Page 17

Chapter Seventeen

Drake

Tammy had a much better night, which was just as well. Shae was practically unconscious, and I basked in the satisfaction. She woke twice, but settled pretty much straight away, and Shae didn’t stir either time. I was going to visit Albert a little later when I knew they would be up, and I was currently feeding Tammy while Shae, who had finally woken, had run over to see if Moira needed any help with the dogs. She still hadn’t put them back in the barn, but thanks to the vet who had treated them and had advertised for their adoption in his surgery, all the dogs except the last pittie and one of the puppies had been claimed. Albert had taken a shine to the pittie, apparently, so it likely had a home even though they would need help walking him, which is what Shae was currently doing.

He was back within an hour and Tammy was watching the cartoon with the blue dog she liked, Maxie curled up at her feet. They were funny to watch, because every so often Tammy would play with Maxie’s ears, but when she’d stopped too long, Maxie would nudge her hand and it would start all over again.

Shae sighed. “You need to talk to Moira for me.”

I looked over at him, taking in his obvious discomfort. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s still paying me,” he mumbled. “And I’m not doing shit.”

Honesty. We’d promised each other honesty. “You know that’s because she’s hoping you’re gonna run the place.”

His lips twitched. “You reckon?” He was fuckin’ adorable. Then I jerked to a stop in my head. Adorable? I was a Marine. I’d spent most of my life in one sort of conflict or another, and not just the foreign enemy kind, and I’d just used the word adorable ? Jesus, I was turning soft. Not that I was complaining if that meant I kept Shae in my bed and in my arms every night.

He frowned but then smiled when Tammy giggled at something on her cartoon. “Is that Maxie?” He knew it wasn’t, but he was teasing her. She looked up and shook her head.

“No Maxie.”

I froze, and so did Shae. He looked over at me in utter astonishment and I think I recovered first. “No, sweetheart, you’re right. That’s not Maxie,” I agreed and slid Shae’s waffles onto his plate. Tammy had already eaten most of hers. “Come, sit.”

I was desperately trying to play it cool, but our smiles had to be blinding.

I was starving and ate a huge breakfast, which made me wonder if I could turn the room Shae had been using into a weights room. I’d never needed to worry about fitness as between the gym I visited where I’d first met Shae, and my job, getting soft wasn’t an option. But I was all in with Shae, which meant keeping my much older body healthy was even more of a priority. We both got an alert on the phone as we were finishing our coffee. It was Dixie, from Jay’s team.

Four cars. Two unmarked and two other cop cars just turned in.

“Shit,” Shae spat out. “What’s he done?” I knew Shae meant his dad, but there’d be no way they’d send marked cars to let us know about an ongoing case. I swallowed my bad feeling down.

“Remember, you have Tammy,” I cautioned, because I had a really, really, bad feeling about this and Shae’s priority had to be her. I texted Dixie back and asked her to alert Rawlings and Danny.

We could see the flashing lights from the glass panes in the door. I nodded to Tammy and Shae went over to scoop her up. I walked to the door and opened it.

“Drake Starr?” the officer asked formally, his hand at his hip. And I knew. I fucking knew.

“I have a three-year-old child in here. Can we do this outside?”

I didn’t wait for an assent as I stepped onto the porch and both officers grabbed me, spinning me around. “Drake Starr, we are arresting you for the crime of manslaughter. You do not…”

The fuck? “Who am I supposed to have killed?” But they ignored my question.

Shae appeared at the door, and both the other two cops and one of the detectives all raised their weapons. Shae froze.

“It’s okay,” I said. “Go speak to Danny. It’s okay. Tammy ,” I reminded him because I wasn’t convinced after seeing his scar that they wouldn’t fire if he took another step.

Shae retreated, even though I could see the torment in his gaze. The cuffs were on me, and I was in the back of a cop car before I knew it. I’d told Shae to call Danny to give him something to focus on, but I knew Dixie would have sounded a five-alarm fire the second I was arrested.

I didn’t bother speaking because I knew these weren’t the guys I needed to talk to. I also knew Rawlings would be getting me a lawyer.

They kept me cooling my heels for a while, which I was quite happy to do, because it gave Rawlings time to get me a lawyer, but eventually I was shown into a small interrogation room, and my ankles and wrists were chained. It was so predictable it was boring. I just needed to know the team had circled around Shae, and he wasn’t on his own.

I looked up as two detectives—wearing suits, so I assumed—entered with official-looking folders, and they made a great show of setting up and preparing them. I almost rolled my eyes.

“Drake Starr, I am Detective Luis Almeda.”

“Detective Amelie Brown,” the other spoke into the tape.

“Can you confirm…” I confirmed who I was, my understanding of the charge, and my Miranda rights.

“Can you tell us if you know an individual named Gary Bruin?” Almeda asked.

Gary Bruin? He was dead? Not that it was any loss after neglecting his mom and tormenting the dogs, but I’d never met the guy. What possible evidence could they have for thinking I’d killed him?

I opened my mouth to say I knew the name but had never met him when the door opened and a woman in a suit I guessed cost more than the apartment I’d sold last year entered the room.

She was my attorney, and I grinned. This had Rawlings all over it. She introduced herself as Hannah Metcalfe and demanded privacy so she could speak to her client. Both detectives left.

I glanced at the mirror, which I assumed meant they could see in, and she smiled. “It would be inadmissible and the last time they worked in law enforcement.”

Satisfied, I leaned forward. “The fuck? I never touched Bruin. I’ve never even met him.”

She nodded, but as if she expected all her defendants to say that, and it pissed me off. “He poisoned the dogs,” I said, clearly. “He treated his mom like shit,” I added. “But there’s no way Rawlings would let me get involved in whatever happened to him, and I don’t need to be. I have enough on my plate without adding petty revenge that isn’t worth my time to do it.”

She looked at me, then grinned. “Then let me tell you how you’ve been set up.”

Apparently, they had a phone video and a witness to me beating Gary Bruin up an hour before welfare had found his mom.

“Where?” I asked in astonishment. “And what witness?”

“Outside his house. He stumbles away, but you chase after him. Cops are saying you finished him off. His body was found in the woods close by and the PM corroborates the time of death for the video.”

“What day was this?” My life had been full of Shae and Tammy.

“The day after the fire department responded to a blaze at your place.”

Well, shit, that fit.

“I’m not convinced they have the evidentiary foundations to allow this video, but that’s for a court to decide, and won’t get you released tonight.”

I sighed. I knew there was no point protesting my innocence. She was doing her job. And the internet was very creative.

“Who’s this witness?”

She shook her head. “That’s court discovery, and may only be shared later just prior to the trial or even during the trial for this type of allegation.”

“So what do we do?”

“I have a bail hearing before a judge at nine a.m. tomorrow and it's unlikely it will be granted even with your spotless record, unfortunately—”

“Tammy,” I whispered, not needing it spelled out. Even if I did get out, I couldn’t go anywhere near them.

She inclined her head. “Mr. Rawlings has collected Shae Turner and his sister, and they are at his apartment.” She smirked. “Apparently that was as far away as Mr. Turner was willing to go.” Whatever this was, I couldn’t risk it falling on Shae and Tammy. If I had to go to prison for the rest of my life, I would to protect them both.

I huffed out an annoyed breath. “I don’t understand why I’m being set up, but I’m pretty sure it’s got something to do with whatever’s going on with the land.” Actually, I wasn’t sure. It could well have something to do with Albert, but that made no sense, as we’d all said before. They’d go for Albert, and if I was collateral damage, they’d just shoot me.

“So, do you understand the words ‘no comment?’” Hannah arched an eyebrow.

“Yep,” I agreed.

She leaned forward. “I know these two detectives. They have a lot of plays, but I think they’re going to wind you up, try to get you to lose your temper, and make you comment.” She held my gaze. “Don’t let that happen.” She stood up to indicate we were finished and went to the door to let the detectives know and to get me some water. Both Almeda and Brown came back into the room, and over the course of an hour they did exactly what Hannah had said they would and tried to wind me up.

“I understand your partner has just gotten temporary custody of his half-sister?” Brown said.

“Detectives, that has nothing whatsoever to do with the alleged offense.”

“Actually, we’re exploring motives, Mr. Starr, and we’re confident that a judge would agree that an attack on your boyfriend, who, as we understand, has a heart condition, is a very powerful one.”

“No comment.” I was frustrated. I wanted to get out and see what Danny had found out. Make sure Shae was okay. Feel Tammy’s arms wrapped around my neck. Inside my head I was screaming, but training hadn’t just taught me combat skills, to be part of a team, and to think. It had also taught me patience.

By hour two, I was seriously frustrated, not that anyone else would know that, and I started going through the case in my head. I was missing something. We all were. And if Ryan was so desperate for the land that Albert and Moira had, how was getting me out of the way going to help? I didn’t own it. Although if Ryan got Moira’s property, I guessed it would put him in a good place. Maybe he felt he could exert influence over them if I was no longer around?

“Mr. Starr?” I glanced over at the detectives and knew instantly I’d been asked a question and hadn’t heard them.

“Sorry, could you repeat the question?” I gave them my politest expression.

Just then, a knock at the door heralded an interruption, and both detectives stopped the tape and went outside.

“Cool under fire, hmm?” Hannah joked. “I’ll arrange a bathroom break,” but as she stood, Detective Brown entered and clipped out.

“Thank you Mr. Starr, you’re free to go.”

It took me a second, but then I saw Hannah was already striding to the door. I signed for my wallet at the desk and followed her outside. Gray was standing by his truck, arms folded, looking bored. “About fucking time,” he groused. I turned and saw Hannah was on the phone. She saw me and waved me off, so I got in the truck.

“So?” I prodded as Gray peeled out of the parking lot at a speed which, considering where we were, might not have been a great idea.

“It took Danny and Gael about seven minutes to unpack the fake video. Gael says it was that hacker who searched for Albert. The so-called witness has a shit-ton of debt.”

I didn’t realize how tense I was until I relaxed, then I groaned. “Seven minutes, huh? Then how come I still had to sit there for two hours?”

Gray smirked. “The cops wanted to double check.”

The fuckers. But I knew. “Where’s Shae?”

“The apartment. It’s like a fucking Dr. Doolittle set in there.” I grinned. Yeah, if Seb had come with Gray, that meant four dogs.

Shae flung his arms around me the second we walked through the door, and I hugged him right back. I knew everyone was watching, but I didn’t give a fuck.

“When you’re ready?” Rawlings said in a dry tone, and I gave him the finger behind Shae’s back. Rawlings barked out a laugh, but we followed him into the kitchen. Tammy was sitting in a booster seat at the table with everyone. Danny looked up as I walked in.

“Thanks,” I said. He smiled, but turned back to the screen, clearly distracted.

“What is it?”

He put a photo on the screen that looked like a traffic cam had taken it. I recognized Ryan Connaught, but not the man sitting next to him.

“Who’s that?”

“Craig Smith. One of the land acquisition specialists for Dearden Construction.”

“And they are?” Rawlings asked.

“The company behind Tulip Homes.”

Gray whistled.

Shae glanced at me for an explanation.

“Did you ever see the TV ad with the talking houses? Bows around them. One excited because they were getting a family?”

Shae nodded. “That’s them?”

“Tulip Homes has to be one of the biggest housing developers in the South,” Danny explained, “and they don’t mess about with small stuff. They’ve just secured a similar type of land deal outside of Columbus for a hundred and thirty acres, seventy-five of which are protected farmland, for sixty-five million dollars.”

I had to stop swearing because of Tammy. Thankfully, I’d just said “fuck” about five times in my head and not out loud.

“And they wouldn’t have done that if they weren’t confident about getting the zoning change,” Rawlings said.

“I can understand Ryan being in bed with them, but what I can’t understand is how this has anything to do with me.”

“Can’t you?” Rawlings asked.

“No, I’m not family. I—”

“You weren’t family to Ellie and Jim Connaught either, but they left you the house instead of their son. Shae’s helping with the dogs. Look at Tammy. You said Moira was enamored, and Albert must feel he can trust you or he wouldn’t have shared. I think Ryan has to get you out of the way, and lawyers told him contesting the will is a no go.”

“But even if he did,” Kane said, “They could leave the land to charity. There’s still no guarantee Drake’s going to get it.”

Danny hummed. “Ringo, do you know what your mom does for a job?”

I shrugged. “You gotta remember I haven’t been in touch with them for twenty years, but last I knew she worked for the city. Not sure what.” Maybe a personal assistant to someone on the council?

“She actually used to work in planning.” He looked up. “But since she retired she successfully ran for election and currently chairs the zoning board.”

Everything in me chilled. But I wasn’t sure why I was surprised. “Any evidence to prove she’s taking bribes?”

“Could be a coincidence,” Kane said.

“Yes,” Danny agreed, “but so far there’s been three zoning changes passed by that committee that involved building on protected farmland.” He looked up. “All built on by Deardon Construction.”

“Fuck,” I groaned. “It get’s worse.”

“The only other thing I can find with Ryan apart from making a lot of money via Dearden Construction because unusually they don’t have their own realtor, but use him exclusively is that he’s a large benefactor in an animal charity called Paws for Aid, and on their committee.”

“Charity?” I nearly laughed. He nodded.

“Let me get back to you.”

The meeting finally broke up thank fuck. I wasn’t sure how many more surprises I could deal with.

Shae pulled me to the opposite side of the kitchen while Rawlings was admiring Tammy’s coloring. “Do you want Tammy and me to stay here?”

I jerked back. “You want to stay here?” It made sense. Fuck. I’d just been arrested. I wasn’t safe for Tammy to be around. Of course, he wanted to.

But his hand, smooth against my scruff, rested on my cheek and made me pause. “No, that’s not what I said. But if you’re asking, I want to come home.” He looked over at Tammy. “We both do. I spoke to Diesel, and he says if we were in two places it would be double the manpower and he has a full team on your place. Plus, unless she isn’t safe, I don’t think it’s a good idea to move Tammy. She’s had enough upset.”

“Then why did you ask me?” I said, as he dropped his hand.

“Because you have enough to worry about. I didn’t want to be one more worry.”

“Let’s go home,” I said, heading over to Tammy, thrilled when she raised her arms for me just like she did with Shae.

“Maxie?” She said it as a question, and I grinned. It might have been the only thing she said, but I would take it. “’Course, Princess,” I agreed, and Shae picked the puppy up as well.

We walked out to Gray’s truck. He was going to drop us at home before going home himself. Apparently, Seb was in their home recording studio working on his next album.

As we neared home, I got a text from Alec one of Jay’s guys telling me everything was clear, and I glanced at Shae. Should I have insisted he stay at the apartment? Was it selfish of me to want him home? Rawlings made sense not wanting two protection teams.

But I still couldn’t stop worrying everything was coming to a head, and I didn’t want Shae or Tammy in anyone’s crosshairs.