Uh oh.The captain’s formality let me know just how upset he was I hadn’t informed him about the info I got from my former CO. “The last scum bag I busted is walking the streets free and clear of all charges because several of the witnesses disappeared, along with evidence from the locker. Honestly, it wasn’t likely Axel would get convicted anyway. A sleazebag like him probably has corrupt judges on his payroll, and if not, his henchmen wouldn’t hesitate to intimidate jurors.”
“You’ve known this for how long?”
“A few weeks.”
“Why didn’t you say something, Elijah?”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “What could any of us do about it? Captain Barker said he’s under surveillance and he’d let me know if he got word my cover was blown. Cap, I was deep undercover during the investigation. Axel won’t easily find out my identity and track me down here.”
“You don’t believe what you just said, Elijah, so why are you expecting me to? If Axel has judges in his pocket, then he has cops hanging out beside them. How else does evidence turn up missing?” He had me there. “Captain Barker must’ve been worried if he called me behind your back. Do you know why he’s worried?”
“I don’t have a specific reason to believe he’s worried about my safety. I would’ve heard from him if it was the case. He probably called you because he knew I wouldn’t say anything unless I believed there was just cause to push the panic button.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much what he said. He also might’ve thrown out an ‘Elijah is a stubborn son of a bitch, but his instincts are unparalleled by any officer who’s worked for me.’ Captain Barker just wanted to make sure someone was taking the threat seriously.”
“Of course, I’m taking this seriously, Cap. Do you think I want to see Maegan hurt? I wouldn’t jeopardize Adrian and his family, or yours either for that matter. At this moment, there’s just nothing to do. Captain Barker told me Axel appears to have gone straight.”
Gabe snorted. “His clean living will last as long as his surveillance does. They’ll need to turn one of his guys against him to get new evidence or hope someone from a rival biker gang takes him out for us. Otherwise, it’s a matter of time before he looks to exact his revenge. I love the people of this town, Elijah. I cannot protect them if I’m unaware a threat exists. I will not allow Axel Washington to catch me off guard, so I need you to be more forthcoming with information.” The captain knew how to make me feel like a selfish dick.
“Absolutely, sir. I apologize for not coming to you right away, and you have my word you’ll be the first to know about any intel I receive.”
“I appreciate it, Elijah. Has anything unusual happened lately that’s concerned you? I hear you say you want to keep me in the loop, but your body language says you’re keeping something from me.”
“I’m not keeping anything from you. I haven’t seen anyone strange loitering around, but I have more than usual unknown caller activity on my cell phone. That alone isn’t enough to sound an alarm. There’s nothing for us to investigate because they’re not leaving behind threatening voicemail messages and the calls are untraceable.”
“You’re not answering the calls?”
“If it is Axel Washington or his gang of deviants, I don’t want to make it easy for them to confirm my identity and where I’m living. Only people with your kind of clearance can access my employment files to see where I transferred to, and I haven’t changed my driver’s license or vehicle registration yet.”
“That’s wise,” Gabe admitted. “Okay, it sounds like I’m up to speed now. I want to be the first to know if anything changes. Do not make me call your former captain for information.”
“Yes, sir,” I replied.
“You’re dismissed.”
Adrian didn’t bother trying to disguise how eager he was to know what the hell was going on. “Not here,” I said when I reached our desks.
“That’s fine because a call came in when you were in Gabe’s office. It seems Mrs. Blankenbauer’s chickens were stolen from her back yard last night.”
“And it requires two detectives responding because?” I asked with a raised brow.
“She’s not the only one missing chickens.”
“How many people have chickens in Blissville?”
Adrian grinned and slapped me on the shoulder as we headed out. “It’s the new trend. People are raising their own chickens for fresh eggs and selling what they don’t use.”
“Huh,” I said, opening the passenger door of Adrian’s car. “I grew up on a farm, and we didn’t even have our own chickens. My mom said it was too much hassle compared to the cost per dozen at the store.”
“There’s no comparison between store-bought eggs and fresh ones,” Adrian said. “I was hesitant when Sally Ann announced she wanted a coop with a few hens for fresh eggs. I prayed there would be an ordinance prohibiting ownership in town, but I didn’t get so lucky.”
“How’d I not know this about you? You never mentioned it.”
Adrian started his car and put it in drive. “Well, it just never seemed to come up in conversation. ‘What did you think about the Bengals draft picks?’ ‘Do you think this is Votto’s last year to wear a Reds jersey?’ ‘Oh hey! Come on over to meet Elvis, Patsy, Aretha, and Gaga and take home some fresh eggs.’”
I howled with laughter. “Elvis, Patsy, Aretha, and Gaga? Are you pulling my leg?”
“Those are the names Sally Ann picked out. She raised them as little chicks, and I’m telling you she loves them just like any other pet. Our kids love them too, and our neighbors love the eggs Sally Ann gives them.”
