“It’s usually busted. The apartment complex isn’t the best and whatever you do get will be grainy at best. Fuck.”
Once again, his composure breaks and then returns. “One of the officers mentioned that a call had been placed about an Alpha attacking an Omega.” I frown as Kade continues, the Alpha leaning even closer as if he doesn’t want anyone watching to hear this. “But the officers appeared seconds after the man took off. The officer said they had gotten a call almost ten minutes prior.”
I refuse to say that it’s a setup, but if Kade’s words were true, I’m not entirely sure Emrys was even the target. “By the look on your face, I’m assuming that you have a different approach.”
Kade lets out a small growl. “I didn’t think anyone would be so fucking stupid, but it’s a possibility. We’ve dealt with our fair share of bad clientele, some of which we have to decline just on the nature of the requests. Sometimes it gets violent but nothing has ever made it to the apartment. The fact that the call was specific about an Alpha attacking an Omega, makes me wonder if they weren’t trying to draw out Emrys, but me.”
I run a hand down my face, studying Kade as best I can. “That’s a pretty far stretch, even for me.”
“Not if you know anything about that building and how thin the walls are. Watching me for even a week, you’d know Emrys and I are... cordial.”
That last word looks like it pains him, like he wants more but hasn’t gotten there yet. “I need the records tied to those approaches,” I tell him. “Every name used, number, email, document, company name, and whatever trace work your people already did. Even if it looks useless. Especially if it looks useless.”
“You’ll have it.”
“Can you get it tonight?”
“If I can get someone at my office awake, yes.”
I hate how easily I believe him, even more so because I know the chief isn’t just going to let Kade walk out of here. It’s clear to me Kade isn’t the suspect we should be looking for but Ansdale police sometimes like to grab and ask questions later.
I push to my feet, trying to form the right argument I’ll deliver to the chief later. “Before I step out, is there anything else about the attacker that felt too small to mention?”
Kade thinks again, and the pause works through the room slowly. “He kept his left hand close to his pocket after I pulled him off Emrys. I thought knife at first, but he didn’t draw one. His gloves were fitted and black, not winter gloves. He didn’t swear when I grabbed him, which stood out once I thought about it. Most people make noise when a confrontation turns physical, even if they’re trying to get away. He made a sound, but he didn’t yell.”
“He stayed in control.”
“Yes. Either he’s used to violence, or he’s used to being interrupted while doing something he shouldn’t be doing.”
I gather up the file and my notes, offering him a small nod. “I’m going to check on Emrys, then review the footage. Unfortunately, until I get it cleared, you’ll have to stay here.” Iwalk around the table. “However, there’s no point in having you sit here in those, and you won’t be processed into holding unless something changes.”
“How is he?” Kade asks.
I manage a smile. “As best as he can be considering the circumstances.” I pat the table once and leave, shooting the two officers there a glance. I almost tell them to figure out what it’ll take to get Kade walking out the door, but my heart needs to check on Emrys first.
Part of me is annoyed Emrys is still here, although there’s now a small bandage by his lip. Someone should have fucking taken him home.
“Detective Grayson,” he says, voice rougher than before as I stop a few steps from him.
“Skylar is fine when I’m not actively threatening someone with paperwork.” I keep to the doorway at first, letting him decide how much of me he wants in the room. Reyes stands near the far wall with her arms loose at her sides. “You going to be alright?”
His mouth twitches, but exhaustion swallows it quickly. “How’s Kade?”
“He’s okay,” I tell him. “I’m trying to figure out what happened and why everything seemed to go sideways so fast.”
Emrys’s shoulders drop under the blanket, a small release that makes him look younger for half a second. “Do you believe him?”
I shouldn’t say anything. Years of training tell me not to go down this road but god, I need to see Emrys smile again. “Yes, but there’s some evidence that needs to be worked through and discounting officers’ statements, unfortunately takes a little time.” Hopefully, with a conversation to the right person, it’ll only take a few hours.
His eyes search mine. “That’s not the same.”
“No, but it’s better than where we started. Funny thing is, he was more worried about you,” I add, softer this time.
Emrys looks down, and the tips of his ears color faintly despite the bruise. “He shouldn’t be.”
“Seems like he disagrees.”
That gets the smallest breath out of him, something that comes close enough to a laugh for the room to ease around it.
