“Did anyone test the blood to Lions?” I crouched down, careful not to contaminate the scene.
Lescheva followed, and lowered his voice, as if he didn’t want to alert the rookies we were having this conversation. “Yes. Different blood type.”
Of course. There was someone else here. So, did Danny Lions have an associate that was kidnapped with him? Or was he holding someone else hostage? And why plastic everything?
Maybe Danny’s house was a holding cell for victims of the crime org he ran with.
Either way, this bit of DNA was going to be the ticket to finding my unsub.
“This one needs to stay under wraps,” Lescheva whispered.
I glanced over to him as he was surveying the wicked looking notches in the chair. Caused by ropes? Handcuffs?
“Yeah? And why’s that?” I murmured as I used a pen from my pocket to lift up a corner of the plastic.
“The group this man is associated with won’t be happy that he’s dead. And they definitely won’t be happy that they could be in the hot seat as we look for his murderer.” Lescheva stood after sharing that little tidbit.
I had to admit, this was different from the other cases we’d worked. Most of the men the Judge killed were influential, or at least affluent. The one thing they all had in common though, was that they were undeniably bad men.
With this one, Danny Lions potentially ran with dangerous people who wouldn’t want any type of attention thrown their way. Where the other victims were incognito in their crimes, these associates were just bad people. They would be more dangerous to track.
I smiled. The challenge was half the thrill.
“Don’t worry, I won’t draw too much attention.”
He turned to me with a dead look in his eyes. “I respected your father, and I promised him I’d look out for you, but you need to leave this case alone.”
Now that right there, that caught my attention. Not because he was warning me away, or fuck, maybe that’s exactly why.
“Why would I not pursue this? True, it doesn’t follow the MO, but they never do on the surface,” I said lightly as I bounced up to a standing position.
A cop walked through with bags of evidence as Lescheva started to open his mouth. He stopped, waiting for her to leave. “Because this group is dangerous. And I like you kid, but you’re reckless on the best of days.”
Smirking, I shook my head. “I didn’t think you cared that much. At the end of the day, my job is to catch this unsub, and something tells me, this victim is connected. So, you’re either with me or against me.”
“I don’t take kindly to ultimatums.” His frown was so severe I was in jeopardy of getting sliced on its sharp edges.
“It’s not an ultimatum. It’s an invitation. Work this with me, for my old man’s sake?” I held out my hand in a quasi-offer of comradery. Which didn’t fucking matter. With or without him, I’d review the crime scene photos, snag a copy of the autopsy, and research any known associates. I’d been getting closer and closer over the last few months and I wasn’t about to let this crotchety mother fucker stop me from finding her.
“Is that what that was? An invitation?” He asked in a droll voice.
“Yes. Now…why are you consulting on this case exactly?”
16
Rick
Instead of going back to the house immediately, Vienna had our driver take us to a very expensive hotel. It was the kind of place with gold inlaid into the marble floors, and heavy red carpets to muffle footsteps. Doormen opened the doors and collected luggage, and the desk clerk didn’t wait for you to get to them.
The room had been booked in my name—Rick Drew—and the flash of a black credit card, that I still couldn’t believe now existed in my wallet, and not even a look at my ID, we were taking the private elevator up to a penthouse suite. If not for our escort, I might have tried to kiss what was left of her lipstick off. It didn’t help that I was very well aware of the cum running down the insides of her legs.
I’d almost forgotten the jacket on the seat but she’d snagged it and held it up for me to wear. It helped make me more comfortable in the role of affluent guest. There was a flash of a knowing smile in her eyes as the elevator doors opened and the escort took us straight to the doors with our three bags, two of which had next to nothing in them. But now I knew why she’d brought them.
Or at least, I thought I did.
It didn’t matter.
Nothing mattered at that point but Vienna. She entered the suite alone as I blocked our escort and his far too appreciative gaze, which had fixed on her ass as soon as she’d glided away. Smart man swallowed abruptly and paled when his gaze met mine. “Thank you.”