Page 73 of Lethal Danger

Jazz narrowed her eyes. Because she knew everything, Nev would say. And she’d be happy about it.

Phoenix turned her head toward Cora. “Look into his service. Where, when, with whom.”

Cora nodded as she typed more notes into the computer.

“Do you have information regarding your mother’s history or whereabouts?” An actual question from the boss. So she didn’t know everything.

But the reason she didn’t know stung deep behind Jazz’s ribs. No one knew where her mom had gone after she’d left them when Jazz was a baby. Her dad hadn’t known. At least that’s what he’d always told Jazz. And she’d never known. Never wanted to know. Why would she want to find someone who’d abandoned her practically at birth?

“No.” Jazz hated the thick emotion in her voice. The anger they all wouldn’t miss. They’d probably figured out now that her mom had left her, thanks to Phoenix’s pointed questions. Nev might be okay with her personal life being paraded in front of these women, but Jazz was not. It’d be different if they loved her like they did Nev. But everything would be different then.

“May I have your permission to try to learn more about her and your father?” Cora’s blue eyes filled with compassion as she watched Jazz. Yeah, she’d definitely figured it out. But she was also asking for Jazz’s okay. The kindness made tears prick Jazz’s eyes. “We only want to ensure your safety as well as we can.”

It was what they did for the others on the team when they were in danger. If Jazz had half a brain, she wouldn’t prevent the one time they were treating her the same. She nodded assent, not trusting her voice.

Pressure on her knee drew her gaze to Nev, who gave her a gentle squeeze. Courage. Like Jazz had tried to give Nev whenever she struggled with her PTSD. Jazz met her friend’s gaze, infusing a thank you into hers.

“What about a connection between the fair and the attacks on Jazz?”

Jazz could’ve hugged Bris for angling the subject and everyone’s attention elsewhere.

“I still think it’s suspicious the way the first attack on Jazz was the same night as the first sabotage.” The former cop moved her gaze over the others like she was looking for agreement. She stopped on a fixed point. Maybe Phoenix? “I know we don’t usually investigate when we’re only hired for security, but what do you think?”

Jazz swung her head toward the boss, her stomach tightening. If the resources of the Phoenix K-9 Agency could be used to find out who was behind the sabotage, the danger to the fair could likely be ended much sooner. In time to save this season and future ones.

“We’ll investigate the fair sabotage and the death of Joan Cracklen. The incidents could be connected to the threat against Jazz.”

Hope swelled in Jazz’s chest at the boss’s declaration. It had taken them long enough to recognize the need to protect the fair, but there was still time. They could find the culprit behind the sabotage and Aunt Joan’s death and stop him or her before another attack. “The strongest evidence so far points to the Best Life Community.” Jazz couldn’t help but blurt out the information in her excitement.

“I’ve always been concerned about the cult and its influence on people.” Cora frowned. “But I didn’t suspect any violent tendencies.”

“I don’t think they’ve been violent before.” At least according to Hawthorne, but Jazz kept her source to herself. “Their leader, Desmond Patch, has spoken publicly against the fair. Called it evil.”

Cora glanced at Phoenix a moment before returning her attention to Jazz. “The police are already looking into him because of the pin and the note found last night, but I’ll do a deep dive with our resources and see what I can find.”

That was definitely an advantage of having the PK-9 Agency on board. They always knew what the police were doing and had connections Jazz still couldn’t explain. But if the team was working on this now, she should probably tell them what she was about to do.

“I might be able to find out something, too. I’m going to the cult tomorrow to take a tour of the commune.” She caught Nev’s surprised stare from the corner of her eye. “I’m going to pretend I’m interested in joining so I can request a meeting with Desmond Patch.” She held her breath. Would Phoenix tell her she couldn’t do that?

“Were you going to tell us about this?” Nev muttered the question under her breath, hopefully quietly enough that no one else heard.

“Good.” The one word from Phoenix loosened the tension clenching Jazz’s chest. “Take Sofia or Nevaeh with you.”

The pinch came back with renewed strength, squeezing her ribs. How was she going to do the investigating for Hawthorne with one of them tagging along? She couldn’t tell anyone about it. Hawthorne had asked her last night to keep it a secret that he was investigating Sam’s death and especially that he thought it could be murder.

“I’ll go if the timing works with my shift.” Nev threw Jazz a glance that said she wanted to hear everything later.

Jazz let out a breath and gave her a half smile. “That sounds good.” Especially since the timing wouldn’t work. If Jazz needed to, she could probably explain enough of the details to Nev that she’d be okay with Jazz going alone.

“We’re switching to a new shift schedule.”

Jazz jerked her gaze to Phoenix. Had she picked up on what Jazz was planning?

“Sofia, you’ll take the morning shift. Nevaeh, noon to eight. Jazz, four to midnight.”

Jazz fought to keep from narrowing her eyes at Phoenix. What was the boss up to?

The others nodded, accepting whatever Phoenix decided, no questions asked, as usual.

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