Jagger sighed. “I’m sorry, honey. Wait, does that bother you? Me calling you that?”
“God, no. I’ve never had anyone use a term of endearment when it came to me. No, I like it.” That was no lie. I loved hearing him call me honey or anything else.
“Is there anything I can do from here? I talked to Spitzer about Maria Ramirez. He’s familiar with her ex, but he told me to stay out of it.”
It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, and I knew I needed to get back to Vegas because it sounded as if Jagger was in a perilous position. He needed me, but I had to fix Thomas’s bullshit first.
“I’m sorry I’m not there, Jagger. We’re a pair, aren’t we? We need a fucking hobby so we can stay out of trouble. I miss you.” That was no lie.
“Do you want me to come to Carson City?”
He sounded so sweet that I wanted to say that he should come to Carson City to babysit my ass while I tried to figure out my brother’s shit. But Jagger had a job he loved, so I wasn’t about to make him feel guilty about not traipsing after me.
“Not yet, Jagger. I’ve got some loose ends to tie up. When I have a better handle on things, I’ll let you know. Tell me what’s going on with Maria’s death?”
His voice softened. “It’s a mess. The aunt had no choice but to allow Pedro Vega to take Ruiz because he’s the boy’s father. We’re still waiting for the results of Maria’s autopsy. It looks like a suicide, but my gut tells me it’s not. It’s a clusterfuck.”
The tenor of Jagger’s voice hinted that he wasn’t walking away from that fucking mess as much as I wished he would. I needed to make something clear to him.
“Don’t do anything until I get back to Vegas. I’m at my apartment in Carson City, and I’m packing up my shit. Do you care if I store some stuff in your garage until I find a place in Vegas?”
Jagger’s voice held humor. “I’ve got plenty of room for you and your stuff. Please be careful, Bailey. We have a lot of stuff to talk about when you get back. I’ll say it again—if you need me, please call me.”
Every bone, muscle, and vein in my body wanted to be with him. The man had a way about him that drew me in.
The gorgeous man wasn’t exactly easy to understand. He was standoffish for sure, but moodiness aside, Jagger was sweet and adorable. He tried to make it seem like he hated everyone, but I saw through him completely.
Chapter Fourteen
Jagger
Bailey was the second person to tell me not to get involved in the investigation of Maria Ramirez’s death, but something was gnawing at my gut. If Maria had planned to stay in the US, as her lawyer had asserted to get her another arraignment and bail, why would she kill herself?
Why did she shoplift an expensive handbag? Even if she could pawn it, she wouldn’t get the market price.
Sparky had called to say he, Monty, and Hardy were heading to Florida early since I wasn’t going to Carson City. Their neighbor was keeping an eye on their home and taking in the mail. He asked if I could pick up Dixie from the groomer on my way home. Of course I said yes.
I was in the office, so I went to Denise’s desk to ask for Maria’s file. “Hi, Denise. Um, do you have the file for MariaRamirez? Monty bailed her out, and she missed her court date on Monday.”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Sparky asked me to put a deadline date in the tickler calendar to have heard from the sheriff’s office in Jean regarding her death so we can apply for a bail refund.” She reached into her inbox and handed me the file.
I took the thin manila folder and flipped it open to see the name and contact information for her attorney in Vegas. T.K. Springs at Crown and Associates.
When Denise turned to answer the phone, I took a quick picture of the information before handing the file back to her. “Thanks. I wanted to make a note for myself. I just needed the case number.”
“Sure. I’m on my way to pick up my lunch. Could you get the phones while I’m gone so I don’t have to forward them to my cell? I’m just going to the noodle place across the street. Would you like me to bring you anything?”
“I ate while I was at home, but thanks. I’ll get the phones. You can stay there and eat if you want. With Sparky, Monty, and Hardy gone, it’s going to be a quiet day. You should take advantage of it while you can.”
Denise grabbed her purse and walked toward the back door, so I sat down at the desk. Fitz was at his desk with an actual newspaper, boots kicked up on the corner and earbuds in his ears. It was better to go stir crazy at the office than at home.
I grabbed the file again and called the lawyer’s number listed on the bail application, without needing to refer to the picture I’d taken earlier. I didn’t want anyone to know I was doing some digging. I’d already been told not to pursue it…twice.
“Crown and Associates. How may I direct your call?”
“T.K. Springs, please. Tell him it’s in reference to Maria Ramirez’s bail. I’m Jagger Hansen, bail enforcement agent with Sparks Bail Bonds.”
“Hold, please.”
