Page 32 of Justice for Aleta

“Would they want to hurt me?”

Jack shook his head. “No. They want to know who the shooter was, and so far, they don’t have a clue. But that’s going to change, I’m sure. We have to find him before they do, or all hell will break loose. And that’s when you start to become a target for Moss.”

“Is that his name?” Jack nodded. “So you know him?”

“My Texas connection does. Knew him just from my verbal description.”

“Hmmm. How will we know when the cartel finds out?”

“He’ll let us know. He has guys on the inside.” Jack glanced around. “Want something to drink? I’ve got spring water, and soft drinks, and sweet tea, and wine, and?”

“Beer?”

He laughed loudly. “I think we need to slow down a little on the beer! But yes, I always have beer in the fridge. I keep bourbon, rum, and vodka too.” A sound cut through his conversation, and he turned. “Somebody’s outside. Go back to the bedroom and close and lock the door. Now.” He watched as she scampered away, then drew his weapon and moved toward the front door. When he got near, he leaned out slightly in front of the sidelight and breathed a sigh of relief. Throwing the door open, he yelled, “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I got wind of something going on and I want to know what it is. I know it concerns you,” Amos called back, slamming his truck door. “And I want to know why you haven’t told me before now.”

“Because you’re KDCI.”

Amos mounted the porch and stood at the doorway. “We’re not the enemy, Jack.”

“No, but if you take over, I have no control, and I don’t want that.”

“But if you tell me about it, maybe I can make sure that you keepsomecontrol. Fuck it, Jack, I’m your brother. If you want to keep a finger in the pie, I have to trust there’s a good reason.”

“There is, and her name is AletaCulp.”

Amos stood there, mouth agape. “AletaCulp. The woman whose husband and son?”

“Yes. One in the same.”

“What’s she got to do with this?”

“Way, way too much.”

Amos cocked a hip. “Are you going to let me come in, or do I have to knock you down and make a run for it?” Jack bowed slightly and swept his arm through the doorway. “Thanks,” Amos mumbled as he stepped inside. As soon as the door closed behind him, Jack set the alarm again and pointed to the living room. Amos sat down and looked up at Jack. “Well? Are you going to tell me or not?”

“Nope. I’m going to let you read the files and then you can figure it out on your own, I’m sure.” Grabbing his laptop, he logged into the department’s files, pulled up the case, and set it down on the coffee table. “Knock yourself out.” He moved to the head of the hallway. “Babe, you can come out. It’s just my jackass brother.”

“Wow. Nice introduction there, bro,” Amos muttered as he stared at the computer screen. Aleta appeared at the head of the hallway, and Amos caught her movement. He hopped up from his seat. “Hello. I’m AmosFletcher, KDCI, and dickhead’s older brother.”

“Hi. Nice to meet you.” Aleta walked straight up to him and extended her hand, and Jack smiled as Amos took it in his. “I haven’t heard much about you except how you’re KDCI and Jack doesn’t want you mucking around in his investigation.”

Jack chuckled. “I see your reputation precedes you,” he snorted at his brother.

“We’re not the bad guys, ma’am.”

“That’s Aleta. Do you mind if I call you Amos?”

Amos’s smile was a mile wide. “Nope. That’s perfectly fine. You didn’t tell me she’s beautifulandfriendly. So completely opposite from you, punk.”

“I can hold my own, shithead.”

“Do you guys always talk to each other like this?” Aleta asked, a smirk on her face.

“Yep. Always have, always will. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back to perusing the information my little brother so desperately doesn’t want me to have. Got some Maker’s?”

Jack snorted again. “Of course. And I suppose you want some?”

---