“The title is detective.” The words ground out between the man’s teeth. “And in about five seconds, I’m going to slap a pair of cuffs on you and haul you to jail just to get you out of my hair.”
They stood so close Mason could count the red lines in Grierson’s bloodshot eyes. From behind he felt a steadying hand on his shoulder, heard Parker’s whispered, “Back off, buddy. You’re not helping.”
The words penetrated Mason’s red-hot anger. Parker was right. Losing his temper wouldn’t solve a thing, and he didn’t put it past Grierson to follow through on his threat. Protecting Karina would be impossible from jail. With an effort, he backed up a step and forced a calming breath deep into his lungs.
Grierson’s glare didn’t soften. He even lifted a hand and pointed a finger directly at Mason’s chest. “Stop. Messing. Around. In. My. Case.”
The finger stabbed forward with every word, but never made contact with his shirt. A good thing, too, because Mason was doing everything he could to keep his temper in check.
“I’m not doing anything except supporting an old friend during a really tough time.” He narrowed his eyelids. “I happen to know what it’s like to go through something hard involving someone you love.”
Grierson held his gaze for another few seconds, and then turned away without acknowledgment. “What do we have here?”
The question served to release a little of the tension in the room. Mason forced his muscles to relax, and Parker’s hand dropped away from his shoulder. Across the room, Karina’s chest expanded with a breath, though her arms remained wrapped around her middle.
Graham pointed toward the front door. “Scratches on the deadbolt lock, same as the hairdresser’s shop.”
“Seems we have someone who’s pretty good at picking locks.” The detective looked around the room. “Anything else damaged? Anything missing?” The questions were delivered in a softer tone, and he looked toward Karina for the answer.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Those belong to you?” He pointed at the scissors.
“Yes. They were in the bathroom, in a drawer.”
“Nothing else missing from that drawer?”
“No. The only other sign that anyone was here is the note.”
Grierson’s eyebrows arched and his glance transferred to Parker. “Note?”
“Yes, sir.” Parker retrieved the zippered evidence bag where he’d put the note when he’d first arrived, and handed it to the detective.
Grierson read it through the plastic, flipped it over to note the blank back side, and handed it back to Parker. Once again, his tone softened when he addressed Karina.
“Looks like somebody doesn’t like your friend over there.” A jerk of his head indicated Mason. “Maybe it isn’t such a good idea to have him around.”
Mason bristled, but before he could say anything, Karina replied in an even voice. “My brother and I are all alone, Detective. I don’t have anyone else to call. And I don’t want to be by myself. I’m afraid.”
Her gaze flickered to Mason’s briefly, and though her lips didn’t form a smile, they softened when she looked at him. That tiny, almost unnoticeable sign set off a tornado in Mason’s brain. After all this time and after everything she and Alex had been through, and especially after he had hurt her in the past, she’d come to trust him again.
I can’t let her down. Whatever it takes, I’m in this thing till the end.
After a moment, Grierson gave a nod and turned away from Karina. He handed the bagged letter back to Parker. “Harding, get this and that picture frame down to the lab when you finish up here. Maybe they’ll find prints on the duct tape. If they do, tell them to cross-check with the hundreds they got off the salon’s door this morning. And tell them to rush it.” His lips formed a grim line. “They’re gonna love that.”
“Yes, sir.”
Parker took the bag, and Grierson spoke to Graham. “You stay here for the rest of your shift. Park your cruiser right out front. Walk around a little. Make your presence known. If anybody’s watching this place, we want them to see that we’re looking for them. And stay in touch with Dispatch.”
“You want me to come back when I leave the lab?” Parker asked, but Grierson shook his head.
“One officer’s all we can spare. You’ll have to cover the rest of yours and Graham’s patrol on your own. I don’t have the budget to assign anyone for special duty, so we’ll have to make do with whoever’s already on.” He allowed his gaze once again to rest on Mason. “Sinclair, you stay out of my way.”
Mason had to grit his teeth to keep from snapping a reply while the detective turned on a heel and marched out of the apartment. The door slammed behind him with even more force than it had opened with.
The room remained silent for a few moments, then Parker slapped Mason on the back. “Well, at least you’re making progress. You’ve got someone to help you keep watch tonight.”
Mason made an effort to control his expression. He hadn’t trusted Graham this afternoon, and he still didn’t. Judging by the suspicious glances Graham kept tossing his way, the feeling was mutual. For all he knew, the officer was on Maddox’s payroll along with Navarro. Why would Grierson assign him to guard duty instead of Parker? Was it possible Grierson was in cahoots with Maddox, too?
One thing was certain. Mason wasn’t about to entrust Karina’s safety to someone even Parker couldn’t vouch for one hundred percent. It was time to call in some help from his F.A.S.T. partners.
NINETEEN
Caleb’s plane arrived on time at nine twenty-three the next morning. Mason stood beside Karina outside the security gate, yawning as he searched for a glimpse of his friend in the flow of people who exited. It had been another long night, this time spent in the car parked right beside Officer Graham’s police cruiser. Mason felt like he needed to watch Graham as much as the apartment. He was slightly comforted that Parker arranged his patrol route that he came by every so often to check on them. Only when the shift changed at four this morning and Graham was replaced by another officer, who seemed to be a decent guy, did Mason allow himself to catch a few hours’ sleep.
Spotting Caleb in a crowd wasn’t hard. Not only did the guy stand a full head above most everyone else, his looks were distinctive enough to draw attention. Broad shoulders and arms the size of small hams presented an intimidating picture on anyone, but the long hair caught back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and the multicolored tattoos that covered both arms, ensured that those who surrounded him gave him plenty of room. Of course if they’d known the gentle giant at all, they wouldn’t have been intimidated. Unless, of course, they were freaked out by someone who launched into prayer at the drop of a hat.
“There he is.” Mason raised an arm above his head and waved.
Karina’s eyes widened. “Wow. He’s…big.”
“Yeah, don’t let his size scare you.” He grinned down at her. “You can take him.”
Caleb caught sight of them and veered in their direction. When Mason’s hand clasped his strong grip, a powerful relief washed over him. Finally someone he could trust to help keep Karina safe.
The big man cocked his head to get a look at the side of Mason’s scalp. “Brother, you look like you lost a fight with a blowtorch.”
“Yeah. It’s nothing.” Mason shrugged off his concern. “Listen, thanks for coming on such short notice.”
“Not a problem, but do me a favor. Next time you schedule a flight for me, give me more time to change planes. I ran the whole way and even then I almost didn’t make the connection.”
Mason chuckled at the image of Caleb running through the airport, ponytail flapping in the breeze behind him. People were probably diving sideways to get out of his way.
“Sorry about that, buddy. I wanted you here as so
on as possible.” He put a hand at the small of Karina’s back. “Karina, this is my friend Caleb Buchannan.”
Caleb’s giant paw swallowed her dainty hand, and Mason almost laughed at the way she had to tilt her head back to look into his face.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.” Her smile was polite and tentative.
“Happy to do it, Sister. The Lord has sent me out on shorter notice than this. I’ve learned to be ready to move whenever He does.”
The smile transformed itself into a real one. “You’re a believer?” Her gaze flicked toward Mason as if shocked that he even knew a Christian.
“Sure am. And Sister, I don’t need to see that cross hanging around your neck to know Who you belong to. I can see Him shining in your eyes.”
Oh, great. In another minute they’ll probably start up a prayer meeting right here in the terminal.
Mason hurried to break into the conversation. “Can we get out of here before you two start singing hymns or something?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but headed for the exit.
Karina fell in beside him. Shouldering his duffel bag, Caleb posited himself on her other side. They must have looked like the Mod Squad, pacing through the airport.
In the parking garage Caleb folded himself into the car’s backseat. “You couldn’t have rented a real car? This one’s no bigger than a toy.”
From the driver’s seat Mason glanced into the back. Caleb’s long legs were scrunched up against the passenger seat, his chin almost resting on his knees.
“Sorry, dude. I didn’t know I was going to be chauffeuring a giant around town.”
“Oh, here. Let me give you some more leg room.” Karina scooted the seat up as far as it would go. “Is that better?”
“I’ll be fine, Sister.” A chuckle rumbled in the backseat. “I just like to give our friend here a hard time.”
“It’s a skill he practices,” Mason told her as he backed out of the parking space.
It was such a relief to have Caleb here, Mason’s mood felt lighter than it had in days. Surely now they’d make some progress. And now that he had help watching out for Karina, he was ready to push the envelope a little.
“Where are we going?” asked Karina as she snapped her seatbelt.
“I think it’s time to stop playing around.” He turned his head and caught her eye. “Let’s see what we can find out from Maddox.”
* * *
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
Karina smoothed a crease out of her slacks as she followed Mason out of the elevator on the fifteenth floor of Russell Maddox’s office building. If she’d known she would be coming here, she would have taken a little more care with her dress this morning. And her hair was its usual uncontrollable mess. She should have clasped it into submission at the back of her head.
What a dumb thing to worry about it. If we’re right, Maddox is a cold-blooded killer who is trying to send my brother to prison. Who cares what he thinks of me?
But the plush carpet of the office, the obviously expensive framed artwork on the walls, the very faint sound of classical music, intimidated her. Not to mention the stylish woman seated behind the gleaming polished wood of the receptionist desk. Makeup perfect, fingernails long and perfectly rounded, shining blond hair caught in an elegant twist at the nape of her neck. The smile she turned on them was cool, professional and not the slightest bit welcoming. She didn’t react to the burns on Mason’s face at all. Karina didn’t attribute the lack of reaction to professionalism—more like she couldn’t be bothered to care.
“Welcome to Grayscale Incorporated. How can I help you?”
Karina and Caleb hung back, but not Mason. He marched right up to the edge of the desk and awarded the seated woman a confident smile. “We’re here to see Russell Maddox.”
“What time is your appointment?”
“We don’t have one.”
The woman’s smile became patronizing. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Maddox is a very busy man.”
“I’m sure he is, but we only need a minute of his time.” Mason put a hand on the polished surface of the desk and leaned toward her. “I’m an old friend.”
From the stiff arrangement of the woman’s features, it was clear she doubted Mason’s claim. But his confident manner must have worked, because she said, “Who may I tell him is here?”
“Mason Sinclair. Tell him I’m Margie Sinclair’s widower.”
For the first time Karina saw emotion flicker on her face. Her eyes softened at the word widower. She picked up the telephone, punched two buttons and announced to the person on the other end that a friend of Mr. Maddox’s was in the front lobby requesting a few minutes of his time. She gave Mason’s name, listened for a moment and then nodded.
When she’d replaced the receiver, she looked back up at Mason. “Please have a seat, Mr. Sinclair. Mr. Maddox’s assistant is going to see if he has a moment to speak with you.”
Mason turned to award Karina and Caleb a private grin, and gestured toward a small and elegantly appointed waiting area. Karina perched on the edge of a gold upholstered armchair. She barely had time to take in her surroundings before a woman, this one not quite as fashion-model sleek as the first but every bit as professional, approached from around the corner. Steel gray hair cut in a short, sweeping style framed an unsmiling face.
“Mr. Sinclair?”
Mason stepped toward her. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Mr. Maddox has a very important conference call in ten minutes, but he’ll see you now.”
He cocked his head sideways for a second, and then nodded. “Ten minutes should be about right.”
No thanks. No apology. In fact, he acted like he was the one making time for the meeting, not Maddox. How did he have the nerve to maintain that cocky attitude in the face of such an imposing woman? He held out an arm toward Karina, and she hurried down the hallway after the assistant, a step ahead of Mason and Caleb.
At the end of a long hallway they entered a spacious outer office, apparently the assistant’s domain. Standing in the doorway stood the man they had seen leaving Casa del Sol two nights ago.
He came forward, hand extended. “Mason, how are you? It’s been a long time. I didn’t realize you were back in Albuquerque.”
“Just here for a visit,” Mason replied as he shook the hand. “Let me introduce my friends, Caleb Buchannan and Karina Guerrero.”
Russell Maddox wasn’t a small man by any means, but even he had to look up into Caleb’s face. For some reason that boosted Karina’s confidence and she was able to shake Maddox’s hand without trembling.
“A pleasure to meet you both. Please come in.” He stepped back and waved them into the office. “Have a seat.”
They arranged themselves in comfortable chairs situated in one corner of the office. When Maddox had seated himself, he turned a pleasant expression on Mason.
“So what can I do for you?”
Karina had no idea what Mason planned to say. On the trip over, he would only tell them that he wanted to go straight to the top and see what he could discover by speaking with the “head goon,” as he called Maddox. Even so, it came as a shock when he answered with a pleasant smile that was at complete odds with his words.
“We were actually hoping you would call off your goons so Karina’s brother could have at least a chance at a fair trial.”
Shocked silence rang in the office. With an effort, Karina controlled her urge to gasp. Caleb cleared his throat and gave close attention to the carpet beside his chair. Mason, on the other hand, looked steadily into Maddox’s face.
The polite smile slid from the executive’s features, leaving a chilly stare in its place. His gaze flickered toward Karina, then back to Mason. “Pardon me?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know that Karina
’s brother is Alexander Guerrero.”
She saw understanding dawn in his eyes. “Ah. The young gang member who killed his friend. I did see a report about that on the news.”
A flush rose to heat her face, but Karina didn’t say anything. This interview was Mason’s to handle.
“That’s what they’re saying. But I think we both know that isn’t what happened.”
Maddox crossed his legs. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, come on. We’ve done our homework. We know you own the grocery store and the restaurant where those boys worked.”
A quiet laugh issued from the man, and he folded his arms across his chest. “Not that it makes any difference, but those businesses are owned by subsidiaries, not by me.”
Mason continued as though he hadn’t spoken. “We also know you’ve got a couple of lawyers in your pocket.” He leaned forward in the chair and rested his forearms on his knees, displaying no sign that he was bluffing. “And we know about the guns.”
The man’s eyes narrowed to slits. “When your wife was killed, I tolerated your ridiculous accusations because I felt sorry for you. But I’m not as tolerant as I used to be.” His gaze flicked toward Caleb. “Nor am I easily intimidated.”
“We’re not trying to intimidate you.” There was not even a hint of a smile on Mason’s face now. “But unless you lay off the kid, we’re going to take you down. That’s a personal promise, from me to you.”
The weight of the tension in the room pressed against Karina until she was afraid to breathe, or even move. Finally Maddox got to his feet.
“This interview is over. Joyce?” His call resulted in the door being thrown open immediately and his assistant stepping into the room.
“Yes, sir?”
“Please show Mr. Sinclair and his friends out.” He didn’t take his gaze off Mason’s face. “And then notify security that if they’re seen on the premises again, they should be held until the police arrive to arrest them for harassment.”
Karina gathered her purse and hurried to the door, Caleb close behind her. Mason took his time, his expression insolent as he passed the woman.
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