Dom climbedout of his SUV and looked at the scene. He’d been called in specifically for this. By request. He had no idea why. But damn it, he had been running around all over the city for days. It didn’t feel like he was gettinganywhere.And he needed to find a way to carve out time to go over the reports that had been found in Kimball’s place once again, and compare to the thousands found at Victor Scott’s.
There was a familiar face standing next to Miller’s squad car. Jarrod had a pissed off expression on his face. He stepped toward Dom. Hell, the man was actually flexing his fists. “You deal with him. Forensics has already been called in.”
“Who is it?”
“Gordon Harris. Says two guys jumped him when he was taking out the damned trash. Considering the circumstances, I can’t even step inside. Even if I wanted to.”
“Harris? Connected?”
“My future father-in-law.”
And that was what it was. Haldyn’s father had physically abused her. It had come out during her abduction by Sol Kimball—her father’s ex-partner. Just bad luck Jarrod got stuck onthis call—but he was handling the Assault division right now. Considering Kimball had once been the head of it. “I’ll handle it.”
Jarrod was taking his Protecting Haldyn duties very seriously now. He’d probably pulverize Gordon Harris or something. Hell, Dom might just do that on his buddy’s behalf, anyway.
Dom was feeling a bit surly himself now.
Jarrod just nodded. “I’m out for the day, anyway. I need to take her to a follow up. Then we are going to pick out rings. Biggest one I can afford. I moved my things into her place this weekend. Still staying at the Barratts until we…know more here, though.”
Dom smirked at the other man. Jarrod wasn’t wasting any time. “Good. That woman deserves bright and shiny. She grow up here?”
Jarrod shook his head. “Parents moved here after the youngest sister graduated. They kicked that girl out, too. Would rather be together than be good parents, I think. Disgusting.Mykids aren’t going to have anything to do with either of them. Hal completely agrees.”
“You two are so cute together. I want to be godfather.”
“Get a good woman of your own and make my kids some playmates. I can think of a pretty little tech just waiting for you to scoop her off her feet.”
“Never going to happen.” He wouldn’t do that to her. Madison deserved so much better than him. Dom couldn’t ever see himself settling down into domestic bliss, with a wife and three kids.
He took a look at the small sandstone ranch house where Gordon Harris and his wife lived. It wasn’t remarkable. Close to the same neighborhood as Sol Kimball’s place—but nicer. Houses were a bit newer—maybe a decade—a bit larger, a bitcleaner. The Harris yard was ruthlessly mowed. Almost too short. There were six flower pots on the concrete drive.
Concrete that had fresh blood. And overturned trash cans, with garbage strewn everywhere.
The evidence recovery van pulled up.
“Looks like the lab rats have arrived,” Jarrod said. “I’m out of here. Tell me what you find.”
Dom waited, while Madison and the new girl stepped out of the van and took their first look around. Madison had her digital camera in her hand. She’d video everything.
Dom just waited until she stopped in front of him. She was scowling at him again. “You are dangerously close to contaminating my scene.”
“I’m far enough back.” He was still in the street, outside the tapeline. Standing just close enough to irritate her. “Victim’s inside with his wife.”
“He isn’t at the hospital yet?”
“Transport was called, but he’s arguing about it. I’ll probably have Miller drive him in.”
“Why won’t you do it?”
“Gordon Harris. Ever heard of him?”
Madison’s face immediately tightened. “Haldyn’s father?”
“Exactly.”
Dom filled her in on everything he knew so far.
Why in the hell would someone have jumped Haldyn’s father like this?
