Chasing Secrets

by Lynette Eason

  Steven gestured to the house. “Anyone hurt?”

  “No, but it was only because none of us were in the front room at the time the bullets started flying. I stayed down mostly, but managed to get a glimpse of the vehicle. Dark sedan. Maybe a Buick. No plates. And that’s about it.”

  “Not much to go on,” Steven murmured. He looked around. “I’m guessing there won’t be any security cameras in this neighborhood.”

  “I wouldn’t think so. Not this area.” She shook her head. “So many good people suffer because of the actions of a few. They’re trapped in this neighborhood, longing for a better life—” she thought about the textbooks on the table in the house—“working for a better life, and this is what they have to put up with.”

  “Yeah.” Steven was surprised she’d voiced the thoughts. She didn’t come across to him as someone who shared easily.

  Three more police cruisers pulled up, lights flashing. As the officers piled out of their vehicles, Quinn flashed his badge and started barking orders. “Canvass the neighborhood, see if anyone saw anything.”

  The officers fanned out and Steven saw movement at the front door. His hand went to his weapon and paused. A young man stepped out. “Haley?”

  Haley turned and walked over to the teen. “Zeke. Are your mom and Micah all right?”

  “Yeah, just scared.” He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and eyed the police officers surrounding his home. “They going to catch who did this?”

  “I can’t promise they will, of course, but I can promise they’ll do their best.”

  Haley pulled the teen aside and looked into his angry brown eyes.

  “They could have killed my mom or Micah!” He slapped a fist into his other palm. “I find out who did this, I’m gonna pop ’em. I’m going to find a way to get them back.”

  “No you’re not,” Haley said. He stared at her, defiance rolling off of him in waves. “But I can sure understand why you’d want to. If I were in your shoes, I’d feel the same way. Angry and wanting revenge.” Flashes blipped across her mind. The sound of gunfire echoed in her ears. Different gunfire than what she’d just heard. She shook her head and focused back on the teen. “But it doesn’t fix anything, Zeke, okay? Don’t let the hate take root.”

  His brow rose and he looked at her like she’d grown another head. “You sound like my grandma’s preacherman.”

  She gave a light laugh. “I’m no preacher. I’ve just been there and it didn’t do much for me.”

  Some of the anger faded from his face and surprise took its place. “Who’d you hate?”

  “Someone who betrayed me and took joy in doing it.”

  He blinked and crossed his arms. “That’s just not right.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” She cleared her throat and forced the memories away. “Now,” she said. “Can you tell me who might want you dead? Someone you tried to mug? A gang member?”

  He frowned. “I ain’t in no gang.” He looked down at his feet. Haley noticed his tone, his use of the English language changed from when she’d collared him as well as when they were in the pharmacy. “And I done told you that I ain’t tried to mug nobody. Ever.” His eyes lifted briefly to meet hers. “Until you anyways. And I’m real sorry about that.”

  “Good, you should be.” He ducked his head. She softened her voice. “But thanks for apologizing.” He regretted his actions, but the fact that he even attempted to rob her raised all kinds of red flags for her. Intervention needed to happen now or Zeke would wind up just another statistic with a rap sheet. Right now, he was still a good kid in a bad situation. “I like your heart. It’s in the right place.”

  He stilled and then nodded without looking at her. She turned to find Zeke’s mother in the doorway. She had her arms crossed in front of her and her freckles stood out on her light brown cheeks.

  Haley walked over to her. “How’s Micah?”

  She shuddered. “He wanted to know about the loud noise. I told him it was a couple of cars backfiring.”

  “He bought that?”

  “No, but he’s too weak to care about it much right now. He went back to sleep after I gave him his medicine and assured him that everything was all right.”

  Haley looked at the bullet-riddled house. “Do you have a place you can go, a friend or a relative you can stay with?”

  Belinda frowned. “Why? You think they’ll be back?”

  “I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.”

  The young mother shook her head. “No.” She tugged on a stray strand of hair and glanced at Zeke. “I mean, I guess we could go stay with Richie—”

  “No way,” Zeke said. “I’ll take my chance getting shot up before I’ll stay with that—”

  His mother shushed him. “You know I don’t approve of that kind of language. I’ve already called him. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  Zeke flushed, his anger burning in his dark eyes. Haley caught his gaze but he looked away, jaw tight, fists clenched.

  His mother turned to Haley. “If we had some other place to go, we wouldn’t be here.”

  Haley had been afraid of that. “What about a shelter?”

  She held up a hand. “I’m not leaving my house.”

  “Even if it means protecting your kids?”

  She winced. “We have too much medical equipment. I’m not like other people. I can’t pick up and move without risking my child’s life.”

  She had a point.

  “Richie will make sure we’re protected,” Belinda said. “He’ll find out who did this.”

  Zeke huffed a short laugh of disbelief.

  Haley glanced at him, then back at Belinda. “Any idea why someone would want to do this to you?”

  “No. I don’t.”

  “Are you sure? Your kids could have been killed tonight.”

  “I know,” she whispered. Tears filled her eyes and her lower lip trembled. “You think I don’t know that?”

  “If you know anything, tell me and I’ll help you.”

  Belinda blinked the tears away. “But I don’t know anything. I don’t know why someone would do this. And why do you care anyway?”

  Haley lightly touched her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “Because that’s what I do.”

  He hid behind the large shrub and used the high-powered binoculars to watch the excitement playing out in the yard of the ugly blue house across the street. With the rental car parked out of sight behind a business closed for the evening, he had no real concern of being caught. As the scene unfolded, he growled, a low sound that threatened to rupture into a full-throated scream of rage and frustration. He’d had an assignment, a target, and he’d failed to take out that target. His employer would not be happy. But no matter. He hefted the automatic weapon. A simple reload and he’d be back in business.

  [7]

  Steven couldn’t tear his gaze away from Haley while she offered comfort to the mother and the teen she’d called Zeke.

  The mother was obviously shaken, unsure of what to do next—and he didn’t blame her.

  He knew she was scared the shooters might return, scared she wouldn’t be able to protect her kids, scared about everything right now. He’d spent enough time talking to psychiatrists to have the checklist in his head. He stepped closer. Haley was frowning. She started to say something, but the woman held up her hand to stop the flow of words, turned, and went back inside.

  Haley looked at Zeke. “Is Richie the one who beat you?” she asked softly.

  Zeke’s eyes held a chill that could have frozen Lake Murray over in the middle of a summertime heat wave. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. And if you call Social Services and say he is, you’ll sign our death warrant, you understand?”

  Steven’s gut clenched. Right. He could see Haley’s skepticism as well.

  A car engine roared behind him and he turned to see a black Mustang pull to a stop behind the cruisers. He heard Zeke curse beneath his breath. The driver got out of the c
ar and Steven noted he was bald, at least six feet four inches tall. He wore a muscle shirt that proudly exposed his tattoo artwork. He stood next to his car for a moment, taking in the scene around him. A small smirk curved his lips and Steven raised his guard a bit higher. The police presence didn’t seem to faze the large man. Good. Maybe that meant he hadn’t done anything wrong.

  “Richie?” Haley whispered to Zeke.

  “Yeah.” The teen’s low voice vibrated with fear—and hate. Then again, Steven thought, maybe Richie just hadn’t been caught yet.

  Steven stayed near in case he was needed.

  Richie took one look at the house and let out a low whistle. “What you done got yourself into, boy?”

  “None of your business, Richie, so you can leave. No one wants you here anyway.”

  Richie’s dark eyes blackened even further and a shudder swept through the teen. “Now that’s just not true,” Richie said. “Getting a little big for your britches, aren’t you?”

  Zeke stepped back even as his eyes flashed his defiance.

  Richie’s feral smile faded. “I’m here to see your mama. She called me.”

  “She’s inside.”

  “Guess that’s where you’d better be too, then.” He reached out with his large hand and caught Zeke around the upper arm. “Don’t want to get in the way of the po-po here.”

  Zeke tried to jerk away, but Richie held firm.

  Haley stepped forward. “Let him go.”

  Richie stopped, then met her gaze. “You got nothing to do with him. You don’t get a say in how I handle my son.”

  “I’m not your son,” Zeke spat. “Get your hand off me.”

  Richie simply tightened his grip and glared at the teen. “You sure are brave all of a sudden. Why’s that?”

  Steven stepped toward them, but Haley beat him to it. She slipped up and rested a hand on Zeke’s shoulder. “Let go of him or I’ll arrest you for assault and child endangerment and anything else I can think of.”

  Richie didn’t move at first, then slowly released Zeke’s arm. His eyes were cold, hard chips of ice, but his reptilian smile returned. “Of course, little lady. Just trying to make sure he’s not in the way here.”

  “He’s not.”

  Richie scowled, turned on his heel, and walked inside the house without a backward glance.

  Zeke’s breath whooshed out. “You just made yourself an enemy,” he said. “He won’t forget that.” He lifted a hand as though to touch her shoulder, then dropped it back to his side. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Zeke. I’m not a cop, I’m a bodyguard. I can take care of myself. He called you ‘son.’ Is he your biological dad or not?”

  “No way. If I had that man’s blood in my veins, I’d drain it.” He shook his head and walked into the house.

  Steven watched him go. “You think Richie will wait until we’re gone to start beating on him?”

  She scowled. “If he’s using Zeke as a punching bag, he’ll make him pay for his defiance and our intrusion. Mostly for me making Richie back down.”

  “I’m guessing they have no place to go?”

  “Nope. I offered to take her to a shelter, but she wouldn’t hear of it—and I understand why, for the most part. But she said some gang members have been harassing Zeke about joining them. She wonders if it was some of them who decided to make a point tonight.”

  “Either join up or die?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, we leave and the shooters come back and finish the job, or we leave and Richie uses his fists on Zeke.”

  “Either way, we can’t leave.” Haley’s eyes narrowed and her jaw tightened. “Nobody’s touching that kid if I can help it.”

  “We need to report it.”

  “We should, shouldn’t we?”

  “But you’re not going to.”

  “I’m not a cop, per se. I don’t have an obligation to report it.”

  He cut her a sideways glance. “That’s debatable.”

  “Probably, but you know as well as I do, if Richie’s arrested, he’s just going to be out on the streets within a few hours. He has plenty of dirty money and probably a host of lawyers on his payroll.”

  “Aren’t you making some snap judgments?”

  “More like experienced, well-educated judgments.” She shook her head. “If this were just any domestic dispute, I wouldn’t hesitate, but my gut is screaming at me about this situation.”

  “So what are you going to do?”

  “What I’m good at. My job.” Haley pulled her phone out and tapped the screen. “Olivia’s off today and tomorrow. I hate to bother her.” She used a finger to scroll and read. “Maddy’s working, Katie’s just getting back in town in about an hour, Lizzie’s covering for Katie, and Charlie is filling in for Olivia.” She tucked the phone away. “And tonight’s my night off. I’m actually the only one without a case right now. Supposed to get a new client tomorrow—only someone else is going to have to take that one.” She nodded in Zeke’s direction. “I just got my new client.”

  “Some night off.”

  “Yeah.” She looked at the house. “Guess God had other plans.”

  “He has a way of doing that sometimes, doesn’t he?” he murmured. He wasn’t so happy with God right now but wasn’t going to get into that with her. He looked at his phone. He needed to check in with his mother. He hadn’t heard anything come across the wire on any activity in their neighborhood, but the night wasn’t over yet.

  “All right, while these guys are still here, I need to get my car.” She glanced over at Quinn, who was back on his phone. “I walked home with Zeke and left my car near the AMC theater on Bush River Road. Didn’t realize I was going to hike for miles when I left home this evening. I’m not interested in walking back.”

  “You need a ride?”

  Her brow lifted. “Yes.”

  “Come on, I’ll take you. Looks like you and Quinn work together quite a bit. I need to catch up.” He’d just met her and he liked her. He definitely wanted to get to know her better.

  She tilted her head and studied him, then her shoulder lifted in a small shrug. “Didn’t you and Quinn ride together?”

  Steven knew he flushed, he was just glad the porch light was dim and she probably couldn’t see it. “Yes, but he still looks busy. I can come back and get him.”

  “I’ll ask him to keep an eye on the house until I get back. I don’t trust that Richie guy not to start throwing punches.”

  “We really should report this.”

  “Not only do I not trust Richie, I don’t trust that Social Services will be able to do anything about the situation without someone getting hurt.”

  “It’s not your call to make,” he murmured.

  “Then you call them. You’re the cop.”

  He groaned and dropped his head. He was obligated, mandated by the state of South Carolina to report a domestic violence situation. The fact that Richie didn’t live there didn’t matter. He suspected a minor was in danger. He’d call, but he’d speak to the social worker of his choice. Just as soon as he talked to Quinn about who that choice might be. He texted him the question.

  Haley walked over to his partner and placed a hand on his shoulder. Quinn turned. She said something to him and Quinn’s gaze lifted to connect with Steven’s. Steven kept his face blank, aiming for bored. Quinn’s brow rose and his lips tilted upward. Then he looked back at Haley and nodded. Said something. She punched him in the arm, and he winced, then handed her the keys to the vehicle.

  Steven couldn’t stop his lips from turning up. When Haley turned to head back his way, he quickly removed the smile and crossed his arms. “Quinn’s okay with the plan?”

  “Of course,” she said with so much sweetness he was surprised she didn’t gag. “You can drive.” She held the keys out to him and he took them.

  “I can,” he murmured. They climbed into the department-issued Chevy Impala and Steven clicked his seat belt into place. Haley did
the same and he pulled from the home. “How did you happen to be here tonight? I don’t think you said.”

  “You could say I met Zeke in a dark alley and then I followed him home.”

  He pulled his gaze from the road for a split second to blink at her before turning his attention back to driving. “I’ll let you explain that.”

  She let out a chuckle that, as far as he could tell, didn’t have much humor in it. “Zeke has a little brother who’s sick and needs medication. Apparently, something happened with the claim and Medicaid denied it. They’ll work it out, but Micah doesn’t have the time to wait on them.”

  Steven shook his head. “Red tape. I hate it.”

  “I agree with you on that one. Anyway, Zeke decided he’d mug me and steal my purse.”

  “I’m guessing you changed his mind?”

  “I did.”

  Steven wished he could have seen that go down. “Did he have a weapon on him?”

  “Other than an old pocketknife, nothing. He didn’t want to hurt me, just wanted to get his kid brother his medicine. And besides, he said he never tried to mug anyone before. I was his first attempt.”

  “You believe him?”

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know why, but I do.”

  “How much was the medicine?”

  “About three fifty.”

  He jerked. “Three hundred and fifty bucks?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Unbelievable. What a ripoff. You paid for it, didn’t you?”

  She shrugged. “Three fifty isn’t that much. Some medicine is in the thousands. I was skeptical at first, but when I walked into the pharmacy, Zeke and the pharmacist were on a first-name basis. He’s in there getting medicine for his brother all the time. It was legit.”

  “A classic case of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. What do you do? Let someone you love die—”

  “Or be driven to steal the money—something you know is wrong and wouldn’t ordinarily do—in order to save that someone you love.”