His to Defend, page 21
Maxwell ran his hand over his head. “I think not. Tell me she gave you a name, or a description or, hell, something.”
“She wasn’t positive, but she said one of them went by some initials like D.J. or C.J.”
“Or maybe, A.J. As in Aaron McCallum Jr.,” Maxwell added. He didn’t want to accuse Aaron of anything until they had proof. Yet, his gut was screaming that the guy knew more than he was letting on.
“That was my first thought, especially when she said her brother referred to him a couple of times as that ‘redbone’ guy.”
A growl bubbled deep inside Maxwell’s chest. This was too much of a coincidence not to mean something. First the initials, then the redbone comment, which Aaron had been described as on more than one occasion. His fair, multirace complexion had red undertones, and some of the guys even called him Red, which he responded to.
Still, Maxwell didn’t want to assume that the two cops this woman claimed hung out at the stash house were Aaron and Jeremy.
“She thinks the cops set the fire, but she doesn’t have any proof. Besides that, she said who would believe her?”
Maxwell logged in to his computer, planning to pull up the schedule.
“If you’re looking for Aaron, I already checked to see if he was on duty,” Danny said.
Maxwell stopped typing and his fingers hovered over the computer keyboard. “And?”
Danny stood. “He is, but he’s not answering his cell. He could be getting lunch or something. But I have Dispatch trying to reach him now. We’re also tracing his phone and looking for his squad car.”
Dammit. Due to budget cuts, some officers on the day shifts patrolled alone and called for backup during an arrest or if they needed any other assistance. If Aaron was with a partner, they’d be able to track him that way.
“Keep trying to locate him. If no one finds him or he doesn’t check in within the next fifteen minutes, put an APB out on his ass,” Maxwell said, and picked up his cell phone. He had never put an all-points bulletin out on a fellow officer, but he’d had many firsts these last couple of days. Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that if Aaron checked in soon.
Maxwell glanced at his watch. Amina was probably wondering where he was, which reminded him of Trace’s call. Maxwell picked up his phone, thinking that what he didn’t want to do was cancel his and Amina’s date, but he might have to postpone it until later. Catching the person who broke into her place was a priority, and he was hoping Aaron knew something. Amina would understand. She wanted the people or persons involved to be caught more than he did.
Looking at the phone screen, he noted that he had missed two calls from Trace and a text from Amina. He read her text. Then he enlarged the photo that was attached, and unease clawed through his veins.
“Oh, hell...”
The key chain. It was just like the ones he had given his guys for Christmas the year before, and there had only been one A.
Aaron.
“Danny!” Maxwell yelled, and within seconds, Danny was in the doorway.
“Yeah, Sarge.”
“Put out an APB on Aaron, now.” The broadcast alert would notify all police stations to be on the lookout for him. “If asked, he’s a person of interest for the murder of fellow police officer Jeremy Kelly.”
Danny stared at him, probably surprised that a moment ago Maxwell had only wanted to talk to the guy. But murder? “You got it, boss,” was all Danny said before disappearing.
Maxwell called Amina, frustrated that the call went to voice mail. “Hey, sweetheart. I got your text. I think I know who broke into your place. I’ll tell you about it when I get home. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Chapter 23
Amina showered and had just finished dressing when she heard the doorbell ring.
“Coming,” she called out, and slipped into a pair of sandals. Seeing that she was upstairs in the master bedroom, it was safe to say whoever was outside couldn’t hear her.
She hurried down the stairs and went to the tall, slender window that was to the left of the front door. Glancing outside, she noticed that the squad car was still in front of the house, but the police officer was standing on the front stoop. He gave her a little wave.
Disarming the alarm, Amina cracked the door open. “Hi, can I help you?”
“Hey, Mrs. Kelly. I’m sorry to bother you. I assume Sarge told you I’ll be sitting on the house. But do you mind if I use the bathroom? I overdid it with all the coffee this morning,” he said, looking sheepish as he rocked from one foot to the other.
Amina chuckled, thinking about the other day when she barely made it to the bathroom herself. “I totally understand. Come on in.” Once he stepped inside, she closed and locked the door and immediately a wave of déjà vu washed over her. Cigarettes. The scent was so strong, she brought her finger up to her nose.
“I’m sorry, but what’s your name?” she asked. Maxwell had told her, but for some reason she couldn’t remember. Did it start with a C? Or maybe an L.
“It’s Ted,” the officer said, still looking uncomfortable as he bounced from one foot to the other.
Ted. She’d been way off. She tried not to stare, but there was something familiar about him. Amina couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Ted.” She pointed down the hallway that also led to the gym. “The bathroom is the first door on the left.”
“Thanks, and sorry about the intrusion. I’ll be out of here in a minute,” he said over his shoulder before hurrying away.
Amina stared after him. She had a sensitive nose, especially when it came to cigarette smoke, and the guy smelled as if he had smoked a couple of packs already. She started to move away from the front door but stopped when an eerie feeling sent tingles scurrying over her skin.
Cigarette smoke.
Mugging.
She glanced down the hallway again. It couldn’t be. There was no way.
She gave herself a little shake as if that would rid her of the memory of being attacked days ago. Sure, this guy smelled of cigarettes, but the man from the hospital parking lot reeked so bad. It was as if he had bathed in tobacco.
No way could it be the same person. She was letting her imagination get the best of her. So what if the officer was a big smoker. His scent wasn’t as offensive. And sitting in a car all day guarding the house was like watching paint dry. The man was probably bored out of his mind, prompting him to smoke even more.
Amina stayed near the front door so she could lock up once the officer left. Just then, Ted stepped out of the bathroom with his cell phone plastered to his ear. He slowed and nodded at whatever the caller was saying on the other end of the line.
“Yes, sir. Okay. Will do,” he said before disconnecting and shoving the phone into his pocket. “Mrs. Kelly—”
“Amina,” she insisted. Hearing Jeremy’s last name fall from the man’s lips was like getting doused with a bucket of ice water. It was just enough of a kick in the pants she needed to remember to reclaim her maiden name as soon as her life was back to normal. That would seal the last of her connection to her ex-husband. She didn’t know why she hadn’t done it the day after the divorce was final.
“Amina it is. Anyway, that was Sarge. He’s still at work and asked that I bring you to the station.”
Amina frowned wondering why. Maxwell had already told her that they’d go out after he finished work. It wasn’t like she was in a hurry or that they had to be anywhere by a certain time. They could easily catch a later movie. But still, she didn’t want to ride in a squad car like some type of criminal.
“Why’d he tell you instead of me?” she asked, but then patted the back pocket of her blue jeans and realized she had left her phone upstairs.
Ted looked at her knowingly with a smirk on his face. “He said you didn’t answer your phone.”
Amina nodded. Still, sending word for her to go with the officer didn’t make sense to her. “I’ll just call him and let him know that... I’m sorry, but have we met before?” Not knowing where she knew him from was gnawing at her. “You seem so familiar. Were you ever partnered with my ex-husband?”
“Yeah, we worked together a few times. I think I met you once or twice. Maybe at one of the department’s Christmas parties.”
That probably wasn’t it since she never attended with Jeremy. She had gone to one with her parents many years ago, though, before her father retired.
“And my condolences for your loss. Jeremy was a good man and a great police officer. We all were sorry about what happened to him.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Amina said around the bile in her throat. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him what her ex was really like. Instead she said, “Okay, let me contact Max to let him know that I’ll be staying here. But do you mind stepping back outside?”
Amina couldn’t shake the creepy feeling that surrounded her with his nearness. Between that and trying to figure out if she’d met him before, she was ready to have him out of the house.
Ted hesitated and glanced around before saying, “Sure, no problem, but I don’t mind dropping you off. My shift ends soon, and—”
“Oh.” Amina tapped the side of her forehead with her finger. “I wasn’t even thinking. You’re probably sick of just sitting out there. I’ll let Max know that I’m fine here. I’m sure he won’t mind you taking off. I’ll have him contact you after we talk.”
Again, there was a hesitation. “Um, all right. I’ll get out of your hair,” Ted said as he strolled to the door.
Amina followed behind him but pulled up short and gasped when he turned suddenly and grabbed her arm, catching her totally off guard.
“Wh-what are you doing?” Her pulse pounded in an alarming rhythm as she tried twisting out of his hold, but his grip tightened. “I don’t know what this is about, but—”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, and pulled her closer. His strong odor was assaulting her senses, but that wasn’t what had her trembling. It was his voice...and his words.
That creepy sensation that had clawed over her skin moments ago had turned into full-blown panic now.
It’s him. The mugger.
But how? How was that possible? This guy was a cop. No way could he... Amina swallowed. Same height. Same build. And then there was...the cigarette smell. Her eyes grew round.
Ohmigod. Ohmigod.
“I take it that you remember me,” he said with a mocking smile.
“I don’t know what you want, but please, just let me go,” Amina said, still struggling against his hold on her. Her mind raced as she tried to form a plan to get free. But knowing the man had a gun in his holster scared her to death.
“Just give me my money, and I’ll be on my way.”
Give me my money. The words played inside her head as realization dawned on her. “Wh-what money?” She tried acting surprised while continuing to struggle against the vise-grip-like hold he had on her upper arm. He had her temporarily immobile as he moved her left and right, keeping her off-balance and making it impossible for her to use some of the self-defense techniques she’d learned.
“My portion of the money Jeremy stole from me. I know you have it, and I want it back. So we’re going to go and get it.”
Amina shook her head. Fear that was a hundred times more intense than that night in the hospital parking lot slithered through her body.
Think. Think. She had to think fast.
“It’s here,” she blurted before she could stop herself. “Let me go, and I’ll get it for you.”
Ted, if that was even his name, jerked her hard, and Amina screamed when the front of her body slammed into his. Face-to-face, he had a hold of both her arms, and she winced at the way his fingers were digging into her skin.
He narrowed his eyes. “You have the money...here? If you’re lying, I’m going to kill you.”
“I’m—I’m not lying. It’s here. I’ll go and get it.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No! I mean, that’s not necessary. It’s down the hall. I’ll—”
“Let’s go.” He pulled his gun and waved it in front of her face. “I meant what I said. If you’re playing some type of game and don’t take me to my money right now, I will kill you.”
Amina swallowed hard and nodded. She had to think of something fast. More than anything, she needed a weapon.
Now, Ted was holding tight to one of her arms as he led her toward the hallway. Amina zoned in on a silver candleholder that she had used for dinner the other night. All she had to do was grab it as they walked past the table.
Just a few more steps...
The moment they were close enough, she snatched it off the table. Amina wielded the candleholder like a sword and aimed for the man’s head; he dodged left and it made contact with his shoulder. But it was still enough to throw him off-balance, giving her just enough time to make a run for the gym.
“Why you little...” He snatched the back of her shirt and jerked hard enough to send her crashing to the floor.
“No!” Amina screamed, kicking out her legs, hoping to make contact with any part of his body. Hollering for help, she squirmed around, trying to make it hard for him to keep a grasp on her. It wasn’t until she heard his gun cock did she freeze.
“I thought that would get your attention. Get your ass up,” he said, pulling her to her feet then pressing the gun to her temple. “It’s safe to say the money isn’t here. I guess you played me. So we’re going for a ride.”
With his large hand gripping the back of Amina’s neck and the gun pointed at her temple, he led her toward the front door. Tears blurred her eyes, and she struggled to keep it together. One wrong move and she was dead.
“Wh-where are you ta-taking me?” she stammered, trying to walk as slowly as possible.
She needed them to stay in the house because she had no intention of getting in the car with him. Even if that meant getting shot.
If you let them put you in the car, you’re as good as dead. Her father’s words pierced her mind.
“We’re going to your house. I know the money is there somewhere, and you’re going to help me find it,” the officer said from between gritted teeth. “But if you try any more funny stuff, I won’t hesitate to shoot you. I won’t shoot to kill. No, I’m going to make you suf—”
“Drop your weapon!”
Amina gasped at the sound of Maxwell’s booming voice behind them, and she screamed when the cop jerked her around. He had a death grip around her neck, and the cold metal of his gun rested against her temple.
They were now facing Maxwell, and she trembled as her heart worked harder than it should, pounding fast enough to beat right out of her chest. She couldn’t stop the tears from sliding down her cheeks. Part of her was relieved to see Max, but the other part of her was afraid the guy holding her would shoot her anyway.
“It’s over, Aaron,” Maxwell said calmly.
Aaron. His name was Aaron, not Ted.
“You already had Jeremy killed,” Maxwell continued, and Amina’s heart stopped at the revelation. “You don’t want to add another murder char—”
“What?” Aaron roared. “How many times do I have to tell you? I did not kill Jeremy! I had nothing to do with his murder. All I wanted was my share of the money. But no, the asshole had to go and get himself killed before telling me where it was!”
Amina struggled to take a breath and pulled down on the man’s arm that was now choking her. “I can’t...breathe,” she wheezed. “Hel-help.”
“Okay, okay, Aaron,” Maxwell said, noticing her distress. “So you didn’t kill Jay. Right now, though, I need you to let Amina go. You’re hurting her and she has nothing to do with any of this.”
Aaron’s grip loosened slightly, and Amina inhaled deeply, trying to get air into her lungs.
“All you’re looking at right now is reckless endangerment and kidnapping charges,” Maxwell told the officer. “Do you really want to add murder or attempted murder to the list? Now put down your weapon and let her go.”
Aaron cursed under his breath and was clearly agitated as he rocked back and forth. But he kept his arm securely in place and the gun steady against Amina’s temple.
Sweat beaded around the edges of her hair as the temperature in the house seemed to go from seventy to a hundred in a heartbeat.
“None of this was supposed to happen,” Aaron said. His voice was low as if talking to himself. “No one was supposed to get hurt in that fire. Take the money and lay low. That was the plan, but no, Jeremy wanted to make sure our tracks were covered. He shot the guys then set the fire. I swear, Sarge. I didn’t kill anyone.”
“If that’s the case, lower your weapon and let her go.”
Aaron tightened his hold. “No, because if I let her go, what’s to stop you from killing me?”
“I’ll do everything I can to help. You have my word,” Maxwell said with authority. “But you have to put down the gun. Now. This place will be swarming with cops soon. Once that happens, there’s nothing I can do for you.”
Amina’s heartbeat grew louder as seconds ticked by. At first it didn’t seem as if Aaron would release her, but then he did. Amina hurried away from him, and he got to his knees with his hands raised.
“Set the weapon down slowly and slide it away,” Maxwell instructed, and Aaron did as he was told then linked his fingers behind his head.
A sob slipped through Amina’s lips, and she covered her mouth with her hands. Then she dropped down onto the sofa like a sack of bricks and cried outright.
