“Ryder, this is Officer Keaton.”
“Sorry. I think you have the wrong number,” he says.
And I immediately know he can’t talk.
“I know everything.”
A pause. “Sorry. Wrong number.”
Then the call ends.
Fuck.
My office phone rings, making me jump. “Officer Keaton,” I answer.
“This is Damon Tinston. I believe you just had the wrong number and were trying to reach me.”
“I want Ryder.”
“I’m here. I’ll be able to help you. Ryder is unavailable at the moment.”
“Damon. I need to know what you know.”
“Everything, sir. I’m Ryder’s right hand.”
I run my hands through my hair. “Is she safe?”
“As far as we know. The target is secure. We will contact you if anything changes.” The call ends again.
Once again, I’ll have to trust Ryder. Something I don’t like to do. I don’t put a lot of trust in other people.
A knock sounds on my door an hour later. “Wyatt, there’s someone here for you.”
I open the door, and Adam stands on the other side with a very large, older man.
“Thanks, Adam.” I step aside, ushering the man in.
Closing and locking the door, I take my seat behind my desk. “How can I help you?”
The man silently hands me a package.
“What is this?” I ask, taking it. “Who are you?”
“You’ll have everything you need. It’s from Damon.” With that, he stands and leaves my office.
Opening the package, I see a note on top, with a flip phone underneath.
Here’s a burner phone. There’s one number programmed in it. Don’t call any other numbers. Forget them all. I’ll contact you first. I have guys close by if needed. I sent them when the appeal started.
RC
I don’t know if this makes me feel better or not. That large guy was obviously part of his crew. A crew I don’t necessarily want in my area.
Stuffing the phone in my pocket, I shred the note and padded envelope it came in. Then I leave my office to go out and patrol. Only a few more hours, and I can go home to Sophia.
“Wyatt.” Cooper comes down the hallway toward me with a pissed off look on his face.
“What’s up?”
