Into the Dark (The Cincinnati Series Book 5) (Cincinnati 5)

by Karen Rose

  ‘When?’ Diesel asked.

  ‘In six months. We haven’t told many people yet. Just our immediate families.’ Marcus grinned. ‘My dad and Keith are beside themselves. They’ve already started on a nursery.’

  Jeremy O’Bannion had been like a father to Diesel in the years since his move to Cincinnati. At first the man had welcomed him out of sheer gratitude, because Diesel had pulled Marcus out of a Baghdad firefight one night. But then he’d been welcomed for himself. Jeremy and his husband Keith included him as one of their kids. They never forgot his birthday and he’d had a place at their table every major holiday for years. They were his home.

  The thought of the two men as grandparents made him grin. ‘I’ll just bet they are. Keith’s probably bought a baseball bat and glove already, and your dad’s picked out wallpaper with all the best organs. Hearts, spleens. Bladders.’ Jeremy had been a surgeon before suffering permanent damage to his hands in a fire.

  Marcus laughed. ‘Yes to the baseball, no to the bladders. Scar’s folks aren’t far behind. Her mother’s knitting already. At least this isn’t their first grandchild, so the pressure’s a little less from them. I’ve been so close to telling you, but Scarlett threatened to make me cook dinner for a month if I told before now. She hasn’t even let Deacon and Adam know yet. She doesn’t want CPD to know. She’s afraid they’ll be weird about it.’

  Diesel crossed his arms over his chest. ‘She is going to take a desk job when she starts to show, though. Right?’

  Marcus rolled his eyes. ‘It’s “under discussion”.’ He used air quotes. ‘But enough about me. What are you finding about the boy’s stepfather?’

  ‘Enough to know the guy had severe money troubles.’ Diesel sat behind his desk and Marcus pulled up a chair. ‘And a taste for young boys,’ he added in a murmur.

  Marcus grimaced. ‘Oh God. Not Joshua.’

  ‘I don’t think so. But maybe his brother.’

  ‘The one you asked Rex to meet downtown?’ Marcus’s eyes widened as the significance sank in. ‘Oh shit. That’s not going to look good for Michael. It goes to motive.’

  ‘Yeah. Deacon and Adam told me that they don’t think Michael did it. But I hate the thought of him getting dragged downtown. He’s had a shit day.’

  Marcus frowned. ‘They couldn’t have questioned him at the clinic?’

  ‘No.’ Diesel told him what Deacon and Adam had explained. ‘I mean, I get it. I do. They don’t want anyone coming back later and pointing a finger at Michael, citing preferential treatment. But . . . God, Marcus.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Marcus murmured. ‘You’ll be good for him, though. Sounds like he could use a good male role model.’

  Warmth at Marcus’s words spread through Diesel’s chest, softening the edges of the sadness, the helplessness, the absolute rage that had all but suffocated him since he’d heard Michael’s sobs in the clinic. ‘Thanks. That means a lot.’

  ‘It’s true.’ Marcus scooted closer, so that he could see the screen. ‘Follow the money?’

  ‘It’s an adage for a reason.’ Diesel pointed at the spreadsheet he’d been studying. ‘I downloaded his most recent bank statements. Guy had his online bank account bookmarked and the password saved by his browser.’

  ‘He deserved to get hacked then,’ Marcus said airily.

  Diesel snorted. ‘Well, he certainly didn’t make it hard for me to do. I was surprised the cops hadn’t locked his accounts down, but I guess they’re a little slow on the draw. He was spending money at three times the rate he was making it. And . . .’ He clicked to another tab. ‘He sold his house.’

  Marcus blinked. ‘To whom?’

  ‘I don’t know yet. I haven’t had time to drill into the transaction. The buyer is buried in shell corporations.’ He cracked a knuckle, then wiggled his fingers. ‘I was about to start in on that.’

  ‘What makes you think he has a thing for boys?’ Marcus whispered.

  Diesel clenched his jaw until it hurt. ‘Found some links to kiddie porn in his browser history. And photos. Not as hardcore as some of the shit I’ve seen on this job, but still . . . well, the photos aren’t going to look good for Michael either.’

  Marcus winced. ‘He had photos of Michael?’

  ‘Yeah. And a few of Joshua.’ Diesel swallowed hard. ‘Bath time.’ The rage was back and he fought it down so that he could breathe. It was a good thing that the fucker was already dead, otherwise he’d kill him himself. ‘I didn’t make copies of any of his porn. The cops will find it when they search his computer. He tried to hide it in a partition on his hard drive, but a five-year-old could have found it.’

  ‘So Michael had motive.’

  Diesel felt sick, imagining the cops questioning the kid. ‘Yeah. But he didn’t do it. I just . . . don’t believe he did.’

  ‘You’ve always had a good gut,’ Marcus said softly. ‘He’s not you, though.’

  Diesel’s gaze flew to his friend’s face, his mouth falling open, panic freezing his heart so that it skipped a beat. He could feel the color draining from his face. ‘What?’

  Marcus dropped his gaze to his hands. ‘I know nothing, Diesel. I promise. But I’ve watched you take on sex offenders for years. It’s personal for you, just like it is for me. But different, too. My brothers were hurt, not me. My rage is once removed. Yours . . . isn’t.’ He glanced up. ‘I don’t need to know what happened to you. Not unless you ever want to tell me. I’ve never told a soul what I think, and I never will. But I don’t want to see you get hurt. You’ve gotten attached to this kid so fast . . . You don’t really know him. I don’t want you to be blinded by your need to help him. Just be careful, okay?’

  Diesel forced himself to let go of the breath he’d been holding. Exhale. Nice and easy. Marcus cares. I know he does. He only wants to protect me. Like I protect him. ‘Do the others know?’

  That the team at the Ledger could tell that his vendetta was personal hadn’t really occurred to him. It should have, of course. They were all reporters. Keen eyes. Keen minds with the ability to see connections others could not.

  ‘No,’ Marcus murmured. ‘At least I don’t think so. Nobody talks about you, D. I promise.’

  ‘Okay.’ Closing his eyes, he tried to calm his now-racing heart. ‘Okay.’

  Marcus gripped his forearm. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.’

  ‘It’s . . . it’s okay. I’ll be okay. I hope Michael will be, too.’ Diesel opened his eyes to see that Marcus’s had become too bright. Too shiny. ‘It’s okay, Marcus.’

  Marcus pursed his lips and nodded. ‘Let me know if you need me to run any interference for you. I’ll do whatever you need.’ His throat worked. ‘You know I’ve got your back, D. Me and Scar and everyone here.’

  ‘I know.’ Diesel dug deep and found a smile – and a subject change. ‘So, you’re going to name the baby after me, right?’

  Marcus’s laugh held the echo of a sob, but he flicked the back of Diesel’s head as he stood up. ‘I don’t think so. Elvis O’Bannion? I think Scarlett would kill me in my sleep, and she’d have every right.’

  Diesel rubbed his head with an exaggerated scowl. ‘Ow. But it’s fair. I wish to God I knew what my mother was thinking when she named me.’

  ‘I think there were heavy-duty delivery drugs involved.’

  Diesel was about to agree when his cell phone buzzed. He frowned at the call. Most people texted. Then he saw the ID. ‘It’s Dani.’ He hit ACCEPT as Marcus sat back down, waiting. ‘Hey,’ he said, ‘are you done at the station already?’

  ‘No,’ Dani said. ‘Can you figure out a way to come down here? I think Michael needs you. He had a panic attack on the way in and he’s about to have another.’

  Diesel was already packing up his laptop. ‘Didn’t Rex get there?’

  ‘Yes, but, um . . . Michael doesn’t believe he’s your f
riend,’ she said with a trace of wry humor. ‘He’s too fancy.’

  Diesel snorted. ‘Did you tell him I don’t just consort with WWF types?’

  ‘I did. I even told him you had super-rich friends.’ She sighed, abruptly sober. ‘I think you make him feel safe. I don’t know what to do about Joshua, though. There’s a crowd of reporters outside the station. I don’t want his photo in the news. It’s bad enough they took pictures of Michael when we walked him in.’

  Diesel’s temper simmered. ‘They can’t use them. He’s only fourteen.’

  ‘They’re not supposed to, but you know as well as I do that some of those guys with cameras would sell their mothers for a buck. I don’t think they were aiming for Michael. They were shouting questions at Deacon and Adam.’

  It didn’t matter. ‘Dammit. Deacon and Adam should have taken him in through the back.’

  ‘I said as much, but they said there were more reporters there. All the networks and major news outlets.’

  ‘Hold on.’ Diesel looked at Marcus. ‘Can you and Scarlett watch Joshua for a little while?’

  ‘Of course, as long as he’s okay with it. Whatever you need.’

  On the other end of the phone, Dani sighed her relief. ‘Tell them thank you for me. When you get here, text me. I’ll ask Deacon to come up and escort you.’

  ‘Will do. Thanks, Dani.’

  ‘No, thank you. See you soon.’

  Diesel hung up, staring at his phone for a few heartbeats. She’d never called him before. Hearing her voice had him both calm and tense at once. He wanted to take a moment to remember how he’d felt when she’d leaned into him. How soft and silky her hair had been.

  But he had places to be. Kids to help. And maybe a doctor to woo face to face, rather than just dream about.

  Marcus’s lips had curved. ‘Finally?’

  Diesel’s cheeks heated. ‘Finally what?’

  ‘Dani?’

  Diesel didn’t try to play dumb. But he also couldn’t let Marcus get the wrong idea. ‘It’s just for the kids. Don’t get your hopes up. I’m not.’

  Marcus stood up and leaned in close. ‘Liar. If you need me, I’m here.’

  Marcus knew him well. My hopes already are up. But Marcus also understood that Dani had kept him at arm’s length for eighteen long months.

  Diesel shrugged. ‘I have to accept that she might not ever let her walls down.’ Somehow that hurt more than having Marcus know that he had been abused as a kid.

  ‘Is it her status?’

  Diesel nodded. ‘That’s what she said when she told me to find someone else.’

  Marcus frowned. ‘Did you tell her that you were okay with the risk?’

  ‘I did. It didn’t change her mind.’ He zipped his laptop case, unwilling to discuss it any longer. Shouldering the bag, he went to where Joshua was happily coloring. He bent down on one knee. ‘Hey, buddy. Everything’s okay, but Michael asked me to be with him at the police station. He’s a little scared and I’m going to keep him company. Are you okay staying here with Miss Scarlett, Mr Marcus, and Miss Gayle?’

  Joshua glanced at the adults around him, then nodded, pointing at Scarlett. ‘Yeah. She’s a police lady. My teacher says it’s the police’s job to help us.’

  Diesel ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘That’s right. Miss Scarlett is good at helping people.’

  Joshua stared up at him guilelessly. ‘Like the old man in the wheelchair today.’

  ‘Just like him.’ Diesel booped Joshua’s nose. ‘I’ll be back before you miss me.’ Rising, he murmured to Marcus, ‘I’ll text you when I know something.’ His gaze flicked to Joshua. ‘Keep him safe, okay?’

  ‘You know it,’ Marcus vowed.

  Diesel did. Which was the only reason he was able to get into his truck and drive away.

  Cincinnati, Ohio

  Saturday, 16 March, 6.00 P.M.

  Deacon walked Diesel to the interview room and stopped outside the door. ‘I’ll wait out here until Michael’s talked to his attorney,’ Deacon said. ‘Adam’s checking in with CSU. The two of us will come in when Clausing calls us, okay?’

  Diesel nodded. ‘And nobody’s in the observation room?’ Because simply turning down the speaker didn’t constitute privacy when dealing with sign language.

  ‘No one. I’ll turn on the light on the observation side, so you’ll be able to see if anyone enters. But I’ll stand guard. You have my word, Diesel. No one will spy on Michael.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Because Deacon’s word was as good as gold.

  Deacon hesitated. ‘See if you can get him to tell us who the bald man is, the one he thought you might have been. The one that scared him.’

  ‘I will. Do you or Dani know the interpreter?’

  ‘Yeah. Andrew’s a good guy. He’s interpreted for Greg more than once, and a few times it was because Greg had gotten into legal trouble. The guy knows the courts. And he is bound to confidentiality.’

  ‘Yeah, well, there are a shit-ton of reporters out there who’d pay a pretty penny for an inside story on this case. Especially one including an abused kid with a disability who’s been accused of murder.’

  Deacon sighed. ‘I can’t guarantee that Andrew is untouchable, but in my experience, he’s been discreet. That’s all I can give you.’

  ‘It’ll have to be enough for now, I guess. Thanks, Deacon.’

  Deacon clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Good luck.’

  I hope we don’t need it, but I’m pretty sure we will, Diesel thought as he entered the interview room.

  Michael was sitting in a chair, hugging himself, so pale that Diesel was surprised the kid hadn’t passed out. Dani sat beside him, a tenseness beneath her exterior of calm. Rex sat quietly, hands folded in front of him, the picture of the proper lawyer, and Diesel could see how Michael might doubt their friendship.

  Hell, half the time Diesel wondered why any of them were his friends, but he was grateful that they were. The team at the Ledger was more like a family.

  My family.

  His gaze moved past Maddie, the social worker, to a man he’d never seen. Andrew, the interpreter. Diesel would be doing a thorough search of his background and finances. Just in case the guy got greedy.

  ‘Diesel. Thank you for coming.’ Dani gave him a smile that made his pulse skitter. It was mostly relieved, her smile, but there was also something else there. Trust. That she trusted him with this was enough to make him hope.

  If nothing else, it was a damn good place to start.

  ‘Always.’ He’d always come when she needed him. The woman had no clue just how much power she held over him. But this was about the boy looking at Diesel like he was his salvation. He sat next to Michael, bumping shoulders with the kid. ‘You okay?’ he signed.

  Michael shook his head. ‘Scared,’ he signed back.

  ‘I understand. But Rex is a very good attorney. I’ve known him for years. I’d trust him with my life.’

  Michael nodded, seeming to relax a little. ‘I don’t want to tell anyone anything. This is . . .’ He clenched his eyes shut for a few seconds before starting again. ‘What happened to me . . . it’s so embarrassing.’

  ‘I get it,’ Diesel signed, hoping the kid could see the seriousness in his eyes. ‘But if you were mugged, would you be embarrassed to tell?’

  ‘No, but this is different.’

  ‘Of course it is. But for now, for the next hour or however long it takes us to get through what you have to say, pretend in your mind that you were mugged. Tell Rex everything just like you would then, okay?’

  ‘Okay.’ Michael turned to Rex, squaring his thin shoulders. ‘I’m ready.’

  Diesel glanced at Dani, his pulse stumbling again. She was looking at him with gratitude and respect and a bit of awe. Add those to trust, and I can work with that.

  Rex smiled
kindly. ‘I know this is difficult, Michael. Please know that I’ll do everything I can to get you through this. Plus you have Dani and Diesel. Let’s start at the beginning. Your stepfather, John Brewer, is dead. Your mother accuses you of doing it—’

  ‘But I didn’t!’ Michael interrupted. The interpreter’s voice clearly communicated the boy’s dismay.

  Rex nodded. ‘I hear you.’

  ‘Do you believe me?’

  ‘I can’t know that until you tell me everything. I want to believe you, Michael. I know Diesel and Dani already do, and that’s powerful. Okay, so you had a gun hidden under your pillow. Those are basically the facts we have right now. That your mother accuses you doesn’t mean that I think you did it. But it’s a fact that she’s accused you. Do you see the difference?’ When Michael nodded, he went on. ‘I want to note all the facts we have. To do that, I’ll be asking you for your opinions, too. Okay?’

  Michael nodded again, suspicion in his eyes. ‘Okay.’

  ‘Why did your mother accuse you of killing your stepfather?’

  Michael swallowed hard. ‘She knew I hated him.’

  ‘Did you hate him?’ Rex pressed.

  Michael nodded again, his jaw setting with fury. ‘I did.’

  Rex held the boy’s gaze. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because he beat me. And . . . did other things. He’d come to my bed and—’ Michael pressed a fist to his mouth.

  Diesel placed his hand between Michael’s shoulder blades, anchoring him. ‘Think of it as a mugging,’ he signed one-handed. ‘You didn’t do anything wrong.’

  ‘She said I did.’ Michael’s hands shook as he signed. ‘She said I seduced him.’

  Diesel bit back a roar of rage. ‘I don’t believe you did that. You shouldn’t believe it, either.’

  Michael nodded shakily and turned back to Rex. He took a deep breath and signed, ‘He raped me. And when I told my mother, she said I was lying – at first. But then she found bloodstains on my sheets and got so mad at me. She said I seduced him. That I was the reason he didn’t want her anymore.’

  Rex jotted notes on the legal pad in front of him. ‘What did you say to your mother?’