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“Karen Lopez called me today and said you’d need my assistance. That something happened to her—”
“I’m not an investigator, Detective. We do bail bonds and bounty pick-ups when clients fail to show up. Nothing more.” Either they’re trying to catch me in some illegal activity or as an accessory. That, or they’re after who I associate with. “This is something you or a superior should look into. Don’t you agree?”
“My hands are tied, Amberlyn.” Frustration is clear in his tone. I also don’t feel comfortable with him using my first name. Doesn’t feel right.
“How so?”
“Paperwork shows that I brought him in, when in fact, another officer did. I detained him, nothing more.”
“Still doesn’t explain why I’m being brought into this mess.” Screw it, I pick up the bottle and bring it to my lips. My sip is larger than the last. “Again, I’m not an investigator.”
“No, but as a bounty hunter, you have certain legal pull and allowances. I need to clear my name, Miss Ibarra, and Karen needs her other half. Can you help us?”
“Where’s the arresting—”
“He’s missing, too.”
13
“WHERE IS SHE?”
“At home, boss,” Junior says, and a car door’s alarm follows a few seconds after. He’s stationed outside my mermaid’s building and has been her tail now for a few days—since the morning after the wedding—and has my trust to protect her. Fail to do so, and he’s aware of the consequences. Knows who will be pulling the trigger. “She seemed pensive on the drive home. Upset.”
“That’s later than usual.” My watch reads a little before seven, and I frown. I’ve ignored her calls, stood outside her door at night, but haven’t touched her since our dance. It’s the only way to control my urges. This hunger that tears me apart, eats away at my flesh. Resolve. “Did something happen today at the office?”
“Yes.”
“Speak.” A knock on the open metal door announces their arrival, and Israel walks in with a reluctant Henry behind him. The latter has his bottom lip busted and his hands tied in front of him. He’d tried to run, as I expected, but the fear and stupidity led him to make a costly mistake.
He set fire to his and Dalian’s apartment before running. Fucking idiot.
Especially when I had eyes on him at all times.
Cisco gave me the tip while his brother followed him to a pay-by-the-hour motel near Okeechobee known for catering to those needing a quick fuck. Most of the rooms are set up with garages that lead to a private entrance, and Israel had a key made for the one Henry rented not two hours later.
The female clerk was more than willing to make one after a hefty tip.
“A woman came in today and was there for a while. She’s not a client, but Amberlyn saw her anyway.”
“And?” I point at the empty chair, but when Henry hesitates, he’s forced by a single shove down. “Hold that thought.” Placing the phone down atop a folding table, I press the speakerphone key before narrowing my eyes at the bruised man avoiding my gaze. “Okay. Tell me.”
“Boss, you were right.”
Scratching my jaw, I stand and begin to pace the twenty-foot container. We’re inside the port and near the back end of the lot where no one will bother us. Or stop me when I leave. “Go on.”
“It was the same woman your lookouts saw with Dalian and Henry a few nights ago.” Where he’s at, the evening breeze off the coast sweeps and makes noise. “Anita gave me a copy of what she came for and the police info pulled. Her name is Karen Lopez, and she’s looking for her wrongfully arrested fiancé. You can guess who the detaining officer was.”
A low hum escapes. No originality. “Jaime Uriel.”
“Yes, boss.”
“Where’s Dalian?”
“I believe he’s the missing-in-detainment fiancé.”
“Of course. Thank you, Junior.” Pressing the end button, I tilt my head and watch as beads of sweat roll down Henry’s pallid face. There are stitches on his face from our last encounter and the wound to his ear looks infected, yet he’s alive. Should be thankful. “You made a bad decision, Henry Davila. Running from me was foolish and irresponsible.”
He swallows hard but doesn’t answer. Wrong move.
