Nice Guys Collection With Added Bonus Material

by Kindle Alexander

  “For the first time, I agree with you, Knox, but I don’t like Aaron Stuart being involved. You need to discuss these things with me. He’s under investigation…” Connors started again, but Kreed cut him off.

  “I bet he never played team sports as a child,” Kreed hooked a thumb in Connors’s direction as they headed toward the restrooms on the side of the building.

  “My thoughts exactly,” Mitch gave Kreed a knuckle-bump as they kept in perfect stride.

  “You know, Knox? I’ve had enough of all the disrespect. I’m a graduate of Harvard Law. I’m in charge of this case. I’ll have someone on my team narrow this down. Stuart’s out. Period. End of discussion. I’m not comfortable with him,” Connors called out from a couple of steps behind them. Mitch glanced back at him as he opened the door to the bathroom. Connors still held his hand awkwardly in front of his body to keep the grime from touching anything else.

  “What’s his problem with Stuart?” Kreed inclined his head toward the FBI agent.

  “Who could really know? You know how the feds are. All I know is what Stuart’s told me. He was apparently involved in some questionable activity in college. He broke into the FBI security system as a fraternity prank. Since then, they watch him, but they fucking hired his ass to find their breaches. So it’s like give him a job, but never forgive him for what he’s done.” Mitch let the door shut as Connors approached.

  “So he’s that badass then?” Kreed asked, washing his hands.

  “Oh yeah, but right now he’s using his power for good, not evil.” Mitch looked up, catching Kreed’s disbelieving stare reflected in the mirror, and gave him a wink.

  “How’d you meet him?”

  “Online. We play State of Decay together sometimes. I kick his ass and then he manipulates the system and cheats, but I still win,” Mitch said, leaning back against the sink next to Kreed while he dried his hands. Connors finally caught up and came through the door.

  “I’d stick with him, Knox. These are some serious explosives. We need all the help we can get. Have you been to the site?” Kreed asked.

  “No. We were headed there next.” He glanced over at Connors and got a nod from the guy.

  “I’d like to see it for myself, see if I can pick up anything that might have been missed. Can I hitch a ride with you?” Kreed asked.

  “All right, you can ride with us. But I need to warn you, the fed gets carsick. You’re in the back,” Mitch advised Kreed. “Hey, did you happen to bring me a change of clothes?”

  “Yeah, I just brought you some of mine. They’re in my trunk,” Kreed tossed him the keys and he headed out the door as Connors ran the degreasing soap over his hands for the third time.

  Chapter 14

  Mitch stayed back, forcing Connors to do the same in order to give Kreed time to do his thing. Every time Connors tried to speak, Mitch silenced him. This was the agent’s second trip here in the last twenty-four hours. Connors had information Kreed needed, but Mitch didn’t want to taint Kreed’s gut instinct, because there wasn’t anything more reliable than those odd feelings his partner got. So he stood in the hot Kentucky sun, keeping a metaphorical hand held over Connors’s mouth even though they’d had this conversation in the car.

  “Where was his body found?” Kreed called out.

  “Roughly sixty meters east.” Mitch looked at Connors for confirmation and got a nod.

  “Show me,” Kreed said. Thankfully Connors just did as he was asked without the long-winded commentary.

  “Who cleaned up the site?” Kreed asked.

  “Our guys,” Connors answered, moving back toward Mitch.

  “The locals or ATF didn’t try?” Kreed asked, continuing to scan the seared earth.

  “We took precedence because of Knox’s work and the Greyson kid,” Connors explained. Kreed shook his head and looked over at him. Mitch gave him his not-worth-it-just-shrug-it-off look.

  “His legs were tied,” Kreed announced, following the visible tracks.

  “His hands, too. The assumption was he was in the trunk of the car, prior to the explosion,” Connor supplied.

  “So he got out by pulling the safety latch?” Kreed questioned. Mitch watched as his friend bent down and ran his fingers over the ground, then brought them to his nose.

  “Probably, that’s our best guess,” Connors finally spoke up again, keeping his eyes on Kreed.

  “Guaranteed he faked unconsciousness,” Kreed added.

  “He’s a smart kid,” Mitch affirmed, following along beside Kreed, examining the tracks left by Elliot Greyson.

  “He hasn’t been questioned?” Kreed asked, staring at the ground.

  “No. He’s been in a coma since he was found,” Mitch supplied

  “Are the same agents with him that lost him?” Kreed asked.

  “Not as of tonight,” Mitch said, already palming his phone. “They’re real big on him ducking out.”

  “You better have a good reason and something solid to back it up when you make that call,” Connors cautioned Mitch. He ignored him, but got the feeling Connors was finally on board with the possibility the Secret Service might be involved. At this point, they couldn’t rule anything out. Could this really be an inside job? A Secret Service agent would absolutely have the ability and know the importance of keeping things quiet. They could hide.

  In mid-dial, Mitch changed his mind and decided to wait. For now, the kid had extra protection and Mitch needed to think. Connors had some good points about this internal department issue they now faced. He needed time to process everything they’d learned. This could quite possibly be the first real lead he had, and for some reason, the case kept getting worse with every bit of new information found.

  Kreed wrapped his end up, and Mitch drove them back to the impound lot where Kreed’s rental was parked and their driver had remained after much coaxing on Mitch’s part. Between Mitch, Kreed, and Connors, they all agreed they wouldn’t act until they could dig a little deeper. As Connors conceded, so did Mitch. He needed evidence before he could cast stones at the Secret Service.

  Mitch sat on the edge of the bed in the hotel room and waited. A knock came from the adjoining room door, one Mitch hadn’t opened and debated now whether to leave closed. Kreed hadn’t had enough time to do his thing, and he didn’t want Connors in here rambling on and on about how the FBI handled matters such as these.

  With the turn of events over the last couple of hours, paranoia began to run deep. Once they were assigned rooms, Mitch immediately asked for two new ones. Now he just sat in the extreme quiet of the hotel room, waiting.

  On the second knock, Mitch finally decided to let Connors in, but stood in the adjoining doorway, lifting a finger to his lips. That confused Connors a little, but he finally got the point and gave a quick nod. They just stood there, staring at each other.

  “We need to ask more questions, do some leg-work. Maybe someone saw something. They had to get into town someway.” Connors broke the silence, saying the words very clearly and professionally. Mitch made a mental note that the agent sucked at acting casual in complicated situations.

  Finally the knock he’d been waiting for came. Mitch looked through the peep hole and there stood Kreed.

  “Hey, man, thanks for coming,” Mitch said.

  “Nice digs. The Marshals Service doesn’t usually pay for the Hilton,” Kreed teased and handed one of two small handheld devices over to Mitch. They both began scanning the room. Connors stood back and watched before moving aside, letting them go over his room with the same diligence they’d surveyed the first. No part of either room remained untouched. During the sweep, Mitch noticed Connors had completely unpacked. Toiletries in their right spot, each drawer had neatly folded socks, underwear, and an undershirt. His suit was hung properly in the closet.

  Kreed looked behind the bed, moved the device over the picture hanging above the headboard. “The rooms are clean.” Kreed turned back around to face them, clearly thinking through the situation. �
�Were these the original rooms?”

  “Nah, I got us two new ones.”

  “I think we should report in to the local PD. They need to know we’re here, and I need to get the reports they filed from last night,” Connors said randomly while standing in the middle of the two rooms.

  “I need to get with Aaron. He can scan our computers and pull together a list of the agents assigned to Greyson. He’ll do it quietly. No one’ll know.” Mitch ignored Kreed, who was still staring at Connors. His partner hadn’t learned yet that Tyler Connors didn’t fit in well with people. He was single-minded and sole-purposed. General conversation wasn’t his strength.

  “We keep coming right back here with Stuart. You know I don’t like him.” Connors gave an aggravated huff. Kreed stood back, watching both of them as if this was going be a great show. Mitch ignored him as he set up his computer and immediately turned on Skype.

  “Then go check in with the police, see if they have anything new to go on. Be seen out and about. If they have a diner, stop in there. We want the word out for everyone to know that we’re asking lots of questions. Leave your laptop on in your room. Aaron can remotely access it and see what devices are tracking us—if there are any, but if you haven’t figured it out, Stuart’s involved in this case. Get used to it.” Mitch stifled a yawn. The pent up energy of worry was beginning to fade, leaving in its place the fact he hadn’t slept in well over twenty-four hours.

  “Guarantee me that he will only do what needs to be done. Watch every move he makes. There’s sensitive information on this thing. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. We can grab a bite to eat at the diner together,” Connors said, bringing his laptop to Mitch.

  “Agreed,” he set up the computers and waited for Connors to leave before he dialed Aaron. On the first ring, his face appeared on the screen. “Did you get the text I sent you?” Aaron asked.

  “I haven’t checked yet, but I will. Can you check out my computer, see if I’m the only one here? I can give you my access information.” Mitch could hear Kreed behind him, moving. The sound of the recliner’s leg rest lifting and lowering.

  “No need,” Aaron said, and Skype was disconnected.

  “So that’s the famous Aaron Stuart. Is he straight or gay?” Kreed asked. Mitch would have sworn his friend sounded a little curious.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know him like that. There’s always a female playing with him,” Mitch commented, somewhat distracted as his screen momentarily went black and then came back up, business as usual.

  “He’s straight then,” Kreed reasoned and went back to lounging in the recliner.

  “Not necessarily,” Mitch said absently and waited, staring at his screen. His mouse was going crazy. Aaron had easily broken in and was working the system files. He probably kept the mouse going on purpose, letting Mitch know he was there. After a second of remaining seated, he broke his daze and dug his phone out of his pocket. There were a few missed calls and texts.

  He scanned the calls, both received during the turbulent plane ride—one from Director Skinner, the other from Kreed. He’d wait to call his director when he wasn’t in the middle of doing something that might be frowned upon. The incoming text message was from Aaron.

  He clicked the message open to be greeted with a new photo of Cody. Damn, the guy was gorgeous, just exactly like he remembered. This had to be a professional picture. He wore a Texas State Trooper uniform and had a serious look on his face. The picture’s angle perfectly accented Cody’s bright blue eyes. His lips were full and pouty, and Mitch knew from experience they were totally kissable. His cock went half-mast as he recalled how soft and sexy they were. He was going to have a full-blown hard-on if he didn’t stop gawking. He damn sure wasn’t in any mood to explain to Kreed why he had an erection with him sitting right there in the room.

  He gave Cody one last look and moved on to the information he’d requested.

  Cody Turner

  Birthday: June 23, 1988

  Age: 26

  Height: 6’4”

  Address: 10410 Main Street Apt 9B, Austin, TX 78722

  Phone: 512.555.6001

  Email: texasranger1987@mail.com

  Employed by the TxDPS as a Highway Patrol Officer for four years.

  No criminal record of any kind. Looks clean. I can dig deeper if you want.

  A

  By the time he got to the bottom of the message, Aaron’s face reappeared on his laptop screen. Aaron had re-initiated Skype himself. Mitch had no idea how he did things like that, but he did it all the time. “I can’t see any evidence of devices on this machine. It’s picking up the Justice Department in Louisiana, but nothing else is attached.”

  “Can you check another machine? I have it here with me. What do I need to do?” Mitch stared at the other computer. The screen had gone blank, so he ran a finger over the mouse.

  “It’s there in the room with you?” Aaron asked.

  “Yes, I can’t see if he has Skype installed.”

  “I don’t need it, hang on,” Aaron said, and he was gone again. The laptop next to him never changed like his had.

  “How tall is he?” Kreed’s voice startled him.

  “Who?” Mitch responded, his eyes back on the picture of Cody. Damn, the guy was hot.

  “Computer guy. How come I’ve never seen him before?” Kreed asked.

  “You resist technology. That’s my thing in this dynamic duo we have going on, and I totally suck at it. This is who I met in Dallas.” He lifted his smart phone to show Kreed, and to his friend’s credit, he did look at Cody, but his eyes were immediately back on Mitch’s computer screen.

  “Introduce me,” Kreed requested.

  “Fuck you. This one’s mine.” Mitch pressed the bar on the side of the phone to bring Cody’s picture back up when the screen darkened.

  “No, dumb-ass, not him…the computer geek.” Kreed inclined his head toward the laptop.

  “You know, I can hear everything you’re saying.” Aaron’s voice caught him off guard, causing him and Kreed to both stare at his dark screen, and then over to Connors’s darkened screen.

  “How does he do that?” Kreed’s brow lifted.

  “I don’t know. I should have warned you.” He kept his eyes on his laptop, waiting for Aaron to do something else.

  “So like he can watch everything you do?” Kreed probed. Mitch looked at Kreed and rolled his eyes. His buddy just wasn’t going to give it up.

  “This would be hearing, not seeing.” A voice came from behind the darkened screen right before Skype turned back on and Aaron’s face appeared. “You’re not my type Deputy Marshal Sinacola.”

  “I’m everyone’s type.” Kreed obviously took offense at being shot down.

  “In your dreams,” Aaron responded, and Mitch had to laugh because Kreed was actually pouting now as he leaned back in the chair.

  “What did you find?” Mitch finally quit laughing long enough to ask.

  “He looks pretty clean too. The bureau has a way to get inside there, but nothing abnormal,” Aaron said, all business again.

  “Okay, thanks. I need another favor,” Mitch said.

  “They’re stacking up,” Aaron replied, smiling at him.

  “Whatever—” He started to speak but Kreed cut him off.

  “Is that the guy who took over your character?”

  “That’s fuckin’ right. I told you the last time you took over my Marcus and let the zombies eat him that I was kickin’ your ass.” Mitch spoke to Aaron, ignoring Kreed.

  “So that’s the guy? Very cool. He was pissed off about that for weeks,” Kreed said.

  “Knox doesn’t play fair,” Aaron replied.

  “By fair, he means I was kicking his ass. I need another favor since you owe like a million of them for that bullshit. I need a list with background information of every member of the Secret Service assigned to Senator Greyson and his family. If you can find exact times and schedules, I’d appreciate that, too,” Mitch said, fe
eling the loss of Marcus again. He’d played forever to get that far into the game.

  “Sure thing, by when?” Aaron asked.

  “Tomorrow?” Mitch questioned, hoping for sooner. “And this needs to stay on the DL.”

  “Doesn’t it all?”

  “Yeah, pretty much,” Mitch agreed.

  “All right, I’ll stay on these computers, see if anyone tries to get in this week, but then I’m off for a few days.” Aaron’s eyes were downcast, working on something, even as he kept the conversation going.

  “You’re going offline, like on a vacation?” Mitch sound incredulous.

  “Going to the Keys. My brother’s getting married, best man and all that bullshit,” Aaron answered.

  “Thanks for doing this before you go. I’ll mark it off the long list you still owe me.”

  “Not a problem.” And then Aaron was gone. Skype turned off.

  “He’s hot. I can’t believe you haven’t introduced us. Why haven’t you set me up with him?” Kreed asked.

  “A list of reasons. First, I’m pretty sure he’s straight. Second, I can’t really see how you’re his type, and third, he’s a seriously smart computer geek. You’re barking up the wrong tree, Sinacola.” Mitch lowered his laptop on another yawn.

  “Hmm… Those sound like excuses. I’m heading out. Call me if you need me. If not, I’ll be in touch as soon as I get to Louisiana,” Kreed said, rising from the chair and stretching out his long body. Size for size, Kreed matched Mitch. He certainly beat Kreed in the tattoo count, though.

  “Thanks, man,” Mitch stood, keeping his phone palmed in his left hand as he shook Kreed’s right. “So your gut says someone from the inside’s involved?”

  “Possibly yes. Maybe just feeding information out. They aren’t big enough to tap you yet, but it does look like you got your first break in a pretty big way. Now, go figure out who it is,” Kreed said, opening the door. “Later.”