Page 24 of Dangerous Lies

How much more could Megan take before breaking? Jax didn’t know, and it added a fresh worry to his growing pile. These threats on her life, the pressure she was under… he didn’t want it to drive her back into bad decisions. Megan had been sober for a long time, but even she’d admitted in the hospital that it was a daily choice.

If she was pushed hard enough, would she return to drugs? The thought terrified him.

He cared about her. More than he wanted to admit, and it added another layer to their already complicated relationship. Protecting Megan from a killer was his duty. Finding the man who’d murdered Oliver would provide closure for his family. Forming a relationship—even a friendship—with the woman who’d been driving the car when his brother was killed… that was a step too far.

His family would never accept it. And if Jax needed to remind himself of it daily, then he would. Once this case was over, he and Megan would go their separate ways. There would be peace between them, but nothing else.

Absolutely nothing else.

FOURTEEN

“Sorry to drop in without calling first.” Noah took a sip of his coffee before setting it down on a coaster.

He’d claimed her grandfather’s recliner. Dawson had opted to stand next to the fireplace while Jax and Megan were on the sofa. Jax sat close enough that his shoulder brushed against hers, and without thinking, she leaned into him. His solid presence soothed the nerves jittering her insides. Talking about the threats against her, even thinking about them, was difficult. It dragged up memories of the night Oliver died. The terror of being run off the road, the sound of metal crashing against metal, the pain exploding in her body.

Focus on the next right thing.

Megan drew in a breath, pushing away the memories that threatened to drown her. Doing whatever she could to help the police was the next right thing.

“We have an update, but first, I need to ask a few questions.” Noah opened his tablet and removed the electronic pen. “Megan, when was the last time you saw or spoke to Zeke Russell?”

She considered his question. “I don’t remember the exact date, but it was before I went to rehab. After I got clean, I cut everyone associated with that part of my life off.”

“You mentioned Zeke sold drugs to Oliver. What about others?”

“I assume so.” Megan clasped her hands together in her lap. Her fingers were icy, despite the warm temperature of the house. “I never bought from him though. Zeke always scared me. Even before I saw him become violent with Oliver. It’s hard to explain… it was more of a feeling. Like I knew once he got me under his thumb, I’d never get out.”

Survival was a funny thing. Back then, Megan hadn’t had any qualms about taking drugs, stealing, or heaven help her, even driving while under the influence. And yet, she’d drawn the line at buying drugs from Zeke. Why? She couldn’t explain it. The only reasonable explanation was that she hadn’t been completely suicidal. Just reckless and incredibly stupid.

Noah leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “Who else bought drugs from Zeke?”

Megan hesitated. “I can give you the names of people who hung out with Oliver and me back then, but I haven’t been in contact with most of them for ten years. The few people I still speak to are sober now. None of them live in Knoxville anymore. I don’t want to disrupt their lives and stir up bad memories if it’s not necessary.” Her gaze skipped to Dawson, whose expression was impassive, before settling back on Noah. “Why are you asking these questions? Weren’t you able to find Zeke?”

“Not exactly.” Dawson frowned. He removed his cowboy hat and tossed it on the cushion of an armchair before running his hands through his hair. “We ran him through our databases. He has a 2014 Ford Explorer in his name and a current driver’s license. The address listed on both is a house on the outskirts of town owned by his mother. She confirmed Zeke lives there, but he comes and goes. She hasn’t seen him for days. Not since he came to pick up his disability check last week.”

“Disability check?” Jax straightened. “Is he on Social Security disability?”

“Nope. He’s receiving disability from the VA for injuries sustained while on deployment.” He gave Jax a pointed look. “Zeke was a Night Stalker.”

Megan had never heard the term before. “What’s a Night Stalker?”

“It’s a special ops unit in the Army, specifically the 160thSpecial Operations Aviation Regiment,” Jax said. “They’re known for being proficient in nighttime operations.”

She sucked in a breath. The attacks on her had been well-planned and indicated the perpetrator had a military background. It was part of the reason Chief Garcia thought Wesley was behind them. But if Zeke also had special ops training…

Jax turned toward her. “Did you know Zeke had been in the military?”

She shook her head. “I did my best to steer clear of Zeke from the day I met him. In fact, I tried to get Oliver to stop buying drugs from him, to stop fighting for him, but he wouldn’t listen.” Megan’s attention shifted back to Dawson and Noah. “What about the gym Zeke owned? Bodybuilders.”

“It shut down a week after Oliver died. The sheriff’s department raided the gym on suspicion of drug trafficking and operating an illegal fighting ring. They even issued an arrest warrant for Zeke, but the DA later retracted it, saying the case wasn’t strong enough to hold up in court. We’re attempting to track down any of the old employees who worked there, hoping they can provide more insight.” Noah held Megan’s gaze. “That’s why I need the names of the other people Zeke was selling to. Maybe they know where he is now. Or who his friends are.”

“His mom doesn’t know?” Jax asked, his tone incredulous. “His check is delivered to her house. He pops by there to pick it up, right?”

“Yes, but his mom wasn’t very forthcoming. I suspect she knows more than she’s saying, but doesn’t want Zeke to get in trouble. She provided us with a phone number, but Zeke’s not answering. We interviewed his older brother, Cody Russell. He swears up and down that the sheriff’s raid on Bodybuilders was based on false claims and both he and his brother were innocent. Cody couldn’t tell us who any of his brother’s friends were and doesn’t know where Zeke stays when he’s not at their mother’s.”

Jax’s brows drew down in suspicion. “They’re covering for him.”

Dawson shrugged. “They’re definitely not sharing all they know.”

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