“According to Cuzco, Solomon is being blamed for kidnapping, arson, and destruction of Armando’s company property,” Kaiser stated, rising to his feet. His eyes were narrowed, and his thin lips were pulled into a firm line. “I’ve dispatched Saul. He’ll let us know specifics as soon as he can.”
Anthony sucked in a slow, harsh breath through his nose, attempting to get his racing pulse under control. Practically trembling in impotent rage, he gritted his teeth. His handsome lover hadn’t been anywhere near anyone to kidnap, and for someone to—
Feeling Kaiser’s hand on his neck, squeezing lightly in a rhythmic massage, Anthony felt his trembles ease. He rubbed his hands over his shorts as he bowed his head and focused on getting himself under control. Saul Davison was their pod’s attorney. He was a jellyfish shifter who found the twists and turns of the legal system fascinating. He’d figure out how to get Solomon off the ridiculous charges.
As Anthony’s ire eased, a thought struck him. “Who is he being charged with kidnapping? Braylon? Or the assholes you guys picked up?”
Anthony knew that Eban had had a couple of their pod’s enforcers pick up Jim and Thanos. They’d been interrogating them. Evidently, the pair were pretty well connected within Armando’s organization and had overheard a number of shady conversations.
Braylon’s father’s business practices weren’t all on the up and up.
Kaiser shook his head. “Cuzco didn’t hear. He’s the one who called Eban, who contacted me. We even had to look up Detective Grisham Canton’s credentials to know which precinct Solomon was being taken to.”
“Do you think Solomon would call you with his one phone call?” Eban asked, cocking his head. “Or do you think he’d call someone else?”
Anthony opened his mouth, prepared to say that of course Solomon would call him. Then he paused. “Uh, actually, I don’t recall ever giving him my phone number.” Seeing the surprise on both men’s faces, he shrugged as he felt his face heat. “He’s been here with me, and he lost his phone some... where... oh!” His eyes widened. “And his wallet. Do you think that’s the evidence the cops have against him? His stuff was planted at some crime scene?”
“That’s an interesting idea,” Kaiser mused. “Are you done for the day? We should get going.”
Nodding, Anthony headed to the desk and grabbed his jacket. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
Following the pair out of the infirmary, Anthony found Westram waiting outside. The enforcer fell into step with them, and they all headed out of the park.
Chapter Eight
Solomon sat on the hard plastic chair, his wrist cuffed to the table. Opposite him, Detective Canton sat with another detective who’d been introduced as his partner, Clive Bronson. No matter what they asked, Solomon remained calm and relaxed... and he stuck with his innocence.
“No, detective. I was not anywhere near the docks on Monday evening.” That had been three days before. He’d been shacked up with Anthony at that time. It’d been the best five days of his life. “May I have my phone call now, please?”
While Solomon didn’t know all the aspects of police procedure, he did know that he was supposed to be given a call so he could find representation. He’d intended to call Anthony and ask if he knew a good lawyer. Then he’d realized he didn’t have his lover’s phone number, so he’d planned to call an army buddy who he knew could help. Sergeant Robert Stretke. He hadn’t talked to the man in three weeks, but he knew Stretke could find Anthony’s number and contact him for him.
Of course, so far, it’d been a moot point.
“Your wallet was found at the docks, Mister Lynch,” Detective Bronson pointed out aggressively. “How do you explain that?”
Evidently, Bronson was playing the bad cop.
Whatever.
“I was mugged on Friday,” Solomon repeated calmly, holding the detective’s gaze. “I reported my cards stolen on Saturday. You can verify that with my bank and credit card company.”
So glad I did that.
“And we will,” Detective Canton told him, redrawing his attention. “What I’d like to know is why you didn’t report this mugging? Where did it take place? Can you tell me anything about the attackers?”
Solomon nodded, seeing no reason to hide the altercation. It had to come out sometime. “There were at least three of them, maybe four. I know for certain that one man was Jim Erikson, my ex-coworker. I believe another ex-coworker was there, too. Thanos Bridger. Things are a little fuzzy since I was hit on the head several times with a baseball bat.” Glancing between the two, he saw the clear disbelief in Bronson’s eyes, but Canton appeared to be listening and committing the information to memory. “I woke up in the ocean with a cinderblock tied to my feet. I—”
“So now it’s not a mugging,” Detective Bronson cut in, scowling in disbelief. “Now it’s attempted murder. You know that doesn’t help your case, since it’s Jim and Thanos that have gone missing. Maybe you kidnapped them in retaliation.” Bronson leaned forward, resting his hands on the metal table, and snarled, “Admit it, Lynch. You kidnapped and killed them, and you’re making up this ridiculous tale to try to talk your way out of it.”
Solomon didn’t rise to the detective’s bait. Instead, he shook his head. “I had nothing to do with them.”
“You just said—”
A knock on the interrogation room’s door interrupted Detective Bronson. A second later, it opened to reveal a fit man probably in his late forties or early fifties with dark hair hiding hints of gray. He was dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt. He had a badge attached to his belt.
“Yes, Captain?” Detective Canton addressed the man, revealing who he was.
“Is this Solomon Lynch?”
“Yes, sir,” Canton replied.
The captain stepped into the room and beckoned to someone behind him. “Solomon’s legal representation is here.”
A bean-pole thin, six-foot-six man appeared in the doorway. He had shoulder-length blond hair slicked back from his slender, angular features. His pale, thin lips were curved into a smile, but his pale blue eyes held a cold gleam.
The man’s focus was on the detectives.
“You should not be questioning my client without me in the room,” the suited man stated, his voice hard. “This attempt at manipulation will not go ignored. Please leave while I speak with Solomon.” His gaze turned toward Solomon, losing some of the chilliness. “And release Solomon from those cuffs. This man is an ex-soldier, a defender of our fine nation, and should be treated with respect.”
“He’s under arrest for—”
The attorney turned and glared at Detective Bronson. “Solomon is not a flight risk, nor is he a dangerous man.” His eyes narrowed, and his lips curved into a sneer. “Your evidence is circumstantial at best. Release him.”
Detective Canton held up a hand in placation. “I’ll release him from the cuffs”—as he spoke, he rounded the table, his key in hand—”but the evidence is not circumstantial. We have an eyewitness’s testimony that puts Solomon at the docks.”
“I insist on seeing all evidence you have against my client,” the skinny man demanded.
“I’ll put together a report for you and return with it,” Canton told them.
“Very well.” The attorney tipped his chin up and lifted one pencil-thin brow regally. “Knock before you enter, please.”
Once the policemen had left the room, the man turned his attention to Solomon. The ice vanished from his gaze to be replaced by a broad, friendly smile. He held out his hand, which Solomon took on instinct.
“Gods, I love fucking with chauvinistic, manipulative cops.” The man winked as he squeezed then released Solomon’s hand. “I’m Saul Davison, your attorney. I’ve been sent by Kaiser Roush.”
Understanding finally hit Solomon, and he nodded. “Cuzco called one of them, didn’t he?”
Saul nodded and settled in the chair across from him. He folded his hands on the table, leaning tow
ard him. “That he did. So, what have you told those fine representatives of detectives for the PD?”
Solomon chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders. He mirrored Saul’s pose. Briefly, he wondered if the attorney was a shifter, but figured it didn’t matter either way. If Kaiser sent him, that meant he was there to help... and he was probably very, very good.
“Only the truth. I wasn’t anywhere near the docks on Monday night.”
“Very good.” Saul cocked his head, his eyes narrowing. “Did they happen to say much about what evidence has been compiled against you?”
Confused, Solomon felt his brows lift. “You don’t know? But you said it was all circumstantial.”
Saul waved one hand negligently. “That’s because it must be, considering we know you were with Anthony for the last five days. I haven’t actually seen anything,” he revealed. Straightening in his seat, he rubbed his hands down his suit coat, straightening imaginary wrinkles. “We know it’s bullshit, but what did they say and how did you respond?”
Solomon nodded. That made sense. No way could Saul have gotten to him so swiftly if he’d stopped to gather information.
Starting at the top, Solomon relayed his and the detectives’ entire conversation.
Saul sat quietly and listened.
* * * *
Anthony’s bouncing leg must have annoyed Kaiser, for his alpha reached over and rested his hand on Anthony’s knee.
“Relax,” Kaiser rumbled softly. “Solomon will be released soon.”
“He better be.” Anthony grumbled the words, stilling beneath Kaiser’s hand. “He’s been in there way too long already.”
By the time Anthony, Kaiser, and the enforcers had arrived at the police station, Saul had texted Kaiser with the charges and evidence. Someone named Leonard had claimed to be an eyewitness to Solomon’s alleged activities at the docks. According to Leonard, Solomon had followed Jim and Thanos to the location and knocked them out. Solomon had then spray painted some not very nice words on a yacht owned by Perisource, then set fire to a fishing boat that Jim had received permission to borrow from Armando.
Evidently, in Solomon’s hurry to leave with the unconscious pair, he’d dropped his wallet.
Anthony had contacted Ovram and requested footage of Solomon from Monday night. The sea lion shifter had sent the footage to Anthony’s phone so he could give it to the police. The video showed Solomon and Anthony heading into Anthony’s home at seven-thirty that evening. They hadn’t exited until the following morning.
Saul was threatening to sue the department, Leonard, and whoever else kept insisting it was Solomon for slander and defamation of character. The slender attorney had been in his element, reaming the detectives over the coals for shoddy police work and jumping to conclusions. Detective Canton seemed to take it in stride, explaining that in the course of their investigation, Solomon had become a viable suspect due to the eyewitness and being fired by Perisource just that Friday. Detective Bronson glowered angrily, his face nearly as red as a tomato.
Detective Canton had escorted Anthony and the others to a waiting area. He’d apologized to Anthony for hauling in his partner without even a few questions. Anthony had sure loved how that sounded.
Yep, Solomon is my partner.
According to a text Saul had sent Anthony, the detectives were taking Solomon’s statement about his mugging and attempted murder. Once they were done with that, his mate would be escorted to them, and they could leave. Anthony could hardly wait... hence, the bouncing leg.
“Continue to steer clear of town for a bit,” Kaiser ordered softly, leaning toward him, his expression serious. “We have not yet been able to find hard evidence that Armando ordered the hit, but we’ll get there. Ovram is still working on it, and I have a couple of men tracking him and his second-in-command.” Kaiser’s expression turned malicious. “I won’t rest until we take him down.”
Anthony nodded gratefully. When Armando Whitney had crossed Kaiser Roush’s path, he’d created a formidable enemy. He sure was glad that the dominant shifter was on his side.
“Thank you.”
Before Anthony had to come up with anything else, the door opened, and Saul and Solomon walked through. Jumping to his feet, he swiftly crossed the few steps and pulled his mate into his arms. To Anthony’s pleasure, Solomon immediately returned the embrace, wrapping one arm around his waist and threading the fingers of his other hand through Anthony’s hair.
Anthony found his head being tipped back, and Solomon sealed his lips over his mouth. More than happy to go with it, he opened to his mate. Anthony dueled lightly with his mate’s tongue, lapping and sucking his appendage.
“Gentlemen, if you could come up for air, please.”
Kaiser’s amused voice cut into Anthony’s pleasure.
Solomon lifted his head, breaking the kiss. He glanced around, his cheeks pink, a sheepish expression on his face. Clearing his throat, Solomon shrugged as he focused on Kaiser.
“Thanks for the help.”
Nodding once, Kaiser didn’t bother responding.
When Anthony peered around, too, he found various expressions of amusement on the other men’s faces. Even Detective Canton wore a lopsided smile. The only man who seemed upset, his lips twisted in a sneer, was Detective Bronson.
Typical asshole bigot.
“Shall we leave then?” Saul asked before turning and facing Detective Canton. He held out his card to the man. “I would very much like to be kept abreast of my client’s case.”
“Should anything develop, I’ll let you know,” Detective Canton stated, taking the card.
Without giving Bronson the time of day, Saul headed out of the precinct. Anthony threaded his fingers with Solomon’s, unable to release him completely, and followed. Eban and Westram brought up the rear.
“Do you still wish to run by your apartment?” Kaiser asked as he stood by the town car’s door and waited for Eban to open it for him. “We can swing over there if you would like.”
“Yes, please,” Solomon replied, nodding. “I still have a few things to pick up.” Lifting Anthony’s hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to his knuckles before saying, “Do you have your own vehicle? If not, you can ride with me on my motorcycle.” Solomon waggled his brows, and his tone turned suggestive. “I’d love to take you for a ride.”
Anthony chuckled, using their twined fingers to tug Solomon closer. “You can take me for a ride anytime, my mate.”
Solomon growled, his blue eyes glittering, but before he could do more, Eban nudged Anthony with his elbow.
“Get in already,” the enforcer ordered, chuckling.
Laughing, Anthony obeyed.
Over two hours later, Anthony sat behind Solomon on his motorcycle. He rested his hands on his human’s waist and enjoyed the passing scenery. It’d been a few decades since he’d ridden a motorcycle, and the idea of getting one of his own held a certain appeal.
Of course, then I’d miss out on cuddling with my man on the bike. Hmmm... something to consider.
Recognizing the area, Anthony leaned forward and asked, “Where are we going? Back home?” Warmth flooded his body at the idea of calling his condo their home.
“In a bit,” Solomon called back. “Westram told me about the beach you guys own north of the Marine Park. I thought we’d go there and celebrate my release.” Glancing back at him, Solomon flashed his smile. “By enjoying the deep blue sea.”
Excitement surged through Anthony. He couldn’t help his grin. “Really?” He pressed his chest against Solomon’s back and tightened his arms around him. “You want to swim with me?”
“Hell, yeah!” Solomon called back. “I even brought my fins and snorkel. You can show me the cool areas.”
Anthony agreed eagerly. His shark swished vigorously in the back of his mind, eager to swim with their mate. “We’ll have to get you a harpoon gun. You can catch us some fish.”
Solomon nodded as he slo
wed the bike, then turned onto the gravel road. It quickly petered out to a rough dirt road, but he didn’t seem to mind bouncing his bike along it. He kept it slow and steady as they descended a steep road along the side of a cliff.
Once they reached the bottom, Solomon stopped the bike, lowered his stand, and shut off his motorcycle. “You mean you aren’t going to provide the fish?” he teased, easing off his bike. He kept his left hand on the handlebars, making certain the bike would stay upright and not sink and fall in the dirt.
Anthony hopped off it, then watched Solomon reposition the bike before opening a cloth saddlebag. “Well, I can catch fish. You’re my mate, so my shark would be happy to provide for you, but they’d be a bit chewed up,” he admitted, shrugging. He grinned upon seeing Solomon’s surprised expression. “A lot of sharp teeth.”
Solomon laughed as he nudged him with his arm. “Well, it’s a good thing I already have a harpoon gun.” He winked before pulling his satchel from his saddlebag. He held it up. “It’s in here, too. You hungry?” Solomon headed toward the water.
Laughing at Solomon’s enthusiasm, Anthony followed. “Not yet, but I will be by the time we’re done. You gonna cook it over an open fire right here on the beach?” Since the pod of shifters owned the land, they could get away with it.
“If it’s allowed, or I’ll take it back to the condo and use that awesome grill I saw on the back patio.” After placing his bag on a low, flat rock, Solomon whipped his shirt over his head. “Got any veggies in the fridge?” he asked as he folded it and placed it beside the bag.
Pleased beyond reason that his mate wanted to provide for him, Anthony admitted, “I was planning to cut a few veggies for kabobs to grill with steaks tonight, but they’d be just as good with fish.”
After opening his bag, Solomon stripped his boots, socks, and jeans, folding them as well. He pulled a wetsuit from his bag and began pulling it on. Anthony just stared, unable to do anything but admire his sexy mate in tight neoprene.
Solomon had his suit halfway on when he paused and grinned at Anthony. “See something you like?”
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