Page 5 of Finding Justice

Releasing a sigh, he rubs his hands over his face, clearly frustrated. "Cole was never into this scene. That could’ve changed since I last saw him, so I can't rule it out." He sounds angry at himself. "However, that doesn't change the fact someone still had to give it to him." Drugs ruin lives no matter where you reside, but in such a small town? It can devastate. "I let Officer Maddox know last night that this case is too personal for me, so I can’t work it. Archer, Anthony, or Colton will take over instead.”

"But we're still going to investigate, right?" He raises a brow at my word choice. “Yes,” I instantly declare, though he didn’t question it verbally. “I’m a part of this as well. I want to know who took Cole from us!” I yell. He doesn’t seem convinced yet, the protector in him probably. “If you don’t let me help you, I’ll just work it by myself.” Threat or warning? I don’t know, but it’s the truth.

Clive is not pleased with this. I can tell he wants to argue, though he doesn’t. Is it because he and I are so new? He grits his teeth and states, “Fine.” Using his cell, he places a call. "Jimmy, if you and Mylo are done with them, can you send Jessie up with the crime scene photos and report?" He pauses, clearly listening to Jimmy speaking, and says, "Appreciate it, man." Hanging up, he turns to me and shares his suspicions, along with the dead leads he’s encountered. “We’ll look everything over and go from there.”

A knock interrupts us and a woman, presumably Jessie, enters after Clive gives permission to come in. She offers me a smile, then looks at Clive and hands him another file. "I'm sorry about Cole," she says sincerely. Clive thanks her for both and she leaves.

Fully aware of what’s inside, I just stare at the new addition to his desk. "I don’t want you to see him like this,” he whispers. And I am more than fine with that. He flips through the pages and I can see the second something clicks for him. He jumps up and tells me we’re going hunting. We race out of the room and to his vehicle where he opens the door for me.

During the drive, he tells me about the traces of blueberries on a few of the victims and admits he never thought much about it as people eat them all the time. But that changed when a button from a blueberry farm outside Silver Falls was discovered in Cole’s pocket. They ship all over, which presents the perfect opportunity to distribute.

Blue’s Farm is busy when we arrive, no hint of anything shady going on. I mumble that it looks exactly like what it’s supposed to be, but Clive insists I stay close to him just to be safe. "I don't want you getting hurt."

"I'll wait out here," I suggest, knowing I can stay out of his way if I do so. Plus, perhaps I can chat up some of the employees or patrons walking around. Clive hesitates, seeming to think it over, then agrees. Reluctantly. I observe him until he’s inside the main office, then spot a barn near the back that appears older than the rest. Intuition is telling me it might contain answers, so I move toward it, surprised it’s unlocked. The smell of chemicals instantly assail my nose and I assume the worst.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" A voice yells, startling me. The man is large and I retreat in fear, bumping into a table behind me. What sounds like tools fall, and I bend to pick one up in case I need a weapon as the stranger continues to advance on me.

"Take another step toward her and I'll put a bullet in your head." The guy finally stops and I peek over his shoulder to find Clive standing there, gun aimed at him.

"She was trespassing," the man grumbles as he raises his hands in surrender. Clive snaps at me to come to him and I do. He pushes me behind him as the man demands to see a warrant.

"Don't need it. I'm only here for my girl." I can tell Clive is pissed as he about yanks me out and to his ride. I understand he’s upset, but his behavior is starting to piss me off.

"You can let go now," I demand, trying to pull my arm from his grip.

He ignores that and instead asks in a harsh tone as he backs me against his car, "What the hell were you doing?" I defend myself, which doesn’t seem to make a difference to him.

"They wouldn't be stupid enough to just have them out where some woman could just wander in and find them!"

"I was trying to help!"

"And now they can hide any evidence I might’ve found by the time I return with a warrant. Do you know how long I’ve waited for a break like this?” He’s fuming and doesn’t give me a chance to speak before adding, “And it's all gone to shit now." Yeah, I messed up and I’m kicking myself for it, but he doesn’t get to treat me this way. He’s distracted, so I’m able to get him to release me. When I’m free, I start walking the direction of the road. Away from him.

"Where the fuck are you going?" I’m not talking to him when he’s acting like this. "Get in the car, Naomi."

Okay, that deserves a response. “Screw you!” Tuning him out, I continue and eventually come upon a family that offers me a ride home. I’m exhausted when they drop me off. I can admit now that I’m also very emotional due to losing Cole.

Perhaps a nap will do me some good, then I'll visit the Center in search of answers. First, though, I need to grab my mail as I haven’t done so for a few days at least. Sifting through the pile, I freeze upon seeing a letter from Cole. I carefully yet quickly open the envelope, hands shaking as I begin reading. The words are a bit blurry thanks to my tears and the fact this is the last thing he’ll ever say to me.

He deserved better than the life he was given and nothing will stop me from ensuring the person who dealt the final blow pays.

Chapter 7

Clive

Iknow Blue’s Farm is involved; I just don’t know how yet. Then again, it’s not as if my mind is fully on the file in front of me. It’s too busy thinking about what happened with Naomi. I was an ass, there’s no denying that. I snapped at her, treated her like a child when all she was doing was trying to help me. Help Cole. She didn't deserve it and I regret it, wish I could rewind time and not react that way. I drove by her house and had to force myself not to rush the door and beg for forgiveness when I saw her shadow through the window. I hate the distance I caused between us by getting so wrapped up in the case I couldn’t see past my need to solve it. I’ve already lost Cole, I won’t survive losing Naomi, too. That being said, I’m giving her space, needing to keep her as far from this as possible. Her safety is my priority. I should’ve never taken her with me and now I worry that she’s in their sights because of it.

Even though that’s what I need to do, I can’t help but jump to my feet when there’s a knock. I fling the door open, hoping it’s her, only to curse when I see Caleb on the other side instead.

"Hello to you, too," he chuckles as he walks past me without waiting for an invitation. I grunt in response, then plop down on my couch again. "How you doing?" He asks, his tone now serious.

I pour another shot and sling it back. "Like shit,” I answer honestly. “No real leads and my future wife is pissed at me."

"I wasn’t aware that was her role, though I’m not surprised. I saw how you looked at her, despite the situation." He says, getting a drink before sitting next to me.

"Well, that’s if she'll still want to marry me after all this."

Caleb starts glancing through the file, then muses, wonder clear in his voice, "I don't understand how you could so quickly she’s the one."

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