She wasn’t connecting any dots. She had video proof of some of the crimes and their participants. Kamari had watched the footage last night before Mica got here. And she was saving it in case the men escaped justice. Then, she was going to hunt them down because they were all responsible for her sister’s death in a way.
“I haven’t.”
“I’m coming to Snowbury later,” he said. “I want to talk to you. Don’t make me arrest you for interfering in my investigation just to get a few minutes of your time. Meet me at Coffee Crossing at eleven.”
The line went dead and at the same time the water turned off in the bathroom. Kamari quickly put the phone beneath the nightstand before sitting on the bed.
“You should have joined me in the shower,” Mica said as she stepped into the bedroom.
Kamari gave her a smile. “I’m not sure we’re ready for that level of intimacy,” she said as she allowed her gaze to slide slowly over Mica.
“Oh, really?” Mica asked lifting a brow. “Maybe you’re still just upset.”
“I’m not upset. I think I made my point.”
“I just want you to open up to me,” Mica muttered. “I’m not your enemy.”
“When you try to play me that way, you are,” Kamari retorted and headed to the bathroom. She quickly cleaned up and dressed before exiting.
The smell of coffee wafted on the air along with bacon and eggs. She braided her damp wavy hair in two braids and then headed to the kitchen. Mica was piling food onto a plate in the small room with dark cabinets and appliances.
Her movements were deft and graceful and the wolf watched, hungrily.
Kamari stroked her fingers along her throat and emotions rushed her. Memories of the warmth of Mica against her, the taste of her kiss, and the scent of her skin skittered through her mind. Kamari breathing became unsteady and her mouth dry.
“Oh, good,” Mica said without turning. “Can you grab the juice from the fridge?”
Kamari pulled her gaze from Mica’s lithe body and went to do as she was bid. She took it to the table which was a café style tucked in a corner near a window.
Mica put two plates on the table and then poured them both a cup of coffee before setting dry creamer and sugar on the table.
Kamari sat down and added creamer and sugar to hers and stirred while Mica poured juice into two glasses. Kamari looked up at her and Mica met her gaze.
“You’re right. I was a jerk,” Mica said quietly. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
“That’s all I ask.”
“Cambrie called to cancel your shopping trip,” Mica told her. “Sydney isn’t going to allow her to leave the den given what’s going on.”
“Not a surprise.”
“What are you planning to do when this is over?” Mica asked.
“I don’t know,” she admitted.
“Any ideas?”
She shrugged. “Psychology, maybe.”
“You have experience in that?”
“I have some, but I have a degree, which is all that’s normally required to start one’s own practice, Mica,” she said in amusement.
“I guess. Where would you set up shop?”
“I don’t know.” Kamari shrugged and met Mica’s inquisitive stare. “I don’t really have a home anymore.”
“You could make Snowbury your home and set up practice in Stonington.”
“I could,” Kamari agreed. “I suppose if I had a reason to stick around.”
“Maybe you’re looking at her,” Mica said.
Kamari averted her gaze, the light of hope and something else in Mica’s eyes too bright for her. She couldn’t make promises she might not keep.
“You’re one of those women who’s terrified of commitment, I guess,” Mica commented.
“My last girlfriend was always bitching about my job and the amount of time it took up. The trips out of town, the long hours, and the time I spent with my partner. She wasn’t thrilled about the fact that I was considering a position that would take me away from home even more.”
“How long ago was that?” Mica asked.
“Three years,” Kamari admitted, wondering where Mica was going with this. Maybe she was trying to feel her out to see how receptive she actually would be to a career change or even a move.
“But now your job isn’t your life,” Mica said. “You’d have plenty of time for us.”
Kamari studied her. “Where are you going with this? I already told you you couldn’t lay down the law concerning my life.”
“So, it doesn’t matter what I say. I’m the last place you want to be,” Mica said tonelessly, but the animal stared at her, the gold eyes seething with anger. “You’re here because you need me, but when you get your sister’s killer, you’re moving on.”
“Don’t make it sound as if it’s you,” she said defensively.
“It would be anyone wanting to get close to you, I suppose,” Mica said.
“It’s not like that,” Kamari muttered. “I’m not afraid to get close. I just prefer not to, and you’re the one who started this.”
Mica studied her, the smile she gave her, mocking. “I think we both started it,” she said.
“I wasn’t the only one looking and wanting, but we both know why, and the fact that we’re mates is the primary point here. How can you even think of walking away from me?”
Kamari shook her head. “I haven’t decided anything yet, damn it!” she snapped. “I can’t with my head so full of you.” She pushed out a harsh breath. “I know the chemistry isn’t everything. Emotions are forming and walking away from you won’t be that easy.”
Mica nodded, hurt in her eyes, before she turned her attention to her meal. Kamari hated to cause her pain, but she’d rather not lead Mica to believe she would stay when she had no idea what she was going to do.
They finished up their meal and Mica cleaned up the dishes with Kamari’s help.
“I’m going up to Samarra’s,” Mica told her. “I want to share what you gave me with her.
She has a meeting with Jericho later.”
“Can I come?”
“No. Samarra wouldn’t allow it,” Mica told her. “But I’ll let you know what happens.”
“Thanks.” Kamari didn’t expect the truth that was why she had plans of her own to put in place.
“Don’t do anything crazy, Kamari,” Mica told her with a frown. “Let’s just see how that meeting goes before you start planning to kill anyone.”
“Fine.” She shrugged.
Mica gave her a skeptical look, but left her alone. Kamari exhaled roughly and leaned against the counter. She wouldn’t get in the way of pack business, after all she wasn’t pack. Anyway, she needed to get out of here so she could make that meeting.
That jackass McGill would arrest her for anything he could and then let her sweat it out before dropping the charges.
Still, if he’d called her about this, Randy must have found something. The question was, what was she going to do about it?
If it was Jericho would she let the legal system handle it?
Chapter Thirty
“Hey,” Delany said when she entered the house. “How’s your girl?”
“I told you she wasn’t mine,” she said irritably.
Kamari had made it clear she enjoyed her sexually, but she wasn’t set on sticking around unless she had to kill a few people.
The rejection still stung. No, it left her raw and reeling. The only reason she wasn’t out there in the woods someplace running off her fury was because she knew wallowing in her pain wasn’t going to lessen it.
“But Kamari did get her hands on some information,” Mica said tonelessly. “It’s pretty damning, but I don’t know that it will do us any good. He’ll try to spin it.”
“It’s worth a try,” Delany told her. “If it will avert a war.”
“Where’s Samarra?”
“Kitchen with Adalyn.”
“Come on. I don’t really want to
have to go through this more than once,” Mica told her and led the way to the sunny kitchen. Samarra was seated at the table having coffee and Adalyn sipped at her juice.
“Have you started working things out with Kamari?” Samarra asked.
“I don’t know,” she said softly. Not well enough.
“Then, pack your bag. You’re heading to Hartsland. The Coalition is pushing hard. They think Mallory is guilty of killing Isa, but Sydney has been cleared.”
“You gave them the footage of Connie’s murder?”
“Yeah,” Samarra said. “That’s the only thing that saved her. The Coalition wanted to charge her and Cambrie as well as you.”
“Me?”
“With Powell’s murder,” Samarra told her. “Apparently, Jericho went running to them last night. I’m sure he wanted to add as much fuel to the fire as possible.”
“So, the pack is safe?” Mica asked.
“No.” Samarra shook her head. “They announced that Mallory and I would both be sanctioned, animal law.”
“You?” Adalyn demanded.
“I’m her alibi,” Samarra said quietly. “They think I lied and I’m covering for her. They’re going to launch an investigation into the waitress. If she’s not human, they’re going to charge her as well as you, Mica.”
“Shit,” Mica snapped. “I warned her this would happen.”
“How could you guess?” Delaney asked curiously.
“Kamari went to Amy’s and what she found is going to set Jericho’s pack on its ear, and the Coalition will have to back off,” Mica told her as she pulled up a file on her phone.
“How?” Adalyn asked.
“Tiny and Jericho were involved in the murders of Cambrie’s cousin and her family.
Jericho struck the killing blow of her cousin.”
“What?” Adalyn demanded incredulously.
“Oh, yeah, and it gets even more interesting,” Mica said. “Jericho and a few of his buddies are on video talking about some murders they committed. It’s been years ago now, but there were six women involved.”
“Clive was one of those buddies?” Samarra asked.
“Yep. I think there’s more, but Kamari’s holding back. Her sister was probably in one of those videos, but she doesn’t want to hand it over in case we can’t get him.”
“The Coalition might not move on Jericho, but with the right proof Jenner could get him,” Samarra said.
“Kamari likely has it,”
“She has to know how important this is,” Adalyn said. “Did you tell her the Coalition is on our asses, and we could be looking at mass executions, a war, and death?”
“She thinks Jericho killed her sister, so she’s not going to turn over anything that might be lost,” Mica admitted.
“I have footage of the murders and video and audio of his meeting with the hyena, Sorrento, in which they planned the murder of Cambrie’s cousin and her husband. The deal to secure the land from Oakland and give part of it to Jericho after the hyenas defeated Snow Fur is on there.”
“Mallory should know about this,” Delany suggested. “He’s been on her ass making her doubt, when he’s the one who’s out of line.”
“She will be told,” Samarra told her quietly. “The problem is how to deal with this. Jenner wants to bring in the human legal system to hold you accountable for murder, though he’s not pressing assault charges. Tiny does plan to, though, but that’s not our way. This is a shifter matter.”
“I’ll deal with that,” Mica said. “But we can’t allow Jericho and his people to get away with what they did.”
“But why kill Isa?” Adalyn asked.
“Apparently, Amy gathered the information, but with her dead, Isa still had access to it or would have,” Mica said.
“What about Powell?” Adalyn queried with a frown. “I didn’t know him, but it seemed like he was some fantastic guy or something the way Jericho and Jenner went on. How do we deal with his death in connection to Isa’s?”
“Kamari’s an agent with an outstanding record,” Samarra said. “She won’t do time for
Powell’s death, no matter how he died. The problem will be dealing with is the very animal aspect of this and the possibility that he killed one of their own.”
“Let their families rip each other apart,” Delany said. “It’s not our concern.”
“No, but they’ll want to blame the agent,” Samarra said. “I might end up having to share this footage with other members of the Snow Dogs just to get Jericho to back the hell down.”
“Sometimes dirty pool is necessary,” Mica said with a shrug.
“I want you to come to the meeting with me,” Samarra said. “Delany will you keep an eye on Adalyn?”
“Yes.”
****
Jerry paced his office in shock after viewing the video footage he’d received this morning. He wanted to shred something, anything, but found himself growling with every step he took.
He spared Collier Beck a cold glare and Collier returned it from his place on the edge of Jerry’s desk.
“We have to do something about this,” Jerry muttered.
“That’s why I’m here,” Collier snapped. “When I got that video this morning I knew I couldn’t wait until this afternoon for a meet.”
Jerry swallowed tightly and tried to control his breathing as his animal raged in fury. It was that damned waitress.
“You were already on your way here? Why?”
“Two of the guys were picked up yesterday morning—that’s when I got in my car and headed here.”
“Did you have any luck in getting the Dropbox files hacked?” Jerry asked.
“Yes, and they’re gone, but apparently Isa had copies,” Collier snarled. “How could you let this happen?”
“Did you get a message with your file?” Jerry demanded.
“Yeah. You’re going to pay,” he said.
“The waitress,” Jerry replied. “Her name is Kamari Sang. Does the name ring any bells? She has to have some connection to this other than Isa.”
“Fuck. Arleigh has a sister. She lives in Washington most of the time. She’s an FBI agent.”
“Shit,” he growled. “Jenner said the waitress was an FBI agent. What the hell brought her to my town, Collier?”
“I don’t know,” he snapped. “She didn’t know who killed her sister. But we better take care of her before she becomes an even bigger problem. It’s clear she has some files that will get us all the needle.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Jenner gave them a cold glare when they arrived at the police station. Mica returned it, as did Samarra.
“What do you want?” he demanded.
“Where’s Jericho?” Samarra asked. “He’s supposed to meet us here.”
“He’s busy,” Jenner said dismissively. “He’s done attempting to deal with you, so get out.”
Samarra took the guest chair before his desk and Mica took up residence next to the door. “I think he’s going to regret blowing us off,” Samarra told him and produced the SD card Mica had given her before they’d left. “Watch it and tell me what you think and take a look at these.”
Samarra threw an envelope onto the desk. Jenner gave her a hard look.
“What is it?” he demanded.
“Find out, asshole,” Samarra told him.
He held her gaze for a long moment before picking up the envelope and emptying the contents onto his desk. He took his time going through the pictures. When he looked up three minutes later, his color had faded some.
“What in the hell kind of joke is this?” he demanded.
“Take a look at the video,” Samarra ordered. “Maybe that will clarify things a little more.”
He grabbed the plastic case the card was in and inserted the card into his computer. He opened the file and spent the next ten minutes watching as the conspiracy to murder and steal unfolded before him.
“Where did you get this?” he demanded tightly and Mica imag
ined his illusions of his alpha were crumbling fast.
“Amy, but it was care of Isa, along with this.” Mica threw him another case.
He caught it and quickly inserted it into his computer. His expression went from unreadable to one of utter horror.
“My god,” he whispered. “I can’t believe this.” Jenner closed his eyes and swallowed tightly. “I’d heard rumors that he was involved with the hyenas, but I never believed.” He shook his head. “That bastard. He had Connie killed after using her to incite violence.”
“Not to mention being involved in serial rape and murder,” Mica added.
Jenner got to his feet wiping a hand through his hair. “Amy had been acting strange around him for months,” he said.
“What are you going to do about this?” Samarra demanded. “Since he wanted to bring in the human justice system, it’s clear that he should be brought in.”
He turned to his desk and grabbed the phone. He punched in a number. “Yeah, where’s Tiny and Andre?” He nodded. “Bring them in. Charge of murder.” Jenner replaced the phone. “They’ll make bail, but they’ll be dead by sunset.”
Mica shrugged. The pack would take care of them. “What about Jericho?”
“He’s alpha, and the DA will be hesitant to bring a case. On top of that, the Coalition will be behind him. They’ll make sure charges are never filed.”
“Even with the rapes?”
“It was long ago,” he said grimly. “There won’t be any evidence to find even if the FBI does get involved.”
“FBI?” Mica asked with a frown.
“They’re coming down before noon,” he said. “They want to talk to me about some murders. I’ll pass this on to them,”
“What about Mallory?”
“The DA doesn’t want to prosecute. Some of the evidence was stolen and the rest tainted.”
“In what way?” Mica asked with a frown.
“There are no fingerprints on the cuff links, and Mallory’s prints weren’t in the room. No one can place her with Isa, and the only witness says she saw a man. Not only that, your girl’s story that Isa told her Jerry had her killed will prevent true prosecution of her.”
Getting Nawty With the Coyote Page 16