“Is that the district attorney?”
Raider dropped below the window at Fuse’s voice through the earpiece, moving toward the corner of the house.
“Yeah. Do you recognize the other two men?” Raider asked. “The one with the baseball cap seems familiar.”
“Negative,” Fuse answered. “I’ve taken a picture of the group. Wrath might know them. If not, Grayson will be able to get an ID. Are you able to get a good look at the files? One contains a picture, but I can’t identify who’s in it.”
Raider moved back to the window, rising again. “Sorry. Nothing from here. Shit. They’re moving. Withdraw. Now.”
Even though the words were whispered, the force behind them couldn’t be missed. Disappearing into the trees on either side of the house, they sank down, hiding in the darkness.
A moment later, the four exited the house.
“I know I heard a voice outside the window.” Katz bounded down the stairs, fisted hands on his hips.
Making his way to the side, he bent down, studying the ground under the window. Straightening, he shook his head.
“Find anything?” The district attorney stood on the porch of the house.
“No, but I’m certain someone was out here.”
“I’m thinking you might be a little too jumpy tonight, Katz,” Wendt said. “Let’s head back inside and finish this up.”
“Are you certain you didn’t hear anyone, Junior?” Eddie shot a look at the youngest of the men, voice tight in frustration.
“Sonofabitch…” Fuse whispered.
Raider pulled out his phone, taking a couple of pictures as the four took another look around before walking back inside. “What?”
“I do recognize one of the other two.”
“Which one?”
“Junior,” Fuse ground out.
“Junior?”
“Harold Blackmore, Jr. U.S. Senator Blackmore’s son and a state representative. He’s also my ex’s brother.”
Chapter Eight
Eternal Brethren Clubhouse
“You’re certain of Eddie Katz, D.A. Malcolm Wendt, and Junior Blackmore?” Sheriff Ethan McCord took the phone from Fuse’s outstretched hand, looking at the image. “I’ll be damned.”
“Do you recognize the fourth person?” Wrath asked his middle brother.
“No, but from the tats, my guess is he has gang affiliations, is with one of the outlaw MCs, or is an undercover fed. What were they discussing?”
“We weren’t close enough to hear,” Raider said.
“That’s it? You followed Katz, found him with Wendt and Blackmore, and assume they’re up to something illegal?” There was no missing Ethan’s incredulous tone.
“I can’t give you details, but we’ve been given orders to observe and report on Katz,” Wrath said. “While doing so, Raider and Fuse discovered the meeting. Since none of us recognize the fourth man, I called you.”
Ethan lifted a brow. “Ordered?”
“Sorry, man. You know I can’t give you more.”
With a terse nod, Ethan refocused on the fourth man. “There is something about him…” Scrolling through the other photos on Fuse’s phone, he stopped on one with a close-up of the mystery man. “Do you have facial recognition software available?”
“Grayson does,” Wrath answered. “I’ll send him the images when we’re finished.”
“I don’t know if it will do much good. If he’s made changes to his appearance, the software won’t connect his face with those in the system. It’s still worth a try.”
“Consider it done, Ethan. Do you want copies?” Wrath gathered up the pictures he’d printed.
“No. I don’t want responsibility for them before we get more information.”
He motioned for his brother to follow him outside. When several yards from the clubhouse, Ethan turned toward Wrath. “I’m certain I know the fourth guy, but want confirmation.”
“How do you know him?”
“If he turns out to be who I believe, we met early in our military career. It’s been a long time. I want to do some research on my own while you get Grayson to handle facial recognition. Even if I can ID him, it doesn’t mean those four are doing anything illegal. Fuse and Raider have more work to do.”
“They won’t be pulled from the assignment until we determine if what the four are doing is legal or not. Fact is I’m going to add two more men to keep track of Wendt and Blackmore. Penny Lane is doing a deep dive into the three people we can identify.”
Wrath thought of the op he couldn’t discuss with his brother. Quent Fraser, decorated SEAL and valued friend, had been singled out for further investigation as a possible traitor. Wrath had requested the full file on him. As yet, he’d received nothing. He suspected the FBI Director was avoiding both him and Grayson. What he didn’t know was why, since the director had requested the Brethren conduct the investigation.
Refusing to wait any longer, Wrath had already tasked Wrangler with digging into Quent’s life. So far, the results had been what Wrath expected. Nothing indicating traitorous activity. Knowing they were early into the investigation, Wrangler would continue gathering information on Wrath’s old friend.
“I’ll let you know if Grayson is able to ID the fourth man. If it turns out he’s who you suspect, what are your intentions?”
“I won’t hesitate to arrest him,” Ethan replied. “Our past connection would mean nothing if he’s putting others at risk and breaking the law. Right now, my hands are full assisting Chief Bettencourt in the investigation of the casino bombing.”
Wrath’s brows wrinkled in confusion. “I thought the FBI had taken over.”
“They have, but they’ve accomplished little and aren’t communicating with us. Geoff’s already called the governor on the lack of progress. I doubt it will do any good, as the man is a true politician. He’ll continue with press conferences, demanding answers, convince people he’s seeking justice, until the interest subsides.”
“It’s a matter of numbers,” Wrath said. “If twenty people had died instead of three, fifty injured instead of sixteen, everyone would be putting pressure on you, Geoff, and the FBI to find answers. Disgusting, but true.” He glanced behind him at the clubhouse. “I need to get inside and contact Grayson. I’ll share whatever we learn.”
Ethan hesitated a moment, as if deciding whether to ask the question burning in his mind. “Not my business, but is Fuse the right one to surveil Junior Blackmore?”
Wrath knew what his brother meant. “Fuse says he’s long over Junior’s sister, Brittany.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Hell no.” Wrath wouldn’t mention the classified rescue of Fuse’s old flame weeks before, or Fuse’s part in it. “But he’s a SEAL. He isn’t going to let personal feelings get in the way of an assignment.”
Satisfied, Ethan continued to his department SUV. He had no love for Malcolm Wendt or Junior Blackmore. Both cared more about power and perception than achieving anything meaningful for their constituents.
Junior had aspirations of becoming governor, while Wendt coveted the state attorney general position. Ethan had a hard time imagining either in positions of such power. For now, as the Sheriff of Kingston County, he’d fulfill his oath and protect both men.
Raider sat in his truck in the parking lot across from the police department, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He still had a little time before Fuse would take over.
The downside of surveillance was too much time to think. Today, his mind kept wandering to Ali and why she’d called the night before. He couldn’t imagine why she’d reached out to him.
No matter his strong attraction to the gorgeous woman whose exotic features always had his body hardening, they were oil and water. He and Ali couldn’t even be in the same room together for more than a few minutes without arguing.
Raider had never been able to figure out why they were always at each other. Not long after they’d met, he’d been injured in an
explosion at White Eagle Training Center. Ali had been his nurse, even traveling back to Liberty Lake to continue tending him until he recovered.
Competent and calm, sweet with a big heart, her presence had always brought out the worst in him. No matter what she’d done or said, he’d responded as a complete ass, picking fights instead of using his infamous charm.
His teammates never understood his problem with Ali. In truth, he didn’t get it, either. Except for one telltale sign.
Raider had never been able to rid her from his mind. Not during his recovery, not after she’d moved back to Pine Glen, and not since her return to Liberty Lake. He fell asleep with her image in his head and woke up with it still firmly imbedded there.
He wanted her, but damn if he’d admit it to anyone. Especially himself. She was Dani’s friend. If he did get involved with Ali and it ended as he expected, Ghost’s wife would find some way to make him pay. Doubtless kill him in his sleep or find some other devious way to avenge her friend. And Raider would deserve it.
They’d shared one brief kiss, brought on by pain meds and a lack of self-control. At least that was what Raider told himself.
The truth was he’d wanted much more than one short kiss. He’d wanted it all, and the knowledge scared him more than the worst mission he’d ever completed.
Raider had battled the truth by being the worst possible SOB, a complete terror on the scale of patient attitudes. So why would Ali reach out to him now?
“I’m on Katz, Raider. Anything I should know?”
Fuse’s voice shook him from his mental ramblings of Ali. Disappointed at the tug back to the present, he cleared his throat.
“Nothing. He hasn’t left the station since arriving early this morning.”
“Good. I could use a slow day.”
Chuckling, Raider started the truck. “There are no slow days, man. If you’re settled, I’m out of here. Contact me if you need backup.”
“Will do.”
He planned to head straight home, feeling a strong pull toward his bed. Instead, where the road forked, going left to his house or right to Ali’s, he didn’t ponder long. Raider turned right.
Within hours of her leasing the older, three bedroom house, he’d uncovered the address, plugging it into his phone. He’d driven by several times, never stopping. Not even slowing. He wasn’t a stalker, just concerned about her safety. Raider told himself he’d do it for any single woman with a connection to the Brethren.
Raider already knew Ali wasn’t working today. He hoped she’d be home, would answer the door when he arrived. At least he had a reason for stopping by.
Seeing her Jeep in the drive, he parked on the street, glancing around as he got out and walked to her front door. Raising his hand, he paused, reconsidering. Maybe he should just go home and call. Yeah, that was what he’d do.
Before he could turn around, the door opened. Ali stood on the other side of the threshold, arms crossed over her chest.
“Jace.”
“Ali.”
Cocking a brow, her mouth curled into a scowl. “Why are you here?”
He thought it obvious. “You called me last night and hung up before telling me what you wanted. I was in the area…” Raider shrugged as if that explained it. “Can I come in?”
Letting out a breath, she dropped her arms and stepped aside. “Oh, please, do come in. Would you like coffee, tea, a beer?”
He didn’t miss the sugary sarcasm. “A beer would be great.”
Raider followed her into the fifties-style kitchen, complete with a refurbished O’Keefe and Merritt stove. The refrigerator was also retro, as was the Formica table and vinyl covered café chairs. A smile curved his lips as he looked around.
“This suits you, Ali.”
Holding out his beer, she looked around. “I fell in love with the house. Even negotiated an option to buy.” Returning to the living room, she walked down the hall. “The owner bought the place with her husband in the late forties, raised three children, became a widow, and finally moved in with one of her daughters a few years ago. She could never bear parting with it.”
“So she’s kept it rented all this time?” He continued pacing behind her a few feet, stopping when she did.
“It’s been empty, but she kept it up as if still living here. I’m the first tenant.” She opened the door to what he guessed was her bedroom. “With luck, I’ll be the last. There’s a small bathroom over there, next to a closet.”
Turning back toward the living room, she opened more doors, revealing two more bedrooms and another bath. A mudroom and laundry were off the kitchen, as was a small patio.
“It’s not large, but plenty big enough for me and a couple children.”
Raider choked on a swallow of beer. “Children? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”
“I’m not, but a woman can dream. If the right man doesn’t come along, I’ll adopt. I don’t need a man to have a family.” She took a seat in the living room, motioning to a chair several feet away. “Sit, then tell me why you’re here, Jace. You could’ve just called me back. Not make a trip across town to visit a woman you can barely tolerate.”
Instead of sitting down across the room, he lowered himself onto an ottoman in front of her. He ignored her discomfort at him being so close.
“Doesn’t matter why I decided to drive over. I’m here and won’t be leaving until you tell me why you called.” He scooted closer to the edge of the ottoman. Close enough for their knees to touch. Raider hid a grin when he felt her slight tremble.
Scooting as far back in the chair as possible, she drew up her knees, wrapping both arms around them. “It was late and a mistake to call you.”
“I’m calling BS, Ali. You wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important.”
“What seems important at midnight may not appear as critical in the light of day. I’m sorry you’ve made a wasted trip.”
He heard the words, but the way she refused to meet his gaze told him much more. Reaching out, he tugged a hand away from its grip on her leg.
“Why don’t you let me determine how important the reason was?”
Staring down at their clasped hands, she shrugged. “Do you remember the little boy who came into the hospital for help?”
“Sure. He’d been abused and the doctor wanted you to turn him away.”
“Refer him to the free clinic. But yes, the doctor wanted him out of the emergency room if he couldn’t pay. Timmy, that’s his name, ran away before I could move him. He returned to the hospital yesterday. His injuries were worse this time. I took him directly to the clinic.”
Raider tightened his grip on her hand. “What happened to him?”
“The nurse practitioner cleaned him up and ordered X-rays.” She continued to explain the current and previous broken bones, the prior abuse. “She called me later to say Timmy had spoken with a female deputy. Vela Bettencourt?”
“She’s a good woman. Wife of the police chief.”
Stretching out her legs, Ali let out a labored breath. “Vela was able to get him to tell her his last name and address. She called her husband when it turned out he lives within the city limits. Last evening, I called the police department for any information they could give me. They’d sent officers to the house and didn’t like what they saw. Timmy was taken to Child Protective Services, but that’s all they’d tell me.” Tears burned in the back of her eyes, but she stoically refused to let them fall.
Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles, hearing her soft gasp. When she tried to pull away, he tightened his hold, lowering their joined hands to his lap. He recalled the social services people in Cheyenne when he was a boy. They’d never been able to do much other than keep him from his mother and her current man for a few days. It was why he finally acquired the courage to run away.
“Between me and the guys, we have a lot of contacts, Ali. I’ll find out what’s going on with Timmy.”
Face brightening, she scooted closer
. “That would be wonderful.”
“Remember, you may not like what I discover.”
Her enthusiasm diminished a little, but she squeezed his hand. “I’ll appreciate whatever you learn about him.” She gave him a genuine smile, something he hadn’t seen in a long time. It made his heart twist.
Standing, he drew her up in front of him, resting his hands on her waist. “I’ll start calling now, then I’m taking you to lunch.”
Brows scrunching, she stared at him. “Lunch?”
“And if I can talk you into it, dinner later.” Pulling her close, he lowered his mouth to hers, hearing her gasp.
Although the decision cost him, he didn’t allow the kiss to become too intense. Drawing away, he studied her face, not seeing the expected disgust. “Maybe dinner plus dessert.”
Chapter Nine
Raider entered the kitchen, resting both hands on the counter, allowing his head to drop. What the hell had he done?
Kissing Ali hadn’t been his plan, nor had inviting her to lunch or dinner. What had he been thinking?
Annoyed, he shook his head. The truth was he hadn’t allowed himself to think at all. His attention had been fixated on a pair of lush lips, incredible figure, and unfathomable obsidian eyes he could get lost in. That was his only excuse for such rash behavior.
First, he didn’t ask women out for lunch or dinner, or anything else hinting of a date, or God forbid, a relationship.
Second, hookups were all he had time for or wanted. The idea of a one-night stand with Ali felt wrong. Because it is wrong, he thought before sucking in a deep breath, straightening.
Remembering why he’d left her in the living room, he pulled out his phone. The call took several minutes, enough time to gather the information he sought and get his head on straight.
Shoving the phone into a pocket, he began formulating the best way to extricate himself from his impulsive invitation.
Ali gaped after him as he headed to the kitchen, trying to calm her racing heart. She didn’t register the way her mouth hung open or her body shook.
Exposed (Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Book 7) Page 6