Page 61 of Relentless

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Liam clenched his jaw. He couldn’t tell the cops more. The other information had been gathered through Z’s computer hacking and netted results the cops couldn’t use in court. “Let them in.”

He glanced at Piper. “Stay here until I’m sure it’s safe.”

“The police are dirty?”

“I’d rather be safe than make a mistake that costs your life.”

The rapping on the door came again, harder this time.

“Better open that before the cops become suspicious,” Trent said. He took Liam’s place by Piper’s side.

Liam opened the door to Kerrigan and Barrett’s scowling faces.

“What took so long to answer our knock?” Kerrigan snapped.

Liam’s eyebrows rose. “Does it matter?”

Barrett held up a hand to restrain his partner’s reply. “We need to speak to you and Ms. Reece.”

Definitely something on the detectives’ minds. At least they weren’t making noises about taking him to the station. Not yet. Liam motioned for them to come inside.

The moment they spotted Trent, their hands edged closer to their weapons. At six foot four, Bravo’s leader towered over the Copper Ridge officers.

“This is my friend, Trent. He’s part of Piper’s protection detail.”

“Where is Simon?” Barrett asked. “We need to talk to him as well.”

“Walking. Have a seat.” Liam sat with Piper on the couch as the officers chose the loveseat. Trent returned to stand watch at the French doors, one shoulder propped against the wall. He angled himself to keep the detectives in view while he scanned the area at the back of the lodge. “What’s on your mind, Detective Barrett?”

“We’ve been ordered to allow you, Simon, and Ms. Reece to leave.”

Excellent. “You don’t agree with the order.”

“All three of you should be in jail,” Kerrigan said. “You’re not telling us everything. Obstruction of justice deserves jail time.”

“You have some powerful friends, McCoy.” Barrett watched him and Piper carefully. “Who did you buy off to score travel privileges?”

“Who called you?” he hedged. The last thing he wanted to do was drag Maddox or President Martin into the mix if their names weren’t associated with the order. Liam had one of them to thank for the assist.

“The Copper Ridge chief of police. He’s receiving outside pressure to turn you and your friends loose. Who do you know with that kind of pull?”

“Several high-powered people owe my team favors. We called in a marker.”

“Team?” Kerrigan cocked her head. “Who’s on your team?”

“Trent, Simon, and two others.”

“Are they all here?”

“We have each other’s backs. What do you think?”

A slight smile curved Barrett’s mouth. “Are they well-armed like you and Simon?”

“Our jobs are dangerous. We have enemies who would love nothing better than to see us dead. We’re heavily armed anywhere we go.”

“What’s your next stop?”

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