“That tracks. She wouldn’t have known. This guy, Baron, gave me just enough information to narrow my search and find them. Christa and Nadia West, mother and daughter, are living out in Orlando. She was open to talking and mentioned her ex-husband was a former officer as well, but when I showed her Charles’ photo, she started acting a little funny. Her whole demeanor changed.”
“Red flag right there,” I muttered while throwing a pair of basketball shorts on.
“My thoughts exactly, which is why I eavesdropped on her phone call. It had to be her ex on the other line because she was scolding him about trouble finding them again. But that’s not even the craziest part.”
“Don’t leave me hanging here, Danny. I’m on edge.” This was the most information we had had in a long time. After weeks with no updates, hope was scarce. I already decided in my head that if justice wouldn’t be served, then I would dole out my own. I was prepared to cross that line if I had to.
“She said. ‘Don’t forget you told Nadia she could come to Oakland Ridge at the end of the summer.’ Whoever is leaking information is already in Oakland Ridge. If Charles is there too, we may be able to apprehend both of them. I’m cross-referencing cops that worked in New York at the time with transfer records for Miami PD.”
Sitting down on the corner of the bed, I hung my head, frustration overtaking me. Oakland Ridge was never the haven I thought it was.
“So we’ve been in enemy territory since day one? Shit. Danny.” I walked out to the living room and glanced at Evelyn, still writing in her notebook. There was no way I could tell her this now. It changed nothing. It only made the threat seem that much closer. “Well, Charles let his presence be known last night. He was in the house.”
“Coñazo! Why didn’t you lead with that? I planned to drive to you anyways, but now I’m thinking I should catch a flight. No sense in hiding.”
“It’s all out in the open. My dad made sure of that last night before we found Charles’ little gift. He had the sheriff run a background check on her, and pulled out a laundry list of warrants for her father’s arrest. Guy has lost his mind. He wants Evelyn to leave.”
He blew out a breath. Danny and I had been friends for so long. He heard it all. This didn’t shock him.
“Don’t try to be a hero, Parker. These people are dangerous. Your house is still the safest place you can be. Check whether your system picked up anything unusual on the camera, and find out how he got in. I know you won’t let him catch you slipping a second time.”
“I plan to lay his ass out if I see him, so I guess you better get here fast.”
“Keep your cool, man. We don’t need you getting yourself in trouble. Any word from the department?”
“They’re suspending me while they investigate, last I heard. They’ll set a date once it’s complete.” This was probably the first time in years that I didn’t want to think about work. There wastoo much on my plate, too much at risk here to be distracted and bogged down by thoughts of my own future.
Danny and I talked for a bit more before hanging up. Once I was dressed, I grabbed my car keys off the kitchen island and headed for the door. Walking over to Evelyn, I kissed the side of her head.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I said, taking a seat beside her on the lounge chair.
“Good morning,” She replied, giving me a sweet smile. Her curls swayed as a breeze went by, and the large cardigan she wore was falling slightly off her shoulder. She looked free, and I wanted to keep her in that bubble for a little longer.
“I’m going to head out and meet with Janae to try to talk about last night. You going to be alright here alone for an hour or so? If not, I can tell her to come back to the house.”
She shook her head and leaned in, wrapping her arms around my neck before giving me a peck. “I’ll be okay. Fix things with your sisters. I think I’m going to take a walk around the garden, stick close to whoever is patrolling. I saw your dad head out with the sheriff a few minutes ago. I’ll try to steer clear of him until you get back.”
“That’s probably for the best until I talk to him. Don’t worry, okay? Call me if you need me.”
Leaning forward, I meant to steal a quick kiss, but it quickly turned heated. We broke away, both breathless. She smiled shyly before ducking her head and dropping her arms from my shoulders. Turning her face towards me, I gave her a light kiss.
She blushed, and I was tempted to kiss her again. Instead I stood, giving her hand a final squeeze.
“I’ll see you later. Good luck.”
Yeah, I was going to need it.
The car ride to Paolo’s Cafe was a short one. It was one of the most popular cafes in Oakland Ridge, apparently famous forits authentic cappuccinos and biscotti. The place was bustling with people sitting at wooden cafe tables in metal multicolored chairs. This place reminded me of something I might see in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was a hipster’s haven. I spotted Janae at a table nearest to the back of the cafe and made my way across the speckled linoleum floor.
Noticing me, she placed her phone down and shifted in her seat.
“Hey.”
Janae looked nervous. It kind of hurt my feelings knowing that she felt like she couldn’t trust me enough to tell me about what Dad was doing. If anyone could understand what she was going through, it was me.
“Are we strangers now? Come here.” She hurried from her seat, swinging her arms around me. I hugged her small frame. After a moment, her shoulders started to shake, and she began to cry. So we stayed like that until she settled.
When she was finished, we sat down, and Janae slid a wrapped sandwich in my direction as she sipped from her latte.
