Page 37 of Shadow

Kansas shook his head. “It’s not just your information on that drive. Jinx was investigating another matter as well. Give Shadow a few days to go over the information. He will verify everything and call you. If you don’t hear from him in a few days, call me. Payne, please show Ms. Trinity to her car. Shadow, stay.”

Sulking, I said nothing as the pretty woman got up and left the room. I didn’t know what game Kansas was playing at, but I didn’t like it. I wanted nothing to do with this club or the woman, anything.

I just wanted to be left alone.

Payne returned a few minutes later, locking the church door behind him before retaking his seat.

“Shadow, there is something else I need your help with,” Kansas started without preamble. “I’m asking you because you seem to have a clear objective mind. Plus, with your past, you are good at looking through all the bullshit and getting to the heart of the matter. This club has a problem. A big one.”

Montana added, “You agree to help with this and I will guarantee your safety.”

I frowned. “And why would I need that guarantee?”

“Because if you don’t help, there is a damn good chance one or all of the brothers will kill you dead where you stand.”

Smirking, I leaned back in my chair. “They already want me dead. What else is new?”

Kansas reached for a remote and pushed play. “This conversation took place yesterday.”

Turning to look at the screen, I watched.

“Let me get this straight,” Pence said, rubbing his forehead. “The man we all admired killed men because they went with us to Mexico. Sorry, but that shit doesn’t fly. It makes no sense. They killed his sister in the massacre. He wanted revenge just as much as we did.”

“I have the evidence right here, Mr. Pence,” I heard Sypher speak. “The police report says it was his DNA at the scene of officer Jake Hanover and firefighter Chuck Miller. When the FEDs ran the blood samples, they came back with an exact match. Justin Conroy murdered Hanover and Miller.”

“But why?” Blackjack asked.

“Well, according to what I found, Hanover and Miller were lovers. They’d been dating for a while, just kept it on the down low because of their jobs.”

“You mean to tell me Conroy killed two men because they were gay?” Keys asked.

“That’s what the FEDs think. They are calling it a hate crime. Conroy is looking at life in a federal prison.”

“Fucker deserves the electric chair,” Whisper muttered.

“He may get that,” Sypher replied. “Oklahoma still has the death penalty.”

“What about Officer Ben Taylor and his father?” Kansas asked.

“Now that’s where things get weird,” Sypher added, the clicking a familiar sound as he typed something into his computer. “We all know those murders were different. Officer Taylor and his father both died from a single bullet to the head. The FEDs and the Lawton PD are keeping a tight lid on that one. The bureau is still waiting for the ballistics report, so I don’t have any new information now on that. Only that they both died from a single gunshot to the head.”

“So, we have another killer on the loose?” Pence asked.

Sypher agreed. “Yes. It seems that way.”

“Great,” Monk groaned. “And what can you tell us about that fucker?”

“Nothing, Mr. Monk,” Sypher sighed. “There was no other evidence left at that crime scene. The only incriminating evidence was Mr. Kansas’ name written on Mr. Taylor’s bedroom wall. Whoever wrote it must have been wearing gloves.”

Whisper asked, “Didn’t Kali say that Conroy was rambling about another man? She told us he kept saying we. She said he talked as if he had a partner. What if he wasn’t rambling?”

“What are you saying, Whisper?” Monk growled. “You heard the kid. Both crimes are unrelated.”

“I know, brother, but I’m with Pence on this one. It doesn’t make sense. I knew Justin. He wasn’t a killer. Sure, he would defend himself, but cold-blooded murder? Fuck no. It wasn’t in his nature. Not saying he didn’t do the crimes, but for a man like Justin to break, something had to have happened. That’s what we need to figure out, because if Justin had a partner, this man, whoever he is, is more dangerous.”

“Thank you, Sypher. I will call if I need anything more,” Kansas spoke up.

“Sure thing, Mr. Kansas,” Sypher said, before ending the connection.

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