Page 9 of Trial By Fire
“Duly noted. Thanks for the heads up. Never liked that woman,” Bradley admitted as he pulled Lola into his arms.
Jackson stood at his full height as he stretched. “Alright. I’m going to tale a shower and get dressed. Going to do a few errands before I pick up Thai and go meet Trish. Thank you, Lola, for theheads up on everything. I’ll be able to better prepared for what she tells me when I see her.”
“You better not break her heart again, Jackson. I may like Bradley, but I won’t let that get in the way of me kicking your ass if you do.”
Jackson couldn’t help but smile down at Lola. “Duly noted, skipper.”
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Trish pulled into her driveway and turned off the vehicle. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as she took several steady breaths to try and center herself. Today had been a whirlwind of emotions as she sifted through the information they had so far about the young girls death. She’d reached out to her informant for some information as well as her contact in gangs. Today was not a good day. Part of her wished she could go back to last night instead.
Trish jumped awake, reaching for her weapon when she heard the knock on her window. When she realized she was in her driveway, she looked over to see Jackson there with the bags of food in hand and a six-pack of beer. Her favorite kind, too.
“I come in peace, bearing food and drink,” Jackson announced as he slowly opened her door.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny! Sorry, I didn’t realize I had drifted off like that. Not a good thing for me.” Trish mumbled as she scrubbed her face with her hands.
Getting out of the SUV, she led the way to the front door and let them both in. Placing her keys on the table just insidethe door, she walked into the kitchen, taking her jacket off and placing it on the back of one of the chairs.
She went to the cabinets and pulled out plates, silverware and napkins for them to use while they ate. Heading back to the table, she sat down and handed Jackson his plate and utensils to use.
Neither one said anything for several moments while they dished out the food and ate. After they had eaten their fill, Jackson got up and grabbed another beer for both of them out of the fridge. She watched as he walked towards her and grabbed her hand to lead her into the living room.
She sat on the couch and leaned back as Jackson handed her a beer. She relaxed as he she felt him sit on the couch beside her, his socked feet going onto the coffee table. Mimicking his move, she slid her shoes off and did the same thing, sighing from the ability to relax for once.
“Talk to me,” Jackson murmured next to her, his hand going to hers, clasping her hand as he rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand.
“Not sure where to start. Delbert and I got called a few weeks ago about her when she came to school with some bruises. Hell, we’re surprised they even enrolled her into school to be honest.” Trish couldn’t help but chuckle at herself.
“I take it from that statement the teacher was the one who called about what was going on with the girl?”
Trish couldn’t help but nod. “Yeah. She talked to the little girl a few times. Said she was afraid to talk. Said that if she told, her daddy would kill her and the teacher. She was there to learn how to bring them more money. Her teacher was the only damn one in her life that gave a shit about that kid.”
“Sounds like they are trying to expand their empire. I know they are big in South America. I’m surprised they aren’t on awatch list for when they crossed the border,” Jackson surmised, as he leaned back into the couch.
“That’s what Delbert and I were thinking. It’s why we reached out to gangs to check with them. They knew a new gang had moved into the area. We don’t have much of a gang issue here in this town, much less the county, but they had some rumblings about them through vice. Most of the guys in gangs are former Special Forces from the military, so they are aware of them. Which is why they are the best in the state,” Trish advised as she turned her head to look at Jackson.
“Who was Army?” Jackson asked, looking over at Trish.
“Delbert’s brother, Grayson Roverman. He was in the Army until about two or three years ago when he joined the force. Not sure what he did, but I know he was an operator. He doesn’t really talk about his military time,” Trish answered, hesitantly.
Trish watched as Jackson’s eyes went huge for a few seconds. So, it seems Jackson knows who Delbert’s brother is after all.
“Rover is with the police department?”
“Um, yeah. I take it from that statement you know who he is?”
“Yeah. He was Delta. Different team. Damn good operator. Several of his teammates quit around the same time he did. They had a shitty commander. He didn’t want to listen to what the guys had to say when they were on the ground, wanted them to do the impossible, didn’t matter if it would send bodies home in a casket and the objective not be reached. He wanted it done his way or he marked the files. When an entire team quit, it caused an investigation into the douche and got him canned. Dipshit had twenty-two years that was wasted. I think the fucker is now serving time in Leavenworth.”
“Ah. That explains so much. I think some of his teammates joined the department with him. I know of at least four thatfollowed him,” Trish admitted, as she sighed heavily. “They don’t like the new guy on the team. He’s a dick anyways.”
“How?”
“Huh?” Trish asked, nearly drifting off.
“How’s he a dick?”
