Scott tossed a sandwich wrapper into the trashcan by the police station door. Sitting outside in the fresh air to eat lunch had done nothing to change his mood. Maddie would leave soon for Colorado, and he’d probably never see her again. Didn’t matter that he loved her and only wanted to keep her safe. His heart constricted. She’d had enough. He’d snuffed out the last glimmer of hope in her eyes. For good.
At least she would be far away from Victor. She could finally file her survey once they arrested him. It shouldn’t be long. Eric had taken the bait and stolen the fake Clovis blade. The plans were coming together. Scott glanced at his watch. He had another video chat set up with Zach in ten minutes.
Scott headed to Lee’s office. Lee sat at his desk, a hand over his eyes, head down with the phone to his ear. He glanced up when Scott entered and gave him a shit-doesn’t-get-worse-than-this look.
Lee waved to the seat across from him and spoke into the phone, “Hold on; I’ll put you on speaker. Scott’s here.”
Since Lee hadn’t addressed Scott as Detective, the call must be personal. Scott slid into the seat and leaned forward.
Lee took a deep breath. “Bill Keeler’s on the phone.”
Bill worked for the DEA in Utah where Justin had died. Scott had flown out and met him. Decent guy. But he never came up with anything other than an overdose as the cause of death.
“Bill, how about filling Scott in?”
Bill’s voice came across the speakerphone. “Scott, I have some new information on your brother’s death.”
“I’m listening.” Scott inched closer to the phone, his pulse ratcheting.
“Justin’s tent-mate came back to town. His name is Nathan Griffin. He went to the police and said Justin was murdered, by one of Mole’s guys.”
Scott’s breath caught in his throat. “What?”
“Apparently, Justin had cleaned up and tried to snitch on Mole. Thought he was working with a DEA agent, but Mole had his own undercover fake operatives. He sniffed Justin out and ordered a hit on him.”
Scott’s world spun out of focus. Mole had killed his brother. “I don’t understand. Justin died of a heroin overdose.”
“Yes, but we now believe it was forced on him. Griffin said he was coming back from taking a piss and heard someone threatening Justin inside the tent. The guy told Justin he’d messed with the wrong man, and Mole made snitches pay.”
Lee picked up the paperweight and closed a fist around it. “Did Griffin see anything?”
Bill sighed. “No. He said it happened fast. Before he could think what to do, the man came out, and Griffin took off. It was too late for Justin.”
Scott’s ears burned. “Let me get this straight. You’re saying Justin had cleaned up and thought he was working with an undercover DEA agent, but he turned out to be one of Mole’s men?”
“Yeah. That explains why we didn’t know he was an informant. Justin wanted to help put Mole away.”
“Why did Griffin disappear?” Scott pressed his fingers to his forehead.
“He was worried they’d come after him, thinking he knew something. He’s pretty torn up over the whole thing. Justin had gotten through to Griffin enough to convince him to stop doing drugs, and then guilt ate him up for running away.”
“Is he willing to testify against Mole?” Lee asked.
Bill cleared his throat. “Yes. That’s one of the reasons he came back. Said he wanted to do what he could to make Mole pay for killing Justin. But Griffin admits he was high at the time, and let’s face it, we don’t have any physical evidence. Not an overwhelmingly convincing witness.”
Scott glanced at Lee, who shook his head and said, “Still, it’s another piece we can add to our case.”
“Yes. I’ll proceed on this end. Keep me posted on yours. And Scott?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really sorry,” Bill said.
“Thanks.”
Lee hung up. “Are you okay?”
“No.” Scott stood and went to the window. He fisted a hand. “Mole killed my brother. Justin was trying to do the right thing and paid for it with his life.”
“We’re going to get that son of a bitch.”
The relief over finding out that Justin had been clean was overpowered by the rage at Mole for killing him. Scott closed his eyes for a second before stepping to the door. “I need a minute.”
“I understand.”
He strode outside, sat on a bench under a tall oak, and buried his face in his hands. Justin must have suspected something and called Scott for help. His gut had been right. Justin never did heroin. Mole had to figure no one would suspect a drug overdose to be murder. Not in an area full of tweakers.
This went beyond personal now. A heaviness settled on his shoulders. Whatever it took, he’d put Mole away forever.
He stood, brushed his hands together, and headed back to the station. Lee glanced up when he entered the office. “Anything I can do?”
“Yeah. Start the conference. Time to nail that piece of shit.”
Lee held Scott’s gaze. “We’re going to get him.”
“Damn right.”
Zach’s face appeared on the screen.
As always, his resemblance to Justin punched a hole in Scott’s heart. Especially this time.
“What’s the latest?” Lee asked.
“I have a meeting set up tomorrow night at eight with Mole on the property like we talked about.”
Scott slid his chair a few inches for a better angle. “What do you expect from it?”
Zach shifted his attention to Scott. “He’s supposed to bring me a gun. Insisted I keep one on me if I wanted to work with him. It’s his way of making sure I stay his bitch. An ex-con can’t carry, and he knows it. My fingerprints on a weapon would land me back in jail.”
“What did you say about it?” Scott asked.
“I tried to argue at first, to make it look legit, but in the end, I agreed. He said it was his business, and he wouldn’t keep anyone on who didn’t have the means to protect his interests.”
Zach was one cool customer. He always came up with the right answers. Scott clicked his pen top. “Nice work.”
“He said he’d give me the address and instructions for the next meth shipment.” Zach’s face filled the screen as he leaned closer. “This one is major. He hasn’t trusted me with anything big until now.”
Lee drummed his fingers on the desk. “We’ll record him giving you the information and then bust the place. It should be all over at that point.”
Unless something went wrong. And things did. Zach could end up dead like Justin. Scott squeezed the pen. “Listen, Zach. I told you before we couldn’t make promises about your safety. Are you sure you’re in on this?”
Zach’s eyes held steady. “No way I’m backing off. I want this prick as badly as you do.”
Impossible, but Scott just nodded. “Okay. I’ll be monitoring from the woods. If you have any suspicion he’s onto you, say, ‘I think we’re being watched.’ Then point to the surveillance camera in the tree. It will buy you some time and convince him you aren’t in on it.”
“Not a bad idea. Worst case, we abort the meeting and set up for another place and time.” Zach sat back.
“No, Zach. Worst case, he shoots you,” Scott said.
“I can handle myself.” Zach’s face hardened.
Invincible youth. Men Zach’s age thought they were indestructible. It’s why they weren’t afraid to enlist in the army and go to war.
Lee shifted in his seat. “Let us know if anything changes. Otherwise, we’re on.”
“You got it. Later, guys.”
The screen went blank. Someone knocked on the door, and Scott opened it.
Nikki stood on the threshold, pale, but with a determined look in her eyes. The bruises on her face had turned yellow and faded, but the marks were still there.
Soon, very soon, Eric would pay for everything he’d done. Scott shot a glance at Lee. No way Nikki could have overheard their conversation outside the soundproofed room.
Lee gave a quick shake of his head. He crossed to her. “Hi, Nikki. What brings you here?”
“I came to file an application for a restraining order against Eric.”
Scott stiffened. Not now. They needed Eric to reel in Mole.
Lee propped a hip on top of the desk and waved at the seat Scott had vacated. She slid into it and clutched her purse in her lap.
“What’s Eric doing?” Lee asked.
“He keeps harassing me, and I’m tired of it.” She fidgeted with the strap of her bag. “Maddie says I should charge him with assault.”
Scott gritted his teeth. Maddie would be in the middle of things. Damn. Nikki was finally standing up for herself, and now they would have to stall her. Scott couldn’t arrest Eric for assault when they were so close to nailing him and Mole for the drugs and black-market trade.
Lee pushed off the desk. “I’ll get this started in a second. Scott, a word?”
“Sure, Chief.” He followed Lee outside the office to the far corner of the station.
“This throws a wrench in things.” Lee shook his head.
Scott spoke in a low tone. “We have to follow through for Nikki, but now’s not the time to put Eric in jail.”
Lee nodded. “What do you suggest?”
Scott blew out a breath. They couldn’t risk Nikki’s safety by dragging their feet. “The judge is gonna need probable cause for the restraining order, which should go hand in hand with the assault charge. Both require us to investigate before we file. What’s the best way to process this?”
“I’m golfing with the judge tomorrow. I’ll talk to him on the side. I think I can get him to issue the restraining order based on Nikki’s testimony and some supporting statements from others. Doesn’t hurt that Eric already has a record.” Lee glanced at his office.
“If things go as planned, we should have what we need on Mole within the next day or so. I’ll start the assault charge paperwork, but hold off picking Eric up,” Scott said.
Lee rubbed his neck. “Makes sense.”
“Mainly, we need to protect Nikki from the asshole. If the judge cooperates, this will work.”
“I’m with you.”
They returned to the office, and Lee brought some forms up on the computer screen. “Let’s get the request for the restraining order in place and start the paperwork for the assault charge. That will take a little time to process.”
Scott glanced at Nikki’s hands clamped tight on her purse. Poor kid.
“You got this, Chief?” Scott picked a folder up from the table.
“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll be here. Stop back in a bit.”
“Will do.” Scott touched Nikki on the shoulder. “You’re doing the right thing. Hang in there, and if Eric bothers you, call us.”
“Thanks, I will.” She gave him a weak smile.
He headed to the station door. So much evil from anyone who worked for Mole. Now, more than ever, Scott burned to finish what Justin had started and paid for with his life.
He gazed at the bright blue sky when he stepped out of the building. A bird sang and a light breeze blew the sweet scent of blossoming apple trees across his face. Nothing but beauty surrounded him.
Nothing but pain and anger lived inside.