Breaking Bad: 14 Tales of Lawless Love

by Koko Brown

  “He’s jeopardized his career more than any detective in their department, Journey. What makes you think he wou—”

  “He wouldn’t,” she said with conviction not missing the way Henry’s eyebrow lifted in question. He’d had dealings with Laz and apparently knew of some of his tactics, but Journey was willing to bet her career on Laz’s innocence in this matter.

  Henry nodded as if silently coming to some conclusion.

  “Again, why have you brought this to my attention? Why aren’t you having this conversation with Carmen or Prentice?”

  “I have. They both agree with you. The problem is, since Carmen is on an indefinite medical leave, I need to reassign the case. Initially, I considered giving it to Gabe, thinking it would be a good assignment for him.”

  Oh no. That’s the last person who should get the case.

  “But then after speaking with him, talking to him the way you and I are doing, I don’t think giving him the case is a good idea. He has some strong, and not necessarily good, opinions about some of the individuals involved in the case that concern me.”

  Yeah, I just bet. Journey had no idea where this was going, but she remained quiet.

  “Between you and I, he feels Detective Dimas should be charged with obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.”

  “What? That’s insane!” Journey snapped, suddenly realizing how loud she’d gotten. “I’m sorry, sir, but how can Gabe come to that conclusion without having all the facts? I assume our office hasn’t started investigating these new claims, have we?”

  “Not in depth, no, but I do have Prentice talking to some of the witnesses.”

  “I see. Does Gabe know this?” Journey asked, thinking that Gabe had probably heard whispers around the office about the case the way she had.

  “He might, but at any rate, I trust your judgment, Journey, regarding the detective.”

  Henry had proven his trust in her a number of times when he’d asked her opinion about other situations. Normally those conversations centered around her own cases, not cases being overseen by other prosecutors in the office. She prayed he didn’t ask her opinion about Gabe. She wouldn’t be able to say anything good about the jerk.

  “I know you and Detective Dimas have worked on many cases together. I’d like for you to take over the Monsuli case.”

  Journey stared at her boss, shocked by his request. “I can’t!” she blurted before she could stop the words from flying out of her mouth.

  Henry leaned forward and folded his forearms on the desk and studied her. “Care to tell me why you’re refusing a case?”

  Okay. Think. Think.

  She knew why it wasn’t a good idea. There were no rules about her dating a cop, but dating a person they were investigating might bring into question her moral principles. Anything that the investigation turned up, would she be able to keep her biases at bay? She didn’t think so. In her heart she believed Laz was innocent of any wrong doing, but what if he wasn’t?

  “Henry, I just don’t know if me taking over Carmen’s case is a good idea.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…because based on the info that I just scanned in the case notes, and what I know of Lazarus, I think he’s innocent of any wrong doing as it relates to this case.”

  Henry smiled and sat back in his seat. “All the more reason for you to assume the case.”

  Journey frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “Sergeant Ford, Detective Dimas’s CO, is one of my golfing buddies. I can’t tell you the number of stories, and not all good, that I’ve heard about the detective. Ford often speaks of those who report to him, but not like he talks about Dimas. He respects his passion for the job, and his ability to help clean up our streets.”

  “But Journey, Monsuli is claiming that the vic was already dead when he arrived at the guy’s office. He says he never saw a weapon and that the detectives showed up while he was there. He’s still claiming that Detective Dimas is trying to frame him.”

  Journey shook her head. “From what I understand, the reports say that Monsuli was holding the weapon and there are witnesses.”

  “I understand all of that and I have no intention of pressing charges against Detective Dimas. At least not yet. The last thing I want is to send an innocent, decorated cop to jail. We just need to find the truth and make sure we have the right person behind bars. I’d like for you and Prentice to connect with Dimas and figure out all of this in the next 30 days. I’d also like the case handled without having to go back to court, and I believe you’re the perfect person to pick up where Carmen left off.”

  This should be interesting.

  Days later, Journey rode with Prentice to meet up with Laz to discuss the Monsuli case. Laz had been as shocked as her when she told him about the conversation with the DA. His only concern was that Journey had been assigned the case. According to him, Monsuli had recently orchestrated a few shady situations from behind bars, possibly threatening a couple of witnesses, but Laz couldn’t prove it yet. He felt it was only a matter of time that the drug dealer might somehow try to get to her.

  Journey knew he’d been thinking about Gwenn and what had happened with her. The last thing she wanted was for him to relieve that dark time, and she tried reassuring him that she’d be fine. But it felt good to have someone, besides her family, worry about her. Yet, she didn’t want him going all papa bear on her.

  “So explain to me why you want to focus more on the witnesses and the video footage evidence than the actual weapon,” Prentice said regarding the Monsuli case, splitting his attention between her and the road.

  “Actually, I’m still thinking about the weapon situation. There are two different reports. Our crime lab’s report has that the victim and Monsuli’s DNA are on the weapon. For some reason, there’s a second report that states that the weapon had been wiped, but they were able to get DNA matching the victim. They also have a partial print that supposedly belongs to Laz.”

  Journey closed the case file she’d been sifting through since getting into the car. She didn’t believe Laz had tampered with the murder weapon, but she wanted to determine if they had enough evidence and witness testimony to keep Monsuli behind bars without bringing the weapon into question. And that’s what she explained to Prentice.

  But honestly, she didn’t want to know the truth, and that bothered her. It would kill her to determine that Laz had indeed planted the knife. She was risking her professional integrity by not following some of the procedures she’d always followed during her career. Those same methods that set her apart from other prosecutors and got her answers when needed. Now because she was afraid of what would turn up, she didn’t want to know.

  Journey shifted in her seat and stared out the window. That nagging feeling that she was missing something was back. Even interviewing Laz’s partner Ashton hadn’t soothed her. Their recollection about the arrest was almost identical. Too identical. Making her think their stories had been rehearsed.

  Journey mentally shook herself. She had to believe that Laz was being honest with her. She really wanted to believe him. But he’d lied about Gabe’s beating. At least she was pretty sure he had. Who’s to say he wasn’t lying about this?

  “There were two witnesses who claim to have seen Monsuli murder the victim,” Prentice said, cutting into her thoughts. “One is now recanting his statement. Supposedly he’s unsure of what he saw.”

  “What about the three who heard him threaten the guy the week prior to the murder? Have you had a chance to talk with them, ask them more questions?”

  “The witness, Carol, Monsuli’s former housekeeper, died of a heart attack early this morning.”

  “What? Oh my goodness. I hadn’t heard.” Journey reopened Monsuli’s file that was still sitting in her lap. “She was only thirty-two. Did she have a history of heart problems or any health issues that you know of?”

  “From what I understand, she was perfectly healthy. Her family is demanding a
n investigation. They think it was foul play. I’m meeting with the woman’s sister tomorrow to find out why they think her death is suspicious. As for the witnesses who were in the building at the time of the murder, Laz was supposed to talk to one this morning and the other is not returning my calls.”

  Suddenly, the conversation Journey and Laz had days ago came to mind. Hopefully he wasn’t right about Monsuli pulling strings from behind bars, but it was starting to look that way. She wasn’t sure how deep this guy’s organization went, but knew he was a very dangerous man.

  “Rumor has it, Monsuli’s second in command is kind of feeling himself now that he’s running the organization. Maybe we can get word out that his boss might be released from jail. I’d think Mr. Second-in-command wouldn’t be too happy to hear that.”

  “You’re right. I’ll see if Laz has any connections that might be able to spread the word to the right people.”

  Seemed Laz had a way with people, and not all were good, law abiding citizens if Gabe’s beating was any indication.

  TWELVE

  A short while later Journey and Prentice arrived at the cafe. As they waited for Laz, anxiousness fluttered inside her gut. Normally they’d talked or texted throughout the day and had spent every night together, but for the last three nights Laz had been working a twelve-hour, third-shift surveillance case. Considering she wasn’t the clingy type, she missed him like crazy.

  A tickling sensation on the back of her neck had her looking up just as Laz entered the cafe. Warmth spread through her body when their gazes connected.

  Good Lord.

  The man was a walking billboard for everything lethal and sexy. His hair, that seemed to grow an inch every day, was pulled away from his face and bound at his nape. She loved a man with a little scruff on his face and Laz wore the look well. It appeared he hadn’t shaved since the last time she’d seen him. The tan T-shirt that stretched across his broad chest showed off his thick arms and wide shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist. A man in almost any type of uniform turned her on, and Laz’s relaxed, work look was no different. His thick legs, encased in dark jeans, were emphasized by the thigh, gun holster he sported, only adding to his hotness.

  Journey had to control the impulse to go and greet him with a kiss, one that matched the desire raging through her body. Instead, she reached for her glass of water and took a huge gulp. When what she really wanted to do was put the cold glass to the side of her face to help cool her off. They hadn’t discussed how they would greet each other when in public, but she planned to follow his lead.

  “Hey, sorry I’m late.” Laz slid into the booth next to her, sending her temperature through the roof. Every nerve in her body was on high alert. “Did you guys order already?”

  God, he smells good. A light sage and woodsy scent that was uniquely him. Sitting this close to Laz, not being able to kiss or touch him was going to kill her.

  “Not yet, we just arrived not too long ago,” Journey managed to say, her voice hitching on the last word due to his hand moving to her thigh.

  She glanced at him, her heart practically beating out of her chest at the bold move. He had to know that she was already wound tight from not seeing him. How could he in good conscience torture her by sitting so close and worse, caressing her bare thigh?

  “Hey,” he said, his voice low and husky, and his gaze on her mouth.

  Heat rose to her face. Had her skin not been as dark as it was, no doubt her cheeks would be burnt red. As it was her panties were getting wetter by the minute and all he’d done was touch her thigh and say hey.

  “Hi,” she croaked and looked away, only to make eye contact with Prentice who glanced between her and Laz before the corners of his lips curled upward.

  Okay, this is weird.

  Just relax, she told herself several times finding no relief in the silent command. She just had to get through their meal without making a fool of herself.

  Once the server took their orders, conversation flowed easily. Journey listened as Laz and Prentice discussed an upcoming Hawks game and the new basketball season. On the day she had told Laz about her being assigned the case, she’d learned that he and Prentice had worked together in the past before Prentice started working for the DA’s office.

  The server brought their meals to them in record time.

  “Did you guys know that Carmen’s car accident wasn’t an accident?” Laz asked.

  “What?” Journey and Prentice said in unison.

  Journey wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Are you saying someone intentionally caused her accident?”

  “I looked at the official report last night. It was determined that her brake lines were cut.”

  “Oh my God,” Journey mumbled. “I knew she was on medical leave, but I had no idea…”

  Laz gave her leg a gentle squeeze. “I tagged along with the detective on the case to her house and she almost passed out when she heard the news. When we tried questioning her, she shut down saying she didn’t know anyone who would want to hurt her.”

  “You think she was lying,” Prentice said as more of a statement than a question.

  “Yeah. We’ll check her phone records and gather as much information as we can to determine if someone has threatened her. She was pretty anxious for us to leave and was acting nervous even before she found out about the brakes.”

  “Prentice, who checked the weapon out of lock up for the trial?” Journey asked, pushing her rice around on her plate no longer hungry. She couldn’t remember seeing that information in the case notes.

  “I was supposed to get it out of evidence before the trial, but received a call from Carmen that morning saying that she’d take care of it.” He studied Journey. “You don’t think Carmen had anything to do with tampering with the evidence, do you?”

  Journey set her fork down and rubbed her temples. “Right now, I’m not putting anything past anyone.” Including Laz. Going forward she planned to treat this case like any other. She just hoped he was being honest with her.

  They discussed next steps, each taking on different tasks. Journey needed to talk to Carmen, who she suspected knew more than she’d shared in her notes. If Monsuli had threatened her or any of their witnesses, Journey planned to find out.

  Laz glanced at his watch. “All right you guys. I need to get back to work.”

  They took care of the bill and headed for the door. When they stepped outside and into the parking lot, Laz wrapped his arm around Journey’s waist.

  “Prentice, man, can you give us a second?” Laz asked.

  “Yeah, take all the time you need. I’ll be in the car.”

  With a hand at the small of her back, Laz guided Journey a few feet away from the entrance of the cafe.

  He backed her against the building, his large body blocking her and her view of the parking lot.

  “Are you okay? Towards the end there, you seemed a bit distracted,” he said, searching her eyes.

  “The news about Carmen was a little disturbing, and I keep thinking about you saying that Monsuli had a long reach.”

  “That’s why I need you to be extra vigilant about being careful, Journey. I think he got to Carmen. I don’t know how or when, but we’ll figure it out. You just need to remember that the guy is capable of anything.”

  When she glanced away, Laz touched her hip forcing her attention back to him.

  “I’ve missed you.

  “I’ve missed you, too. Am I going to see you tonight?” she asked, her hands on his chest, loving how his muscles contracted beneath her touch.

  “Yeah, but it might be late.”

  “It doesn’t matter the time. I want to see you.” She had never considered herself or wanted to be one of those needy women, but tonight she needed him. It also seemed she got a better night’s sleep when they shared a bed.

  Laz studied her without responding right away. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Oh yeah, I’m fine. I just… I just need you tonight. If
you can’t come by, I’ll understand.”

  He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “I’ll be there, but you’d tell me if something was wrong, right?”

  She nodded though the case had her anxious. Not just because of the new development about Carmen, but also because Journey didn’t know what she’d do if Laz wasn’t being honest with her. He meant so much to her and she needed him to be innocent of any wrongdoing as it related to this case.

  “Did I tell you how sexy you look today?”

  Journey smiled and glanced down at her pinstriped suit. “You always say that.” The suit molded over her figure. And the skirt, with its peek-a-boo split, was a little daring for work, but the outfit always made her feel sexy.

  “I always mean it. But today, I can’t help but think that you wore this little number for me, giving me access to your silky thigh.”

  “You’re so bad. I almost knocked over my drink in there when your hand slid under my skirt and inched up my thigh.”

  Laz shrugged. “I couldn’t help myself. At least I stopped. I was tempted to go all the way up and inside your panties.”

  “Who said I was wearing panties?”

  “See, you know what?”

  Journey laughed at the face he made. “Hey, you started it.”

  “And I plan on finishing it tonight. Now give me some love. I have to get going.”

  When their lips connected, it was as if all the background noise disappeared and they were the only two people on earth. This man had eased into her life, and now had such a big chunk of her heart.

  “Are you heading home?” he asked when they finally pulled apart.

  “Not yet. I need to go back to the office for a little while, and then I’ll head home.” It was almost five o’clock, but she had at least a couple of more hours of work.

  “All right, be safe and shoot me a text when you get home,” he said as he escorted her to Prentice’s car.