True Justice
Page 51
Oh, and they would.
“Thank you for the direction.”
She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket.
“Here’s her name, and here’s her sister’s name. She’s been pretty scared to say anything, but if you can get her to trust you, then you can likely get something out of her.”
He took it.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me,” she said. “I didn’t call my buddies at some agency to dig for a name.”
They all glanced over at Ethan.
He simply smiled.
“Clean it up, Croft.”
“I will.”
Ethan knew this was the moment.
“I’m going to do something so damn controversial. I think it’s the right thing to do.”
They all waited.
“Greyson, if you’d like your job back as director, it’s yours.”
There was silence.
Emma glanced up at her husband from the wheelchair as she held her breath.
They all did.
Greyson stared down at his woman.
“If you want to do it, Greyson, take it.”
He took her hand in his, and he gave it a squeeze. There was no way he could ever wear that badge again. He’d killed someone and that wasn’t the way a cop handled things. That part of him…it was gone.
This was his city, and he was going to fix everything that was broken in it from the crooked cops to the mess that was heading his way—thanks to Babylon and his thugs.
“Ethan, thank you for that, but I kindly decline your offer. I’m right where I need to be. The family will keep the peace, or try to,” he stated.
Ethan understood.
“I figured as much. I wanted to offer it to you first. You deserved it.”
“Thank you, my friend.”
“Can I have the key?”
“Promise you’ll drive it like you stole it?” Elizabeth asked. “For old time’s sake?”
He snorted.
Emma didn’t know what the hell they were talking about.
“Key to what? The city?”
Ethan gave the key to Elizabeth who then gave the key to Emma.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Croft. You’re the proud new owner of this kicking, slightly used and abused penthouse condo.”
She took the hug from Elizabeth and the key.
“Is this where we’re going to be living?”
Greyson grinned.
“It looks like we’re back where we started all over again,” he admitted. “I bought the condo from Callen. He was kind enough to sell it.”
Emma smiled.
“I always did like the view.”
How could she not? It was of a really good man doing a really good job.
“Well, thanks for the laughs,” Elizabeth said, taking Ethan and Chris’s hands. “We are going home. I have a wedding in a few days, and I’d like to take a damn vacation.”
And no one blamed her.
They said their goodbyes, and they headed out. At the door, she turned.
“Oh, and we have someone looking for Storm St. Clair. We have a few connections in New Orleans, and they’ll be handling it. They’ll also hunt down Rosemary Harrington. She’ll get her day.”
“Thank you.”
They waved, and they were gone.
The family took that moment to relax. They had to quickly regroup because they were going to go back at it again. This wasn’t over for them.
Commissioner Jeffrey Raye had to pay.
“Where are we all staying?” Dante asked.
“Well, this actually works out for us. In about a week, most of the people in this building will want to sell to get away from us. I suggest we start to buy the condos out.”
Emma laughed.
“Sorry, but I saw you renaming it to Croft Villa.”
He grinned.
“Dante?”
“Yo?”
“Get on that.”
He laughed.
“Dimitri has a place, we have one for Katerina and Curtis, and for now, Dante and Steele can stay here. Paris and Tessa have their place, and we are set.”
Actually, they were.
“I like it.”
“Uh, me?” Chris said.
“We can get you a…”
He asserted his dominance when it came to where he’d be parking his ass.
“I’m staying here with Emma,” he stated, cutting Greyson off. “I’m where I belong, and I need to get her better.”
Greyson kissed his wife on the top of the head. Well, that was settled and they could cross that off the list.
“Well, we have enough rooms for everyone then. Once another condo opens between us, and there is one more, we will buy it and Dante and Steele will have their place.”
“Did you plan all this?” Emma teased.
He wished.
“I know you loved Terrace Glen, but I don’t think we should rebuild it. I know Randall liked it for the views and privacy, but it’s in the middle of nothing, and that’s dangerous. We need to be where we can look down and see what’s coming.”
She agreed.
“Can you take me to our room?” she asked. “I’m tired. I need to rest.”
He touched her cheek.
“Chris, can you? I need to speak to Dimitri.”
The man wheeled her away, and the family waited.
“Monday, we begin the case. Tessa, here is the name Elizabeth gave us. Find her and get her here. We’re going to find a missing woman.”
“On it, boss.”
She and Paris headed out. Dante and Steele wandered around, looking at their new home, dragging Sam with them so Greyson could have privacy.
Curtis and Kat headed down to their new home too. The family was settling. They would make this work.
“What do you need to talk about?” Dimitri asked when they were alone.
“Poppy Wayne.”
He took a seat.
Greyson took one beside him.
“What about her?”
“She’s a cop.”
He laughed.
“Oh, I know. I’ve decided to avoid her at all costs,” Dimitri admitted.
“Why?”
“Because she’s the one. I’ve never thought that to this level before. With Anastasia, I wanted a mother for the girls. With Marissa, I didn’t want to be alone anymore. I wanted anyone who would make me feel.”
“And?”
“She makes me feel all kinds of things that are really dangerous for her and my wellbeing.”
“You should ask her out. Didn’t you make a bet?”
He looked vastly uncomfortable.
“What?” Greyson asked.
“Promise you won’t laugh?” he asked.
“Dimitri, you’re my best friend and my brother. I’ll never laugh at you.”
He thought about it.
“I don’t know how to do it. I’ve never asked a woman out before. I’ve never had to do it. I was purchasing dates to get off. I don’t know how to court a lady.”
Greyson grinned.
“That’s technically laughing.”
He did laugh then.
“I was smiling because this is the best part of a relationship,” he admitted.
“I’m pretty sure the sex is the best part, you liar.”
Croft laughed.
“I meant the thrill of the hunt. When I was trying to woo Emma, it was about catching her off guard, dazzling her with my skills, and then luring her in.”
“Uh, she might have a secondary version of this story.”
He snorted.
“Ask her out.”
“How?”
Greyson told him.
“Are you serious? Will that really work?” he asked when his best friend and brother told him. “She and I are opposites.”
“As are Emma and I.”
“She’s a cop.”
“Well, that’s the only bad thing. She saved you and your s
on. She saved your life a couple of times. Maybe it’s time you kept your bet. You mentioned dinner.”
“She mentioned dinner as a wager.”
“Start with drinks.”
“Grey, this is going to blow up in my face. I’m not a good bet for anyone. I’m not worthy of her.”
He hugged the man.
“Dimitri, you are worth everything. She likes you. You can tell. She saved your ass.”
“She kissed me in the chapel.”
He lifted a brow.
Well, that was one hell of a sign from an eligible woman if he ever saw one himself.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“Of course.”
“Do it. Have drinks. I’m sure you know a nice, safe bar where you can get to know her. NO SEX!”
He stared at him.
“I’m well aware that you don’t take a lady to bed on the first date. I’ve seen TV, Ward. You and June raised me right.”
He snorted.
“Do it, my friend.”
Dimitri thought about it.
What was the worst that could happen?
She could laugh.
Shoot him.
Arrest him.
Kill him.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
Greyson helped him up.
“Oh, and then when you’re done, you have a second date to schedule.”
He looked confused.
“What?”
Chris began laughing as he leaned on the doorjamb.
“We’re going to the gym. Someone has to rehab that arm. I’m your workout partner.”
Dimitri stared at him.
“You wouldn’t beat on a wounded man, would you?”
Chris and Greyson both laughed their asses off.
Karma was a bitch, and someone was going to be in a shitload of pain.
And this time, it wasn’t Chris.
* * * G R E Y S O N C R O F T * * *
Police Precinct
It was time.
Poppy headed into the commissioner’s office. When she sat down, he was all smiles and happy words, and she didn’t buy any of them.
This man was a sociopath.
He’d just lost another cop—or Fed—or whatever the hell Hunter Dietrich had been, and he was laughing like a loon.
Well, Poppy had news for him.
“I won’t be taking the job as captain.”
He stared at her.
“What do you mean, Detective? We’ve done the paperwork, you wrapped all your cases, and you’re ready to go.”
“I’m telling you that I don’t want it. Pass it off to someone else.”
He stared at her.
“Why?”
“I’ve realized something.”
“What?”
“You don’t really want to give it to me so I’ll be captain. You want me in that office for ulterior reasons.”
He stopped laughing.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You don’t want me doing my job as a detective. You want me off the streets.”
He got angry.
She could see it.
Yeah, she’d definitely ruined his plans.
“I’m staying where I am. I’m good at finding killers, and I’m good at finding my way through nothing but lies and bullshit. I’m going to do my job, Commissioner, and I’m going to find out what the hell is going on.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’ve had two police captains die. Someone has tried to kill another. I’d be crazy to take that position. You’ve had cops who I worked with die, and not by a crazy in the streets. Mace Bristol’s murder has never been solved. Lester Lucas’s murder is being tied up. I’m going to start working on them.”
He stood.
“Detective, you don’t want to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. It might be cut off.”
She stood.
“Commissioner, if anything happens to me, I’ve taken some preventative actions to make sure no one believes it was in the line of duty or ‘accidental’. So, let’s be clear. I’m going to do my job.”
She headed for the door.
“I can’t wait to see who my new partner is going to be,” she stated. “Maybe you can find someone in Philly.”
His eyes went cold.
Dead.
Evil.
“Tread lightly, Detective, and for the record, you aren’t getting a partner. You know…budget cuts and all.” It was a good thing he’d planned for all of this. Women were fickle. He had a backup plan.
She smiled sweetly at him.
“As long as we’re on the same page.”
Poppy headed out, and her heart was pounding. She’d baited a crazy person, and now she’d likely die.
Well, at least she’d go down with honor.
Before she did, there was one thing left to do.
Poppy was going to clean up the city.
Or die trying.
* * * G R E Y S O N C R O F T * * *
When she got home, Poppy saw a box sitting on the welcome mat of her apartment. Immediately, she feared the worst. Then she realized she might be a tad bit paranoid.
If the man was going to take a shot at her, he wouldn’t leave a box with a bow twenty minutes after their talk.
So, she bent down, picked it up, and shook it.
It rattled.
What the hell?
Carefully, Poppy opened it. The pretty ribbon came off, and she pulled back the tissue paper.
Inside was a note and two items.
A poppy.
A bullet.
Her heart skipped. She knew who it would be from since she’d given him a similar gift.
Opening the note, she read it.
‘Have a drink with me? I would like to see you again. Meet me at Aquarius—DG.’
Her heart skipped as she read his number.
And not for a good reason.
She couldn’t do it. Poppy couldn’t meet him and have a drink with him. She had to keep him safe. The commissioner would be gunning for her now.
She’d be a target.
If she was a target…
She closed the box.
“I’m sorry, Dimitri. You have horrible timing,” she said, closing her eyes as she talked to herself. “I’m up to my neck in trouble. The commissioner is going to end me,” she said to herself.
Poppy headed into her apartment and locked the door. She wanted to meet him.
God!
She’d do it right now.
Only, it would be too dangerous for him.
Yeah, that pipe dream was over.
Forever.
When she closed her door, he stepped out from the shadows of another doorway. He’d heard her. It made Dimitri’s heart pound.
What the hell had the detective gotten herself into?
He prayed she wasn’t playing some game with the commissioner.
Pulling out his phone, he made a call.
“Grey, I did what you said.”
“And?”
“No date. That’s not my concern.”
“What happened?”
He told him.
“Well, it looks we have two clients,” Grey stated. “We have to protect Poppy Wayne from the man we’re trying to take down. She’s part of this now.”
Dimitri was down with that.
After all, she’d saved him.
It was time to return the favor.
To be continued….
* * * G R E Y S O N C R O F T * * *
Coming Next:
Love Knows No Bounds
Valentine’s Day FBI novel
Other books by Morgan Kelley:
Standalone books
The Junction (Out of Print)
Serial Sins (Out of Print)
The Blood Betrayal (Out of Print)
Romance/FBI Thriller Series
Elizabeth, Ethan, and Callen
The Killing Times (book 1)
Sacred Burial Grounds (book 2)
True Love Lost (book 3)
Deep Dark Mire (book 4)
Fire Burns Hot (book 5)
Darkness of Truth (book 6)
Devil Hath Come (book 7)
Consumed by Wrath (book 8)
Redemption is Here (book 9)
Dead Shall Speak (book 10)
Pledging to Die (book 11)
Slay Bells Ring (book 12)
Past will Haunt (13) Flashback Book #1
Choices will Destroy (14)
Blood shall Run (15)
Act of Blood (16)
Stalked by the Past (17) Flashback book #2
Dying to Love (18)
Kiss of Souls (18.5) a Littlemoon/FBI crossover.
Revenge has Come (19) June 2017
Discarded by Fate (20) Oct 2017
Dawn of Evil (21) Flashback book #3
Dead are Forgotten (22)
Love Knows No Bounds (23) Valentine’s Day 2018
All the King’s Horsemen (24) June 2018
Honor Thy Anger (25) Flashback book #4 October 2018
All the Queen’s Men (26) October 2018
A Very Merry Holiday (27) Novella Dec 2018
Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Series
Greyson and Emma Croft
Celestia is Falling (book 1)
Vegas is Dying (book 2)
Christmas is Killing (book 3)
Love is Bleeding (book 4)
Heaven is Weeping (book 5)
Hell is Burning (book 6)
Justice is Dying (book 7)
The Croft Mob Series
Greyson and Emma Croft spinoff series
Dark Justice (1)
Lost Justice (2)
Paid Justice (3)
Wedding of our Dreams Novella (3.5) Steele and Dante
True Justice (4) March 2018/FBI crossover
Mob Justice (5) March 2018
All Justice (6) August 2019
Wedding Day TBD (6.5)
No Justice (7) TBD
City Justice (8) TBD