Page 13 of Capture My Heart

“Cops, I’ll never get it. See you later.” He shook his head as he walked away.

Amy’s attention went back to the car. It could be a coincidence, and her hair could be naturally blonde. But her gut and her hair stylist knew the truth. This was the car. Did they just bring it in?

She moved to the tag on the windshield. That can’t be right. Her brows pulled in. If this is correct, this car has been here for eight days. Which meant it wasn’t the one used to kill Gus West.

The gnawing in her belly wouldn’t let her drop it that fast. She headed back to the office to ask a few questions.

Inside, she flashed her badge. “Can I see your log of the vehicles? Precisely, the Honda Accord in the back row.” She rattled off the license plate number. Maybe the date on the car was a mistake.

The clerk pulled up the information and turned her monitor to Amy.

That can’t be right. It was the same as on the car. “Can I get a copy of that?”

The gal hit print, grabbed a sheet that spit out from the printer behind her, and handed it to Amy.

She folded the sheet and slipped it into her pocket. “Thanks.”

Amy didn’t like the answers. The system confirmed the car couldn’t be the one from the hit-and-run. It has been impounded since it was seized as part of an armed robbery eight days ago. But her cop senses didn’t concur. Some digging just got added to her agenda for tonight after work. She glanced at her dash clock. But for now, she needed to haul ass or she’d be late.

The clock read 9:57 a.m. when she pulled into the parking lot. Record time. She did a small fist pump as she badged in.

Peterson passed her on the way to the locker room.

She nodded a hello. “Did you find the car in the August West homicide?”

Bob Peterson’s face scrunched and he shook his head. “Nope, still checking leads from the tip line. Man, everyone and their brother must own a gray Honda.”

She opened her mouth, but something stopped her. If the car in impound was the murder weapon, how did the killer get it out of the lot without anyone knowing? She needed to dig a little more before she told anyone. The last few months, things had been happening in the department that she didn’t like. Things no good cop liked. Amy had to find out more.

Trey inhaled the scent of fresh brewed coffee as he walked into the cafe. Jim Swenson and CJ Whittier sat in the corner booth with to-go mugs and scones on the table in front of them. The pastries looked delicious. He gave a head nod as he proceeded to the counter to place his order.

He asked to meet somewhere public, so they gave the impression they were friends and not colleagues working a case together. He pulled up a chair and fought the urge to turn it facing the door. “Hey guys, fancy meeting you here.”

Jim lifted his mug to his lips, before he took a sip he whispered, “This was your idea.”

CJ offered his hand in greeting. “Tell me again why we aren’t just meeting at the BCA?”

“I want to get some background on the list of suspects. Your prospective but didn’t want you to be seen coming and going at the BCA.”

The other men nodded.

“Makes sense.” Jim broke off a piece of scone and popped it in his mouth. “Also, they have fabulous pastries here.”

Trey bit into his and agreed. “That, and this way, if someone sees us together, they won’t think it’s anything but some buddies meeting for coffee. Besides, I’ve only been in town a few months and could use a few friends. It’s killing two birds with one stone.”

Jim turned to CJ. “Damn, I thought those BCA agents didn’t go slumming with us local cops. I guess I was wrong.”

CJ gave Trey a hard look. “I think he can handle it, but the true test will be if he can handle a bat.”

“It’s been a while but I think I can still connect with the ball.”

Jim cracked a smile. “Good to know, ‘cause tonight we play the AFD, and I wouldn’t want to have you make us look bad.”

“Especially if the girls are coming to watch.” CJ’s expression was light, but Trey watched his eyes survey the room every few minutes.

He set down his mug and leaned in. “Tell me who will be there tonight.” He didn’t have to clarify who he was talking about. The guys knew the short list of potential corrupt cops.

“Besides, Jim and I, Ryan Daniels is our first baseman. Bob Peterson is short stop, and Ian Brannon is in center field. The man is huge. All long limbs and muscle. He can lob the ball all the way home.”