The anger in the alley made it difficult to breathe.
“This is her. This is the one I was telling you about,” Michael said.
“Master Sergeant Farley,” I said, holding out my hand. “Carson’s told me great things about you and your daughter.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, shaking my hand. “And Michael was just telling me all about you, Ms. Bray. Is it true that you do woo-woo stuff to try to find killers?”
“It’s Dr. Bray, and I’m afraid that’s classified,” Sloan said, holding out his hand. “I’m Jack Sloan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Farley shook Sloan’s hand. “So, you’re the man behind the job offer that Carson had a hard time refusing.”
“Yes, sir,” Sloan said. “I only recruit the best of the best for my business. Similar to you.”
“We’re nothing alike, boy,” Farley answered. “You’re only looking out for your own interests, and I’m helping save a country.”
“You tried to recruit Carson?” I asked Sloan and then shook my head, returning my gaze to Farley’s. “Do you have a few minutes to speak with us?”
“No.” Farley was quick to answer. “I refuse to help you lay blame on Carson or any of the Tines brothers.”
“I think you’re mistaken. I’m trying to help him.”
“You’re sticking your nose into places it doesn’t belong, Dr. Bray. Now I think it’s time for all of you to get out of my town.”
I rested my hands on my hips. Don’t belong? Who the hell did this guy think he was? “I’m not some little recruit you can just push around, and I’m not some local that’s scared to talk back to you, Farley. I’m only here because I care about Carson, same as you, and I’m not leaving until I get to the truth.”
I spun on my heels and headed back to the SUV and had to wait on Sloan to catch up with me. Whatever words they exchanged after I left, I’d never know.
“You ooze personality and make friends everywhere you go, don’t you?” he said, slipping behind the wheel. “Where to now?”
“The high school,” I answered, still seething about Farley.
Sloan glanced in my direction. “Brush it off, Doc. I’ve met my share of military men just like him, and I’m sure working in that experimental group, you probably have to.”
I turned in my seat. “Yeah, but what I don’t get is why he wouldn’t want us to help prove Carson’s innocence.”
Sloan shrugged. “Maybe he’s afraid that there’s evidence to find that could point the finger at Carson. Right now, they don’t have anything but the fact that Carson was related to one victim and he knew the bully. Knowing someone doesn’t mean that you’re the killer.”
I turned back in my seat. Maybe Sloan was right. Maybe if I pushed too far and too hard, I might be helping future prosecutors build a case around the one man I was trying to protect.
Sloan pulled up to the high school and parked in the visitor parking spot. School would be out for summer soon. We both got out of the car and headed toward the building. Sloan pulled the door open. “And why are we here again?”
“Amber is the Master Sergeant’s daughter. She claims to know that Carson wasn’t the killer and has more information to tell us.”
“So, her stance is the complete opposite of her dad’s?” Sloan asked, resting his hand on my back and starting me toward the administration offices.
A fire extinguisher hung near framed group pictures of the brightest kids from every year each earning a spot on the wall for some reason or another, like honor society or grades. A janitor pushed a pile of dirt with a large broom down the hallway. We passed a trophy case. The clink of lockers sounded in the distance, along with someone sneezing. This reminded me of my school and how I’d thought things had been tough back then. Now I sort of wished I could go back to easier times, when the only things that mattered were getting good grades and choosing what to have for lunch that day.
I yanked open the door to the administration offices and stood back as two kids came filing out carrying tardy slips. I stepped in and headed toward the elderly woman behind the counter who smiled as we approached.
“So, you must be Dr. Bray,” the old lady said. “Miss Farley is expecting you. If you wait just a moment, I’ll let her know you’re here.”
I stepped away from the desk.
Sloan leaned in to whisper in my ear. “So, the entire town knows who you are.”
“Looks that way. Kind of creepy, if you asked me. The waitress at the café seems to have her thumb on the pulse of this town. If I don’t get my answers here, I may have to go make friends with her.”
“You must have really enjoyed your breakfast,” Sloan said.
“Reminded me of my momma’s cooking.”
The door opened behind the receptionist desk.
Amber led a teenager out of her office. His dress pants were ironed, and his buttoned polo said president of the chemistry club. A smile lined his pimply face. “Thank you for your help, Ms. Farley. We’ll be sure to set up everything as you’ve requested.”
“Thanks, Henry, we’ll meet here again tomorrow morning to finalize the project expansion.”
Henry gave us a considerate nod as he left the office.
“Dr. Bray, please come in,” Amber said, holding open the door that led to her office. I always felt kind of weird going into a principal’s office. It never happened much when I was growing up. My sister and I always had our noses in our books and studying. It was how we were brought up.
“Sorry about that,” Amber said as she closed the door. “I have a standing meeting with Henry three times a week.”
“You must love chemistry.”
Amber’s lips twitched. “Very observant, Dr. Bray.”
“He was wearing the shirt,” I said, gesturing to where the logo had been.
“A few years back, the chemistry club had an accident that put their sponsor in the hospital with superficial burns. Since then no other teacher has wanted to be their sponsor, so that left me.”
“They’re lucky you stepped up to the plate to pitch in,” Sloan said.
“I’m sorry, but I’d expected Sam to be accompanying Dr. Bray. I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure.” Amber held out her hand for Sloan to shake.
“Jack Sloan, I’m here with the group to help in the investigation.”
“Oh, so you’re a cop?”
“No.”
“An FBI agent?”
“No.” Sloan's lips twitched.
“He’s my bodyguard,” I answered on a sigh. “It’s a long-complicated story.”
“Please, sit down.” Amber gestured to the chairs.
We each sat down on the leather seats across from her desk and waited for her to sit.
She wasn’t anything like the principal I had back in the day. Amber had awards hanging from her walls. Miniature Einstein figurines sat in front of chemistry and psychology books on one of her shelves, and on the other, she had yearbooks going back for decades.
“We just met your father,” I announced.
“I’m sorry.” She sighed and sat back. “Daddy doesn’t like change, and he doesn’t like outsiders. I apologize for whatever he said to offend you.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I felt Sloan turn to look at me as if judging for any emotion on my face. I could have saved him the time. I had as good a poker face as anyone; probably better.
“Not a problem. I understand his concern for Carson. He was Daddy’s protégé.”
“Exactly.” Amber smiled. “So, I guess you’re here to find out what I know about the deaths?”
“That would be nice,” Sloan said, leaning forward in the chair. He clasped his fingers together and had them dangling between his legs.
Amber rose from behind her clean mahogany desk, where files were in her basket and nothing seemed out of place. She started to pace, and as soon as she turned her back to me, I moved her stapler out of place.
She spun just in time to catch me in the act.
She raised a brow, like a mother might.
I ran my finger over the stapler. “It’s so pretty.”
“You’ll have to excuse her. She has a fascination with staplers,” Sloan said, taking my hand and putting it back in my lap.
“I do, he’s right. I can’t help myself.”
She gave a slow nod and never turned her back again so that I could test my OCD theory about her.
“Carson and I were fast friends when my daddy took him under his wing, but that wasn’t before he and his brothers had gotten in trouble.”
She wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know. “Carson told me that they were misfits and in trouble after their mother’s death and their father checking out on them. I don’t mean to be rude, but what do you know about the bodies in the lake and who might have done this?”
She sighed and retook her seat. “This town isn’t what it appears to be.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” I said and sat forward in my chair, hoping to hear the town was hiding aliens and Bigfoot. Now we were getting somewhere. “So tell me, what is so different about the town?”
“There’s a reason people in this town tend to leave without a word.”
“Go on,” I prodded when she paused.
“There’s a governing body, and it isn’t the mayor or the police. The Dawson family runs things around here. Nothing goes on in this town without them knowing about it and approving it.”
Stepford, I knew it. “So, are you saying that these Dawson people will know who the killer is?”
Chapter 14
Amber crossed her arms over her chest and met my gaze. “I’m saying that they’re probably the ones who did it.”
“Why would they kill those people?” I asked.
“Carson’s father was the town drunk who didn’t take care of his sons. Cody Anderson was the high school bully, and rumor has it both were given warnings to knock it off.”
“Who told you that?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I’d rather not say. Their land butts up to ours on the outskirts of town. If you’d like to come to dinner at Dad’s place, I can show you where they live.”
“Your father won’t be excited to have us as guests.”
“My daddy will get over it. I promise he’ll be on his best behavior.”
This case just turned ten times weirder. “Absolutely, we’ll join you.”
“She’ll join you and probably bring one of the others in our party. I’m afraid I have business to take care of out of town.”
I gave Sloan a sideways glance, unable to read any urgency in his energy. “Since when?”
“Since this morning after I impregnated you. I have to go remove the shotguns from your father’s house,” he said, rising.
Laughter burst from my lips, and I gave a dismissive wave. “Ignore him, he’s just getting back at me.”
“You two are a cute couple.”
That made me laugh even harder.
“It was a pleasure to meet you,” Sloan said.
“Likewise.” Amber smiled and wrote down an address on a school brochure and handed it to us.
I slipped into the SUV and waited for Sloan to get in on the other side. I stared down at the brochure in my hand.
“She was helpful,” Sloan said.
“She’s funny. She must not be as bright as I gave her credit for. She thought we were a couple.”
“She’s very astute,” Sloan said. “She caught you screwing with her things.”
“I was testing my theory.”
“She’s OCD. I could tell,” he answered.
“Look at you! You’re a mind reader now,” I quipped. Amber had been helpful, but, why? “But seriously, if the Dawsons are as scary as she’s making them out to be, then that means she’s extremely smart or extremely stupid for pointing the finger at them.”
“I’m guessing the first. I’m also guessing she has her own agenda,” Sloan said.
I smiled as I turned to him. “You know, you are kind of smart.”
He winked and turned the engine. “I haven’t kept myself alive this long with just my good looks.”
“Speaking of…” I pulled the seatbelt across my body and clicked it into place. “I should probably warn you that my daddy died in a car accident. So, it’s not him you should be hiding the guns from. It’s Grant.” I chuckled.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I thought you promised to personally handle me. I have to say I’m kind of disappointed you’re giving up already.”
“I haven’t given up, Lucy. If anything, being here has strengthened my resolve, but don’t worry, you’ll still feel my presence even when I’m not here. Instead of one bodyguard, you’re getting two.”
He only hoped I’d let two bodyguards follow me around. “Can you drop me off at Carson’s?”
“Why do you need to go to Carson’s?”
“He’s going to be my date. This is his town. He grew up with those people. He can be my buffer.” I grinned. “Besides, I’m already tapped into his emotions. He won’t even have to speak for me to pick up on things.”
“Devious.” Sloan chuckled. “But I like it.”
Sloan pulled up outside of Carson’s house, slid out of the SUV, and rounded it to open my door. He blocked me from getting out. “Your brother-in-law told me to be honest with you.”
“My sister didn’t marry a dummy.” I grinned.
Sloan rested his hand on my neck and pressed his lips to mine in a sensual way that left me questioning why I hadn’t jumped his bones yet. It was tender and hot and seductive. His mouth took mine in a way that left me wanting more.
“I plan to make you mine in every way possible. First, by offering you a job, and considering how you don’t like to be tied down, it will probably be as a consultant. After that, we’re going to date, and I plan to seduce you, again and again, until it’s me that you dream about, my emotions that you cling to, and I invade you in every way.”
“That sounds tiring, and you might not like what you find.” My words came out breathless. His truths stirred a sensual buzz in places that had been dormant for a few years.
“That’s the truth.” He kissed me again, and I melted in his hold, the tension in my shoulders really releasing for the first time since before all of this stuff with Carl had started. “And that’s why you’ll have two bodyguards, not because I consider you a damsel in distress but because you matter to me.” He took my palm and rested it over his strong, steady heartbeat.
“You don’t even know me,” I whispered into the space between us.
“I know you better than you think, Lucy. You aren’t the only one with secrets.”
“If you two are done,” Carson called out from the porch.
I looked away, but Sloan didn’t. Instead, he reached around me into the SUV, opened the glove box, and pulled out a Tiffany-blue lady sized handgun with an ankle holster.
“Give us a second,” Sloan called out.
He stepped back and lifted my leg to rest on the doorframe. He nudged up my jeans and wrapped the weapon around my ankle, securing it in place. “You get in trouble, you protect yourself.”
“If I get in trouble, then your bodyguards need to be fired.”
He grinned. “You’re the one who claimed to be a handful.” He reached around me again and handed me an envelope full of cash and a cell phone. “I’m already programmed in the phone.”
“And what is the cash for? Is this your way of leaving it on the bedside table?”
“It’s nothing more than a retainer, Lucy. It’s the cost of doing business. It’s yours, and I don’t care what you do with it. Now you can pay Grant back the money you used when you lifted his wallet.”
I slid out of the SUV and pressed against his body. “You’re assuming the money in that wallet wasn’t mine.”
I stepped around him and headed toward Carson, who was still waiting on the porch. I didn’t even bother to look back as I headed inside.
“Michael told me you’re making your way around town pissing people off.”
“Now would I do that?” I patted his chest as I walked into the living room. “I hope you don’t have any plans for tonight. We have dinner reservations.”
“Where?” he asked.
“Amber invited us to her daddy’s house.”
Carson crossed his arms over his big bulky chest. “Michael already warned me that you pissed him off.”
“His daughter promised that he’d be cooperative, and she wants to show me something.”
“Really? What does she need to show you?”
“The Dawson home and property, or maybe they call it a compound. What do killers call their little clubhouses?”
Carson dropped his crossed arms and ran his hand over his head. “Lucy, locals know better than to screw with those people.”
“Don’t worry.” I smiled and lifted my pant leg. “I’ll protect you.”
Chapter 15
When the sun had started to set behind the trees and the sky had turned to night, Carson drove me to the outskirts of town in the opposite direction of his man cave property. I didn’t know what type of emotion I was expecting to pick up from him, but apprehension wasn’t one of them.
“Carson, I have to ask you a question. Don’t take this the wrong way.”
Carson glanced in my direction and just nodded.
“If you trust these people and consider them like family, why is it that I can feel your apprehension?”
“Their opinions matter to me. It’s like trying to please your parents and make them proud. He was the only one I really had after my dad started drinking and then disappeared. I might have been close to graduating, but I lacked direction and the Master Sergeant gave that to me.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, he tried to scare me off in the event that I found anything that pointed the finger at you.”
“I’m not surprised. Even after I left and joined the Marines, he looked out for my brothers and kept me abreast of what they were up to.”
“I guess he forgot to tell you about Michael and your ex then, huh?”
Killing Justice (Fractured Minds Series Book 2) Page 7