“Shit doesn’t start with an F.”
Kate cringed; she hadn’t even realized she’d used the “F” word.
“And I never swore like you young bucks do. It’s an embarrassment.” He shook his head and put the rocks glass on the bar. “I should wash your mouth with soap.”
Kate turned her pearly whites on him. “You gotta catch me first.”
Not one to be outsmarted, he said, “I hear you may not be as fast as you used to be.”
She grimaced. “Ouch.”
The smile disappeared from his face. “Too soon?”
Grinning, she said, “Naw, I’m good.”
“Speaking of which, how are you?” Zane asked
“Ninety-eight percent?” She didn’t sound sure.
“You talk to the chief yet?”
She was no longer jovial. “No, I still have some stuff to work out.”
“Yeah, but I hear you had time to talk to Moore,” Zane said, not able to hide his disappointment.
“That ass--, jerkwad. I told him not to say anything. I said I hadn’t told anyone, and please let me be the one to tell you.”
“Well, maybe he wanted to rub it in that he knew and I didn’t. It’s always a power trip with him.”
“Yes, it is,” Kate agreed. “Anyway, cat’s out of the bag. Here I am. And I guess we have some things to work out between us, too.”
Pops groaned. “Not this again.”
Kate laughed.
Zane thought about his conversation with Rex Williams. “Speaking of working things out…we need to talk.”
She looked at Pops, then back at Zane. “Like your dad said, not here.” She looked tired now.
“I didn’t say that,” Pops protested.
“Not about us,” Zane said, then lied, “I’m over that.”
“We can sit at a table,” Kate said to Zane, then to Pops, “and maybe you can join us.”
Code 7 was all about efficiency. They served drinks at the bar, no cocktail servers, and the only food on the menu was pizza and fried food. And they only served cheese pizza to make it even simpler. For the most part, Pops ran the place by himself. Zane’s mom worked as an ER nurse in Sulphur Springs, so she helped out when she could, but she worked long shifts and even had an apartment next to the hospital, so she wouldn’t have to drive home exhausted.
Zane said, “I’ll pop a pizza in the oven, then come sit with you. Pick a table.”
“I’ve got it. You two go sit down. It’s not busy just yet and most everyone is drinking beer anyway, so my job is easy tonight.” Zane’s dad disappeared into the kitchen.
“What are you drinking?” Zane stepped behind the bar.
“Maker’s,” Kate said and moved her glass forward.
He poured for her, then filled a glass with club soda and squeezed a lime into it. Kate got up, and they walked to a table in the back of the bar.
“I’ve got to get back to it soon, but I’m glad I ran into you. You look like the time off was good to you,” Zane said.
They slipped onto the benches of the booth on opposite sides.
“Look, I know I was mad at you right when I got out of the hospital, but that’s not why I didn’t contact you these last few months. I’ve been in therapy. I call the number you gave me and left that day.”
“You could have let me know. But, look, I don’t want to fight about that. I’m glad you’re home and you’re doing well,” Zane said.
“I’m fat,” Kate said. “And I’m doing okay mentally, but I have things I still need to work out. I just talked to Geo Newton’s aunt before I came here. I wanted to get advice from your dad.”
“Kate, that case is closed. Let sleeping dogs lie,” Zane said, almost consoling.
“No, it’s not closed. Geo wasn’t killed by a gang member. There are things you just don’t know,” Kate nearly growled at Zane.
“Don’t get all worked up. I’m not the enemy here.”
“I’m not worked up,” Kate defended herself.
“Okay, whatever you say, but you’re doing that thing with your voice.”
Kate cleared her throat. Zane laughed. The tension eased a bit.
“I talked to Geo’s aunt today. Zane, she’s scared shitless.”
Zane frowned. What shit had Kate stirred up? “Of what?”
“The cops.”
Zane just stared at her, waiting. He knew she’d give it up without him having to ask.
Kate relayed the story. “I’m only telling you this because I trust you with my life.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. Opening it, she handed it to him. “She showed me this, so I took a picture.”
Zane took her phone and looked. “What’s this?”
“She said whoever killed Newton was ruthless. Didn’t even care that he was making noise. He actually whistled the theme to The Andy Griffith Show while he walked through the house. He was looking for witnesses, Zane, and he intended to kill anyone in that house.”
“Did she ever see his face?” Zane asked.
“No, but she took this photo a few days later when she saw the print. She said she never went into the bedroom, so she didn’t clean it regularly. And the print is clear.”
“This is a boot print,” Zane said, handing her phone back.
“She said he wore boots and sweats. Weird combination.” Kate put her phone away. “I’m telling you, there’s a dirty cop in our station.”
Zane’s dad brought another round of drinks with the pizza. Zane wondered how many glasses of whisky Kate had already downed. She spoke slow, and her words slurred.
As they ate pizza, Zane told Kate about Sousa and Rex.
“Do you think Rex could be dirty?” Kate asked. She sounded tired.
“I don’t know. I haven’t looked at that angle yet. But if he is, he had to be around when you were shot. Was he and we just didn’t see him? He knew all about Geo. Said they’d worked a deal.”
“Abby said they took the Rover,” Kate looked at the pizza and turned green. “Zane, I don’t feel so well.”
“Whisky and pizza not mixing?” He tried to sound sympathetic, but it wasn’t the first time Kate had drowned her problems in whisky.
She didn’t answer.
“You want me to walk you to the bathroom?” he asked.
“Can you just take me home?” Kate said.
Zane walked Kate out through the kitchen. “Hey, Dad, put the drinks and pizza on my tab.”
“Everything okay?” Pops asked.
“One too many Maker’s,” Zane said.
“Gosh, that’s too bad. Maybe take her back to your place so you can keep an eye on her,” Pops said and winked.
Zane debated taking her to his place or taking her home. But he couldn’t stay and take care of her, so her house it was.
* * *
Walking her up the porch stairs, Kate turned to him and said, “I really missed you. I love you, you know.”
Zane tried not to respond, but the words were out before he could stop himself. “I love you, too.”
Was it the whisky talking, or did the whisky allow Kate to say how she really felt?
Bryce met them at the door. “What happened?” The alarm in his voice even scared Zane.
“She’s fine, just too much to drink,” Zane said.
Bryce helped get her in the house. “You got her drunk? She’s been in rehab for eight weeks, and you got her drunk?”
“Rehab?” Zane stared at Bryce, disbelieving.
“Okay, therapy, same thing,” Bryce said. He pulled Kate away from Zane.
“No, it’s not the same thing. Two completely different things, as a matter of fact.”
“She went to that PTSD clinic. The whole shooting thing fucked with her head.”
“Right, that I knew.” Though Zane didn’t really know anything about how the therapy went because they had only talked about Newton and Sousa.
“You can go. I’ll take her upstairs. Then I have to go to work,” Bryce said
.
Zane looked at his watch. “This late? I thought you worked nine to five.”
“I work whenever there’s a suspicious death.”
Kate looked at Bryce. “Zane will take me.”
Bryce looked skeptical. “Is this a good idea?”
“What? You don’t think I’ll take care of her?” Zane snapped.
Bryce stepped back. “She’s all yours. And you can clean up the puke, too.”
“I have to get back to work on my case, and you’re going to work. Who will keep an eye on her?” Zane asked.
“Well, don’t ask Azizi. Kate and her don’t get on that well.” Bryce picked his messenger bag off the table by the door and walked out.
Kate wasn’t so drunk she didn’t know what was going on; Zane had seen her that drunk before. She was just drunk enough to have the spins, and he didn’t want her to fall going up the stairs.
He walked her up to her room and laid her on the bed. He didn’t dare undress her, lest she think he had ulterior motives. The night still warm, so he didn’t even pull back the covers, just moved the pillow to a more comfortable position.
After she settled, he went to the bathroom and found an antique wash basin she could use as a puke bucket. It would have to do. He rummaged through the medicine cabinet and found Alka Seltzer and baby aspirin. Back in the bedroom, he placed the items on the nightstand, next to a bottle of water that had already been there. Then he sat by her on the bed.
“Here’s a wash basin to puke into, in case you don’t make it to the bathroom in time. There’s a bottle of water on your nightstand already, and I put the children’s chewables and Alka Seltzer next to it. Do you want the aspirin now?” He placed his hand over hers.
She took his hand. “I want you to stay with me. I’m tired of being alone.” She pulled his hand to her chest and held it tight. “Please stay with me.”
Dear God, why him? He needed to get back out on the streets. He needed to talk to Moore and find out what really happened to Geo Newton without giving away anything Kate had told him. And he needed to talk to Rex. Rex had answers he needed; Zane was sure of it.
Kate whispered, “Stay with me,” and Zane’s logic went out the window. He walked around to the other side of the bed and laid down. He’d just stay long enough for her to start snoring.
Chapter 21
Kate awoke with a massive headache, feeling nauseous. Why the hell did she drink that last glass of Maker’s? Or even gotten started in the first place? Zane, that’s why, and his dad. No, that wasn’t it and she knew it. She couldn’t make excuses for her behavior, and couldn’t blame anyone but herself. She’d definitely gotten that much out of her therapy. She also needed to learn to forgive, but that part was taking longer to sink in.
At least she remembered everything. She hadn’t had sex with Zane, thank God. Though she wanted to, she’d have vomited all over him, and that wouldn’t be good. It would probably change the way he felt about her. Or would it? She should never have told him she still loved him. Damn her loose lips. But she said it, and he said he loved her, too. Did he really, or was he saying that to appease her in her state of stupor? Did it matter?
A loud bang on the bedroom door startled her out of her thoughts.
The door opened. “Get up. We need to have a chat.”
“Bryce, go away. I’m not in the mood,” Kate pulled the covers over her head. Sometime in the night she’d gotten up, changed clothes and climbed under the covers.
“No, I won’t go away.” He walked into the room and sat at the foot of the bed, facing her. “Kate, Luis Trevino was killed last night.”
Kate sat up straight, a huge mistake. Her head swam and her stomach churned. “Move.” She shoved the covers off and lunged toward the bathroom.
Dry heaving into the sink, every pore in her body poured sweat. She looked up to see Bryce standing in the doorway. “Just like old times.”
“Not exactly.” Kate sat on the toilet, facing the sink. “What happened?”
“Well, he came to us as a hit and run, but we worked late into the night. He died from a whack to the head. Hard enough to crack his skull like an eggshell. He was broken.”
“What do you mean?”
Bryce leaned against the doorframe. “His head wasn’t the only thing cracked.”
“Whoa. Do you know what he was hit with?” Kate asked, trying to get her bearings enough to stand up.
“Considering he had broken ribs, a broken hip, and a broken femur, we called it a hit and run car accident. I’m pretty sure it was a hit, hit again, then maybe back over the body before running.”
“So you agree with the hit and run assessment,” Kate said. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because Trevino was working the case with Zane. You know, Chad Sousa. And now he’s dead. Geo Newton was going to tell you something, he’s dead. You should be dead, but you’re not. If I were you, I’d be very careful. I don’t think this accident was an accident. He was hit while jogging on a remote road last night. He was found by some teenagers who’d gone out there to drink beer.”
“The teenagers told the cops they were there to drink beer?” Kate was skeptical.
“Not exactly, but why else would teens be on a backroad at three in the morning on a school night?” He had a point.
“Trevino went running in the middle of the night?” Kate’s head hurt so bad she was having trouble putting the pieces together.
“Maybe he just got off work,” Bryce said. “But I doubt it. He’d been there awhile.”
“Our shifts run from six to six,” Kate said. “Do you have any timeline? Did your boss give an estimated TOD?”
“When a person is out in the elements, it’s not always easy to pin it down, but he was still in rigor, so he died anywhere from two to eight hours before he was transported to the hospital. We were already working on a body that came in from Lake Peculiar, so I was working late. I’m gonna have a nice paycheck. Not having to pay rent, I’ll be a millionaire soon enough.”
“Not if you keep dating the chicks you date. You’ll die from a disease first.” Kate tried to stand. “I need to call Zane. He might be next.”
“Zane’s too high profile to kill. And probably too hard to kill,” Bryce said.
Kate said, “He mentioned someone by the name of Rex Williams. Said the guy was DEA. Something happened yesterday, and Zane arrested him. He knew he was DEA, but the guy wanted the bust to look real, so Zane hauled him in. But then things took a turn and he was transported to county when Zane thought he’d be kicked loose. Or something like that. It’s kind of fuzzy right now.”
“If someone dies in jail, we get those bodies, too. Have to in order to avoid a lawsuit. I haven’t seen any bodies from the jail in months. And usually those are overdoses, like that one chick.”
“Kim?” Kate said.
“Yeah, her.” Bryce pushed off the wall. “Want a Bloody Mary and a pot of coffee?”
“I want that strong stuff Azizi makes,” Kate said. “I’ll clean up and drink the Alka Seltzer Zane left on the nightstand, then I’ll be down.”
“You know I’m only making coffee and Bloody Marys because I want you to keep me posted,” Bryce said as he left the room.
“Yeah, well, you’ve kept me posted, so I’d tell if I knew something anyway,” Kate said quietly. She didn’t want to ruin her chances of a Bryce Trident Bloody Mary.
She walked back to the bed and sat down. Her clothes and purse were in a pile on the floor, and she leaned slowly over and dug through them for her phone. She didn’t want to call Zane in case he was in a meeting, which he surely would be, so she sent him a text.
Thanks for last night. Can I see you again today? We need to talk about us.
The message was slightly underhanded, because she knew he’d respond to anything regarding their relationship, but she really did want to talk about them.
She broke up the seltzer tablets and put them in her bottle of water. While she waited for th
em to dissolve, she must have checked her phone for a response at least ten times. He hadn’t messaged back. But they both had iPhones, and she could see he’d read the message.
“He’s got to be in a meeting,” she said out loud as she picked up her water bottle and headed to the bathroom.
By the time she showered and dressed, and had gone downstairs, she still hadn’t even gotten a “K” from him. Was he mad at her? How selfish of her! He had a lot more important things on his mind at the moment.
Kate sat down in the breakfast nook at the back of the kitchen. It was a small area that looked like it had once been part of the small service quarters. Bryce, being unusually gracious, brought her a Bloody Mary while he finished making coffee.
“It’s not as good as Azizi’s, but it’s chicory,” Bryce said.
Azizi opened the backdoor. “Did I hear my name?”
She held a basket in her hand. Entering, she put the basket on the table next to Kate and opened it. “I thought you might be feeling a bit under the weather.”
Kate turned to look at Bryce, who shrugged.
“Biscuits with sausage gravy, cheese eggs, and home fries.” She pulled out covered pans, then pulled out a large thermos. “And coffee.”
If Kate felt better, she’d have stood and hugged Azizi. “Did Bryce tell you I wasn’t feeling well?”
“Bryce, oh honey, I haven’t seen him since yesterday morning. I was in town all day yesterday, and I slept at a friend’s house.” Azizi took the three coffee cups Bryce handed her. “Get some cream and sugar, honey.”
Bryce dutifully got the cream from the icebox, sugar from the cabinet, and brought them to the table. “Here, let me pour.” He took the thermos from Azizi.
Kate shivered, and not from the hangover. Azizi scared the crap out of her.
“Oh, and I’m sorry for your loss,” she said.
“Excuse me?” Kate said.
“May your good memories keep you in this time of sorrow,” Azizi replied. She used her bare hands to pick biscuits from the basket, then pulled a ladle out and scooped sausage gravy over the biscuits. “Eat up. It’s best when it’s piping hot.”
Kate wanted to ask her how she knew about her hangover, and about Trevino, but she couldn’t. Genuinely afraid to know, she just stuffed her face with food.
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