Page 9 of Sighs By the Sea

“Hello, can I speak with Mr. Cardenas?” I tell them who I am, and the voice lets out a long sigh. “I’m sorry, sir, but your son is really struggling today. He’s physically okay but asking for his grandma and won’t stop crying.”

“I’ll be right there.” I hang up and close my laptop lid before stowing it in my bag. Walking out of the office, I see Tommy glance up.

“Oh hey, man." When he gets a closer look at my face, he stands up. "You okay?” I nod, but Tommy comes to my side, excusing the leggy blonde that had been leaning over the table. “You sure? You look like you swallowed a cactus.”

“My son needs to be picked up.” I had been certain the daycare I picked would be fine, but it was cheap, and the staff obviously doesn’t know how to handle things.

“Really? Damn. You have a car?”

I almost smack my own head. No, I don’t have a vehicle. We had to brave the bus system to get to daycare and work. “No worries.” Tommy fishes keys out of his pocket and holds them out. “Take mine. We keep a booster for TJ in the back, so it’s all good.”

Before I can refuse, Tommy is already going back to his table. I pinch the bridge of my nose before taking a deep breath and striding out of the shop. The line has thinned some, but as I squeeze past a couple of blonde men, I hear my name.

I turn and see her. As beautiful as ever, with her kissable lips pressed into a stern line.

Detective Parker.

Fuck. What did I do now? I stop, and my shoulders involuntarily slump.

She hustles forward and outstretches her badge. "Mr. Cardenas, I'm Detective Parker. Can we talk?" Like I wouldn’t remember her. The woman is a stunner. Thick auburn hair pulled into a professional tie at the back of her head and a grey pantsuit painted onto her body. She has curves to kill, and I spent some of my time signing arrest paperwork staring at those lips. It wasn't the only thing I couldn't look away from either. Her perfect olive skin along her neck looks positively delectable, and my cock twitches in my pants.

What’s wrong with me? Two years in jail, and I’m some sort of sex-craved man?

Nope, a little voice reminds me, you wanted her before prison.

“Yes, Detective Parker. How can I help you?”

“Mr. Cardenas, this is my partner, Harry. Is there somewhere we can sit down?”

I look over my shoulder and shake my head. “I need to run an errand. Can it wait?”

“Afraid not. Mind if we join you?”

I nod and click the key fob. The lights on a BMW X5 light up, and I head that way.

But when we open the doors, the back seat is filled with car seats. Detective Parker and her partner share a look.

“I’ll follow in the crown vic,” Harry says, and Detective Parker nods. She climbs into the passenger seat and buckles up as I do the same.

I look around the dash, confused as to how to turn the vehicle on. The delay isn't lost on Detective Parker. “Is this not your car?”

“It’s a friend’s.” I finally find the button, and the car roars to life.

“It’s nice. Camshafts, carbon filters, and whatnot,” she says. I stare at her. What she said makes no sense to me, but I’m not much of a car guy. “It was a joke, Mr. Cardenas. I know nothing about cars.”

That earns a twitch of my lip. “Yes, well, me neither, so the joke was lost on me.”

She chuckles as I start backing up. “You needed to speak with me?”

“I do. It’s somewhat sensitive, and I don’t want to worry you, but we have some information we thought you needed to know.”

She leans forward to reach into her back pocket. A folded piece of paper is produced, and she hands it over. “We found this at the site of a murder today. The man was found to be a dark web contract dealer. Looks like there’s a price on your head.” I barely glance at the page as I drive. They drove down from LA to tell me that? “Mr. Cardenas, did you hear me?”

“I did. But it’s not exactly news. I ratted on the family. It was only a matter of time before this happened.”

“I guess. Still, you probably should keep a close eye on things. Look out for people following you, lock your doors. That sort of thing.”

“But that’s not why you’re here, is it?" She's quiet, and I know I've hit the nail on the head. "I'm happy to help. Who was the murdered guy?”

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