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

“How does that help?”

“When I find him, knowing he’s controlling, manipulative even, will help me figure out how to handle him.”

Garth returned and handed me a folded piece of paper. We exchanged smiles and I slid the paper into my handbag without reading. He wordlessly returned to his post next to the elevator as a waiter walked over and set plates in front of Evie and me. Baker must’ve ordered us lunch. Since I had only consumed two bites of my pizza earlier, throwing the rest away after it had gone cold, I didn’t complain.

Evie waited until the waiter left before speaking. “Since we don’t know Xander’s real name, how are you going to find him?”

“The condo address. It’s not easy hiding real estate. I should’ve asked you for the details long before now, but I’ve been busy. Sorry.”

She unfolded the cloth napkin, placing it gracefully across her lap. “And when you find him? Will he be arrested?”

I glanced at my napkin but decided it wasn’t worth it as I picked up half of my sandwich. “For what? Even the recording of him talking about the dentist office doesn’t prove he’s involved in a crime.”

“But he’s talking about prostitutes,” she said as she used her fork to pick at her vegetables.

“I talked several times today about prostitutes. We are now talking about prostitutes. What does that prove?”

I took a huge bite of my sandwich and moaned. Double-decker BLT with cheese on thin-cut toast and dripping with real mayo. Mmm. It wasn’t on the menu, but the chef enjoyed spoiling me with all my favorites. As I swallowed, I looked back at Evie and saw she was grinning at me.

“I know you’re jealous,” I mumbled between bites.

Chapter Thirty-Five

CHARLIE

Tuesday, 1:26 p.m.

I devoured my lunch in record time before excusing myself and leaving. After picking Beast up from the morgue, I raced across town to Hibiscus park to meet Gibson. En route to the park, I called Tech and asked if he could spare time to run the condo address. He said he could probably get to it in a couple hours. He sounded frazzled. I called Spence instead. He took the address down and said he’d make it a priority. With any luck, we’d have Xander’s real name soon.

Forced to park near a hotdog vendor, I held my breath after getting a whiff of sauerkraut. I hurried to let Beast out of the back before we jogged into the park, me trying to distance myself from the vendor. The scent of sauerkraut on a steamy ninety-degree day was not something that appealed to me.

Once out of whiffing distance, I slowed and Beast trotted beside me. My knee was protesting the brief stint of exercise, warning me not to push my luck. We followed the jogging trail until I spotted Gibson. Stacked next to him were three archive boxes with a laptop sitting on the top box.

“I’m supposed to report back if your bodyguards aren’t with you,” Gibson said, looking behind me.

“Beast is with me,” I said, pointing to the dog. “He’s my security detail.”

“I’m not sure that’s what Sergeant Quille meant.”

“Let me explain how this works. If you tattle on me, then I tattle on you. Which one of us do you think will get fired first? The rookie detective already on the shit list? Or the detective who’s always on the shit list but closed the highest number of homicide cases for three years running?”

“Well, when you consider all the data,” Gibson said, looking down at Beast. “He does look like a trained bodyguard.”

“That’s what I thought. Now, what’s all this?” I asked, waving a hand at the boxes.

“They’re not all full, but I wanted to keep the information separate,” he said, pointing from top to bottom as he explained each box. “The top box has information on any crime that contained the word morphine. Natalie in the research unit ran that request. I can’t take the credit, and I didn’t have time to read anything.”

“So far I approve. Doling out tasks to get me the information within a limited time window and giving credit to others when deserved… Very good, Gibson. Maybe you’re not a jackass after all.”

“Uh, thanks?” He loosened his tie as he continued, “I worked on the second box, pulling the files on the murder case. The boyfriend is currently serving twenty years. The theory presented in court was that he proposed to her, she said no, and then he attacked her in the park, stabbing her in the leg.”

“Any explanation for the bruise on the back of her neck?”

“You already know the details?”

“Only the highlights and the autopsy report.”

“I saw the comment on the bruise and figured that was your angle,” he said nodding. “Told the other detective as much. He said—”

“Wait—” I said, holding up a hand to stop him. “What? You talked to the detectives assigned to the case?”

“Don’t worry. I gave you the credit. Said you were following a lead,” he said, proud of himself.

Newbies. They frustrated the crap out of me. “Who exactly did you speak with?”

“Just Detective Chambers. His partner transferred to another unit.”

I heard footsteps approaching and pivoted, pulling my weapon as I blocked Gibson with my body. A man in a worn suit, bags under his eyes, and a lopsided grin, raised his hands as he continued forward.

“That’s him,” Gibson said.

My irritation was escalating at a very fast pace. “That’s who, Gibson?”

“Detective Chambers. Why are you aiming a gun at him?”

“A sniper tried to kill her yesterday, Gibson,” Detective Chambers said, slowly pulling his suit jacket back to show me his badge. “Next time, warn her when you invite someone else to your meeting in a desolate park.”

“I was getting to that part.”

“Talk faster next time,” I