Page 9

CHAPTER 9

Turk

I wanted to meet Dad at Mel’s diner. I need to know if Mel’s part of Cat’s problem. I need to know he’s watching out for her, not taking advantage of her.

Dad’s already in a booth drinking coffee. I see Mel pause on the other side of the pass window as I take my seat. I realize not much gets by the big guy. That’s gonna be good or bad depending on his role in all of this.

After the waitress takes our orders and delivers my coffee, Dad starts right in.

“The records were sealed. But I was able to get a friend in the department to dig for me. Your girl’s mom was a drug addict. Her stepdad was a drug dealer and addict. Her parents were bludgeoned to death when she was sixteen. She found the bodies and called the cops.

“Her grandmother from her father’s side had just gone into assisted living. She had nobody except one stepbrother who has taken over the family business. He was twenty-six at the time and got custody of her. The initial case worker tried to intercede but… well, the courts are overbooked.

“Six months later she was picked up for prostitution.” He meets my gaze. “This is the part that stinks of foul play. She was in the lobby of a nice enough hotel, when an officer was walking through after dropping off his parents. Caitlyn literally walked up to him in her skimpy outfit and propositioned him.

“Now let me say, I personally worked with the officer, so I called him. He said he couldn’t ever get her to talk, no one could, but he knows in his gut she approached him on purpose. She didn’t want to be doing what she was there to do and used him to get out of it. Knowing it meant going to jail, says a lot.

“A decent public defender took her case and argued it was human trafficking although Caitlyn would never reveal the name of her handler.”

“You think it was the stepbrother.”

“I do. I think her lawyer also suspected him. She was able to keep Caitlyn in the system which was safer.

“Guys I know still on the force want him taken down. They’ve seen things that link him to some heavy shit. The asshole is smart and has enough money now to buy his way out of a lot of trouble. He also has connections on the force and possibly the city council.

“There is one more loose end. When the grandmother dies, Caitlyn will inherit her house. It’s a big landmark house in a ritzy neighborhood. I’m not sure Caitlyn knows.

“Is she in danger?”

“Would he use her if he could? Yes. Is he out to kill her? I can’t answer that. But I will say he’s the kind that would if it benefits him. If you learn anything or find something, let me know. Slack is not a good man. She needs to stay away from him.”

“That’s an understatement,” a deep voice chimes in. “What the hell is it to you?”

Glancing up, I meet Mel’s stormy gaze. After slamming our breakfast on the table he glowers at me, hands on his hips.

Dad stands and offers Mel his hand. “Mel, good to see you.”

They shake and Dad glances around the nearly filled room. “Looks like business is good. You deserve it. Most underrated restaurant in town.”

Mel nods. Then turns back to me. “Why are you stalking my employee? I take that shit personal.”

“Stalking?” Dad raises an eyebrow and I see the interested glint in his eye.

“He sits in his car and watches. Waits till he sees her go to her room. One night he stayed all night. Since you’re a cop I figured you’d want to know. Something happens to her. You better get to him first. I got the name of another SOB if you need it.”

“Well, well, well, isn’t this interesting,” Dad chuckles. “Mel, can you sit with us for a few minutes? I feel like we both have information to share with each other.”

He glances at our plates. “Eat. I’ll be back after I get someone to cover the grill for me.”

“You know him?” I ask after Mel walks away.

“Yeah. He’s a good guy. Was raised by his grandparents above this restaurant. Joined the military. Bought them a house. Came back to help his gramps with the diner when his grandmother got sick. She passed a year later and his grandpa six months after. He’s kept the place and made it even better than it was before. He watches out for people. I take it your girl is one.”

I glance up. My girl . I could deny it, but it rings true in my chest.

“Eat, it’s best hot.”

A young man busses our table before Mel comes back with fresh coffee for us and one for himself. Pulling a chair up he sits at the end of the table where he can watch the door and study me.

“Mel, let me introduce my son, Turk. He’s the team doctor for the Sirens and good friends with the new owner. He was worried about Caitlyn after he saw someone hassle her. He followed her home to make sure she was okay. He just wanted to make sure she was safe. She appears to be anxious.”

“They better not be fucking hassling her at her job. I told them here, and only here.”

“Who is they?” I ask.

“None of your business.”

“It’s my business if it puts the team in jeopardy.”

“You getting in with the wrong people is not my concern. Cat is.”

“You her boyfriend? I didn’t see you there when she needed you.”

“Calm down both of you,” Dad cuts in. “This is not a pissing match between the two of you. This is about what’s going on with Caitlyn.”

“She’s my friend. She’s had a shit life. I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Mel grinds out.

“Then talk to us. Let me help,” Dad says softly. “Is she in danger?”

“Probably. Do you know of a guy that goes by the name Slack?”

My dad glances at me. “Yes. He’s a drug dealer.”

“That and other stuff. He’s her stepbrother. He’s shaking her down for money. A lot of money. If she misses a payment, he basically doubles it. She doesn’t make the kind of money he’s pushing for so the debt goes up not down each week. I tried to get her to let me pay it, but she won’t. She doesn’t want to ruin my life, too.

“I know his kind. He’ll never let her go. Even if she pays him off. He’ll find another reason. He’s got something on her, but I don’t know what.”

He studies his coffee. “Look, she’s a good girl. From what I know her parents were losers just like Slack. She somehow got caught in the middle.”

Dad shoots me a knowing glance. He must be thinking that Slack was her pimp.

“If you know he’s into illegal shit, why didn’t you bring it to the department?” Dad asks.

“Because he’s got at least one detective, two patrol officers and one city board member on his payroll. I’d be setting her up for more trouble. I can handle myself. She can’t.”

“Mel, I want to help her,” I chime in.

“Why?” His gaze is hard.

“I can tell she’s hurting, on edge. It’s not healthy. It’s not good for her career. Based on what you’re saying, she’s not safe. I’m worried about her.”

I pause then look him dead in the eye. “Truthfully, I’m attracted to her.”

“She ain’t some notch on a bedpost.”

“I realize that. I’m not that kind of guy. I can’t honestly tell you at this point where my attraction could lead. But I do want to help her. Let’s pool our resources and work together. My father will help.”

Mel glances at my father. “Heard you retired.”

Dad leans forward. “I’m not dead and I still have friends who believe in the oath they took. I need info, names that he has on his payroll if you’ve got them. Proof of the shake down. I can help. I damn well want to help.”

“He sends someone to pick up the money here after closing on Fridays. It was early this week because she was going out of town for the game.” Looking at me, Mel continues. “Someone on your buddy’s team is in his pocket. There was a note in her locker. You need to clean house, too.”

I pull a business card from my pocket and add my personal cell number. Dad takes it and writes his cell number on the back and hands it to Mel. “These are the only two numbers you call and we’re the only two you talk to until we know who we can trust.”

“Give me another one of your cards,” he demands. On the back he writes some names. “Those are the ones I’m sure are on the take.

“I’ve got mirrors everywhere and a few cameras to keep watch for my customers and her. But I’m not sure how much longer she’ll be safe here. I think he’s using his own product which makes him even more unstable. I got a bad feeling.”