Page 2 of Gunner

“What’s your name?” I asked the redhead.

He shuffled his feet but didn’t say a word.

“It’s actually required by law to provide that information, you know, so I’ll ask again. What is your name?”

“Officer Nick Lennon,” he said slowly as if he didn’t want to answer at all.

“Nick, how long have you worked with the police department? You still look green. You can’t be satisfied with the salary they pay you. What’s that? Less than thirty bucks an hour, right?”

“Don’t forget you have the right to remain silent,” Lennon said softly.

“I’m just trying to help you, Officer. That’s a measly amount for dealing with scumbags like me, right?”

The cops filed out of the warehouse. Witter marched toward us, his expression hard.

“Think about it, Lennon,” I said loud enough for his superior to hear. “You’ll be able to double your current salary as long as you work for me.”

“Bribing a cop?” Witter stopped in front of me with his feet planted slightly apart. “Well, aren’t you the criminal who just keeps on giving?”

“You’re welcome.” I cocked my head toward the warehouse. “I’m guessing from the scowl on your face you didn’t find what you were looking for.”

Ignoring me, he instructed two cops to bring me back to the station and hold me for questioning.

I gritted my teeth. He hadn’t found anything in the warehouse. Did he think he could trump up some charge against me?

“You got nothing on me, Witter,” I said. “Aren’t you going to look stupid when you have to release me?”

“Take him away.”

“You take real nice care of my hog, Officer. Anything happens to it, and you’ll be the one ridden like a bike.”

At least three hours had passed, and I was still in jail without being charged or even questioned by the POS cop who’d insisted on arresting me. They’d denied me my right to a phone call too. Twice they’d informed me someone would be with me shortly for me to call my lawyer, but that person never showed up.

They left me in a small, windowless room with only a desk and three chairs that were hard on the ass. After sitting for so long, my ass was practically numb, but I didn’t get up or pace around. They’d love that for sure.

That Officer Witter either had balls the size of watermelons, or he was plain crazy. Did he think he could get away with fucking treating me this way?

The door creaked open, and a pretty brunette with nice cans entered. She closed the door behind her.

Finally.

I rocked back in the chair and crossed my arms. At least they’d removed the handcuffs when they dumped me inside the room.

“I can’t stay long,” Officer Willow James said, her words stringing together breathlessly. She came up to me and ran her fingers through my hair. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be when you get me out of here.”

“If I intervene, they’ll know I work for you.” She glanced at the door, then plopped her ass down in my lap. “Let’s wait them out. They can’t keep you in here forever. I heard Officer Dehaneyarguing with his partner that since the K-9 unit found nothing on you, he has to let you go.”

“Officer Dehaney’s partner?”

“The police officer who told them to bring you in. Officer Witter.”

Well, fuck me. Mason wasn’t going to be too happy that I would put a target on his partner’s back.

“You’re right,” I said. “You should go, sweet cheeks, before they find you here. I still need you as my inside woman.”

She pouted but rose to her feet. “I’ll see you tonight? I’ve missed you.”

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