Deadly Ties

by Kate Allenton

  Mason raised his brow and turned his gaze to West. “Well, someone has to watch your back since Archer was doing such a bang-up job. You’ve been a busy woman.”

  West took a step, and I grabbed his arm. “Taking things that don’t belong to you isn’t what I’d call watching my back.”

  “When those things will get you killed, I think it does.”

  “Okay, you two. Enough. You have history, and I trust Mason, and you used to. So this is where we’re at.”

  “Fine,” I growled.

  “Good,” Mason answered.

  West, being himself, just laid his arm on my shoulders and pulled me closer. The amount of testosterone wafting about the room nearly chocked me, but I snuggled into his side anyway.

  “Mason, I’m taking this stuff back to the FBI and having the dirty CIA agent picked up. You’re on Cree detail until I tell you Edmund Splinter is in custody.”

  “Is that necessary?” I asked. “I’ve already cleared out the Lady Blue, and I can find somewhere to stay that doesn’t require supervision.”

  “It’s necessary,” Mason and Harrison said at the same time.

  “You two will go back to the Lady Blue and stay there until I give the orders,” Harrison growled.

  “Fine,” I said, walking across the room. I grabbed the Faraday box and headed for the door. “You deal with that, and we’ll swing by the police station and turn in the evidence on the serial killer.”

  “What serial killer?” Mason asked, glancing at me and Harrison.

  “The serial killer. The case Faraday never solved. His brother did, and it’s a dirty cop.”

  Mason grabbed my arm, stopping me from walking out. “If you’re accusing a cop, you better have damn good proof.”

  “She does,” West said, grabbing Mason’s arm until he let go of me. “You can follow, you can show up at the plantation, do whatever you need to do. I’m driving Cree to the police station where we can turn over evidence. The more people that know the truth, the smaller the target on her back.”

  “One of these guys killed Faraday, and until they’re all locked away, you’re going to have more than even you can handle, West.”

  He sighed. “Fine.”

  “Okay, now that everyone is on the same page, Mason, you’ll go with them to the police department and run interference if the chief gives her any grief. In the meantime, I’ll track down Splinter and get him into custody until we get all of this sorted out. Can you guys play nice until this is over?” Harrison glanced between all of us.

  “Just go do your thing. I’ll keep them in line,” I said and walked out the door to West’s car. The SUV was parked behind it. The dark-tinted windows made it difficult to see.

  I could still hear the guys arguing inside. It was going to be an eternity if all of this wasn’t resolved and fast. Someone was bound to leave with a hurt ego and a busted lip. I could just feel the energy stirring in the air. It was like trying to feed dessert to a health nut. The two would never get along.

  West Archer

  Chapter 19

  West glanced at Mason as they followed Cree into the police station. For Mason, this was his home turf where he’d started out as a protégé to Faraday years ago. He was greeted with smiles, but Mason had sheer determination in his eyes. He was focused on the mission at hand. Turning over evidence would be another feather in his cap. West had a different agenda. He didn’t trust anyone in that office. Not anymore.

  They were greeted with confused looks as they followed Mason to the chief’s office. When he rapped his knuckles on the door, they were motioned inside.

  The chief rose from his seat, his gaze intent on all of them. “Well, this is a nice surprise. I didn’t know you were back in town, Mason.”

  “I’m here on official FBI business.”

  The chief’s brows rose, and he gestured to the two seats in front of his desk.

  Cree and Mason sat. West stood behind her. He’d have Cree’s back even if the fed thought otherwise.

  “Well, to what do I owe the honor?”

  Cree glanced up at West. Sadness registered in her eyes. He knew that look; he’d seen it from her before. She returned her gaze to the chief. “We have evidence that the serial killer Faraday was after all those years ago is a cop.”

  The chief frowned and sat forward, clasping his hands together.

  “You’re accusing a cop?”

  Cree handed the file to the chief. “Surveillance footage was found of the first victim the night she went missing.”

  He flipped the file open, and scanned the evidence. “This doesn’t prove Jones killed her, just that he gave her a lift somewhere.”

  “There’s one way to know for sure,” Mason said. “Ask him for a dental impression.”

  “Where did you find this?” the chief asked, flipping through all of the pages.

  “Faraday’s apartment.”

  The chief slowly lifted his gaze. “Are you trying to tell me Faraday knew?”

  “Oh no,” Cree was quick to amend. “Not our Faraday, the deceased brother, Thomas Faraday. He was undercover CIA or something. We’re still trying to figure it all out. The point is you have a new suspect.”

  The chief glanced out his window toward the police pit where the officers sat at their desks. West followed his gaze. A man with white hair was at his desk, picking and poking at a computer keyboard. “Jones is set to retire next month.” The chief glanced between all of them. “Accusations like this will ruin his entire career if they aren’t true.”

  West folded his arms over his chest. The chief was right, but he was a stand-up guy. He’d do the right thing, and if he didn’t, West would handle it himself.

  “What she found gives you sufficient reason to investigate him. Find out where he was during each of the killings and interview the people closest to him,” Mason said, tilting his head. “Personally, I never liked the guy. I can’t put my finger on why.”

  Cree sat back in her chair. “Maybe because he’s a cold-blooded killer.”

  “Do the right thing, Chief,” West said, touching Cree’s arm. “The families of the deceased deserve answers.”

  “If what you claim is true, this is going to destroy the trust the community has in us.”

  “So be quiet about it,” Mason added and rose from his chair. He held out his hand and shook the chief’s. “Let us know if you’d like our help. The FBI will be more than willing to contribute.”

  Cree rose from her seat. “I’m sorry for that bad news. It sucks.”

  “Yeah, it does.” The chief opened the door, and West and Mason walked out. “You know, Cree, it’s been awhile since you worked on any cold cases and we’ve been getting requests for your help if you’re still interested.”

  Cree rested her hand on her stomach. “I’ve got some other issues I’m dealing with at the moment. Can I let you know?”

  “That’s right. You have the new cousin to get settled. Just give us a call if you want to pitch in. We could use it.”

  “Thanks,” Cree answered and then met West’s gaze. Worry etched her blue eyes. Something more than taking care of Veronica was bothering her. West lowered his gaze to her hand splayed gently across her belly and slowly raised his gaze to hers again. It hit him like a ton of bricks. Her cravings, her mood swings, her lack of using Insight. She couldn’t be…?

  The lines of her face softened as she met his gaze. West forgot the rest of the station and cupped her cheek, his gaze intent as he fought to find the right words. “I love you.” He rested his head against hers. “No matter what, that’s never going to change.”

  Cree’s cheeks reddened as a tear formed in her eye. “We should talk.”

  “We will,” West said, standing straighter. He took her by the hand. “But not here.”

  “If you two are done,” Mason growled, gesturing to the front door, “we need to go.”

  They walked out in silence. His grip on her hand was the only comfort he could give her as his min
d raced with questions only she could answer.

  They were about to climb into the car when Cree’s phone rang. She answered, “Hello.” There was a brief pause. “Where is she?”

  Her worried gaze met West’s. “We’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  She hung up. The blood drained from her cheeks. “We have to go to Moreno’s place.”

  “The mob boss? Why?”

  “Veronica snuck out again. Charlotte hacked into her phone, and she’s at Moreno’s house.”

  “Why the hell would she do that?” West asked.

  “And who exactly is Veronica?” Mason asked.

  “Veronica is my newfound cousin,” Cree answered and glanced at West. “If I had to guess, she went to see Dante.”

  “This is the last thing we need.” West sighed.

  Chapter 20

  I barely waited for West to park before hopping out of the car and jogging up to the front door. I wasn’t shocked by the mansion or that there were men with guns guarding and blocking my path.

  “Moreno, get your ass out here,” I yelled at the top of my voice.

  West pulled me behind him as he and Mason stood toe to toe with the guy with the guns. I stepped off the porch and stared up at the window. “I know you’re in there. If you don’t open this damn door, I swear to God I’m going to send every spirit I know to haunt your ass until you’re old and gray.”

  The door flew open, and Moreno stepped out with a kitchen rag draped over his shoulder. He stepped between the two guards.

  “Did you just threaten to have me haunted?” His lips tilted at the corners.

  “I’m going to do more than that if Veronica isn’t out here in five seconds.” I rested her hands on her hips.

  “Come in. I’m just serving dinner.”

  I shoved past him, making sure to give the guards my best evil glare as I passed, and followed the sound of voices. I found my cousin sitting at a table with Dante and another woman. They all looked up at me in surprise.

  “Cree. I thought you were busy.” Roni slowly rose from her seat. Her face reddened.

  “And I thought you understood that we can’t be running off, especially right now.”

  The other woman rose from her seat, as did Dante. “It’s my fault. I asked her to dinner. I didn’t mean for her to get in trouble.”

  “It’s her fault,” I said, holding Veronica’s gaze, “for not telling anyone where she was going.”

  “Well, we’re all here,” the other woman said. “Why don’t you three join us?”

  “Cree, that’s my sister, Grace, the one I told you about,” Moreno offered.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I offered and then thought twice. “And I’m sorry for your loss, but we can’t stay.”

  “Of course you can. We have more than enough, and it’s the least we can do for the way you helped my brother.”

  Mason’s phone rang, and he stepped away.

  “Can you give us a minute?” West asked, slipping his fingers through Cree’s.

  “Sure.”

  West pulled me out into the foyer, his gaze intent. “You need to eat, and with Moreno’s security, this wouldn’t be a bad place to hide out for awhile. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea.”

  “He’s a mob boss. We can’t stay here,” I answered. My eyes widened that West would even entertain such an idea.

  “How about we compromise? We stay for dinner, and when we leave, we take Veronica with us. Look at it as gathering information on what Thomas was really like. They might have some useful information on what really happened.”

  I sighed. What I really wanted was my own bed with all of these threats as a blip in my past.

  Veronica peeked her head around the corner. “Please, just this once.”

  “Fine.” I tossed my hands up in the air and rounded the corner back into the dining room. “We’d love to stay for dinner.”

  “Excellent,” Grace said.

  I watched the relief in Dante’s body as he smiled at Veronica. Young love. Why did I feel like taking care of my cousin had aged me another twenty years?

  Mason walked back into the dining room. He met my gaze. “Agent Splinter was picked up, and they found empty insulin vials and used needles, but Detective Jones went on break during his shift and never returned.”

  “Why can’t all the bad people cooperate for once?” I sighed and glanced at Moreno. “No offense.”

  “None taken.”

  “You aren’t going to poison me, right?”

  “Not with the fed knowing this is the last place you ate.” Moreno laughed.

  “You should be more worried about me haunting you if it were to ever happen. You can kiss a good night’s sleep goodbye for the rest of your life.” I smiled sweetly and slipped into the seat West had pulled out for me.

  “That’s a good point,” Moreno said.

  “We’re eating, and then we’re leaving.”

  Mason glanced up at Moreno. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “It’s just dinner, fed. Get over it. My family is present. I can assure you nothing is going to happen.”

  I gestured to one of the empty chairs. “Just this once, please.”

  Mason reluctantly sat down, as did West.

  Dinner was awkward. Everyone was polite and on their best behavior. It wasn’t until we retired to the study and Dante offered to show Veronica the garden that the real talking began.

  Moreno poured himself a drink while his sister stood by the fireplace. He offered the rest of us a drink, and we politely declined.

  “So what kind of trouble are you in?” he asked. When no one answered, he continued. “You know I have resources that can help.”

  “She doesn’t need your resources,” Mason said, heading for the door. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to call the office and check in to see if they’ve located Jones yet.”

  “Is this about Thomas?” Grace asked. “Have you figured out who killed him?”

  I sighed. “I think so. We believe it was a dirty CIA agent that injected a lethal dose of insulin at the hospital. I’m sure the feds will do a thorough investigation. Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.” She glanced at her brother. “If it will help.”

  “Who all knew about his hideaway down in the warehouse district?”

  “I did, so did my brother and son, but I’m not sure who at his work knew. He kept that side of his life private.”

  I exchanged a glance with West. “He never told you anything about his work?”

  “I couldn’t even bribe him,” Moreno answered, taking a sip of his brandy. “Oh, trust me, I tried.”

  “You did?” I asked, unsure why he would even share that information.

  “Yeah but only once.”

  “Once was all it took. I told my brother if he ever tried to do it again that I would leave and take Dante with me. He’d lose us,” Grace said.

  “Family is important.” I gave her a sad smile. I understood that more than most. “I have to ask. Where were you two when Thomas was killed?”

  They exchanged a look, one that told me I was about to only get half a truth. I opened my energy, waiting to see if goosebumps would accompany their answers. That was always my telltale BS meter.

  “I was at home.” She was the first to answer. Goosebumps. She was telling the truth.

  I turned my gaze to Moreno. “I was busy.”

  Goosebumps. “Doing what?”

  “Taking care of business,” was his only reply.

  “Did business include killing Faraday?” I asked, making Grace gasp.

  Moreno held up his hand to his sister. “I’ll answer her question.” He sat forward, staring me in the eyes. “I punched Faraday the day before he was found unconscious and went to the hospital, but he was alive when I left.”

  Goosebumps. My shoulders sagged. I was glad that he was telling the truth, but not that this little dinner wasn’t producing anything helpful.

  “You did?” Grace
growled. “Why?”

  Moreno’s face hardened. “Faraday knew he was in danger. He said that someone found out about you and Dante and he was going to leave with you both.”

  Goosebumps.

  Grace held her hand to her chest. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He shrugged. “Nothing to tell. He died before he could do anything about it.”

  Goosebumps.

  “I believe you.” I glanced at Grace. “He’s telling the truth. He didn’t kill him.”

  “But if someone had found out about you and Dante, they could have exposed his connection to Moreno, maybe even tried to manipulate it,” West said.

  “That wouldn’t justify killing him,” I said. “They’d want to keep him alive to make that plan work.”

  Mason walked in the same time Veronica and Dante returned, holding hands. “The CIA dirt bag confessed.”

  “That’s great. This is over.” I rose abruptly from my spot. “We can sleep in our own beds tonight.”

  West rose from his spot. “Did you find out anything about Jones?”

  I should have asked about the serial killer, but just hearing that Thomas’s killer was caught was relief enough for me. Not having a CIA trained operative attack in the middle of the night would help me sleep a ton easier.

  “They found Detective Jones at his house. He said he felt sick. So he’s under surveillance, and they won’t let him out of their sights until the investigation is done,” Mason answered.

  “It’s over.” I kissed West on the lips, not caring who was watching.

  I took Veronica and led her out of the house. “Thanks for dinner.”

  The guys had followed us out when I realized my problem. We weren’t going to all fit in West’s sports car. The backseat was cramped with only one person sitting in it, I couldn’t imagine two. I turned around and headed back toward Moreno, still standing on the porch. “We won’t all fit in his car. Can you give two of us a lift or call us a cab?”

  He lifted his chin. “Freddie and Charlotte have been parked outside the gate since you took your first bite. I’m sure they have room, but if they don’t, I can take you.”