys,” he mumbled.
“Yes, you are.”
There was a long hesitation. Steam eased back into his chair, gritting his teeth. He’d asked Coby to let him sit in on the interview, but it took all he had not to step in and ease her fears, but the truth was, this wasn’t his case. This was Coby’s and although they were friends, stepping on his buddy’s toes wouldn’t help in staying in the loop. He also couldn’t show any favoritism toward her.
Coby reached for the pen and clicked it repeatedly in restless energy. He looked from Lauren to Steam and back to her. “Am I missing something here?”
“Like what?”
He shrugged a broad shoulder in his too-small suit jacket. “The Diamonds aren’t anyone to mess with. If you know something, anything, it’s best to tell me.”
“I have nothing to tell, except something to ask. Do I need to hire a lawyer?”
“Do you feel like you need a lawyer?” Coby asked.
“Not at all.” She stood so fast the legs of her chair scraped the floor. “If you have no further questions, I’m leaving.”
“Calm down, Lauren We’re trying to help you,” Coby scratched his jaw.
With an exasperated sigh she turned and started for the door.
“Not quite the way this was supposed to go down.”
Steam chuckled at his friend’s words. “It’s good to see you haven’t lost your way with women.”
“Hey, she’s my friend too, but someone has to ask the difficult questions here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Isn’t it obvious? When it comes to Lauren, you’ve never been known to use logic.” Once the words were out, the man instantly shook his head. “Look, we’re on the same side here.”
“Then how about you don’t make any more comments along those lines, friend.” Steam stood, left the room and by the time he caught up to Lauren she was heading out the front door of the police station. “Don’t be angry. He’s just doing his job.”
Stopping between two police cars parked in the lot, she turned on him, anger appearing in new creases around her eyes. “Do you think this is funny? You know as well as I do where I was last night?”
“Then why didn’t you tell him everything?”
She turned her gaze to look around the parking lot, then back to him. “It would make things messier.”
“Exactly.” He stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “You know Coby. He just says it like it is. Back there, it wasn’t an interrogation. He needed to ask you some questions. That’s all.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe it’s not for you, but for me it is an interrogation. I didn’t have anything to do with the murders.”
Steam shot a glance around looking for bystanders and although they were alone, he didn’t want to have a conversation about the case for everyone to hear. He took her elbow and led her to a more confined spot by the corner of the building and in a lowered voice he said, “This is a big deal. The Blue Diamonds are not to be messed with.”
Her chin came up. “Now are you accusing me too?”
Feeling his gut twist, he tore a hand through his hair. “No, that’s not what I’m saying, not even close. If the Diamonds think for a second that you’re an obstacle, they won’t ask questions. They will act. Get my drift? I’ve spent most of my career battling the drug cartel and what I know is that they don’t tolerate complications. It’s best you leave the investigation to Coby.”
She dropped her arms to her sides. “I don’t know why Carol King trusted me and sent me the flash drive, but I failed her. A lot of people have failed her. Don’t you think I’m obligated to help her, and her daughter, in some way?”
He couldn’t answer that.
“I won’t stop looking for the truth, Steam. I became an investigative journalist for a reason. It would be like me asking you to turn in your badge. This is who we are. I’d like your help, but whether I have it or not, I’m going to bring Carol’s death to justice.”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you,” he said in an exhale.
“I can take care of myself.”
Her bottom lip trembled and her irises dilated, telling him she didn’t believe her own words. But what could he say?
Their gazes met for a long, torrid moment and he tore his eyes away, shifting in his dusty boots. The old desire to protect her reared its head, but there was so much at stake. “I’m taking you home and then I’m coming back.”
*
Archangel stood in the alley, watching and waiting. He should be nervous, but it took a lot more than a few uniformed cops to strike his nerves. He had blood on his hands. He’d crossed a line—many lines, but in a world overcome with evil, someone needed to take a stand. There was no going back. He had to see this to the end.
Relaxing against the brick of the building, he reached into his pocket, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and popped them into his mouth. Chewing, he spit the shells onto the concrete.
Then he saw her.
She was mad as she exited the station, closely followed by the lawman who looked agitated too. Archangel smiled. His plan was coming together nicely.
Standing, he winced at the pain in his knees and back. It was almost too much to bear these days. Once he could move his muscles, he backed deeper into the shadows, his mind preoccupied with the next step in his revenge. His time was ticking…
Chapter 8
Agitated and tired, Steam stomped into the corner gas station and used the self-serve machine to pour himself a large coffee with a double shot of espresso. Reaching for a packet of creamer, he decided against the additive. Straight black was best because he had a long night ahead of him. Although he should be headed home and getting some sleep, instead here he was grabbing coffee and a snack so he could go sit in front of Lauren’s house to make sure she was safe while she slept. Three bolts on her front door wouldn’t keep the Diamonds out if they wanted to get in.
The case was fucked up.
The flash drive…the letter…there were more questions than answers. He knew Carol King and she’d been afraid to leave her husband. It had taken years for her to decide to leave with Jane. He’d tried to convince her to go into a safe house, but she refused. She’d lost trust in anyone and believed she was better off on her own. Maybe she’d believed that Lauren could help in some way. Or maybe Carol just knew this was her one last chance to bury her husband for all the shit he’d put her through.
He grabbed a bag of chips off the rack and stood in line behind a boy who looked about fifteen or sixteen and was slurping his slushie. His large backpack was slung over one shoulder and he had earbuds in, tapping his foot lightly. Steam pecked him on the shoulder. “Are you going to pay for all that stuff?”
The boy dragged one earbud out, looking offended that he was bothered. “Wha
t?”
“Are you going to pay for that stuff?”
“You mean this?” He held up the cup.
Steam had to give it to the kid. He didn’t show many identifiers that he was lying. “I’m talking about the energy drinks and chips you stuffed into your bag.”
“Look, dude, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about so mind your own damn business.” The boy turned his back to Steam.
Reaching into his pocket, he took out his badge and flashed it. The kid went from cocky to bashful in point two seconds. His drink sloshed around the plastic cup. “Now that I have your full attention, I’ve had a long day so there’s only one choice between me hauling your ass in or letting you go home to play video games. What’s it going to be?”
The kid rolled the bag off his shoulder, unzipped it and quickly unpacked five cans, six bags of candy, and three bags of chips. And a nude magazine. “Put them back on the shelf,” Steam growled.
Scooping up the items in his scrawny arms, the boy hurried to replace every item.
Stepping up to the counter, Steam laid down cash and headed outside to his bike. Once he finished his coffee he climbed on. It was a short drive to the small yellow house where he parked on the street and slid off. He was chomping on his chips when he noticed something.. A dog was barking. Not just one but the entire neighborhood.
Curious, he dropped the snack bag and grabbed his gun from his side holster. It was after midnight and the lights were off in most of the houses on the street, including Lauren’s. He investigated the front and saw nothing out of the ordinary. He’d taken several more steps and heard a sound coming from the side of the house. He squinted, peering through darkness in time to see a silhouette near the fence that separated Lauren’s yard from the neighbors.
Shit!
He pointed his gun. “Police! Stop right there!” he shouted. The person in black jumped over the top of the fence. Steam holstered his gun and raced after the assailant. In one swift hurdle, he scaled the metal fence, hopping down onto the other side. Running between two houses, a dog behind a gate went wild, snarling, and trying to bite him through the links of the fence. By the time he made it to the street, gun drawn and ready, he came to stop on an empty road.
Secured by the Lawman (Mountain Force Book 2) Page 9
