Page 23 of Legends: Easton (Legends of Fire Creek #3)

“It’s unlikely. Detective Maxwell’s attack happening so soon after the undercover operation doesn’t strike me as a coincidence,” Corinne said.

“I also saw my attacked a couple of days before he came after me. He was at the grocery store at the same time I was there with my grandmother.”

“But, if I understand it correctly, there’s no connection with the man and the Blood Disciples,” Chief Tucker argued.

“Not that we have found,” Tater confirmed.

“Yet.” Luke’s deep timber rumbled through the room, bringing all eyes in their direction, where Easton and his brother flanked Bailee on the left and right as they sat on one side of a conference table.

“Those of you wondering about Luke and Easton, they’re here at my invitation. They aren’t law enforcement, but they’ve worked with us on cases in the past. They have skill sets that make them assets. Consider them…consultants.”

Tater paused, and Easton checked each face to see if anyone was particularly upset at their presence.

The only one who seemed bothered by having civilians in the room was Bailee’s chief.

Though Easton could understand the man’s reservation, he still made a mental note to have Tucker checked out.

If one member of the Louisville PD was corrupt, there could very well be more.

At this point, he had no reason to trust anyone in the room, save Luke, Bailee, and Tater.

“Luke is the reason we have what intel we do on Clive Melvin. Luke, why don’t you go over what you found?”

Luke scowled at Tater’s request. Easton bit back a grin.

His brother hated being put in the spotlight, and he hated even more having to deal with a crowd of people.

His recap of the background check into Melvin was short and to the point, and Easton hoped no one asked follow-up questions because that would only sour his brother’s mood more.

“Since receiving the intel, we’ve dived into Melvin’s financials,” Corinne said.

“With his criminal background and no obvious connection to the BDs, I felt certain he was on someone’s payroll.

But if he was hired by someone to kill our star witness and cripple our case, there’s no trail to support that. ”

“She’s not wrong.” Luke glanced down at his laptop.

“I found a few offshore accounts that I could link to Melvin, and they’ve been dormant for at least two months.

Before that, deposits and withdrawals were inconsistent and originated from various sources that aren’t connected to one person.

That’s nothing that would hint at him being hired to come after Bailee. ”

“It doesn’t make sense.” Bailee’s eyes held a faraway look as she processed the information. “If he wasn’t paid, then why come for me? Why not kill me when he had the chance? Why abduct me first?”

“What do you mean?” Griffin barked the question.

Easton caught the man’s incredulous stare.

“She means that Melvin had time to hit her from behind and drag her from the parking lot into an alley before I made it outside and heard them struggling. There was no one else in the parking lot at that time. If his intent was to kill her, he had plenty of time to do so and slip away before anyone realized what happened. He also had an opportunity to shoot both of us in the alley, but instead, he made a getaway.”

“Bailee, did you recognize him? Maybe you’ve crossed paths with him before.” Chief Tucker frowned as he waited for her response.

“No, sir. If he’s connected to this case or any case I’ve worked before, I don’t remember him. Believe me, if I had crossed paths with him before, I would remember.”

“So what’s the plan? How do we find out what this guy wants?” Chief Tucker asked.

“Unless any of you have an issue, my department will handle the assault investigation. I’ll be joining Detective Griffin to take the lead.

Protection for Detective Maxwell and her family has been arranged, so she’ll remain close to assist with the investigation.

We hope by having her remain in town, we can draw Melvin out and get to the bottom of this. ”

“Bailee, are you all right with this?” Corinne asked.

“Yeah. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

“I can send in additional backup for the security detail,” Corinne offered.

Bailee shook her head. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Too much security will drive him away, and I’ll never figure out what’s going on.”

“Who do we think this guy is?” Griffin asked. “He has to be working for the gang or for your former partner, right?”

Bailee’s grip tightened on Easton’s hand, and her lips drew tight. “I don’t know.”

“Chief Tatum, I’ll need regular updates on your investigation. The minute you find any connection with the undercover case, I’ll need to know right away,” Corinne said.

“I’d like to know too, Chief. I don’t like the idea of anyone coming after my cops,” Chief Tucker added.

“Roger that,” Tater agreed. “Thank you all for joining in. We’ll be in touch.”

The meeting wrapped up, and Easton took the first opportunity to lead Bailee away from everyone else. He found an empty interview room and nudged her inside before closing the door. His hands rested on her arms, moving up and down to comfort her.

“You okay?”

“I don’t know. I keep remembering the day we found Shantayle.

The coroner peeled away the plastic, and I looked into her lifeless eyes.

He had beaten her terribly, but I recognized her immediately.

I failed her. I was certain I could keep her safe, but the more cases we closed and the closer we got to taking down the BDs, the less I worried about her.

I feel like I’ve done it again. I came to Florida and then here without thinking I would be putting my parents or Gran in danger. ”

“Come here.” Easton pulled her close to him, his arms enveloping her in a tight hug.

She stood stiffly at first, but then her arms encircled his waist. Her head rested against his chest, and Easton tried to ignore how right her body felt against his.

“You can’t convince me for a minute that you stopped caring for Shantayle.

She wanted to be free of gang life, and you were doing everything you knew how to give her that.

Your partner managed to fool a lot of good people for a long time.

It happens, but it doesn’t mean you were at fault for what happened.

Lay the blame where it belongs, Bailee, and it doesn’t belong with you. ”

They stood there for several minutes, holding each other while the noise and activity of the precinct carried on outside the door. Bailee raised her head and peered into Easton’s face.

“So what now?”

Easton hated the defeat he saw in the depths of her eyes, but he had to admit that he could have stayed there for hours looking into her face. The curve of her cheeks, delicate nose, chocolate eyes, and full, pink lips were stunning up close.

“Now, I take you away from here.”

“Back to Gran’s?”

“Actually, if you’re up for it, I have a better idea.” He grinned as the sudden idea took shape, and he hoped she agreed.

“You know, why not? If it takes my mind off this case or the asshole who’s after me, then I’m game.”

He released her but kept her hand encased in his. “Then let’s get out of here before someone decides to ask more questions and keeps us from leaving.”

Her responding smile sent a wave of warmth through his chest, and he led her out of the precinct to his Jeep.

He swept the vehicle for signs of a tracking device or bomb or any other surprise Melvin could have planted while they were inside.

When all was clear, he held the passenger door open for her.

When she settled, he climbed behind the wheel and set off down the street, his attention vigilant on his surroundings. Bailee relaxed against the seat as she watched the scenery flash by, but Easton stayed alert, intent on keeping her safe long enough to surprise her.

Because keeping that smile on her face suddenly became a top priority for him.