Page 8 of Capture My Heart

A few minutes into his routine, he bumped the speed a couple miles an hour and started to run. His tank top stuck to his back, and his scar ached, but his mind zoned out the pain as he ran through the case.

He made a mental list of all the red tape he would have to go through to interview Lindstrom and Sampson. After Jim and CJ mentioned them yesterday, he pulled up the files and found their connections to the corruption. The two, not only were rumored to have a cop on the payroll, but openly admitted it to witnesses. Of course, they changed their stories later.

Trey tapped his lip. He would need to plot out his interview tactics carefully with these two. Really his whole strategy for this case.

His arms pumped and his mind ran over the growing list of suspects. He really wanted to fly under the radar with them as long as he could. It wasn’t like he was the first one on the scene. They had all been interviewed at least once. He wanted a new perspective on them. To monitor their body language and actions without them knowing he was doing so.

Movement on the machine beside him pulled him from his thoughts. A tall, lean man started to jog. Not a natural born athlete that was for sure. The guy kept one hand on the bar as he pushed his dark blond mop from his face.

Trey had seen him in here a few times before. “Hey, you new here?”

He cut his eyes to Trey and scowled. “No. What’s it to you?”

Trey raised a hand. “Hey dude, I was just being friendly.”

He dropped his tough-guy act, but Trey saw he kept one layer of armor.

A self-defeating smile crossed the guy’s lips. “Sorry, man. I’m not used to people making small talk without an agenda.”

Trey took in the man next to him. The young guy was no gym rat. He had some definition on his arms but his voice hitched some after a couple minutes at a light jog. At least he could still talk. He must have some endurance.

“No worries. I’m Trey. I own the place.” He clicked his speed up another mile per hour.

“Tommy.” He spooled up the machine and matched Trey’s pace. “Great place you got here.”

“Thanks.” Trey bit back a grin. The guy was competitive.

“I like the updates. The last owner was old school. I remember watching him box when I was little.”

“So, you’ve been coming here for a long time. I must have just missed seeing you.” Doubtful. Trey had a memory for faces and names. He’d remember this kid with his shifting gaze and tough facade.

“No, you haven’t. I’ve been out of town for a couple years.” A self-depleting chuckle slipped from his lips then he mumbled. “Five.”

Trey nodded. College, work, or prison? If he had to guess, the kid’s hard edges mirrored those of someone who spent some time on the inside.

“Anyway, my sister lives upstairs, so I started working out here.”

Trey’s foot slipped. “Officer Larson?”

“Yeah. She didn’t mention she had a new landlord.”

“I haven’t formally introduced myself.” He would be soon. The lovely police officer was going to be seeing a lot of him. She just didn’t know it yet.

“Don’t let the uniform scare you. She was a bitch long before she became a cop.” His lip curled in a sneer.

“So, I take it you and your sister don’t get along then?”

“We do. Don’t mind me. Amy’s not bad, she’s just always up in my business.” He wiped his hair from his eyes.

“Family can be that way. But it’s usually because they love you.” At least that’s what he told himself when his dad started asking him why he didn’t stay in the army.

“Yeah, yeah. But I get tired of hearing the same things. Did you find a job yet? Have you talked to your parole officer this week?” Tommy’s cheeks turned even redder than they were. “I shouldn’t have mentioned the last.”

Trey nodded. This could be his in. “Did you?”

“What?”

“Find a job?”