Page 59 of Vengeance of Childhood Proportions (Till Death Do Us Part #7)
Chapter Forty-Nine
Mal
As soon as my phone went off, I knew. Motherfucking sonofabitch!
I was already in the process of getting dressed to head into work, which I still wasn’t happy about but would take whatever time I could get off with my little owl.
Especially heading up the task force and with an active high-profile case like this one that covered multiple jurisdictions and levels of law enforcement, it was a wonder Carr had approved me to have all of tomorrow off, let alone this afternoon.
My little owl would stay at my house while I was gone.
Since I was hoping to only be in the office for a few hours, it didn’t make sense to make her leave only to have her come back later.
I didn’t mind. She trusted me regularly with so much more than I was by leaving her unattended in my home.
She had her chores to do as well as access to my gym, which she seemed excited for.
Breakfast had been wonderful. My little owl had been worried that her lack of cooking skills would make her duty of serving meals difficult, but I was not picky, nor did I require large, gourmet meals.
I was not misogynistic and did not believe that women belonged pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen.
If I were gay, the duty roster would still be the same for my submissive.
It was about structure, responsibility, and respect.
The fact that my breakfast this morning was a stack of Eggo waffles with a smiley face made out of M&M’s , a cherry nose, whipped cream hair, and a bacon mustache just showed how unique and creative my little owl was.
I even took a picture to send off to Master David.
His wife and sub, Nat, thought my little owl’s effort adorable and couldn’t wait to meet her.
I wanted to give my little owl some time to acclimate before I sicced Nat on her, so I stalled by claiming I had plans made for my little owl and I for the next few weekends.
“Where?” I demanded of Mira without pleasantries.
“ Atelihai Valley Chronicle ,” she answered. “Dr. Robinson’s team is on their way. But there’s more, Mal.”
When she stopped talking, I snapped, “If you’re pausing for dramatic effect, I will order you down into the archives room for the next month.”
“One of the local cops was attacked on patrol last night,” Mira rushed out quickly. “He woke up behind the alley of the newspaper building.”
My interest peaked and I was willing to let her desire for dramatics slide. “Where is he? I want to talk to him.”
“He was taken to the hospital for a possible concussion, but the agent who spoke with him says he claimed he was attacked by two men, Mal. Possibly a man and a woman, but there were definitely two people.”
Two people? It was hard enough finding one person who had motive, let alone two. Fuck! This was not what I needed this morning.
I ran a hand down my face, grateful my little owl was still cleaning up the kitchen. For such a simple breakfast, she’d really made a mess. I didn’t want her anywhere near this case or who I was while working with it.
“Is he in any condition to come to Juneau?” I asked Mira. I preferred not having to go all the way to Atelihai Valley today. That would really cut into my already limited time with my little owl.
“From the report I got, he should.”
“Get him here,” I ordered, reaching for a pair of boots before sitting on the bed. I tipped my head to hold my phone between my ear and shoulder to put them on. “What can you tell me about the DB?”
“It’s Jerald Kelly, but this one’s weird, Mal.”
“This whole case has been fucking ‘weird’,” I snapped back at her. “How the fuck could this one be different?”
“He was shot execution-style.”
I blinked, dropping my foot to the floor without lacing up my boot. “The fuck?” What was the guy’s fear then? Being in some sort of Mafia situation? Was there such a thing as a fear of execution? Wasn’t that just a fear of death, or thanatophobia?
“Dr. Robinson’s team is on their way. Obviously the unsub—or unsubs—got into the newspaper office after knocking out the cop. I’m almost to the office and will get a good look at the crime scene once the boots in Atelihai Valley set up the cameras. We’ll have more answers then.”
“I’m on my way, too,” I told her, not even bothering to hide my pissed-off attitude.
“Sorry, Mal. I know you were trying to have the weekend off. Did you have plans?”
I picked up my boot again to start lacing it. “What I do out of the office is none of your business, Mira.”
I heard her clear her throat. “You’re right, I’m sorry. For a moment, I forgot we aren’t partners. Oh, wait…” Her voice trailed off impertinently.
“Don’t push your luck,” I grumbled, putting the first boot down and picking up the next. “Did Kelly have family in the area?”
“An aunt. I’ve already arranged to have her picked up.”
“Good. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
I hung up the phone before she could say anything else.
Heading over to my safe, I got out my gun, badge, cuffs, and spare magazines.
My little owl’s phone was also in the safe, because our weekends were supposed to be just for us.
I had my phone in case of an emergency or a work call, but my little owl’s phone was locked away.
She said that Master Kade and I were the only ones with the number, anyway, and Master Kade knew better than to bother her.
Wanting her to have a way to contact me if needed, I picked up her phone to bring downstairs with me. Leaning against the cool metal of the safe, I gave myself five seconds of pity before straightening and then heading down to say goodbye to my little owl.
Christ, it wasn’t even eight in the morning and I needed a drink.
Fuck my life and fuck the bastard who was going to run me into an early grave.
I didn’t care that I actually agreed with what the fucker was doing in righting a severe wrong, but did he have to do it on what was supposed to be my weekend off?