Kyle (Hope City Book 4)

by Maryann Jordan

  Alex walked back into the room, and she looked up, surprised that he was not carrying coffee mugs. Instead, he had a piece of paper in his hand.

  “Kimberly, you had mail lying next to the coffee maker, and I couldn’t help but notice it. It’s addressed to you, but it’s not your address. It’s Bob’s address.”

  Waving her hand dismissively, she nodded. “Oh, yeah. HR at work initially put my address in as his. We get very little mail but, occasionally, a letter will come for me with his address on it. Bob always just brings the mail over to me when that happens.”

  No one spoke, but the room vibrated with electricity that she could not define. Looking between the four men, it was as though their thoughts snapped between each other. Suddenly, realization dawned, and she sucked in a quick breath. “What are you thinking? That the intruder got our addresses mixed up and went to the wrong home?”

  Kyle jumped to his feet and began pacing the room, his hand squeezing the back of his neck. “This supports the idea that Bob was not the intended victim… Kimberly was. And that means the intruder was either someone from Kilton or was directed by someone from there.” He whirled and stared at her. “Can you think of anyone you talk to that would’ve been spooked?”

  “Other than questioning Tammy, Charlie, and Joe about the van robbery, there hasn’t been anything out of the ordinary.”

  Jerking back as though hit in the gut, Kyle stared. “You questioned them about the robbery?”

  “Yeah, honey. I thought it was interesting. I read an article that said that thefts of pharmaceutical vans were on the increase, and I wanted to know what they thought about it and if it made them want a different job.”

  She could have sworn he was counting to ten under his breath again, but Carter grabbed her hand and gently pulled her into the kitchen.

  “Let’s give him a minute to chill. Alex will know what to say to him.”

  She looked up at Carter, his kind eyes staring at her warmly. It dawned on her that as Kyle’s brother-in-law, he could have that same title with her if she stayed with Kyle. She placed her hand on his arm and asked, “So much of this has been about me, but I really need to know about Bob. I can’t believe he was shot, but I feel horrible if it was supposed to be me instead of him—”

  “Get that outta your mind, Kimberly. The only person who did anything wrong is the one who shot him.”

  She nodded slowly, letting out a breath. Before she had a chance to say anything else, Kyle stalked into the kitchen. He moved directly to her, wrapping his arms around her, and placed a kiss on the corner of her eye before resting his lips against her forehead. “Pack what you need to get out of here, sweetheart. Clothes, toiletries, whatever. I don’t want you staying here now.”

  Feeling a little lost, she sighed. “Okay. I need to call work and let them know I won’t be in today.” While Kyle stayed downstairs and talked to the other detectives, she went upstairs and packed. Not having any idea how long she would be gone, she filled one small suitcase with clothes, shoes, and toiletries, and she made sure to grab her e-reader and phone charger. Sitting on the side of her bed, she called her office.

  “Marcus? Hey, it’s Kimberly. Is John in? He wasn’t answering his phone.”

  “No, he hasn’t been in yet today. In fact, Helen was looking for him earlier.”

  “Oh, okay. I was just going to tell him that I’m not going to be in today either.”

  “Are you okay? You taking a sick day?”

  “Let’s just say I’m taking a mental health day.”

  Marcus chuckled. “I hear you, girl. Everybody needs those once in a while. If John comes in later, I’ll let him know you’re out today.”

  “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Disconnecting, she looked up as Kyle walked into the room and glanced toward her suitcase.

  “Is this all?”

  “It’ll do for now.” She stood and moved straight to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. They stood embracing for a long moment, silently offering strength to each other.

  Finally, whispering against her hair, he said, “Let’s get you home, babe.”

  Technically, she was in her home but wisely kept her mouth shut. If he wanted her in his house, that was just where she wanted to be.

  26

  Kyle left Kimberly at his townhouse after helping her pack necessities and anything else she might want to have. She had not attempted to talk him into letting her stay at her place—not that she would have had a chance of doing so anyway. He hated to leave her, but since she was now designated as the intended victim of Bob’s shooting, he was able to get an officer to sit outside his home.

  Now, back at the precinct, he was forced to endure his captain’s speech on letting the detectives in charge handle their investigation while he and Alex needed to continue theirs. While the captain agreed that most likely the two were linked, he warned Kyle to watch his step.

  “You’ve worked too long and too hard to fuck it up now. If you give me the slightest provocation, I’ll pull you from the case.”

  He nodded but gritted his teeth as he walked back into the workroom. Alex came over, clapping him on the shoulder. “I get it, Kyle, I do. You want nothing more than to tear Kilton apart piece by piece. But that’s not going to help you find who’s behind the stolen drugs or who called a hit on Kimberly.”

  Even though he knew what happened, hearing the words ‘called a hit on Kimberly’ leave his partner’s mouth sent shivers down Kyle’s spine.

  News traveled fast, and he fielded calls from Sean, Brody, Brock, and Kallie as well as his dad. Assuring everyone that Kimberly was fine, he had to assure them that he was also.

  “Son, I get it, but you have to stay cool,” his dad warned. “I can’t tell you to not make it personal because it is, but you want to get them. That’s more important than your personal vendetta. Chauncey won’t call you now… he called me instead. But you’ve got his support.”

  Finally shoving his phone into his pocket, he planted his hands on his hips and stared at the evidence board. His eyes drifted over what they already had. Alex sidled up next to him and remained quiet while Kyle talked out loud.

  “Someone knew the driver’s route. That would come under Niles and Porter. Someone also knew how to get an employee address. HR is run by Sydney Kilton. The van theft and truck used can be traced back to a politician who is getting money to be supportive of pharmaceutical companies. Finance is run by Thomas Kilton. So, are we looking at more than one? Are we looking at people stealing drugs and a separate group of the Kiltons who want to protect the company’s name?”

  “We’ve got to get Roger Solten. I think if we can get him, we can find out who in Kilton Pharmaceuticals is next in line.”

  Scrubbing his hand over his face, now wishing he had eaten breakfast before having three cups of coffee, he nodded. As much as he wanted to go home and just sit with Kimberly, staring at her to make sure she was fine, he knew Alex was right. “Okay, let’s go. But I gotta hit a drive-thru breakfast on our way to Hope City Linen.”

  Three hours later, his stomach was no longer churning but they were no closer to finding Roger. He had not reported to work again. Was not at his apartment. Not at the gym. And not at the local watering hole that one of his co-workers said he liked to frequent. He swung through another drive-thru, this time for burgers and fries for them and the others in the precinct before heading back to the station.

  Crossing over one of the highway bridges in town, he flipped on his blinker, changed lanes, and curved onto the exit ramp. Alex didn’t bother to ask where he was going, but Kyle said, “We’re close, so I figure I might as well go check in with Manny.”

  The Cardboard Cottages loomed ahead as the two climbed from his truck. The early morning cool had already burned off, and the temperature was supposed to be mild. Casting his gaze around, he thought of the residents who would be sweltering in another month. Sighing heavily, he scrubbed his hand over his face at the desolation facing those who
called the Cottages their home.

  “You okay?” Alex asked as their feet crunched over the hard-packed ground.

  “Just bogged down by the weight of it all. I sometimes feel like we’re fighting a losing battle, but then I get to go to a real home at night.” Alex nodded but remained silent, which Kyle appreciated.

  The burn barrel was lit, not for warmth but as a place for some of the residents to burn their trash. It was not lost on Kyle that even in desolation, there could be the desire to make their situation better. Unfortunately, the stench of unwashed bodies and refuse still hung in the air.

  Approaching, they nodded toward Manny, who aimed his wide smile toward them.

  “Afternoon, Dee-tectives McBride and Freeman. You come to check on your old friend?”

  “Manny,” he greeted, noting a few others moving around in the distance. “Yeah, checking on an old friend and seeing if there was anything you might want to let us know about.”

  Manny cast his gaze around before lowering his voice. “Sometimes I think it’s real boring around here in the Cottages. Same old thing every day.”

  “So, nothing new?” Alex asked.

  “Well, dee-tectives, that’s what’s interesting about this place. You just never know what’s going to pop up.”

  “Manny, don’t got all day.”

  Manny chuckled and, as usual, the sound turned into a deep-chested cough.

  “We can get you to a clinic if you’ll go,” Kyle offered.

  “Don’t like doctors much, but it’s real neighborly of you to offer,” Manny managed to say as he overcame his cough. Lifting his hand, he scrubbed his fingers over his rough stubble and said, “Lots of medicine around here. That’s one thing about the Cottages, you can always find some medicine.”

  Kyle shared a glance with Alex, then looked back toward Manny. “Any recent medicine show up around here?”

  “Well, now that you mention it, Dee-tective, had us a new doctor come visit us. Now me, I don’t have the money or the inclination for his medicine. But got a man at the far end of the Cottages that don’t mind paying.” He leaned forward, whispering as though telling a secret. “I don’t think he’s a full-time resident, you understand. He just likes being the… doctor’s assistant.” Chuckling at his humor, he fell into another fit of coughing.

  Kyle and Alex gave him a moment to gain control of himself before Kyle asked, “Got a name for this assistant?”

  “Now, you know, Dee-tective, we’re not much on names around here. Leastwise, not full names.”

  “Would a hamburger and some french fries help your memory?”

  Alex didn’t even wait to see the wide-eyed interest hit Manny’s face. He jogged back to the truck and grabbed one of the paper sacks, pulling out a wrapped hamburger and small bag of fries.

  Manny scrubbed his hand over his scruffy chin and scratched, his eyes never leaving the food in Alex’s hand. Nodding slowly, he said, “Just heard him called Jerry.” Reaching out his hand, he took the burger and fries, lifting his gaze to Kyle’s. “‘Preciate it.” With the dip of his chin, he turned and walked back to his cardboard home.

  Climbing back into his truck, Kyle drove around to the other side of the Cottages, parking where he could observe the tents with children playing outside. “I know I bought lunch for us and some of the others. Do you mind if I—”

  “You don’t need to ask.”

  Nodding, he reached behind the seat and grabbed the rest of the burgers and fries and headed toward the tents. As soon as he neared, he recognized two of the women that had talked to Kimberly. The blonde’s eyes were suspicious as she darted her gaze between him and the children. The dark-haired woman lifted her chin, her hands on her hips as she stared at his approach.

  “Ma'am,” he greeted. “I was here the other day with my girlfriend, Kimberly. Just happen to be in the area and thought you and the kids might like some lunch. I know it’s not as healthy as what she brought, but it’s yours if you’d like.”

  “You’re a cop,” the dark-haired woman said, her voice more accusing than commenting.

  Nodding, he agreed. “My name is Kyle.”

  “And what are you looking for?”

  “Nothing, Ma’am. I had to talk to some of the people in the Cottages.” He inclined his head to the side, indicating under the bridge. “I had the food and thought about you and the children.”

  “Mama, it smells good!”

  Kyle looked down at the little boy staring up at the dark-haired woman and smiled. He waited, watching as she reached out her hand, caressed her son’s cheek, and her hard expression softened.

  “Okay, but you know what to say,” she said.

  The little boy ran over to Kyle, soon joined by three other children. Reaching into the bag, Kyle handed out hamburgers and french fries. Looking up at the two women, he said, “There’s some more in the bag, plenty for you.”

  “Thank you,” the blonde said. “Tell Kimberly we said hello.”

  “I will. Be safe, and if you ever need anything, call the police and you can ask for Detective McBride.”

  He started to turn away, but the dark-haired woman called him back. She held his gaze a long time, and neither wavered. Finally, she stepped a little closer and said, “You said the food is a gift. We appreciate it. Charity isn’t always easy to accept, but I’ll do anything for my kids.” She licked her lips, hesitating, then added, “My brother has a job at Sal’s Market. He’s clean, works hard, and is saving money trying to get me, the kids, and him into a place. Most of the time he keeps his head down and his nose outta other people’s business. Safer that way.”

  Kyle nodded slightly, not wanting to break the sliver of trust this woman seemed to be ready to hand him.

  “He’s seen a man around here that he knows is dealing. Told me and Margo to make sure we stay away and keep the kids away. He’s also seen him go in and out of the apartment across the street from Sal’s. He does everything he can to stay away from that. I want my kids away from that.”

  Realizing the gift she just gave him, his lips curved slightly. “I’ll be sure to tell Kimberly you said hello, and we’ll come back with some better food soon.”

  With a quick nod, she turned and walked back over to the children and Margo, and he turned to hurry back to the truck. Giving Alex the info, he waited as his partner grabbed the address for Sal’s Market. Pulling away from the Cottages, he could not help but stare into the rearview mirror, wondering more about the life of those who called it home.

  Back on the roads of Hope City, he followed Alex’s directions. Jerry as well as Roger had been elusive, and he hoped this tip would pan out. Parking just down from the market, they watched the building across the street. Typical, old-city block of buildings. Storefronts on the lower floor, two or three floors of apartments above.

  “There he is,” Kyle noted thirty minutes later, seeing Jerry crossing the street heading toward his building. Alighting from his truck, Kyle followed from behind as Alex moved into the alley that ran behind the block. With no security on the front door, Kyle had no problem following Jerry, watching as he climbed the stairs to the third floor and entered an apartment at the end of the hall.

  Approaching, he knocked on the door and identified himself. Hearing a crash from the inside, he shouldered the door open, popping the chain off the wooden frame. Entering, he spied Jerry’s foot dangling over the living room windowsill as he climbed onto the fire escape. Racing after him, he tripped over some of the debris scattered about in the room. Cursing, he scrambled to the window and climbed out onto the metal landing. Following in pursuit, he pounded down the metal-grate stairs, gaining on the fleeing man. Just as Jerry leaped at the bottom to the alley, he was slammed up against the building by Alex.

  “Augh,” Jerry managed to mumble with his face pressed against the bricks.

  Kyle called for backup. Hearing a noise to the side, he watched as two large rats scuttled away from the garbage bins in the alley. Shaking his head, he
looked at Alex. “I’ve spent as much time in the dump with rats the last couple of days as I ever want to.”

  Alex laughed and forced Jerry to a seated position to wait. As soon as the officers arrived and hauled him off to the station, Kyle, Alex, and more officers searched his apartment, finding boxes labeled Kilton Pharmaceuticals. Boxes were open and some of the drugs on the table were crushed. Once HazMat transportation had taken possession of the drugs to deliver them to the lab and Kyle signed off on all the forms, they walked out of the building.

  Making their way toward his truck, he glanced toward Sal’s Market and saw a dark-haired man wearing a Sal’s apron standing at the front, arms crossed over his chest, watching them. The man gave a barely perceptible nod, then turned back to the store.

  “I’m glad you got to meet Aleeta and Margo,” Kimberly said, lying in bed with Kyle, her naked body half draped over his. He had come home from work and told her about the progress on the case and his trip to the Cardboard Cottages. Having been home all day, she’d fixed dinner, which he wolfed down, commenting that he had missed lunch.

  Both exhausted, they climbed into bed early but soon discovered they were not too tired. Long kisses led to hands roving. Before they knew it, he had kissed down her body, his lips between her legs, and she lost herself in the sensations. Reciprocating, she flipped him to his back, sliding her lips over his erection.

  Licking, sucking, using her mouth as well as her hands, she worked his cock, feeling it swell even harder under her ministrations. He warned her that he was close, but she was too far gone to heed what he was saying. Suddenly, she found his cock no longer in her mouth as he dragged her body upward.

  “I come, I come inside,” he growled.

  With him still on his back, she nestled the tip of his cock at her entrance, sliding down until he was fully sheathed in her warmth. His hands found her breasts, molding the plump flesh as he tweaked her nipples. Head thrown back, her fingernails scraped along the tattoos on his chest before she dropped her chin and her hair created a curtain around them as she clung to his shoulders. This man, this connection, was what she craved.