Page 11

ELEVEN

A ll Penny had to do was find Emma, solve this case, and not get involved personally. As she studied the mug shots on the board, she paced the conference room. She’d finished her energy drink hours ago. The caffeine must be wearing off. The stale air forced into the room through the vents helped a little to keep her from nodding off, but she could use some more pain killers.

Or better yet, a break in this case. Tony stroked his chin as he studied the same board.

Officer Anthony Thomas was the kind of guy she’d have gone out with…before Bryce. He was fun. Flirtatious. Handsome, no doubt. The clean-cut kind of handsome, always clean-shaven and well-dressed. Polished even. So different from Bryce’s rugged version of the word, with his perpetually scruffy jawline and worn jeans.

But working with someone like Tony was safe, and she’d take that any day over sitting in the conference room with Bryce, his presence and beachy scent filling the space.

They looked over the mug photos again.

“So these are the main players with the Honduran gang?” she asked him.

“Yup. We’ve got Beto Cordez here trying to run the show. He’s been here since he was a kid, and his dad transported migrant workers and drugs here illegally. Dad is now in prison. We haven’t got enough to put Beto there yet. Beto relies on Parker and Guillermo here to keep his dealers and thugs in line.” Anthony tapped their respective pictures.

“And the Puerto Rican gang?”

“Relatively new. Moved up here after Hurricane Maria caused all that chaos in 2017. Most of the islanders are law-abiding citizens and stay clean. But Hernando Fuentes seems bent on defying that trend and giving the Hondurans a run for their money.”

Penny looked at her screen where she’d been digging even deeper into Emma Kemper’s past and few known associates. “I can’t find a connection to Emma with either group. If there is one, they’ve worked hard to keep it quiet.”

“And none of them look like Emma’s boyfriend?” Anthony leaned closer to her as he asked.

Penny shook her head. Not that she’d gotten a good look at the man. It still galled her that they’d gotten the jump on her. She refused to believe that niggle of doubt that said her instincts were slipping. She had just been tired after the long drive.

“I didn’t see him, but I could identify Emma’s boyfriend’s voice if I had to. It did sound like he had a slight accent.” And she couldn’t sit here and look at any more pictures. She needed to get out and start pounding some pavement and kicking up answers. “If we can’t figure out a gang relationship, any CI’s that have a pulse on the drug scene in general?”

Anthony leaned back in the office chair and propped his ankle up on his opposite knee. “I put out feelers yesterday. I’m waiting for one to contact me.”

“Why wait? Let’s go to?—”

Her phone rang. “Hey, Olivia. What’s up?”

“We need you down here at the restaurant fire. It’s connected to the case.”

Finally, a break! “Be right there.”

“I’ll text you the address.”

Penny ended the call and looked over to Anthony. “Looks like we’re wanted.” She told him what Olivia had said.

“That restaurant is owned by a Honduran family.”

“You think the Puerto Rican gang is sending a message?”

“Better go find out. Why don’t we take my service vehicle, and we’ll get there faster.”

Considering she was parked over on the next block, it would be faster. “Sure.”

They pulled up to an active scene. Firefighters in full gear had to be sweltering in the afternoon sun as they directed water from their hoses to the flames still shooting out of the roof. Bystanders circled the edge of the scene, many with phones out, probably live-streaming the drama unfolding.

Penny and Tony walked over to where Olivia, Bryce, and Izan lingered in the parking lot.

“What’d you find?” Penny asked.

“Look at the casings and the gunshot pattern on the building, and tell us what you think,” Bryce said. He moved his gaze to Anthony and frowned.

What was that about?

Not that she had time to ponder that. She had a job to do. Penny looked down. Casings littered the parking lot. She studied the front of the restaurant. She could’ve painted an elaborate dot-to-dot picture with all the bullet holes piercing the stucco siding of the building under the busted-up window.

“Automatic weapons.” She bent over and picked up one of the casings. “Definitely 9mm Luger rounds. Like from a Glock 19 with a clip.”

“You think Emma and her boyfriend armed Fuentes and the Puerto Ricans with the clips?” Bryce folded his arms across his chest, his gaze direct, intense as it always was.

“With this pattern”—she pointed to the building—“it definitely looks like a possibility.”

Olivia tapped a pen on her small notebook. “They want you to take a look at the woman who died on scene too, make sure it’s not Emma Kemper.”

Anthony pulled evidence bags and gloves out. “We can test these and see if ballistics matches anything on file.” He carefully bagged some of the brass. He paused when his phone buzzed.

“Looks like my CI is up to meeting.” He stood and sealed the bag. “Would you like to join me, Penny? You’re at my mercy for a ride anyway.”

Bryce actually bristled.

“I need to make sure the deceased isn’t Emma.” Penny nodded toward the coroner’s van off to the side.

“I can wait.” Tony looked at her, voice almost husky, even with Bryce, Izan, and Olivia right here with them.

Oh brother. Penny spun and headed toward the van.

She wasn’t too surprised when footsteps sounded behind her.

“No need to depend on Thomas for a ride. I can take you anywhere you want to go.” Bryce caught up to her.

His brown eyes turned cold when he glanced behind them at Officer Thomas. But when he turned them back on her, she felt warmth spiral through her. What was it about that dark-chocolate stare that made her so weak?

Focus, Penny! The case.

She approached the vehicle. The young guy in a jumpsuit held a tablet. She gave him her ID and explained the situation.

“We already had a positive identification made. This is Juana Silvio.”

“Can I take a quick look, just to be sure?”

“It’s not a pretty sight. Sure you don’t want to wait until we can clean her?—”

“I’ll be fast. I just need to know.”

“Fine.”

Penny followed him as he stepped into the van and unzipped the black bag on the cot.

It wasn’t Emma.

Penny’s chest squeezed. To witness the violence, the loss of such a vibrant young life, only firmed her resolve to get to the bottom of what was happening. She thanked the man and turned. Bryce was right there at the back of the van to help her down.

“It’s not her,” she told him.

If he heard the catch in her voice, he didn’t show it. He simply nodded. “So we keep looking.”

And he would. Bryce Crawford had a tenacity that wouldn’t quit.

They headed back to the others. “You sure I can’t take you anywhere? I can come up with an explanation. If it has to do with the case, Frees will let me off duty.”

He was right about having options, but riding in a confined place with Bryce would only cause more distraction, and she had a case to solve.

“I’ve got to find Emma. Tony’s CI might have a lead.”

“So? If it’s about the case, I should go.”

She almost laughed at the scowl on his face. He might look ferocious when upset, but she knew the big heart that beat inside him. “We don’t want you scaring the CI away.” She stopped and rested a hand on his arm. For some dumb reason, she wanted to soothe the worry creasing his eyebrows. “I’ll talk to you later, ’kay?”

“Fine.”

They approached the others. “It’s not her. Let’s go see what your CI has to say, Tony.”

As they walked away, she could’ve sworn she heard a growl from Bryce, which was rather humorous. Tony wasn’t a threat. She’d learned her lesson the first time. No more dating in Last Chance. She needed to keep her relationships to a minimum and scoot out as soon as this case was done.

Tony, thankfully, was already dressed in street clothes. White athletic shoes without a scuff or scratch. Jeans with a designer label—even his pristine T-shirt looked expertly tailored and expensive without a wrinkle to be seen. They pulled up to a 24-hour truck stop/café and slid into a booth. Penny took the bench that faced the door. Rather than taking the spot across from her, Anthony slid in next to her.

A lanky teen boy with greasy hair, torn jeans, and a dark hoodie, despite the summer-like temperatures, slid in across from them. “You’re paying, right?”

Tony nodded. The server brought glasses of water and took their order. Once she left, the kid frowned at Penny. “Who’s she?”

“None of your business. What do you have for me?” Tony tapped the menu on the table.

“Not much. But I’m leaving.”

“Why?”

The kid stared out the window, brows furrowed, chewing on his lip. His eyes shifted. Jumpy little guy.

“Koby, what’s going on? What do you know?” Tony kept his voice low.

“You’ll look after my mom if I go?”

“You know how this works. It’s a give and take. You want something, you have to give me something first. But yeah, if your intel is good, I’ll keep an eye out for her.”

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“I could ask you the same. But I think we’ve had a good thing going here. Why do you want to leave?”

“It’s not like I want to.” The frown only enhanced the whole angsty-teenager vibe. But he seemed genuinely worried about his mother.

“Then who’s forcing your hand?” Tony asked.

The boy clammed up.

The server set steaming hot plates in front of them. “Anything else I can get you?”

They shook their heads. Once she walked away again, Tony took a bite of his burger. Penny followed his lead and nibbled on a hot, salty french fry.

The kid lost some of his nervousness as he scarfed down his meal.

Tony, on the other hand, leaned back leisurely like he had all the time in the world. “So, what’s it gonna be, Koby?”

Koby swallowed his bite and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Look, I don’t have a choice. I owe…someone. And he’s calling in favors.”

“Your dealer?”

“Maybe. All I know is that they’re picking up and moving the whole operation. Someone bigger has taken over and is forcing them out.”

“One of the Hispanic gangs?”

Koby swallowed another bite. “Someone else. A cartel.”

“It’s not the Puerto Ricans?”

“No way Ray-Ray would run from them.”

Penny pulled up a picture of Emma on her phone. “Have you seen her around here?”

Koby studied the picture. “She seems kinda familiar.”

“Where have you seen her?” Penny asked.

The kid shrugged and stuffed a handful of fries into his mouth.

Tony stared him down. “Tell the lady what you know.”

“I think I saw her at the biker place once.”

“What were you doing there?” Tony’s gaze narrowed.

“I had a meeting is all.”

A drug delivery most likely.

“And Ray-Ray? You got anything on him?”

“He just told me the competition is getting crowded and we’re setting up somewhere else.”

Now they were getting somewhere.

“You sure it’s the competition and not the feds or something?” Tony asked.

“Like he’s gonna tell me jack. I just do what I’m told. We’re heading out as soon as we get the call.” He took a gulp of his pop. “So will you do it? Look after my mom?”

“I’ll do what I can. But she’s gotta stay clean too.”

“She is.”

“Okay. We have a deal.” Tony stuck out a hand and the kid shook it. He finished the last of his food and was gone.

“So…what are you up to tonight?” Tony turned to her.

Penny knew that tone, had used it herself many times. But better squelch whatever kind of flirtation he was hoping for at the start. “I’ve got work to do.”

“We’re on the same team. Shouldn’t we be working together?”

“Nice try, Officer Thomas, but I’ve got more than just this case right now. So if you don’t mind taking me back to the police station, I’ll grab my car and get back to it.”

She gave him a practiced smile. The one that was friendly and light but not too encouraging.

“Please, call me Tony. And I think we could be pretty good together. Sure I can’t help you on your other cases?”

She chuckled. “I have to give you props for your persistence, but believe me, I’m sure.”

“All right. Can’t blame a guy for trying, right?”

No, she really couldn’t. And she couldn’t account for the lack of attraction to him. He was exactly her type, he wouldn’t expect much more than a fun time. But she had a case to solve, and the less people involved the better. It was surprisingly easy to down his second offer to compare notes later once she reached her car.

“Thanks, but I’ve got my own leads to pursue. Keep me in the loop?”

“Sure thing.” He paused a moment. “So, you and Bryce. Is that like…an official thing? Is that why you’re busy?”

“Bryce and I have a past.” A past that still took up too much room in her head, but Tony didn’t need to know that. “That’s all it is. I’m here to work this case and then I’m gone. Believe me, Tony, you’re better off with someone else. I won’t be here long.”

It was the only way to keep her heart in one piece.

“Then I’ll see you around.” He waved before riding off.

Now, time to make some progress on this case so she could get out of Last Chance herself.