Page 25 of Cold Case Murder Mystery

No doubt because there wasn’t much to know. No doubt Zeke had gone through Granger to refer her to Bent County when his friends had needed a forensic anthropologist, which meant Granger had used hisskillsto smooth over anything standing in her way of helping.

Not that she wasn’t qualified for the job, or her cases wouldn’t speak for themselves. Just that the governmental wheels in place for these things tended to run a little slow, and this had been quick. North Star—or Granger MacMillan—interference quick.

And nowshehad to be quick and get to the point. “My father was a high-ranking member of the Sons of the Badlands.” She couldn’t believe she was still talking about this all these years later. Almost five years since the Sons had been wiped out.

“That old biker gang?” Thomas responded, eyebrows drawn together as if he couldn’t remember. Or couldn’t believe it.

She nodded. “Yes. I was under the impression he was in jail. For life. But... I heard a rumor. I just want to know where he’s at. What the state of his sentencing is. I thought maybe you would be able to get that information or know someone who would.”

Thomas nodded. “Absolutely. Are you worried about your safety?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing like that. Not really. I never really mattered to him. But my brother... I do worry about him. It would just ease my mind to know everything is as it should be.”

“Okay. I just need his name and a few other details and I should be able to have some answers to you by the end of the day.” He picked up a pen and pulled a pad of paper in front of him. He asked for the normal things. Name. Birth date. What jail she thought he was in.

Brooke recited the information as best she could even though speaking her father’s name made her feel... fragile.

Once Thomas was done, he tapped his pen to the pad, studying the information. He was quiet for a long moment before looking up, meeting her gaze. “Did you talk to Zeke about this?”

Thatsurprised her enough to frown at him. “This is none of Zeke’s business.” She tried not to sound irritated.

“Isn’t that his truck you drove up here?”

She wasn’t sure how Thomas knew what she’d driven to the station, but she didn’t like it. She stood, probably too abruptly. “I don’t need you to poke into it. I just need to know the facts. I thought I could trust you to get them and relay them.”

He never looked away from her, never let her agitation get to him. He was all cop-calm as he held her angry gaze. “You can,” he said seriously.

She almost sagged with relief. It didn’t take the stress away but did loosen some of the tight band it had created around her shoulders.

But then, Thomas kept talking aboutZeke.

“You and I might not be friends, Brooke, but Iamfriends with Zeke. I don’t think there’s anything worth keeping from him if it’s dangerous. For what it’s worth, he’s a good guy and he can keep you safe, if you’re in danger.”

“I’m not in danger,” she said firmly. Because shewasn’t. Royal was just... She didn’t know, but she wasn’t involved with Royal’s recent past. “It’s ancient history.”

“You of all people should know just how dangerous ancient history is.”

That felt far too ominous for comfort.

She turned to leave. Because she’d done what she’d come to do, and he was going to help her. She’d asked for help and gotten it, and the world hadn’t ended. So there. “I’ll see you at the cave later.”

Because the job went on. No matter what Royal thought was going on with their father.

Zeke had woken to an empty house and his truck missing. He wasn’t sure what took precedence. His anger she’d gone off and done something stupid and dangerous, no matter what it was. Or the fact he hadn’t woken up.

What kind of operative was he?

The retired kind?

He pushed that thought out of his head. He assumed Brooke’s secret trip was to see her brother, so he’d called Walker and asked to borrow one of his cars. Carlyle had driven the old junker over, and he owed her one.

That was annoying.

Zeke drove to Brooke’s rental cabin, concerned the car might not make it. Walker had to be keeping this clunker for sentimental reasons instead of practical ones. There was no way he’d let Mary drive this thing with the baby. And at the rate they were going, they’d need a minivan soon.

By the time he made it to Brooke’s rental, she was already gone. Or,maybe, he’d been wrong about where she’d gone. He didn’t think so. He knew her. He understood her.

And now it was his turn to have a little conversation with her brother. Oneshedidn’t get to hear.

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