Ryker (Hope City Book 5)

by Kris Michaels

  Forsythe must have noticed the reaction. “Do you recognize the number?”

  “No, sorry, my shoulder twinged a bit. Here is the cell number from which I received the text to pick up Mouse. This is the unanswered call that I was moving to answer when they took shots at me.” He handed them the phone so they could write down the number attached to the pickup text and the last one on his call log. “Should I try to call it back?”

  Forsythe shook his head. “No, we don’t want the players to know we’ve connected the dots. Besides, this is probably a burner phone. We’ll have tech run it and figure it out. If we go that route, we’ll let you know. Until then, pretend it doesn’t exist.”

  He nodded and dropped the phone onto his lap. “Maybe you can ping it, see if it is still active.”

  “We threw up a geofence around your neighborhood when the shooting happened which trapped all the numbers pinging in that area. If this number was in your area, getting a warrant won’t be a problem, but let us worry about that. You’re not the investigator on this, you’re the victim,” Callaway reminded him. As if he needed it.

  Forsythe continued with the questioning. “Anything about the shooter’s vehicle that you can remember?”

  “It was a dark blue SUV. Blacked-out windows with chrome bumpers, early nineties model, but shiny and well-maintained. I didn’t get a plate. I made sure the casings in the middle of the street were undisturbed until responding patrols arrived.”

  Callaway nodded. “Yeah, we saw where you were standing. What’s the prognosis on your injuries?”

  “The doc rebuilt my shoulder. I’ll be back at work in three weeks. Desk duty.”

  “Well, I for one am damn glad we’re doing the investigation instead of homicide. No offense to your brother, man.” Callaway winked at Brody.

  Brody looked straight at him and nodded. “Yeah, I’m damn glad it’s you, too.” Brody turned his attention to the detectives and added. “What do you need from us?”

  “Nothing. Once we get a trace on this number, we may need some coverage on surveillance.”

  “Whatever you need, you’ve got it,” Terrence assured him.

  The detectives left, and the door closed behind them. Ryker leaned to the side, trying to ease the pain in his shoulder. “Have we checked on Clare Edelman? What about her husband?”

  Brody answered, “I checked on Clare this afternoon. She’s out of general pop. It was the best we could do without more probable cause. The marshal in charge of her husband’s case has assured me he’s safe and aware of the situation. But I have to ask, why in the hell would Peña go after you?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he thought Mouse was with me? God only knows what Alice said if they got to her.”

  “Yeah, but calling your cell to put you in the line of fire... Cap, that is almost like whoever was shooting at you knew what your routine was.” Brody rubbed his stubble. “Cap, do any of your neighbors have security cameras?”

  Ryker blinked. “You think they’ve been watching me.”

  Brody nodded his head. “I do.”

  “Mrs. Thorn has a system. She lives across the street. Some kids were messing with her flowers and she had her son put it up. I don’t visit much with the other neighbors, so I’m not sure.”

  Terrence dropped a hand on Brody’s shoulder. “Let’s go talk with Mrs. Thorn and canvas the neighborhood.”

  “Sounds like a plan, but in the morning. It is way too late to be knocking on Joe Citizen’s door, especially after a shooting in the hood. It would be our luck we’d get taken out by a John Wayne wannabe and then Ryker would have to run his own investigation.” Brody smiled at him. It would seem the surprise relationship had finally settled around his sergeant.

  “Morning would be better. I haven’t lost a cop on my watch and I don’t want to start with either of you. We should give Forsythe and Callaway a heads-up,” he reminded his team they were not the lead on this matter.

  “And we will, Cap, as soon as we know whether we have any information to give them. No sense sending them on the trail of a red herring.” Brody smiled at him.

  “Fine, getcha assess out of here and send in Brie, would you?” He spoke directly to Brody.

  “I damn near had to tie her to the chair to keep her out when I retrieved your phone.” Brody rubbed the back of his neck. “We good?”

  “We’re good.” Ryker nodded and winced. The pain medication was definitely taking its time to kick in.

  Terrence winked at him from behind Brody. “Rest and get yourself healed up.”

  Chapter 9

  Brie hugged her mom goodbye and sat patiently in the small waiting area in the post-surgical ward. Ryker’s team had drifted away but only after their lieutenant, the kind man who’d explained things to her when she first arrived, had announced their boss would be fine and no one else would be able to see him tonight.

  The sound of footsteps turned her attention to the hallway. Four tall men walked in unison to the nurse’s desk. One was attired in a three-piece suit, one wore jeans, a maroon tee-shirt, and work boots, another wore workout clothes, and the fourth looked as if they had dragged him from bed. They had similar features—sandy brown hair, high cheekbones, broad shoulders, and long legs. Their features were so alike, relatives… brothers probably. All four leaned forward when the one in the three-piece suit talked to the nurse. Ah, they probably just found out about a loved one’s surgery.

  She closed her eyes and relived the phone call she’d received from Amber. The confusion and then the terror that raced through her and then the profound urgency to be with Ryker were still so fresh and raw. She knew what that family was going through and she wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

  “Excuse me. Are you Brianna?”

  Her eyes popped open. The men from the nurse’s station formed a semi-circle around her chair. Not close enough to make her feel uncomfortable, but she stood up anyway. “Yes.”

  A soft smile spread across his face. “I’m Xander, this is Killian, Elias, and the one on the end is Dimitri.”

  Brie glanced at the other men and then looked back at... Xander. “I’m sorry, should I know you?”

  The smile fell from the man’s lips. “Ah, perhaps not, although we’d hoped. We are Ryker’s half-brothers.”

  Brie smiled and ran her hand through her hair. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I knew he had a large family, but we haven’t talked much about you.”

  “There are the four of us besides Ryker. How is he?”

  “He’s out of surgery and awake. They just moved him up here and his lieutenant and sergeant are with him now.” She motioned to the room as the lieutenant walked out. He smiled at her and headed down the hall in the opposite direction.

  “Our father said that you were his girlfriend?”

  “I am.” They were more than that, but she didn’t share that information. She motioned to the chairs. “Would you like to sit down?”

  “Thank you.” They all took a seat and then Xander spoke again. “What happened?”

  “Well, I just have the broad picture. From what I understand, he was at home and someone shot at him through the front picture window.”

  The lieutenant and two other men went back into Ryker’s room. She sighed and realized Ryker’s brothers had been watching the door, too.

  Finally, the one in work clothes, Killian, cleared his throat. “I knew being a cop was dangerous, but damn it, I never thought he’d be shot. I mean, he’s a captain. Isn’t that a desk job?”

  She chuckled. “For some it would be, but he’s the Captain of the Joint Drug Enforcement Team. He is in the field with his people. Most of their busts are enormous and usually very successful. He and his team have received at least five meritorious service awards.” Probably more, but that was the count she had since Brody started working on the team. Her dad was damn proud of the work the team had done and bragged on them often.

  All four men exchanged looks with each other. “What?” She had a feeling she’d let a
cat out of the bag.

  She bit her bottom lip and glanced at the door just as Brody walked out. She jumped up. “Is everything okay?”

  He held up a hand, stopping her from asking another question. “Everything is fine, Brie. Do you have Ryker’s phone?” Brody examined the men who stood when she did. He stuck his hand out to the nearest man. “Detective Brody King.”

  Xander performed the introductions again. “Are you related to Brianna? You have a striking resemblance.”

  Brody smiled politely and glanced at her before he answered, “I’m her brother.”

  Brie could see the confusion and unasked questions in Brody’s expression. “They are Ryker’s brothers.”

  Brody blinked. That Ryker had brothers startled Brody. She could read him well enough to know the info had set him back a step. “Brothers? Cool. Good to meet you.” He turned his attention to her. “We’ll be done shortly, but I know the nurses will probably kick you to the curb soon as it is well after visiting hours. Why don’t you go home and come back in the morning? You look exhausted.”

  She shook her head adamantly. “It is going to take a crowbar and one hell of a lot more muscle than a fussy nurse to get me out of here before I see him again.”

  Heat rose to her face when a spattering of laughter from the men beside her registered. Brody chuckled, too. “Okay, okay. I’ll take the phone, and if the nurses try to call security, let me know and I’ll flash my badge for you.”

  “Thank you.” She handed him Ryker’s phone and ran a shaking hand through her hair.

  “I guess we won’t be able to see him tonight. Would you mind taking my card? If you could give us updates, we’d appreciate it.”

  She glanced at the engraved card and pocketed it. “I’d be glad to do that. I’m sure Ryker will call you tomorrow.”

  Xander smiled, although it didn’t go all the way to his eyes. “I would like to believe so, however, our past has been rocky. We’re trying to close the gap between us. It’s been difficult.”

  Brie saw the honesty in Xander’s face and reflected in his brothers’ expressions. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you.” Not being close to family was almost impossible for her to fathom. Her life teemed with all the messes and joys of brothers, sisters, and neighbors being in everyone’s business. Sure, there were differences and squabbles, but she’d do anything for her family, and if she had a problem, all she had to do was pick up a phone. It appeared these four brothers had that. Why didn’t Ryker?

  They said goodnight and walked in pairs down the almost vacant hallway.

  “Brie? You okay?” Brody walked up to her.

  “What? Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” She rubbed her arms. “When can I see him?”

  “Now. I’ll run interference with the nurse and buy you some time, but you will get kicked out sooner rather than later. It’s already almost one.”

  “Really?” She glanced at her watch. In some ways, it felt like it should be morning already. The hours had dragged by.

  “Do you want me to wait and drive you home?” He folded her into a hug. “I’m happy for you and him. It’s just going to take a hot minute to get used to.”

  She chuckled and hugged him back. “Thank you. That admission really had to hurt.”

  “Yeah, you have no idea how much.” Brody broke the hug and nodded to the room. “He’s waiting for you.”

  She beamed a smile at him and went to Ryker’s door, stopping only to knock and peek her head inside. “Hey.” He smiled and lifted his hand. There was still an IV, so she was careful when she took his and leaned past the silver guardrail to kiss him. “You can’t do that again. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I got the call.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He smiled up at her. “You called my stepfather.”

  She winced. “Yeah, Mom and I thought if the situations were reversed, we’d want someone to call for us.”

  “For normal family dynamics, perhaps.” Ryker closed his eyes. “We aren’t the typical family.”

  “Your brothers came.”

  His eyes snapped open. “What?”

  “Yeah, Xander, Elias, Dimitri, and Killian? They wanted to make sure you were okay. I told Xander that you’d probably call him tomorrow. I may have made a mistake.” She winced again and dropped her head back, looking at the ceiling. “I told them you were a highly-decorated captain of JDET. I don’t think they knew that.”

  Ryker chuffed a harsh breath. “They don’t want to know what I do.”

  She ran her hand through his short hair. “I didn’t get that just now. They seemed worried and I could tell they care.”

  Ryker gave her a weak smile before his eyes dropped again. “Okay. I’ll agree to disagree.”

  She leaned down and kissed his lips again. “I’m going to go so you can rest. I’ll be back in the morning.”

  “No, sleep in, get some rest, and bring me some lunch. I know you’re exhausted.”

  “Well, I’m not sure I can stay away that long, but I won’t set an alarm.” She stared at him for a moment before she asked, “Can I bring you anything else?”

  “God, yes. Jeans and a tee-shirt and socks. I feel exposed in this damn thing.” He picked at his hospital johnnie.

  “Well, that’s because it is about twenty sizes too small for you.” She brought up the untied fabric from his good arm and tucked it under his shoulder. “Do you think they’ll let you put a tee-shirt on?”

  “Maybe. In the guest room closet there are some winter flannel button-ups. Bring me one of those? No, wait.” he dropped his head back on the pillow. “I don’t want you going to the house.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they haven’t caught the shooters. We don’t know why they targeted me. If they are watching the house, they’ll see you. I don’t want them to have access to my personal life.”

  “Would they be watching the house?”

  “It is one theory.” He opened his eyes. “Promise me you won’t go back to my house, please.”

  “Okay. I’ll call Brody in the morning and see if one of your people can stop by and get those things for you. I’ll probably have them bring my clothes with them since most of my good work clothes are in your closet.”

  “Funny how that happened,” he chuckled.

  “Yeah, matriculation through the months.” She swept her hand through his hair again, unable to stop herself from touching him, reassuring herself he was going to be okay.

  “Maybe you should move in with me when we figure this situation is done.” His words were sleepy.

  She smiled at him. “You could convince me. Until then, why don’t you stay with me?”

  He hummed as she combed her fingers through his hair again. “I don’t want to lead them to you.”

  “Then we are going to have problems. I’m not leaving you. If you’re not staying with me, we are going somewhere else together.”

  “It isn’t safe.” He closed his eyes. Against the pallor of his skin, the dark circles under his eyes slashed a deep reminder of his recent surgery and the reason for it.

  “Then, Captain Terrell, we are going to have to find a location that is safe. Someplace people wouldn’t look for you.” She cringed but said it anyway. “We can stay with my parents.”

  He opened one eye. “I’d rather not.”

  The relieved sigh came in a rush of air. “Oh, thank God.”

  He chuckled and patted her arm. “Don’t worry, babe. We’ll come up with something. Tomorrow.” His eyes closed and his words drifted off.

  She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Tomorrow. I love you.”

  He mumbled something unintelligible, and his eyes didn’t open. She smiled and stared at the man she loved. Thank God they had another tomorrow together.

  Chapter 10

  Ryker groaned as he sat down in the chair beside his bed. Rayburn and Watson had delivered street clothes first thing in the morning before they’d gone into the office. They also snuck him a cup of coffe
e the size of his head and a grease-bomb egg sandwich with enough bacon on the damn thing to give the entire hospital a heart attack. It was fucking fantastic. He had to wait for someone to unhook him from the damn IV before he made a trek to the bathroom and changed.

  Damn, he’d sweat bullets exercising before, but this was a new level of exhaustion. He’d tugged one of his XXXL t-shirts over his head and shoved his good arm through the armhole. Getting the material down past his bad shoulder took almost five minutes of gentle tugging and stretching the fabric without pulling against the surgical site. Now, he was shaking like a kitten left outside in a freezing rainstorm and really wanted to crawl back up onto that bed and go to sleep. Fuck, it wrung him out.

  “What are you doing?” The stocky nurse stopped in his doorway. The guy pointed to the bed. “You want help to get back into bed or are you going to pass out where you are?”

  Ryker narrowed his eyes at the guy and gutted himself up into a standing position. He would not have his ass handed to him. It had been one hell of a long time since anyone talked down to him, and he would not allow it now either. “I needed to get out of that damn hospital gown.”

  “Well, bravo. What are you going to do when the doc wants to check that incision?” The guy folded back his blanket and sheet and moved the pillow out of his way in addition to making sure Ryker didn’t face plant as he made his way to the bed.

  He grunted. Well, hell. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. My focus was stopping my shit from dangling in the breeze, if you get my drift.”

  The nurse chuckled. “I got you. What we’re going to need to do is cut this shirt up the side. We can use safety pins to close the material and protect your modesty.”

  Ryker got into bed, carefully adjusted his position, and slowly dropped his head back on the pillow. “That will work. When is the doc coming by?”

  “Rounds start at nine. Depends on how many patients he has, but...” The guy glanced up at the clock. “Probably within the next hour.”