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“We? Our? The majority of the people living here were doing so long before you arrived in town, Mayor. They’re solid people who are built to endure what life brings them. They’ll do so again when necessary.”
“Well, perhaps you’re right, but we intend on ensuring that the good people of our town, especially those who follow the rules as set in motion by our regime are allowed to fully enjoy their lives. I want you to continue being a part of that. I hope that you can and will make this town and its people a priority. There are too many who think they can grandstand like that reporter friend of yours, Brandy. To think she’s trying to put the fear of God into people about an organization that doesn’t really exist is disturbing. I’m certain you can agree.”
I closed the distance to his desk, planting my hands on the surface. “Brandy isn’t my friend, Mayor, but she grew up here and certainly loves this town more than most. She’s also someone that we both should nurture and protect. Just like everyone else. As far as the Death Squad, I don’t know what she’s getting at unless they caused the recent deaths of two unknown men, one from a horrific murder and another from a suicidal overdose. But if what she has to say adds any insight into the cases I have on my desk, then it’s in our best interest to hear her out, just like I would anyone with information that could help solve a case. That’s what you hired me for and I intend on doing just that. It’s very black and white, right versus wrong in my book, Mayor. That’s the way it has to be. Now, if there’s nothing else, I need to solve several crimes.” I turned around, fearful I’d lose my self-control.
“Often the areas of gray are the aspects that make life worth living. Sometimes crossing that line is the only thing you can do. Be careful, Sabrina. You’re a lovely woman with a bright future. I think that’s something you need to try and remember above all. As I said before, I would hate to see anything happen to you.”
The threat was real, the danger significant but neither he, his buddies, nor the infamous Death Squad were going to keep me from doing my job.
No matter how many lines I was forced to cross. Maybe he’d yet to realize I’d already done so and would do it again.
CHAPTER 19
Sabrina
By the time I left the mayor’s office, I was exasperated, unable to stop shaking. I turned the heat up all over again, fighting the anger and fear that had finally broken through my resolve. I had no idea what was going on, but my instinct told me that the control the men had by holding the most powerful positions in town was merely a cloak for whatever else they were doing behind the scenes.
I couldn’t allow that to concern me or head down another rabbit hole. I had a feeling that’s what they wanted, to keep me occupied or worse. It was already after five, which meant I wouldn’t have an opportunity to talk with Brandy prior to her big exposé she had planned.
I’d tried to get ahold of Brandy, including managing to get through to the program director. He’d been less than helpful, simply telling me that Brandy was working on whatever programming change, insisting he had no clue what she’d found. Bullshit.
Why was everyone in town trying to keep me from doing my job?
Now I had another conspiracy theory forming, putting the various connections together in a nice, disgusting family tree of sorts. I’d put that down on paper after the broadcast.
It was far too dark given the weather, the headlights barely making a dent in the darkness of the winding road leading to my house. I was on pins and needles, trying to keep from calling Diego. I pulled up to the house, taking a deep breath as I cut the engine. For some reason, I couldn’t wait to get inside behind locked doors.
I wasted no time heading to the front door, thankful I’d turned on the outside light before I’d left for work that morning. That helped ease some of the angst of the shadows building as twilight settled in. Once inside and with the door closed and locked, I took a deep breath, easing my briefcase down to the floor, pulling my phone into my hand. The warmth of the space was welcoming but did nothing to calm my nerves.
After flipping on a light, I scanned the room, ensuring that nothing appeared to have been moved as when Diego had broken into my space before. I almost wished that I would have arrived home to him waiting for me. As strange as it sounded, he felt safe when almost no one else did at this point.
I immediately moved toward the kitchen, flipping on the sconces over the island, turning on the television then reaching for the already open bottle of wine. With it being only a few minutes until the broadcast, I wanted to make certain I heard every word Brandy said, writing down notes while watching. Tomorrow, she would talk to me whether she wanted to or not. I placed the phone within reach, although the only people I had any intention of talking to were Steven or Damon. Anyone else would need to wait.
As soon as I poured a glass of merlot, I leaned against the counter, the sound of my phone forcing me to jump. I glanced down at the screen and moaned. Diego. It was the first time he’d tried to call. I automatically reached for it, curling my fingers and pulling my hand away before I ignored my resolve.
“No.” The single word echoed even in the vaulted space, reminding me that I was standing fully encased in light; anyone standing outside in two different directions able to see exactly what I was doing. That prompted me to turn off the track lighting, leaving only the light on over the stove and the one inside the front door.
I hated being jumpy, especially in a place that had made me feel so much at peace. Diego’s call pushed another series of memories into the forefront of my mind, flashes of his face in both the past and present keeping me tingling. There was no way of pushing the man out of my mind. When I involuntarily pressed my fingers against my lips, I shuddered all the way to my core.
His scent lingered and I could swear I was also able to taste his luscious mouth. Sighing, I took a sip of my wine, trying to return my thoughts to business. I had to make some headway tonight. I felt in my bones. After glancing at the television screen, I placed my glass on the counter, heading to grab the notes I’d written down. As soon as I reached into my briefcase, my phone rang again. I chose to ignore it. I had nothing to say to Diego at this point. Nothing.
I shouldn’t want him, yet I did. I couldn’t stand his life but because of what he’d done, he’d probably saved my life. I hated being confused and inconsistent. I returned to the kitchen, shoving the phone away. But seconds later, it rang again. This time I glanced, noticing it was the second call from Steven’s phone.
Grabbing it quickly, I knew something had to be wrong. “Steven. What’s up?”
“It’s Brandy. Her front door was open, well, I went inside and…”
He was noticeably upset, which wasn’t like him at all. The guy was tough as nails. The fact he’d been here when I’d arrived, showing me the ropes and telling me stories of the craziness he’d experienced had helped. “She’s dead.” There was no emotion in my voice, no inflection at all. It was just something I instinctively knew.
And I had a feeling I would be next, removing any possibilities of the secretive group being exposed.
“Yeah, and it’s not pretty.”
“I’ll be right there. Don’t touch anything.”
“Do you want me to call Kathleen?”
“I’ll call her on the way. Just stay put and if you see anything out of the ordinary, make notes and take photographs.”
