“So, where were the frayed wires?”
“That’s what we’d like to know. This is exactly why we hired an outside inspector. I don’t know what’s going on, but something is definitely off. Can you get some discrete cameras up on the inside of the house? I would like to see first-hand what is and is not being inspected.”
I nodded. “Not a problem. When do you need them installed?”
“Before tomorrow morning,” Bronze said.
“Shit. I’ll have to see what I have on hand. I might have to get creative, but I’ll figure something out,” I said.
Copper clapped me on the shoulder, “Thanks, man.”
With that, I left the clubhouse and headed back to my office to dig through my inventory. I always kept the basics readily available, but I didn’t keep much of the high-tech equipment on hand because most of it was expensive and could easily go out-of-date before it was installed.
Once I found what I needed, I headed over to the rental house to get started on the install. I decided to start in the living room by hiding a camera in the ceiling fan.
I climbed up the ladder and damn near fell on my ass when I caught a glimpse of what looked like feet sticking out from under the kitchen table.
Quietly climbing down, I pulled my gun from its holster and silently crept into the kitchen. I rounded the table with my gun aimed and ready. “Don’t fucking move,” I ordered.
My command was obeyed and met with an eerie silence. I cautiously squatted down to get a better look at the person and immediately fell back on my ass when my eyes met those of a very dead man.
“Fuck!” I cursed and pulled my phone from my pocket.
“Prez, need you at the rental house, right fucking now!” I barked and disconnected the call.
Copper, Bronze, and Batta rolled up less than fifteen minutes later. “What the fuck is going on, Judge?” Copper asked before he’d even gotten his helmet off.
I shook my head and said, “Come inside and see for yourself.”
The three of them followed me into the kitchen and followed my finger as I pointed to the dead body sprawled on the linoleum floor.
“Who the fuck is that?” Copper asked.
I looked at him incredulously. “I don’t know, Prez. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to check his wallet for an ID.”
Copper glared at me. “Do any of you fuckers recognize him?”
“No,” the three of us said in unison.
“Wait a sec,” Batta said and stepped closer to the body. “Isn’t this the guy who was bothering River that night at Precious Metals? Brett something?”
I moved closer and took a better look at the man’s face. “I’m not completely sure, but I think you might be right.”
“Fuck me,” Copper said and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Bronze, call it in.”
I held my hand up. “Let me see if Dunk’s working and can take this call.”
Lucky for us, Officer Dunk and Officer Underwood were on duty and showed up at the rental property ten minutes after I called.
“All right, boys, I’m going to need y’all to clear out while we secure the crime scene. Then, we’ll need to ask you some questions.”
“Would it be all right with you if we went to my house next door?” I asked.
Officer Dunk’s forehead scrunched in confusion. “Since when do you live next door?”
“For a few weeks now. I’m only staying there until my new house is finished being built,” I explained.
“Yeah, you guys can go wait over there, but let me make sure I have the basics. You came over to upgrade the security system and make some additional repairs and found the body in the kitchen. Is that correct?” she asked.
