Hunt and Prey (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 8) by Kaylie Hunter (novels to read for beginners txt) 📕

“Well? Did you?” Quille asked.

“No. His throat was slit.”

“Good,” Quille said, sighing again. “We all know that’s not your style.”

“I’m not even going to ask,” I muttered, shaking my head. “I.A.?”

“Yeah, I’m good with that. I’ll give them a call. They can finish the damn inventory, too. I’m tired of digging through the boxes. We found enough to prove we’ve had evidence stolen in several cases.”

“Send them to the scene and I’ll get them started. I’ll also give Ford and Chambers a call and tell them to start typing what they have so far and box up the rest.”

“You did it,” Quille said.

“Did what?”

“Solved the case before the weekend. Miranda’s not going to believe this.”

“If I don’t see you later, enjoy your cruise. I think I might take a few days off myself.” I disconnected and tucked the phone into my pocket.

“Which one of these Rambo-wannabees is Crater?” Bones asked, nodding to the SWAT team.

“A-Team,” I hollered over to the SWAT team. Everyone except Crater looked over. “I’m all set. Thanks for the extra protection.”

“Anytime, Kid,” Roland yelled as he slapped Crater on the back and led the team toward their truck.

Crater glanced over at me and dipped his head. “See ya.”

“Bye, Fred.”

Several of the guys chuckled. Bones’ head snapped their way, zeroing in on Crater.

Wild Card grabbed Bones’ arm before he could move. “We’re on duty, remember? Besides, SWAT hung around and did our job for us until we got here. Crater had a right to call us out on letting Kid run the show.”

Bones’ head snapped my way. “From now on, wherever you go, we go. Got it?”

“No problem. I need to brief I.A. on this case before returning to the precinct to pack some files and write a few half-assed reports. Then, I plan on drinking daiquiris by the pool.”

“Nice,” Wild Card said, bumping fists with me. “How long will the reports take?”

I called Ford, then Chambers. I told Chambers to have Gibson start writing up the reports. If all went the way I planned, the reports would be ready for me to sign by the time I got there.

Chapter Forty-Seven

KELSEY

Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.

“Nice to see you’re finally relaxing,” I said to Charlie as I sat on the chaise lounge beside her. “Heard you turned the case over to Internal Affairs. What was that about?”

Charlie shrugged as she took a drink of her daiquiri. “Figured between the FBI and ATF, they’d steal the case, anyway. Might as well make them do the rest of the research and paperwork. Besides,” she said, glancing over to where Nicholas, Sara and Wild Card were playing a card game, “I want to spend some time with the kids while you guys are here. I feel like I’ve barely slept, let alone chatted with my favorite guy.”

“He’ll like that. And it will keep him occupied while I work. It was nice taking the day off, but I also have a case to solve.”

“When all this is over, think you guys will come back to visit? Miami, I mean?”

I looked around at everyone. Grady and Bones were grilling food. Pops was barking over their shoulders that they were doing it wrong. Aunt Suzanne and Hattie had finally formed a friendship and were setting side dishes on a patio table as they laughed. Reggie was giving Maggie, Haley, and Bridget facials. Jackson, Ryan, Tech and Alex were drinking beer in the tiki lounge. Others were around, here and there, scattered inside and out. Everyone seemed happy, though. Relaxed. Like they were really on vacation.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “We’ll come back. Maybe not until next year, but I think we should do this more often. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Hell, maybe I should have Alex contact the management company and book a month rental now. Then it’ll be on the calendar.”

“Or…” Charlie said. “We could buy it.”

I looked at her but she just slurped her margarita through a straw as she smirked.

“You’re not serious?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Why not? We’re rich.”

“You’d move into the mansion?”

“Hell, no. I couldn’t live in a place this big by myself. I’d never sleep. There’s a million places someone could hide and pounce as soon as I let my guard down.”

“Then what? Buy it and let it sit vacant most of the year?”

“A place like this—” Charlie said, waving her hand at the grounds and mansion. “Hell, we’ll have to hire someone just to sign the keys in and out. Aces guards alone would be begging for jobs in Miami so they could stay here. And we’ve got employees all over the country we could reward by letting them stay for a week. Then we can also write off the expenses.”

I looked around again. I really did like it here. It was like having our own private resort. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.”

Charlie slurped the last of her drink loudly through the straw before standing. “Better think fast. I put in an outrageous offer. We close on the sale Friday.” She hurried away to the bar, giggling.

“Charlie!” I yelled, laughing and shaking my head at her. She was right, though. We could afford it.

“You look happy,” Hattie said from beside me, handing me a cocktail. “Mind if I join you?”

“I’d be honored,” I said, taking the glass. “I see you and Aunt Suzanne are getting on better. What changed?”

“She took me with her to a wedding this afternoon. It was so much fun. I love a good wedding.”

“Better you than me.” I took a drink of my mojito.

“How long do you think we’ll be in Miami?”

“I’m not sure. Charlie wrapped up her case so we can focus on the Remirez