Page 42 of Seized by the Lawman

Chapter 15

STEPPING AROUND THE row of desks, the woman moved quietly. Her heart was pounding and her palms were sweaty as she crossed the dim lit space to the last desk. Sitting down and clicking on the screen, she typed in a password, then dug into her front pocket for the key she had hidden there. Unlocking the top drawer, she looked down at the folder marked confidential. The plan was coming together.

Opening the cover, she smiled. Everything was there that she needed. Pulling out a slip of paper, she smoothed out the wrinkles so it lay flat on the desk. Although she’d gone over the directions many times, she felt like she could vomit. Always doing the right thing, she would now be considered a criminal. That was, if they caught her. She had a few tricks up her sleeves that she’d learned over the years.

She didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but she couldn’t lose the one person who meant more to her than anything. Going back to being lonely wasn’t in the cards…

~~~**~~~

Nix emptied his Coke and gestured for the bartender to bring him another. He hadn’t been to a bar in years and not had at least one drink, but he needed to keep his head on straight.

“Cade, it wasn’t your fault.”

At the sound of Jameson’s words, Nix turned his cheek and looked down the polished bar. “The only two people who’d seen that file, knew the name of the informant, was the team. I left the file in the locked drawer and I sure as hell didn’t send the email.” Nix blew out a long breath. He hadn’t seen Melly in two days and he wasn’t sure she ever wanted to see him again. The assignment Carson had handed him was blown out of the water. The informant was pulled from the case after his identity was leaked in an email that came from Nix’s computer.

“Was the boss angry?”

The bartender brought his Coke and placed it before Nix. He took a long drink before he finally answered. “Angry. Disappointed. This rides on my ass and mine alone. From the second that file was in my hands, it was my responsibility to keep the informant safe. Hell, we both know how serious this is. He could be dead. Thankfully, he didn’t walk back into the danger zone.”

Jameson rubbed his forehead. “And you’re certain you didn’t accidently send the email?”

“How does one accidently send an email?” Nix took another long swallow of his drink, trying to wrap his brain around the facts. After Carson had called him into the office and told him about the informant, Nix had been doing nothing but looking at all the avenues of what could have happened. He wasn’t even sure the boss and half the team believed Nix didn’t fuck up and send the email. “I’ve got to catch the bastard who did this. How will the team trust me?”

“I wouldn’t worry about that.” The other man pounded Nix on the back. “The team doesn’t like screw-ups, but they know you wouldn’t put a man in danger, not intentionally. Hell, we’ve all been there. The first year on my job I got shot from my own carelessness.”

“I’d take the bullet any day than look like I breached confidentiality and played a role in almost killing a man.”

“There’s a silver lining here, Cade.”

“Yeah? What the hell could that be?” He was grumpy and he missed Melly. Wanted to see her, wanted to tell her about his day, but he was too chicken shit to go see her. On top of everything, he was going to be a dad. What the hell…

This was unexpected. But he would be the best he could be.

“If anyone can figure out who the hell did this, it’s you. You weren’t inducted as a Hawk for your looks, man.”

His buddy did have a point. Maybe he’d been too caught up lately in the emotions swirling around in his heart that he was missing something—maybe even something blaring him in the face. He started to take another swallow when he felt a poke on his shoulder. He swiveled on the stool and squinted because his eyes were a little fuzzy. He wasn’t imagining Melly. She was standing, flesh and blood, in front of him. Her cowgirl hat was pulled down on her head, but her frown couldn’t be missed. He glided his starving gaze down her red shirt that didn’t hide the fact that she had nice, firm breasts, or how the skinny jeans fit her lush curves in a way that made his mouth water. She was tapping the toe of her boot and her hands were on the flare of her hips. As good as she looked, the frown put a hitch in his happiness some. Now what in the hell had he done?

“We need to talk,” she said.

“Here?”

“Over at the jukebox will be fine.” She turned and sashayed that direction. He took the time to enjoy the sway of her beautiful hips and bottom, then remembered his buddy was still there.

He saw Jameson grin. “Sorry.” Nix pushed himself off the stool.

“Hell, no apology necessary. Can’t say I blame you. Not one bit.”

Strolling toward the jukebox, he stepped up next to her and looked at her profile. She seemed focused on flipping through the choices of music. He bent close to her, “It’s good to see you, sunshine.”

Several seconds passed and she looked up at him. Her lips were pursed and there was a glow about her, yet the dazzle in her eyes came from frustration and not the same joy he was feeling. She turned her attention back to the jukebox. “What’s the best song to play at a time like this. Lyin’ Eyes? No, how about, Suspicious Minds. Both would be fitting.” She dropped in some quarters, pressed the buttons then turned to him, nailing him with a pensive glare.

He leaned against the jukebox and smiled, first time in two days. “Please fill me in. What have I done?”

“Well, let’s see…maybe you can fill me in on what it’s like to work for my father. I mean, I knew you being here was for my father, but you’re not just in his pocket. You’re also on his team.”

Had he really thought she wouldn’t find out? “Who told you?”

“It doesn’t matter, but what does is how did you think I wouldn’t find out?” She snapped up a thin brow.

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