Page 35 of Death Wish

“Where?”

“Dragon Alley.”

The officers exchanged glances, then the shorter officer entered the house, leaving his partner behind to ask them all questions. Once he’d gleaned as much information as possible from Joy, the officer questioned Jesse and Simone.

By the time he finished, the shorter officer returned to the porch. “Ms. Walters, come with me. I’d like you to look through everything to see if anything is missing.” The two disappeared inside the house.

“How long have you worked at Dragon Alley?” Tall Cop asked.

Simone smiled. “Two days. We’re new in town and to the company.”

“I’m sorry you had to see the bad side of Sayulita.” The radio attached to his shoulder crackled as the dispatcher called a unit number. “Excuse me.” The officer moved toward the patrol car, activating the radio.

“This isn’t good,” Simone whispered. “We shouldn’t be attracting this much attention. Did I do something wrong?”

“Might have been me since I removed the bugs in your cubicle. Would you rather I had left them in place?”

She shuddered. “No, thanks. I hate the idea of someone spying on me.”

“We’ll have to be careful going home to make sure we lose any tails.”

“How do you know we’ll have one?”

“They knew where we were going tonight and did their best to hurt us in the parking lot. Now Joy’s house is broken into? Definitely not a coincidence. Someone wants to know what we’re up to or wants to warn us to keep our noses out of places where they don’t belong.”

“They scared Joy.”

“I know. They won’t be able to scare her once they’re behind bars or dead.”

Simone’s head whipped his direction. “You’ll kill them?”

“If they give me a reason to do it.”

The shorter officer returned with Joy who looked remarkably flushed considering the trauma she’d suffered tonight.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Shorty asked Joy. “I can have an ambulance come check you out or transport you to the hospital.”

“No, thanks. I’m fine, especially after you walked through the house with me so I could see that nothing was taken. I feel better having you nearby.”

He gave her a slow, sultry smile. “You have my card, and I have your phone number. Do you mind if I call you later to check on you?”

Joy smiled. “I’d like that.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to talking with you.” His gaze swung toward Jesse and Simone. “My partner finished interviewing you?”

“He did,” Jesse said. “The dispatcher contacted your partner right after he finished with us.”

“I’ll check with him. If he hasn’t thought of anything else to ask, you’ll be free to go.”

“We planned to follow Joy to a hotel to make sure she arrives safely.”

Shorty glanced at Joy. “Is that what you want to do? I can escort you to your hotel if your friends need to go.”

“Do you mind? I don’t want to interfere with your duties.”

“Of course not.” He edged closer. “It would be my pleasure, Joy.”

“Thank you, Mateo. I’d feel safer if you went with me.”

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