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Trey glanced at the financials. “It’s not that bad.”
“His time has passed, Trey. You need to step up.”
“Soon, Joe. Sooner than I originally planned.”
“Don’t wait much longer,” Joe said. “Listen, I’ll be issuing a statement later today with our usual denial of any relationship with this woman.”
“I’m not certain that’s accurate.”
“Obviously. She’s living in your home.”
Trey nodded. Of course the tabloids had figured that out. And the Intruder cover wouldn’t help his case to convince Kelly to stay. Or would it? If she moved back to her apartment, photographers would be all over her. The paparazzi couldn’t get to her while on Collins Island.
But should he publicly deny any relationship with her? A sexy photo on the cover of the most sensational tabloid in the country wouldn’t be good for her career. Could she be disciplined for something that wasn’t her fault? A quick denial might cool things off for her, placate her bosses.
“All right,” Trey said. “Issue your usual denial.”
* * *
AFTER HER SHIFT, where she sat at a desk answering the phone the whole day and didn’t hear one fricking word from Ballard, Kelly exited the station and came to a stunned halt.
“Kelly, over here! How is Jason?”
“Do you take kickbacks?”
“Are you and Trey Wentworth involved?”
In the middle of the mob of shouting photographers, she spotted Hans holding open the door to the limo. She ducked her head, dashed toward him and jumped inside.
A horde of loud motorcycles followed the limo. At the first stoplight, she pulled the curtains so no one could snap her photo.
“You all right back there?” Hans asked over the intercom. The privacy shield was up.
“Just peachy,” she said and folded her arms waiting for the limo to move again. She couldn’t block out the world in her patrol car. Marshall had been right to bench her.
How had she descended into this madness? This was not her life. And now IA had opened an investigation on her. They’d find nothing, but would it always be a blemish on her record?
Her cell phone buzzed. Ballard at last.
“Jenkins,” she answered.
“Maria lawyered up,” Ballard said without preamble. “We got her a public defender. It took a while, but we struck a deal and she gave up Adam.”
“Is he in custody?”
“Not yet. He’s holed up in Homestead, and we’re taking him down at first light. Do you want in?”
Yes! Kelly made a fist and thrust it into the air. “You bet I do.”
“Yeah, well, this is partly your collar. I’ll clear it with your lieutenant.”
“Thank you.” No way would Marshall say no to the FBI considering the circumstances. Between the corruption allegations and the Intruder cover, a little positive press would be welcome. And a good outcome could help her problems with IA.
“This operation won’t be a cakewalk,” Ballard continued. “Maria claims his home is like an armory. From her description, there may be an assault rifle. Wear your vest.”
“Understood. What’s the story with Adam and Maria?”
“They’re both junkies. Her habit started with prescription meds after a car accident two years ago. They met at rehab.”
“Nice,” Kelly said. So Maria’s addiction began subsequent to her employment with Trey, which explained why the background check didn’t reveal her problem. And Trey wouldn’t know what to look for once it started.
“When her new boyfriend found out where she worked, he cooked up the kidnapping plan,” Ballard continued.
“Hard to believe she’d go along with it, though.”
“He’s abusive. She’s afraid of him. He even instructed her to get at your service weapon.”
By the end of her conversation with Ballard, the limo was safely on the ferry. Kelly stashed the tactical information about when and where to meet Ballard’s team in a pocket, and gave it a quick pat. She lifted her feet into the air and pumped her legs, wishing she could break into a run.
Finally some good news. The FBI had invited her along on Adam’s takedown. She could function like a real cop again. She just had to get to the meet location without being followed.
