The Detective's Trust (Brothers in Blue #2)

by K. Langston

  “Hey,” I greeted, opening the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

  She lifted her head with a broad smile. “Happy birthday!”

  “Thanks!” I smiled. I’d almost forgotten it was today. I never really looked forward to it anymore. Not since Bodie and my mom died.

  Well, there was one thing I looked forward to every year.

  Max was one of the first people I met when I moved here. We’d hit it off right away in Biology class and she’s been my best friend ever since. I trusted her and adored her as if she were my sister.

  Besides my aunt, she was the only family I had.

  Max reached back, raising her hands above her head to stretch. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a messy—I’m not even quite sure what you would call that updo but she was rocking it. She also had on the same clothes she was wearing yesterday, yet she still managed to look adorable. “How’s the water?”

  “Wavy.” I grinned, tipping my bottle to her laptop. “How’s the writing?”

  She deflated on a long exhale. “Sucky. This character is making me mental. I think I’m just gonna kill ’im and get it over with.”

  Max was a successful, independent author. By looking at her, you wouldn’t think her mind would be so dirty. She looked like the girl next door with her soft features and sweet smile, but she cussed like a sailor and drank like a fish. And while her stories were compelling, thought provoking, and each one carried a soul-bearing message of love, they were also pure filth.

  “As long as it has a happy ending, I don’t care who you kill.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “Girl, you know I gotta have my HEA. I should be ready to send the first chunk to you by the end of this week. You ready?”

  I took a seat in the chair across from her, reaching for my insulin kit on the table. “I’m ready. I have a few manuscripts I’m finishing up but you’re always my priority,” I told her as I prepared the needle for my daily injection.

  “Damn right I am.”

  We’d gone to State together but Max only made it one semester before she dropped out to write full time. After all of the success of her debut novel, she would have been a fool not to.

  I continued with my BA, earning an English degree with a minor in mass communications, and by a leap of faith, found a career in editing for independent authors thanks to Max and her impressive social skills. It didn’t take long to build up my clientele. I did well for myself and it kept me off the grid.

  Which was a necessity for me.

  “You should take a break. Maybe shower. Maybe eat. Maybe do all three,” I suggested with a smirk.

  She sniffed under her arms and grimaced. “Good call. I need to take my best friend out for her birthday lunch anyway.”

  “Sounds good. Oh, I meant to ask, how was your date last night?”

  “It was a disaster. He spent the entire night talking about himself. I’m finished letting my mother ‘hook me up’ with Ricky’s friends. What pathetic soul lets their mother hook them up anyway?”

  “Well, your stepdad does have some hot friends.”

  “Stop calling him that. He’s not my stepdad. He’s practically my age and that’s just…ew.”

  “Well look at your mom. The woman doesn’t look a day over thirty. I think it’s cool she’s hot enough to snag a younger guy.”

  “No, there’s something seriously messed up about that. And yeah, all of his friends are hot as hell but dumb as shit. I just want a smart guy with a good job who can carry on an intelligent conversation about something other than what protein shakes they drink in the morning and argue with me about where to eat. I’m ready to settle down, Cass. I just want to suck the same dick for the rest of my life. Is that too much to ask?”

  I nearly choked on my water.

  Max was blunt and really didn’t have a filter when it came to expressing her opinion. I think that’s what made her such a great writer.

  She made it about halfway down the hall before she stopped and turned around. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Mail’s on the entry table. A package came for you.”

  Max disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I moved toward the entryway, retrieving my stack of mail. There were a few bills and some junk mail, then a pink envelope with his writing. My heart fluttered in my chest, just like it did every year on my birthday. This was the one thing I always looked forward to.

  He remembered.

  He always remembered.

  I was about to tear it open when I noticed the thicker envelope beneath it. When I flipped to it, my brows bunched together in confusion.

  It was thicker than the others but smaller. My name and address were typed across the front but there was no return address, and no postage.

  Weird.

  Discarding the bills, junk mail, and Reid’s card on the table, I tore open the end and pulled out a small, white piece of paper and noticed something silver and shiny at the bottom. I emptied the envelope into the palm of my hand and my knees grew weak, breath stalling in my throat. I swayed, trying to stay upright. I held up the familiar chain, a compass dangling from the thin silver rope. My mother had given it to Bodie right before she died. She’d given me one similar. I never took it off. They were both inscribed on the back.

  May you never lose your way.

  Rubbing my thumb across the letters, I sighed. I’d always wondered what happened to it.

  They never recovered it from the crime scene.

  Squeezing my eyes shut, I clutched it to my chest as memories of that night flashed through my mind. His screams still found me during the night, his cries of pain and pleas for help forever branded in my memory.

  But I couldn’t help him.

  It wasn’t until Reid showed up that I was able to come out of that closet, and even then, I wish like hell I hadn’t.

  Reid.

  My throat burned as tears pricked my eyes, thinking about the man who still owned my heart. The man who had staked claim to it without even knowing.

  Remembering the letter that came with the necklace, I pried my eyes open and slowly unfolded the paper. The words leaped from the page, each letter punching me right in the chest.

  Voy a por ti.

  The pressure in my chest made it hard to breathe, and I blinked several times as my eyes clung to every letter. I’m coming for you. I’d taken Spanish in high school and college so I knew exactly what it meant.

  Terror crept up my spine.

  Was it from him? The man who murdered my brother?

  No, it was impossible. How the hell did he know where I lived? How did he find me? I’d done everything I could to make sure he never found me when he got out. I thought I was safe here.

  I began to panic, wondering what the hell I should do, but only one thought came to mind.

  One person.

  The only person in the world who could help me. I quickly wrote Max a note and stuffed what I could into a backpack before rushing out the door. My only stop was an ATM.

  I wasn’t sure how the hell I was going to get there but I knew exactly where I was going.

  My head pounded, the ache behind my eyes growing more painful by the second. I’d been at the scene since six p.m.

  It was now three a.m.

  We’d finally taken all the statements, narrowed down the suspects, and cleared the crime scene. I was fucking beat. More tired than usual. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe because I was going home tomorrow and that always brought on a truckload of anxiety, making it harder to sleep.

  Or maybe the goddamn nightmares.

  Making my way up the stairs of my house, I came to a halt when I reached the top. Bent at the waist, ass poking out of a pair of cutoff denim shorts was a tiny brunette, peeking inside my window.

  What the hell?

  I cleared my throat before I asked, “Can I help you?”

  She yelped, spinning in place to rest a hand over her chest. “Shit, you scared the hell out of me.”

  Air froze in my
lungs, fighting to escape. I’d recognize those eyes anywhere. They were just like her brother’s, except hers were a warmer shade of brown. But it was what you could see beyond that really reached deep inside of me.

  It had been five years since I stared into that stunning set of eyes. Five long, fucked up years.

  “Cassidy?” She took a tentative step forward. I couldn’t tell if she wanted to cry or hug me. I couldn’t move, the weight of her gaze pinning me in place. “What are you doing here?”

  Her bottom lip quivered, tears building in her eyes as she walked toward me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know where else to go.”

  The last time I saw her she was graduating high school. She was just a girl then. My best friend’s little sister. But she was far from a little girl now.

  She was a woman.

  Still short and cute with that little button nose I loved so much. Her skin had been generously kissed by the sun along with the long, brown hair that rested on her much fuller breasts, streaks of gold highlighting her heart-shaped face.

  I refrained from adjusting myself, praying she wouldn’t look down. But Jesus Christ, it was hard.

  So fucking hard.

  My body tensed. The urge to pull her in my arms was strong but I held steady.

  She collected several steps before stopping right in front of me, eyes shifting back and forth, searching mine.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, taking a step forward, leaving hardly any space between us.

  My heart thundered in my chest, her face twisted with fear.

  “He’s coming for me,” she said, her bottom lip quivering.

  “Who?”

  “Vinny.”

  “That’s impossible. He’s in prison.”

  She shook her head, panic blazing in her eyes. Cassidy handed me a folded piece of paper. “I received this in the mail. Why would he send me that from prison? He’s out, Reid, I know it. And he’s coming for me.” Anger spiked in my veins as I read the words on the paper. “This came with it.” She fingered the necklace, leaning forward for me to get a better look.

  I recognized it immediately. “Are you sure it’s Bodie’s?”

  She nodded, her eyes glistening with tears.

  Vinny Rodriquez had been the one tried for Bodie’s murder. Cassidy had identified him as the killer and though she had been afraid to testify, she’d bravely done it anyway. But Vinny had one hell of a defense attorney and they’d ripped Cassidy’s testimony apart, destroying Bodie’s credibility as well, considering he was an addict. Vinny had ultimately been convicted of manslaughter instead of murder one like he was originally charged and was only sentenced to ten years.

  Ten fucking years.

  That’s it.

  I was still convinced the jury or that crooked ass judge was paid off, but I was never able to prove it. It’s one of the reasons I went to the academy, but every lead I had resulted in one dead end after another.

  Looking around, I scanned the area to make sure she hadn’t been followed.

  “I was careful coming here. As soon as I got the letter, I left. Even my roommate has no idea where I am. She’s probably worried sick by now.”

  “Come on, we’ll talk inside,” I told her, unlocking the door. I dropped my keys on the table and flipped on the lights. I walked into the living room, still studying the letter. When I finally looked up, I found Cassidy holding a picture frame, tears brimming in her eyes.

  “Where was this?” she asked, dragging a finger down the center of the glass.

  Without even looking, I knew which photo she spoke of.

  Bodie and I had wide smiles and surfboards at our sides. We’d been in the water all day. It was one of my favorite memories with him.

  One of my last good memories of him.

  “The point at Noose off the coast of Queensland. Killer waves that day.”

  She smiled, but it was weak and full of longing. “I miss him, Reid.” Tears filled her eyes when she looked up at me. “So much.”

  There wasn’t a day that went by I didn’t think about Bodie. We met at a surfing competition when we were sixteen and from then on we were inseparable. I often wondered what he would be doing if he were still alive today, but just as quickly as the thought drifted in, it’s snatched away by the painful memories of his death.

  “Me too, Cass,” I said quietly.

  She placed the frame back down on the shelf and sank into my couch, keeping her gaze trained on her fidgeting hands. “I thought I was safe in Florida. No one knew who I was. No one knew I was Bodie Sky’s little sister. And now, now he knows where I live. I wasn’t sure where else to go. I don’t have anyone I can trust.”

  “Shit.”

  I took a seat next to her, wrapping one arm around her shoulder, but her arms circled my waist and she pressed in close. Her body trembled but relaxed when I wrapped my other arm around her, holding her tight. “It’s okay,” I murmured against the top of her head, her familiar scent slamming into my chest. “You’re safe now.”

  She nodded against my chest, clinging to me, her small fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. And for the first time in a long time, I felt something other than grief.

  And that scared the shit out of me.

  “Does anyone know you’re here?” Reid asked, letting me go. I felt the loss of warmth immediately and not just around my body. I shivered and wrapped my arms around my waist.

  I shook my head, a wave of dizziness rushing over me. “No, I left my roommate a note telling her to go stay at her parents’ house and that I would call to explain everything when I could. I even left my phone. My aunt lives in Belize with her fiancé now so I came straight here.”

  “Good girl. Here, use my phone to give your roommate a call. Let her know you’re safe and make sure she’s staying somewhere other than your place. Do not tell her where you are or what’s going on. The less she knows, the better for now. If you get the address where she’ll be staying, I’ll call the local police and ask them to keep an eye on her.”

  “All right,” I muttered, sweat dotting my forehead.

  His face appeared in front of me, concern furrowing his brow. “Hey, are you feeling okay?”

  “Yeah, I just…haven’t had much to eat today and I need my medicine. Can you get me my bag from the kitchen table please?”

  He walked into the kitchen to grab my bag and brought back a bottle of water, too. “Thank you.”

  I retrieved my kit, pulling out a packaged needle, an alcohol wipe, and my insulin bottle; I shoved the rest aside.

  Reid’s face twisted with pain.

  “It’s only Type 1 but the oral medication hasn’t been very helpful so I have to take insulin, too.”

  He studied me carefully, eyes darkening with guilt. My mother was Type 2, the worst kind. That’s how she died. It was the most painful experience of my life. Next to losing my brother.

  And Reid had been with me through both.

  He didn’t say a word as he reached out and gently grabbed the alcohol wipe and opened it. “Let me.”

  I lifted my shirt, pointing to the side of my stomach. “Here.”

  Reid swabbed the spot then unwrapped the needle as I told him how much to administer. “I’m so sorry, Gidge.”

  My heart swelled at the endearment. He’d given me the nickname Gidget when I was younger because of how short I was, and because I always wanted to hang out with him and my brother.

  “Sorry for what?” I asked, lowering my shirt once he was finished.

  “Not being there for you. You deserved better from me and I’m sorry. I failed you.”

  “You couldn’t have prevented this, Reid. No one could.”

  He handed me the syringe and stood up. “I’ll go make you something to eat. Call your friend. Shower’s down the hall if you need it.”

  Tears sprung to my eyes at the cold tone of his voice, but I didn’t let them fall. I watched as he walked through the entry of the kitchen, my prancing heart desperate to follow.


  Instead, I swiped the phone to unlock it and dialed one of the only numbers I knew by heart.

  “Hello?”

  “Max.”

  “Cass! Is that you?”

  Relief flooded the line and my heart.

  It was so good to hear her voice.

  “It’s me,” I said.

  “Thank God you’re all right. I’ve been worried sick about you.”

  Guilt weighed heavy in my chest. I should have told her what was going on, but I knew I had to get here as fast as I could and without anyone else knowing my whereabouts. It might have put her in more danger than she was already in.

  “I’m sorry. I left a note.”

  “Oh, she left a note. Dude…do you know how many crazy ass people are out there in the world? There are killer clowns on the loose. You can’t take off like that and not tell anyone where you are.” She caught her breath then continued, “Where are you? I’ve reported you missing you know and your aunt is going nuts.”

  “Well, I haven’t been murdered by killer clowns.”

  “Very funny, asshole.”

  “I can’t tell you where I am. I’ll call my aunt when I get off the phone with you.”

  “Why the hell not? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

  “I’m sorry, Max, I wish I could tell you everything. But I just can’t right now. Please understand, it’s for your safety.”

  She blew out a long breath. I knew she was pissed at me and rightly so. “Jesus. Are you safe?”

  I looked over at Reid, eyeing me from the kitchen. “Yeah, I’m safe. Listen, are you at your mother’s?”

  “Seriously, Cass? Please tell me what the hell is going on.”

  “I can’t. Just trust me, okay? You’re not at the house, right?”

  “No, I’m not. Does this have anything to do with your brother?”

  “Max, please. I promise to tell you everything when this is all over.”

  “Shit. Okay, I’m gonna trust you on this, but I expect answers soon.”

  “I’ll call back in a few days to check in.”