Shirleen was a resourceful businesswoman.
She was also loyal as they came.
“I’ll be certain that’s arranged.”
Her grin got wide and white, then she looked to Darius.
Eyes to his aunt, he tipped his head to the door.
She nodded to him, looked through everyone in the room,except the man on the floor she walked right up to.
“Aunt Shirleen,” Darius growled in a low, warning tone.
“You’re a pig,” she whispered down at the man on his knees.
His head swung not entirely in his control to the side inorder to look away.
Shirleen stood in contemplation over him for several longmoments before she turned and walked from the room, her high heels soundingloud in the open space.
When that sound disappeared, Marcus looked to Nightingale.
“Darius tells me this was you.”
Nightingale tilted up his chin.“Got a new tracker.He’sgood.So far, no one’s been able to hide from him.When we were getting nothingin Denver, we set him on it.He found this guy in Montana.Persuaded him toshare his story.That being, Smithie gave Jimmy Marker the guy’s name fromcredit card receipts.Marker rolled up to his house with some squads, so heknew your woman pressed charges.He was twitchy, not sure how she’d play it, sohe was also on the lookout.Before the boys could get into position, he tookoff out the back.He waited until the coast was clear, got as much together ashe could, and left town.”
Marcus gave him a nod and looked to Stark but said toNightingale, “In future business, you don’t need a second.”
“Luke’s here because he helped Vance do the persuading andhe’sfeelin’ the need to see this through,”Nightingale responded.
That explained the bloody knuckles.
“Your tracker?”Marcus asked, eyes still on Stark.
“Vance needs clear of certain things,” Nightingale answered.
This meant his tracker was an ex-con.
It was good to know Nightingale was protective.It said agreat deal.It was also good to know Nightingale hired with a view to thefuture, not judging what was in the past.That said more.
Marcus spoke directly to Stark.“You shouldn’t be here.”
Stark was known not to be a big talker.This he proved bynot replying but also not moving.
“You don’t want to be here,” Marcus warned.
Stark spoke again without speaking, doing this crossing hisarms on his chest.
Marcus looked to Nightingale.“You should take your man andgo.”
“I’mfeelin’ the need to see thisthrough, too.”
Marcus held his gaze.“Detective Marker is not going toclose this case.”
Nightingale did nothing but put his hands on his hips.
“Your father is a cop, your brother is a cop, and your bestfriend is a cop,” Marcus pointed out.
“Yeah, and none of them are here,” Nightingale returned.
