“As you know, the drugs in that warehouse were part of the Alessi shipment, and meant to make them a significant amount of money, so you could say they’re pissed that it was foiled.”
“Sure, that’s pretty obvious,” Katie said. “And we only got part of their haul, because we believe someone tipped them off that we were coming, so they’d managed to get some out before we arrived.”
“Yes, it’s my belief they have an informant close to us, we just don’t know who yet.”
“Not a happy thought,” Katie said hating the possibility that someone working close to her had been responsible for the deaths of her friends.
“And it was you who shot Caleb Alessi, because the bullet the surgeon took out of him confirmed that.”
“Yes, he took the bullet in his chest,” Katie said, remembering the moment clearly.
E.J. nodded. “He’s still alive, and under heavy guard, but it looks like he won’t last much longer. We have information that his brothers, who continue to evade us, want whoever put a bullet in him dead, if they’re not already. We’re not sure if they know it’s you, but at this stage we can’t take chances, because the Alessis have eyes everywhere, as you know.”
Ice sluiced Katie’s veins as she looked at E.J. and realized that while she may have wished herself dead when she was halfway down a bourbon bottle, she didn’t now she was sober.
“There’s no way they could know it’s me, E.J., because I wasn’t the only one shooting at that stage. Even if they did know my name, it doesn’t make sense for the Alessis to bring more trouble down on their heads by killing a cop,” Katie said, shooting Cubby a look. His face looked like it was carved in granite, each muscle taut as he took in E.J.’s words.
“These people don’t make sense, Katie, and there’s no use in trying. They’re mean dictators who control through fear and violence. It’s our belief they’ll put out a reward for information about Caleb Alessi’s killer, and much as I’d like to say everyone in here is clean, I can’t, because we know someone’s tipping them off.”
“We’re leaving as soon as I can arrange it,” Cubby said. “She’ll be safe in Howling. We, her family and friends, will protect her there, and these Alessis won’t reach her.”
“It’s my thinking that you’re right, Sheriff Hawker, and I’d be grateful to you if you could get her out as soon as possible, and watch out for any unusual activity in Lake Howling.”
“Sergeant, Howling is full of unusual activity; it’s what we thrive on, but you can be sure I’ll alert you if I see anything suspicious. Katie will be watched, I promise you.”
“Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here,” Katie snapped. “And I can look out for myself.”
“Sure you can,” Cubby soothed, which just pissed her off more.
“I don’t know if going home is the right move now, E.J. What if they find me there and someone gets hurt?”
“It’s the right place,” Cubby said, getting to his feet. “Now we have to leave in case someone has already alerted these bastards you’ve come up for air. Get moving, Katie.”
“Don’t order me about,” Katie protested as Cubby grabbed her around the waist and lifted her to her feet.
“Take care, Katie, and contact me when you’re sure no one can trace it.” E.J. shook Cubby’s hand again, and she saw a card pass between them, but before she could ask what it was she was being ushered out of his office, through the outer office, past curious faces. Katie managed to smile and wave; of Kurt there was no sign, thank God.
“You are not my keeper!” she said when they were in a cab heading back to her apartment.
“Shut up.”
“What?”
“Just for once, shut up; I need to think.”
“About what?”
“How to protect you.” Cubby had a crease between his eyes.
“I don’t need your help; I can take care of myself.”
He wrapped a hand behind her neck and hauled her into his chest, then kissed her hard on the lips. “Think about that for a while.”
She fell back in the seat and did as he asked, because suddenly she couldn’t think about anything else. His lips had been soft against hers, and his chest hard pressed to her breasts. The contact had been brief, but Katie had felt it through her entire body. For years she’d wanted a kiss from this man, and now she’d finally got it she was glad she hadn’t had it earlier, because just that brief touch had ignited her body, and that would never do. Katie didn’t want her body igniting for anyone… especially not the sheriff of Lake Howling.
Chapter Three
“Ineed food.” “Me too.” Cubby looked out the window. “Know anywhere decent that doesn’t have grease smeared all over it?”
