Page 147 of Gunner

Someone who sat in our meetings, smiled, ate and drank with us—a sworn brother—was involved.

“Do you have any idea who?”

I shook my head.

“What about that Tango guy? You’ve been butting heads with him lately because of me.”

“I honestly don’t know, Ben.”

“It’s okay. We’ll find out.” He brushed a kiss on my temple.

“How did you know I wasn’t involved?”

“Everything was too straightforward. Everyone would realize it too if they weren’t so eager to close the case and convince themselves this nightmare is over. The crime scene was impeccable. The real killer removed their fingerprints from anything they touched. Someone so careful wouldn’t have left their patch and the murder weapon behind.”

“Smart thinking.”

Ben smiled. “You’re in love with a smart man.” He paled. “I didn’t mean—”

“You’re right,” I said, no longer wanting to hide the truth from him. “I do love you, Ben.”

“Gunner, you don’t have to say that.”

“Just say you love me too, you fool.”

Ben laughed. “I love you too.”

He cupped the back of my head and kissed me. My wrists were chained together. Someone had pinned a murder on me. But I’d never been happier.

“Please be patient for a bit more,” Ben said. “Can you do that for me? I swear I’ll get you out.”

“All right, but keep Thoms away from me. He reminded me I didn’t have to leave jail alive.”

“When this all ends, I’m gonna seriously hurt him. I won’t let you share a cell with anyone and ensure someone trusted is on duty, checking up on you.”

“Is that the royal treatment for sleeping with the chief?” I asked.

“You can say that.”

“Hmm, it’ll do, but you get me out of here, and I’ll give you my royal treatment.”

Ben pushed off the desk. “I really do need to ask you some questions, though. Let’s get started. I’d like to get this case dropped before Thoms succeeds in ruining my career.”

38

BEN

If Ben wasn't so damn stubborn then maybe all three of us would work, but I know him. He'll never share me with Gunner.

Twenty-four hours were all I’d asked Gunner for. Twenty-four hours of everyone thinking he was guilty for the heinous crime he’d been charged with: murder in the first degree. Without a doubt, he deserved the charge, but not for the death of our cop.

From my position across the street, I had a perfect view of the houses lining the streets. The neighborhood was quiet, a bit run down, overgrown lawns and broken fences. I’d passed a group of kids playing basketball at a court—if it could be called that—but at least they were keeping busy and staying out of trouble.

I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel. What I was about to do had Gunner written all over it, but I was desperate. Even if I got him cleared of the charge by coming forward that I was his alibi, people would always suspect that I was protectinghim. To clear his name, I had to find the culprits responsible, and this was my only lead.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. The caller ID showed Jamie’s name.

“Jamie, I can’t talk right now.”

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