Iron Cross (COBRA Securities Book 20)

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Iron Cross (COBRA Securities Book 20) Page 16

by Velvet Vaughn


  Beneath the glow of a security light, he saw a red Lexus waiting outside his gate. “No way. It’s Ricky Westfield.”

  “You’re kidding.” Kayla withdrew her gun.

  Finn glanced at her. “Do you think that’s necessary?”

  “Yes. I’m not letting him get another shot at you.”

  When Ricky saw them pull up, he got out of his car. His hands were empty, so Kayla lowered her weapon but kept it at the ready.

  Finn rolled down his window. “Hey, Ricky.”

  “Finn, I couldn’t get to you at the arena. The police blocked off the tunnel and wouldn’t let me through, even though my name is on the arena.” He shook his head in disgust. “I had to see for myself that you’re okay.”

  Technically, it was his father’s name. “I’m fine.”

  “I need to talk to you. Please. It’s important.”

  He felt Kayla bristle beside him, but he’d known and trusted Ricky a long time. Besides, if he tried anything, Kayla would be at his side. “Come on in.”

  “Thank you, Finn.” Ricky hurried back to his car.

  “You sure that’s wise?”

  He hitched a shoulder. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

  “I’m keeping my gun handy,” Kayla promised.

  His lip twitched. “I’d expect nothing less.”

  Ricky followed them through the gate. Finn punched the button on the garage door and pulled inside. He and Kayla exited before the door lowered and met Ricky beside his car. He introduced them, and they shook hands before he led them inside the house.

  “I heard about the cut brake line during the commercial shoot. Now someone took a shot at the fan appreciation event.” Ricky shook his head. “My father is rolling over in his grave.” He pinned Finn with a stern look. “I’m taking her to court. That team belongs to me.”

  He hoped Ricky succeeded—assuming he hadn’t just attempted murder. “I agree. Good luck.”

  Now Ricky’s eyes narrowed. “There’s something wrong with her.”

  “Georgiana?” Besides the fact that her wardrobe looked like a walking advertisement for Pepto Bismol. “What do you mean?”

  “I hired private investigators to dig into her background for any ammunition I could use in court, but they couldn’t find anything. She’s supposedly from Georgia, but there are no records of her. She just suddenly appeared, sunk her claws into my father and stole my birthright.”

  #

  Kayla had the same reservations about Georgiana, so she’d contacted her office earlier in the day to dig into her background. She texted Tyler to ask if they’d come up with anything. A minute later, her phone rang.

  “I was just about to call you,” Tyler said. “I caught a glimpse of breaking news on the television. Something about a shooting at Westfield Arena.”

  Kayla filled him in on what happened and their theories about who was targeted.

  “There were no records of Georgiana in Georgia, so it took longer to find her since we had to comb the entire country. I hacked…uh, I mean found her social security number and located her. Before marrying Broderick Westfield, Georgiana Shaffer worked in a library in a small town in Montana.”

  “I never would’ve pegged her for a librarian.”

  “She wasn’t.”

  “But you just said—”

  “I said Georgiana Shaffer worked in a library.”

  “Tyler…”

  “Check out the photos I just sent you.”

  Kayla scrolled to the pictures that showed a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and about two hundred pounds heavier than Georgiana. Realization dawned. “She’s a fake.” She knew there was something off about her. “What do you think happened to the real Georgiana?”

  “She doesn’t work at the library anymore, and there are no additional records. She didn’t have any family, so no one missed her. My guess is that fake Georgiana killed her to steal her identity.”

  She could be the unsub they were hunting. “We need to find out her real name.” They were going to her house tomorrow for the reception. Kayla made a mental note to add a fingerprint kit to the purse she’d carry to the event. “I’ll get prints for you to run through the databases tomorrow. Maybe that will lead you to her identity.”

  “Be careful.”

  “Roger that.”

  A voicemail message came in while she was talking to Tyler, so she played it back. It was from Detective Johansen. She dialed her number.

  “I just heard about the shooting. Are you still in the arena?”

  “No, we’re back at Finn’s house.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Finn was in deep conversation with Ricky, and though Kayla kept her eye on them and her gun ready, he didn’t seem to want to harm Finn. When the detective pulled up to the gate, Kayla buzzed her in and stepped out to greet her.

  “Are you ever off duty?”

  Anja smiled wryly. “This case is keeping me on my toes.”

  Headlights cut through the darkness as a vehicle rolled up the driveway. They both turned to see Kaiya and Mark returning from the arena.

  “They found the rifle in the area you indicated,” Anja informed her.

  “Any prints?” Kayla asked, knowing there was a slim chance.

  “No, it was wiped clean, but we did track down the owner. Broderick Westfield.”

  Interesting. Who had access to his weapons besides his wife? “His son Ricky is inside with Finn.”

  Anja looked surprised. “Good. I was on my way to track him down after I talked to you two. I want to ask him some questions.”

  Kaiya and Mark greeted them, and then they all filed into the house. Her coworkers stayed in the kitchen to grab something to eat while Kayla guided Anja to the living room and introduced her to Ricky.

  “Mr. Westfield, I’d like to ask you some questions. Did your father own any weapons?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know where he kept them?”

  “I know of a few, but you’d have to ask his widow. I haven’t been inside the Westfield mansion since they married.”

  “He kept a rifle in his office,” Finn offered.

  Anja’s head snapped up. “You’re sure?”

  He nodded. “It was on display on the wall behind his desk.”

  “That’s right,” Ricky confirmed. “I’d forgotten about it because it’s been there since we built the arena. I don’t even see it anymore.”

  “Do you have access to your father’s office?” Anja asked.

  “You mean stepmother’s office,” he sneered. “She moved in before my father’s body was cold.”

  “You didn’t answer the question.”

  “Yes, I have access because the guards and personnel know me. She hasn’t thought of banning me from the premises yet. While she inherited the title of CEO of the team, I’m still the vice president of hockey operations. It’s a position my father created for me, which means I do the work while she takes the credit. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries to have me fired.”

  “Were you at the ceremony tonight?”

  “Yeah, I was there,” Ricky confirmed. “But if you’re thinking to blame me for the shooting, you’re way off base. Why would I want to harm the team that my father built? It’s my legacy.”

  Except it wasn’t his legacy anymore, Kayla thought. Georgiana hijacked it from him. If the shot had been aimed at her, it would’ve been the quickest way for Ricky to get rid of her to regain control instead of waiting for the courts to decide.

  He held up his hands. “You’re welcome to check for gunshot residue.”

  Anja stood. “I would like to do that, Mr. Westfield. I’ll need you to come to the station.”

  “Fine. I didn’t do it, so I have nothing to hide.”

  Ricky shook Finn’s hand. “I’m so damn glad you weren’t hurt, Finn.” He nodded to Kayla. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You, too.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” Anja said as she followed
Ricky out the door.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next morning, Finn cooked Kayla breakfast while she showered. Mark and Kaiya left to shop for outfits to wear to Georgiana’s soiree, so they had the house to themselves for a few hours. What he really wanted to do was shuck his clothes and join her, but he was afraid he wore her out last night. He’d snuck into her room again. It pleased him that she didn’t kick him out.

  His phone chimed as he removed eggs from the fridge. He planned on veggie-filled omelets with turkey bacon and toast. Lifting his phone from the counter, he checked the screen. What the hell? Trevor Short? He didn’t feel like dealing with the arrogant rookie. Pressing the intercom button, he asked, “What do you want, Short?”

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “I’ll catch up with you at the arena.”

  “No, this is important, Finn. Please,” he tacked on.

  Finn closed his eyes and sighed. If it wasn’t for that one word uttered sincerely, he would’ve turned him away. “Fine, but you come at me again, I’m taking you down.” He buzzed the gates open, hoping he wasn’t making a huge mistake. Short might’ve gotten in a cheap shot before, but Finn would be ready for him this time.

  When a flashy red Ferrari zipped to a stop, he stepped outside and waited for Trevor to round his car.

  “Thanks for agreeing to talk to me.”

  Finn lifted a brow. For the first time since he’d met him, the condescending swagger was gone. He looked younger when he wasn’t trying to show off. Finn nodded and held the door for him to enter.

  The rookie’s gaze zeroed in on the wall of windows. “I’ve heard stories about your house, but they didn’t do it justice. This is incredible.”

  “Thanks. Have a seat.”

  Trevor plopped down on the sofa while Finn opted for the recliner. Trevor glanced down at the floor. “I’m sorry.”

  There were so many things for which he needed to apologize. “Can you be more specific?”

  Trevor looked up. “For everything. I shouldn’t have hit you. I shouldn’t have put myself before the team. I was drunk with success, and I guess it went to my head. That’s not the kind of person I am.”

  “You’re just now realizing this?”

  Trevor’s lips twisted. “Having a multi-million dollar signing bonus ripped away is an effective wake-up call.”

  Wow, Finn hadn’t considered Georgiana following through with revoking his bonus. She was playing hardball. He didn’t think she had it in her.

  “I’ve appealed the decision. I have people going over my contract with a fine-toothed comb, so we’ll see.” Trevor glanced away. “Hell, I’ve spent the money already.” He turned back to Finn. “It would help my case if you supported me, but that’s not why I’m here. I truly want your forgiveness. I’m ashamed of how I’ve acted. My parents would be so disappointed in me.”

  “Didn’t they wonder why you didn’t take part in the playoffs?”

  Trevor shook his head. “They’re both dead.”

  “Sorry. That’s rough.” He and Trevor hadn’t clicked from the beginning, so he didn’t know much about his history.

  Trevor hitched a shoulder. “I was in college when it happened. My senior year. It’s when I started going off the rails. I’m prepared to take responsibility for my actions, and I promise I will do better going forward.”

  Finn studied him for any sign of insincerity, finding none. “Apology accepted. Show that you can be a team player, and it will be forgotten.”

  His smile was rueful. “I might not get the chance. Mrs. Westfield has it in for me. She’s bound and determined to trade me. I guess someone told her about me hitting you.”

  It would’ve been hard for her to miss Barrett’s video that racked up millions of hits on Instagram. “Maybe a clean start would be the best.”

  Trevor opened his hands in a pleading gesture. “It’s been my dream to play for the Punishers from the first time I laced up a pair of skates when I was six years old. And I want to learn from the best. You. Will you help me and talk to Mrs. Westfield? Convince her not to trade me? You’re her favorite. She’d do anything you asked.”

  Finn didn’t know whether or not to believe him, but he had the talent to be one of the great players if he focused and listened to the coaches. “I’ll see what I can do.” His phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. Georgiana. What were the odds she’d call after Trevor asked him to speak to her? “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”

  #

  After her shower, Kayla applied lotion and brushed her hair. She considered going downstairs to greet Finn naked, but that wasn’t an option since Mark and Kaiya shared the house. They were gone now but could return at any minute. There would be no way to explain her au naturel state.

  She jogged down the stairs and abruptly stopped when the man she spotted wasn’t Finn. Trevor Short spun around with a guilty look before his eyes narrowed furiously.

  “You! What are you doing here?”

  “That’s none of your business, Trevor.”

  “Finn picked you up?” He shook his head in disgust. “I thought he didn’t do puck bunnies.”

  She gritted her teeth, wanting nothing more than to slam her foot into his sneering mouth. “Again, none of your business. The question is, what are you doing here?”

  “None of your business,” he spat her words back.

  She truly detested the guy. “You’re prowling around here like a burglar, and Finn is my business. You have exactly three seconds to tell me what you’re doing before I plaster your face against the floor.”

  “You think you can throw me?” he scoffed, holding out his arms in a “come get me” stance.

  She crossed her arms and stepped forward, taking immense pleasure when he inched back. “I know I can. Again,” she tacked on.

  His eyes flashed fire. He really couldn’t stand it that a woman had bested him.

  Finn returned, his gaze bouncing between her and Trevor. “What’s going on?”

  “I came downstairs to find him snooping through your things.”

  “I was not,” Trevor sputtered. “I was looking for the bathroom.”

  “He thinks I’m a puck bunny.”

  Finn’s mouth gaped. “What?”

  “What was I supposed to think?” Trevor implored. “She was camped in the hall waiting for the players like the bunnies do.”

  “She was waiting for me. She’s my girlfriend.”

  “Oh, wow. I’m sorry. I never would’ve hit on her if I’d known.”

  Finn looked to her, letting her know it was her decision if she wanted to forgive him or not. She chose not. “No woman should be groped without consent, puck bunny or not.”

  “You’re right,” Trevor said, sounding contrite. “The reason I came here was to apologize to Finn for the way I’ve acted. That apology applies to you, too.”

  Funny, he didn’t act repentant when she caught him snooping. If he were truly sorry, he’d have acted civilly towards her. Still, it wasn’t her place to come between Finn and his teammate. They had to work together once she was gone. She simply nodded. She wasn’t sure she could say she forgave him without choking on the words.

  “I’ll talk to Georgiana and let you know what I find out,” Finn said, ushering Trevor to the door.

  “Thanks, Finn. I appreciate it.” With a nod at Kayla, he stepped outside. Finn waited until he drove away before turning to her.

  “You really don’t like him, do you?”

  “He hit you.”

  Finn smiled and pulled her into his arms. “Aw, babe, that’s sweet.”

  She relaxed against him, loving the feel of his arms around her. “Why was he here?”

  “To beg my forgiveness. He says he’s learned from his past mistakes and wants to do better. He wants me to put in a good word with Georgiana.”

  She leaned back to peer at his face. “Are you going to do it?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “He seemed sincere. The arrogance wa
s gone. He has immense talent and could be an asset if he decides to play as part of the team. I told him I’d give him another chance to prove himself. I can’t speak for the other players or Georgiana, but he’s got a rough road ahead of him. Georgiana stripped his signing bonus and threatened to trade him.”

  “Good for her.”

  “Yeah. Who knew she had it in her?”

  “I hope he’s serious about changing. When I came downstairs, he looked guilty until he recognized me.” She left out the part about him being hateful.

  Finn smiled. “I’d have loved to have seen his reaction.”

  “It was pretty priceless. He actually backed away.”

  Finn smiled. “Smart man.” Then he kissed her.

  #

  As Kayla dressed for the gala at Georgiana’s house, she went over the list of suspects in her head. Darcy was still a concern. She was fixated on Finn. How far would that obsession go to keep him to herself? Murder? Her specialty was making jewelry, so she could’ve crafted the iron crosses.

  Ricky Westfield was on the list, but he didn’t seem to want to hurt Finn, only Georgiana. She could see him taking the shot with his father’s rifle at the fan event, but murdering Finn’s former girlfriends? It was a stretch.

  Trevor Short had shot to the top spot. He resented Finn for his part in getting him benched. Plus, he lost his massive signing bonus. It had to be in the millions. That alone would be a motive. Not to mention trade rumors. Trevor had access to the locker room and could’ve left the crosses. Begging for forgiveness might be an act to distract from his actual mission.

  And then there was Georgiana herself. What was she hiding? Did she kill a woman to steal her identity? It was up to Kayla to expose her secrets. She planned on doing that tonight.

  She’d called the hospital earlier to check on Jaxon Hart, but they wouldn’t release the information. Undaunted, she contacted Anja. The detective was able to find out that he’d made it through surgery successfully and was currently in serious but stable condition.

  Finn called Coach Silva to discover he’d taken the Stanley Cup home with him. The Hockey Hall of Fame was sending another representative to retrieve it, but Coach didn’t want to give it up. They might have to pry it out of his hands.

 

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