Page 13 of Girl Lost (The King Legacy #1)

Abercorn shook his head. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “No, no, you don’t get it. This guy ... he’s connected. He’ll find me.”

Corbin slammed his hand on the table, making Abercorn jump. “Listen, you little weasel. Right now, the guys who used your Taser are out there, free as birds, while you’re sitting here taking the fall. Is that what you want? To go down for a kidnapping you didn’t even do?”

“If they find out I talked, I’m dead.”

Blade leaned in. “Charles, right now, you’re the one facing serious charges. What do you think will happen to a guy like you in prison? The only way out of this is to help us. Give us something we can use.”

Abercorn’s eyes filled with desperation. He looked from Blade to Corbin, then back again. “I ... I don’t know, man. I don’t know if I can do it.” Abercorn was cracking. They were almost there.

Corbin leaned back against the wall, giving him some space. “Think about it, Charles. You help us, we help you.”

Abercorn hesitated, his fear warring with the realization of his predicament. He let out a shuddering breath. “Okay ... okay. I’ll tell you. But you gotta promise me, you’ll talk to the DA. If I give you the name, I get immunity.”

Blade shook his head. “Can’t promise that, Charles, but we’ll do what we can. You have our word. Now, who did you trade the Tasers to?”

“It was a guy named Marco. Marco DeLuca. He’s the one who wanted the Tasers. He’s bad news, man. Real bad news.”

“Did you physically hand the Tasers to Marco DeLuca?” Corbin asked.

Abercorn nodded, a little too quickly. “Yeah, yeah. Handed ’em right to him.”

Corbin wasn’t buying it. “All right, Charles. You’ve done the right thing. We’re going to take a little break.” He exchanged a look with Blade, who nodded.

“Sit tight.” Blade’s chair scraped back as he stood. “I’ll call the DA and be back in a few minutes.”

Abercorn slumped in his seat. “You better,” he muttered.

Corbin stepped out of the interrogation room, Blade following close behind. The harsh glare of the hallway lights made him squint after the dimness of the interrogation room. He pushed through the door to the observation room.

Luna waited for them, standing with her arms crossed.

“What did you think?” He glanced back through the one-way mirror.

Abercorn shifted in his seat, pulling at the cuffs that bound his wrists, trying to find a more comfortable position.

“Who’s this DeLuca guy?” Luna asked. “What do you know about him?”

“Marco DeLuca.” Blade smirked. “That name gets tossed around more than a beach ball at a concert. Every two-bit crook from here to Miami claims he’s involved, hoping they’ll get credit for his arrest.”

“His name comes up for good reason. He’s bad news.

” Corbin had seen the files. The surveillance reports.

The confidential informants whispering about a new player, someone moving in on established territory.

Someone dangerous. “DeLuca’s been on FDLE’s radar for months.

If he’s made a move, this could be bigger than we thought. ”

“Sounds like we can’t ignore it,” Luna said.

Blade raised an eyebrow. “You really buying Abercorn’s story?”

“Not completely,” he admitted. “But we can’t afford to ignore any lead. I’ll call Major Drugs. They’ve had DeLuca under surveillance. They should know his every move.”

“All right,” Blade said. “Keep me in the loop. In the meantime, I’ll let Charlie in there stew while I check his alibi for the kidnapping.

Then I’ll ask him who taught him to decorate his house with an accelerant and rig it to ignite.

” He paused, then his eyes softened. “How are you two holding up after that fire?”

“Shoulder’s a little sore.” Corbin flexed his fingers. They ached, the skin tender to the touch. Small burns, red and angry, marked his hands and arms. “And a few singed hairs, I think. Nothing major. You?”

“I’m a little crispy around the edges.” Blade grinned and ran a hand over his hair. “Nothing a good conditioner can’t fix.”

Corbin glanced at Luna. “How about you?”

“No complaints,” she said.

Tough as nails, just like he remembered.

He noticed the scorched tips of her dark hair, the small cuts on her cheek and arms, barely visible beneath the soot.

She was tougher than she looked. Tougher than he was, maybe.

“And Salas?” He shifted uncomfortably, the cuts and scrapes on his arms and back protesting the movement.

Blade sighed. “He’s got a long recovery ahead of him. Second- and third-degree burns. He’s sedated and not allowed visitors because of the risk of infection. It sounds bad. Real bad.”

“Does he have family nearby?” Luna asked.

Blade nodded. “Wife and two kids. Just moved here a few months ago. He was so excited to be closer to the beach. Took the kids surfing last weekend, I heard.”

“Poor guy,” Luna said. “This is going to be tough on them.”

“How’s your other case going?” Blade asked, shifting the subject. “Any leads on Carlie?”

A familiar tightness settled in Corbin’s chest. “Nothing solid yet. Angie and Marge couldn’t give me much.

But...” He glanced at Luna. “Turns out I’ve got a new partner on the case now.

At least for a while.” He looked back at Blade.

“I’m gonna get her up to speed. See if her fresh eyes can spot something I missed. ”

Luna remained silent, her expression unreadable, as she continued to observe them. What was she thinking? Was she regretting her decision to help? Or was she already planning her next escape?

“Oh really?” Blade tried to contain a grin.

“Well, two heads are better than one, especially on a case like this. I’m glad you’ve got some help, brother.

” Blade nodded towards Luna. “Between the two of you, you’ll figure it out.

” He headed out of the observation room and disappeared into the bustling hallway.

Corbin held the door. “Let me make that call to Major Drugs, see what we have on DeLuca. Then we can switch gears.” He glanced at Luna and gestured for her to go first. “Time for your crash course on Carlie Tinch.”

“I could use a shower and a change of clothes first. Do we have time?” Her gaze drifted to her soot-stained jeans.

He looked down. Fire had charred the denim around her ankles. He saw it then, the white bandage peeking out from the edges of the ruined fabric. “That burn...” He sucked air through his teeth.

She waved a dismissive hand. “It’s fine. Just a little scorched. The EMTs gave me some antibiotic ointment. Should do the trick.”

“Luna, it looked...” Bad. He swallowed the word. He’d seen enough burns in his life to know that one needed more than ointment. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. I’ve had worse.” She met his gaze, a challenge in her eyes.

He nodded. Arguing was pointless. He glanced at his watch.

Almost six o’clock. They’d be working late tonight, for sure.

He could use something for his aching shoulder.

And a shower too. She’d probably appreciate him washing off the grime and sweat.

Maybe they could grab a bite to eat. He hadn’t eaten all day and bet she hadn’t either.

“Okay. Shower first. Then food. My treat.” And then they’d talk about that burn again. “Want me to drop you at your hotel?”

“I haven’t checked in anywhere yet.” She seemed to notice how close she was walking beside him and stepped aside. “My car’s still at the gym. Think I can shower there?”

“Yeah, sure.” He wanted to suggest she stay with Tori tonight, but he’d already pushed enough. “I’ll drop you then meet you at my office. Seven?”

He watched her for any sign of hesitation.

“Perfect.”

Maybe this was it. Maybe this case would be the thing that kept her here.

Kept her from running. He had a chance now.

A chance to make things right. To show her he wasn’t the boy who’d walked away all those years ago.

He could prove to her, to himself, that he was capable of loyalty. Of commitment. Of love.

If he could keep her from bolting.

As she climbed into his car, he straightened his shoulders. Drew in a deep breath and pushed it out. He should stop focusing on his feelings for Luna and focus on doing his job.

Two cases, both with lives hanging in the balance.

And he was no closer to solving either of them.