by India Kells
As he approached, he saw James was already inside the car but had little option at this point. He could hardly leave the girl in this state, and he had serious questions about what she’d been doing in a hotel with that man. A man old enough to be her father no less.
“Here, jump in and let’s get you warmed up.” Despite the Miami heat, the girl was shivering in her tiny skirt and tank top that barely covered anything. Danie paused when she saw James and looked to Malco for reassurance.
“This is my friend, James Valentine. Everyone calls him Romeo, though.” Danie looked at James then at Malco before she cracked a smile.
“Figures with that pretty white boy look.”
James laughed too. “I wish it were because of that, but it’s actually because in high school, I was so crap talking to girls.”
“Yeah, right.” Danie had stopped crying now as she spoke with James, and Malco was relieved. He didn’t handle crying females well, whereas James seemed to be at ease with females, full stop. He’d heard this story before but went quiet as he sat beside Danie in the back and let James tell Danie, calming the girl at the same time.
“True story. I was thirteen and fancied this girl in the grade above me. She was beautiful, a cheerleader, and she was always nice to me. So, on her birthday, I waited by her locker with red roses and chocolates and my guitar. I’d written her a song I was going to sing it in front of everyone.” Malco watched as Danie snorted. “Oh no, you didn’t.”
James nodded forlornly. “I really did. I waited, and when she arrived, she looked horrified, but I carried on and sang the song while she stood there looking like she wanted to die of embarrassment.”
“What happened?”
“Her boyfriend, the Captain of the football team no less, came along and laughed at me as he slung his arm around her shoulders, told me to ‘get lost, Romeo’ and the name stuck. My older sisters didn’t speak to me for a week for embarrassing them as well.”
“Wow, and I thought high school was bad. That must have sucked.”
“It did for a bit, but then I discovered the gym and watched the movie Hitch, and now the name fits me better.”
“So I see.”
“So not to make you cry again, but what has you here at this time of night and so upset?” Malco waited for his answer and prayed she didn’t close up on him.
“I know who has Tycen.”
Malco tried to hide his shock and then his anger. He knew if he went on at her for lying, he’d get nowhere. Danie had hidden this knowledge for a reason, and much as he hated it, he had to hear her out.
“And?”
“Can we do this somewhere else?” Danie looked around nervously as if waiting for something bad to happen. He got that; he’d been the same at her age.
“Sure, I can take you back to the Agency or the center, which do you prefer?”
“The Agency.”
Her answer surprised him, but he didn’t show it.
“Gotcha.”
As James drove, he shot off a quick text to Frida.
Malco: I have Danie with me, and we’re coming into the agency.
He watched the dots jump around as she typed.
Frida: I’m not there. I’m following a lead.
Malco balled his fist at her reply. She knew how dangerous this was, and she was out chasing down leads alone.
Malco: WTF? Why didn’t you wait for me?
Frida: Pot meet kettle!!!
He read the text again and realized what a sexist pig he’d just been, although he liked to think it was more overprotective than sexist.
Malco: Fine, that was out of line. I just don’t want you hurt. You matter to me.
Frida: Way to stop a girl’s snit. Going all caring on her. x
Frida: Also, I’ve got back-up. I’m not an idiot, you know.
Malco: Note to self, sweet stops snit. Glad you’re safe, hope it pans out.
Frida: Sweet won’t work every time, mister, so behave yourself. The lead was a bust. I went to talk to Clark Pool, but he wasn’t around anywhere.
Malco mused on that and wondered what had put her on Pool’s path. It seemed their investigations were beginning to merge more rapidly now.
Malco: Meet me at the agency. I have Danie du Toit with me, and she was with Clark, and she says she knows who took Tycen.
Frida: Already on my way back. See you soon.
Malco had a feeling things were about to start moving very quickly, and he also had a feeling, things were about to get very nasty.
“So, let me get this straight. You saw her come out of the hotel with Clark?” Frida was pacing as she recounted what he’d told her. Danie was in the break room with Ward while he updated Frida.
“Yes. He ran off and left her, and then she burst into tears when she saw me.” He watched her stop and spin on her heel, admiring the sexy curve of her ass as she did. Frida Montalvo was sexy as hell when she went into lawyer mode. Her brain was working faster than anyone he’d ever known as she connected things in her head.
“We have so much information coming at us, and none of it is adding up yet, and that drives me crazy. Let’s go talk to her and find out about Tycen.”
Malco nodded as he followed her out of the room in bemusement at the way she took charge. Sexy. As. Fuck.
They entered the room, Ward and Danie going silent where they had been talking quietly in the corner, heads together. Malco closed the door, and he and Frida sat at the round table closer to the corner of the room, wanting it not to seem a ‘them and us’ situation. This way, they were all equal, and it was less intimidating for the young girl.
“Danie, nice to see you again. I hear you might have some information that might help us get Tycen home to his family?”
The young woman looked at Frida as she spoke and then at Ward as if seeking permission.
“Go ahead, Danie. Tell them what you told me,” he encouraged with a nod.
Danie paused a moment longer and then seemed to make a decision.
“About six months ago, I started seeing a boy from the Blood Razors.” Malco looked up and caught Ward’s jaw clench. The Blood Razors were a notorious gang with fingers in every illegal pie you could think of. They had links to drug-running, prostitution, and guns. Not to mention rape and murder.
“JaKheel was nice. He wasn’t like the others. He gave me attention and made me feel special. We were in love, but then he started to cancel dates and disappear for days. He said something big was coming up with the Blood Razors and that Bullet wanted them all working more hours.”
“Bullet? He’s the leader of the Blood Razors, right?” Malco asked but already suspected the answer.
“Yes, JaKheel said he had something big coming up, and when it went off, they’d all get a big payday.”
“How do Tycen and Pool fit into this?” Frida asked gently.
“JaKheel started getting touchy, saying Bullet was pushing him to recruit more people from the center. We had a fight, and he walked off. That was two months ago. Tycen and I are tight, so he put out some feelers and found out JaKheel was in deep with something. He heard rumbling about Bullet working with Clark Pool. So, I went to try and find out if he knew anything, but he started getting handsy, and I couldn’t go through with it. Luckily, the fire alarm went off, and I just left.”
“How do you know where Tycen is?”
“Because before he disappeared, I told him I was pregnant and wanted my baby to know his father. JaKheel doesn’t know yet.” Danie started to cry softly, and Malco was processing all the information silently without revealing his feelings on this.
“Tycen went to try and talk some sense into JaKheel, and it was that night he disappeared. I think the Blood Razors have him.”
“Why would they hold him?”
JaKheel said Bullet was always making examples out of people who crossed him. He wouldn’t like Tycen trying to disrespect him by talking to JaKheel.”
“Who is JaKheel to Bullet? A foot soldier?”
“He’s his younger brother.” Malco bit out a curse at her words. This was lining up to be a repeat of his own history.
“Don’t cry, Danie. We’ll sort this out,” Malco said, but as he looked Frida, they both knew it was highly possible that neither of those boys would be coming out of this with their lives.
“Have you seen a doctor about the pregnancy?”
Danie looked up, and there was a fire in her eyes. “I won’t get rid of my baby.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Frida smiled kindly. “I meant, have you seen a doctor to make sure you and the baby are healthy and getting everything you need?”
Danie shook her head. “No, nobody knows about it except Tycen and me.”
“How far along are you?”
“Fourteen weeks.”
Frida smiled at the girl. “Then let’s get you checked over and maybe a scan to see if you can hear the heartbeat.”
Danie let out a huge smile and placed her hand protectively over her stomach.
Malco and Frida stood. “Would you like something to eat?” He knew Cleo was still here with Mason, and she always had the fridge in the kitchen stocked with something.
“Yes, please.” Danie looked so young at that moment that Malco felt a deep well of sadness inside him. Young, pregnant, and afraid for her baby’s father. It was an all too familiar culture for young women with men in gangs. He just wished he could eradicate it altogether.
He felt a hand on his arm and looked at Frida as they exited the room together.
“We can only save them one at a time.” Her arms moved around his waist, and her head landed on his chest. The contact was comforting and made him feel like he wasn’t alone in this fight.
Chapter Fourteen
With Malco’s enveloping heat and strength surrounding her, Frida could’ve easily forgotten about the storm brewing around them. Between a pregnant teenager, a young man forced back into a gang, and two clearly corrupt civil servants, and no tangible proof to bring them down, Frida wasn’t sure where to start.
Now the motive for the attempt to steal the files at her office became clearer; they contained evidence of the money transfers from Pool to the Union, aka Kasten and his associates. Even though everyone seemed to be stepping down or retiring, the chase remained nonetheless. Following the money was obvious, but Frida was ready to use any evidence she could find.
“I can hear the wheels turning in your head, Frida, and they’re making a lot of noise.”
It was pure torture pushing away from Malco, but it couldn’t be helped. Frida sighed and reluctantly untangled herself from his arms. “Only noise? I think I can almost smell burning as well. You’re right. There’s much to think about. What will happen to Danie? We can’t let her go back on her own. It’s too dangerous.”
Malco nodded, his eyes darker than usual. “I’ll talk to Shane. I’m sure he knows of a couple of safe houses outside the city where Danie will be safe until we’re certain she can go home.”
It settled Frida’s worry a bit. “She’s not going to want to leave, but if she knows it’s only for a short period, I think we can convince her.”
“Won’t that be a lie? We don’t know what’s going to happen. And JaKheel is deep in the Blood Razors. We’re not talking about collateral damage here, he’s fully in the line of fire.”
How she wished Malco wasn’t right, but they’d both experienced firsthand what being involved with a gang meant. “I know. I just hope it doesn’t turn out like your brother and my sister.”
“It looks like history is repeating itself and in the worst way possible. I wish I had your optimism, but I don’t.”
It tore at her to see Malco’s obvious scars, how his cold façade went up like a shield. She couldn’t fault him for that, more often than not, she donned her own protective armor.
Shaking those gloomy thoughts away, Frida decided that keeping their focus on this mission would be best for both of them.
“I was thinking, how about we make a little visit to Kasten? I just heard from Chief Randall that he’s retiring early.”
“Is that so?”
“And I really think I should go and wish him well for the next phase of his life.”
Malco’s mouth quirked up, a predatory gleam in his eyes. “I like how your mind works. We can’t let such an outstanding officer leave without at least saying goodbye.”
Frida winked and grabbed her bag. “Totally. So, let’s go wish him well, shall we?”
Mid-afternoon meant a shift change took place, which allowed Frida to slip by the reception desk and head directly to the bullpen. As she passed a few officers, she resisted the impulse to touch her ear where Malco had installed a comm device. As far as she could tell, it was invisible, but she was walking toward a man who was cunning and dangerous, so nothing could be left to chance.
Malco hadn’t been ecstatic about her plan but couldn’t fault her intention. By coming here alone, Kasten would inevitably feel he had the upper hand, and with a little luck, he’d let slip something that may help the investigation.
With what was in her ear, Malco would be able to hear everything and intervene if need be. Not that Kasten would be fool enough to try anything so close to his colleagues.
Kasten’s office was on the left, and his door was open. He was inside, sorting through stacks of papers. He almost looked normal, but Frida knew better.
“Detective Kasten. What a surprise to see you so hard at work.”
When the man lifted his face to her, she thought he was about to snarl in disgust. Instead, he looked down at his papers. “I’m busy, Miss Montalvo.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you are, but not for long, I hear. I’ve heard through the grapevine that congratulations are in order on your early retirement. How lucky for you.” He remained silent, so Frida pushed a little. “Before you go, I want to know the status of the investigation concerning the break and enter at my office.”
“I thought you told me not to investigate?”
She heard the snide sneer in his voice as he said the words. “Come now, you wouldn’t have me believe that you listened, would you?”
“There are more important cases in this town than yours. But if it reassures you and makes you leave my office faster I’m passing all my files to Colson. You can annoy her from now on. Get the fuck out of my office, now.”
Instead of leaving, she closed the door behind her. “Are there so many other important cases to solve, or do you just skip those crimes you organize yourself?”
At least that caught his attention enough for him to abandon his papers. “Exactly what are you insinuating?”
He was right, it was an insinuation, and Frida couldn’t come up with a better idea, although it wasn’t that far of a stretch. Especially after all that had happened. Why not push it a little further? “I’m guessing I’ll find some interesting information in those boxes. It’s too bad you didn’t get your hands on them.”
For a moment, she thought he was about to have a seizure, but he only took a single menacing step in her direction. “If you value your life, you’ll leave my office this instant.”
After all her years in LA, such a simple threat wouldn’t make her back off. “Is DA Pool in on this, or did you come up with it all by yourself?”
It was clear that she was pulling the right strings, especially since she could almost see steam coming out of Kasten’s ears.
Immediately, Malco sounded in her ear. “Easy, Frida. Don’t push too hard. He could become dangerous.”
What could happen? In the middle of the station, surrounded by cops, Kasten wouldn’t dare. And if she didn’t grab this opportunity, she wouldn’t get another chance.
“Or maybe you prefer to keep it in the family. Little sister is already part of the Union, after all, it’s not such a big step from taking care of cops to money laundering.”
“You fucking bitch.”
“Frida, get out of there. Now.”
How could she
leave when she had confirmed so many things?
“I don’t believe your sudden wish to retire. Especially without your pension.”
“That’s confidential information.”
Despite the fear steadily rising in her chest, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing it. Instead, she took a firm step toward him, almost putting herself nose to nose with him. “Don’t worry, Kasten, I intent to dig through every single piece of information I can until you’re rotting in a cell for the rest of your life.”
And on that statement, Frida made her exit.
Her heart pounding so hard, she almost stumbled out—the reality of what she’d just done hit her full force.
Skirting the desks, she wanted to leave fast but needed to steady herself first and made a quick detour to the bathroom down the hall.
When she found it occupied, she decided to exit through the back door. Fresh air would be helpful as well as a walk around the building to reach Malco at the front.
When she stepped outside, she found herself surrounded by police cars and stopped for a second to get her bearings. Without warning, she was jerked backward and thrown against the brick wall. She didn’t have time to scream before a hand closed around her throat, cutting off her air. The next second, Kasten’s furious face filled her vision.
“Don’t worry about someone seeing our little chat. There aren’t cameras here, and there’s nobody around after a shift change.”
Frida grabbed his wrist and kicked him as hard as she could to get him to release her, but with his body plastered against hers, she didn’t have any momentum.
“I wanted to make something clear. If I were you, I wouldn’t make assumptions. You’re playing a dangerous game with people who won’t care about harming your pretty face like I do.”
Her vision blurred by the lack of oxygen, her body started to go numb and her arms heavy.
“Here’s a bit of friendly advice. Drop this foolish pursuit, Montalvo, before you lose everything.”
As darkness tried to overtake her, he finally released her, and she dropped hard to the pavement. Coughing, Frida fought hard to force air through her closed throat. Tears flowed from her eyes until she finally filled her lungs. It immediately cleared her vision and dimmed the buzzing in her head, and she heard someone running in her direction.