When He's Dirty (Walker Security: Adrian’s Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  “Holy wow. Who? Which three?”

  “He won’t say until he trusts me, which supposedly he can decide just by meeting me.”

  “He asked for you, not Ed?”

  “He did,” I say, and it hits me how interesting that is. Why wouldn’t a power-hungry monster like Waters ask for Ed? “But it doesn’t matter who he wants to talk to,” I add. “We aren’t making a deal.”

  “You sure Ed’s going to agree with this? It’s three for one.”

  “Yes,” I say, though I’m not, but I’ll fight him on a deal. If I don’t, Adrian will and I’m not sure what that means or why it doesn’t bother me.

  “Yes? I mean, Pri, maybe this can work out. Get him and three other bad guys off the street for a decade or more. It could work.”

  “It won’t work.”

  “Why?”

  “Aside from ten years being nothing for a monster like Waters,” I say, “there are things at play here you don’t know.”

  “What things? I’m supposed to be learning. Teach me, please.”

  Any other time, I would, which is why she isn’t going to stop pushing. It’s not in her nature and I’ve invited her to use that nature. “I’ll explain when I can.”

  “When you can?” she presses.

  “Accept the answer, Cindy.”

  Now her lips press together. “Can I go with you to see Waters?”

  “No. He’s dangerous. He eats pretty little girls in pink dresses like mints.”

  “I’m tough and unafraid. You know this.”

  She’s right, I do. And I also wonder if I sounded as cavalier and cute when I took the same stand. “No,” I say. “People have died. I’m not risking you being a target as well.”

  “I think you’re the real target. You the one he’s asking for. You die, the case slams to a halt.”

  “Well, thank you for keeping it real.”

  “I’m simply suggesting multiple people at the meeting dilutes the focus.”

  “No,” I say again and I set my cup down, deciding I’ve had enough caffeine. “I need to just get this done with Ed. Please go make sure the team is in full swing.”

  “Got it. I will. Good luck.”

  Luck, I think as I step into the hallway, won’t save me, not from Waters, or the way I’m tumbling down a rabbit hole with Adrian, a man who openly tells me he’s dirty. That’s not the story Blake or Adam tell me, though. No wonder I’m confused with Adrian.

  I turn the corner to Ed’s office and pass the empty secretary’s desk when two men in suits exit his office: Agent Pitt and Josh Martin, Grace’s new man, the detective that just left the department and went into private security.

  “Just the person we were about to come and visit,” Agent Pitt says, he and Josh claiming the spot directly in front of me.

  “Good to see you, Pri,” Josh greets, offering me his hand, which I shake but I’m uneasy for no good reason. I know him, albeit not well as Grace does. The DA’s office is large and our cases simply never collided.

  “I thought you took another job?” I ask.

  Pitt interjects. “I suggested Josh talk to Ed and the US Marshals department about adding a layer of private security protection for the witnesses. Ed says you have that handled.”

  And now I know why I’m uneasy. Ed ran his mouth, he trusted outside the circle that Adrian claims is safe. “I have someone I’m considering,” I say quickly, trying to save this. “But truth be told,” I add, “I’m not overly comfortable bringing someone else in who might be compromised.”

  “Ed indicated you’ve already made a hire,” Josh says. “If that’s not the case, I’d like to take you to lunch and talk it out.”

  “Not today,” I say quickly. “I’m booked. Call me tomorrow and we can talk.”

  “What about dinner?” Josh presses. “Every moment counts when witnesses are on the line.”

  “She hired someone else,” Pitt says, giving me a keen look. “Ed made that clear.”

  I purse my lips. “I need to talk to Ed,” I say, glancing at Josh. “Call me tomorrow.”

  “I will,” he says, and when I would walk into Ed’s office, Pitt holds up a staying hand. “I need a word.”

  Josh lifts a finger. “I’ll go say goodbye to Grace and be out of here. I’ll call you, Pri.”

  I give a nod and he walks away as Pitt steps closer. “Who did you hire?”

  “No one yet,” I say. “I’ll talk to Josh. Right now I have something pressing to handle.” I take a step.

  He catches my arm and when my eyes go wide, he immediately releases me. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I just—” he scrubs a hand through his hair. “Fuck.” He shoves his jacket back and presses his hands to his hips. “I don’t want this to go to shit. I know you don’t have to include me in these decisions, but I’d appreciate it if you’d think about it.”

  His concern is palpable and as much as he frustrates me at times, I believe he cares and more than a little. So much so that if Adrian hadn’t pressed me to leave him out of the circle, I’d feel compelled to pull him inside. Instead, I simply say, “I know this matters to you. I’ll keep you posted the best I can.”

  “Which security company?”

  “No one yet,” I reply, hating the lie, but owning it for everyone’s safety, but it may be too little too late. With that in mind, I push harder, lay down more of a show. “Anything from Adrian?”

  “Nothing. I tried to call him and he didn’t pick up. But before you freak out, I know he’ll show up. He won’t let Waters get away.”

  “Tell him I’ll give him full immunity.”

  His brow furrows. “You think he needs immunity?”

  “I’ve been thinking about what’s holding him back. He was undercover for two years. He had to have crossed lines. Whatever I have to do to make him feel safe, I will. Even if that means hiring Josh or someone else. Just tell him I’ll do what it takes.”

  “I’ll reach out to him again.”

  “Thank you and please keep all of this under wraps. I don’t need the possibility of us hiring outside security leaking to the press. It’ll look like law enforcement can’t be trusted.”

  “You think someone is leaking?”

  “I think the walls have ears in a case this big. Please don’t trust anyone. And I’m not even sure I’m a go on this idea of outside contractors.”

  “Why does Ed think you are?”

  “He’s a master of getting his way,” I say. “Don’t you know that?”

  He studies me a moment, his expression unreadable, and then all he says is, “Talk to Josh.”

  He doesn’t wait for a reply. He turns and walks away and as I turn to enter Ed’s office I’m left with that uneasy feeling that won’t let go.

  ***

  ADRIAN

  I’m sitting at the monitors with Lucifer, Adam, and Savage when Pri and I disconnect. Jacob, our man who arrived last night, is at the DA’s office watching the building and Pri. “Something is bothering me,” I say, setting my phone down.

  “I vote Ed’s the problem,” Savage says, shoving the last bite of a stale donut in his mouth. “He vibed like a fish on cocaine.”

  “What does that even mean?” Adam asks before I can.

  “So fucking jumpy he could have jumped right out of the pond,” Savage says, kicking back in his chair.

  “That’s worse than my worst joke,” I say. “And you just told him he’s likely on a hitlist. Of course, he was jumpy.”

  “It wasn’t that,” Savage says, turning serious, his attention wholly on me now. “Something, as you said, feels off. What are we missing?”

  I consider his question, when Lucifer says, “I think we need to look at everyone on Pri’s team for this case. Anyone close to her that might be linked to Waters in some way. I’ll get with Blake and see what electronic fingerprints we can find, but I need to know who she’s the closest to. That feels like the highest risk.”

&nbs
p; “We need to do the same with Ed.”

  “I’m not buying the Ed theory,” Adam says. “Why let two witness drop if he plans to help Waters walk?”

  Which leads me to no place good. “Why is Waters asking for Pri and not Ed?” I ask.

  “Isn’t it standard procedure to have the lead ADA take these meetings?” Adam counters. “She’s the defense attorney’s contact.”

  “Waters is a power player,” I say. “He goes for the top of the totem pole.”

  “Well then, let me state the obvious,” Savage says, “Waters asked for Pri instead because he knows you’re here, Adrian, and that you’re doing naughty things with Pri.”

  Lucifer eyes me and says. “Gamble on the devil in the mix, man. Go with the worst-case scenario.”

  Adam simply gives me a small nod of agreement.

  “Fuck,” I whisper, and then glance around the room. “Lucifer’s right. We have to assume the worst and that means Waters knows I’m here.”

  “So that means what, Captain Jack?” Savage asks.

  “I’m not Jack Sparrow, Savage,” I snap.

  “Then where’s the rum?” Savage says, but he’s not looking at Lucifer. He’s looking at me.

  “About to be up your ass,” Lucifer mumbles.

  But I’ve been around Savage for two years. I know his word games. I get what he’s saying when most of the rest of the world would not. “He means where’s the payoff for Waters.”

  “And the answer is?” Adam says.

  “I earned his trust and betrayed him. The rum, or rather his prize, is me. He wants to make me pay.”

  “And he’s now focused on Pri,” Adam supplies.

  “It would appear that way,” I agree. “And I’m suddenly glad I didn’t kill him.”

  Savage frowns. “I don’t follow. I find killing someone like Waters a good deed.”

  “He needs to be alive.” I say, “for me to make him wish he were dead.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  PRI

  Ed is behind his desk and on the phone, his hair thick and scattered with just enough gray to be called distinguished. A man who wears a suit like he was born to wear it, a regular JFK type, good looking and powerful—three things that could work in his favor and aid his efforts to do good in this world. Too often life has taught me that those traits corrupt a man.

  The minute his eyes find me, he scowls and ends the call. “Oh hell, what now?”

  I shut the door and forget that he’s my boss—or rather, right now, I just don’t care. “Why are you running your mouth about extra security? I know Adam told you this stays between us.”

  He waves me off. “Pitt’s FBI and close to this case and I’ve known Josh for his entire career.”

  “And if they justify the same of two other people you don’t know and trust, and they’re the wrong people, then what? Any chance Walker has to catch the assassin could be lost if Deleon gets a heads up. And then he might be so desperate he just comes after us.”

  “You’re overreacting, Pri, which surprises me considering the number of extremely seedy criminals you helped stay out of jail.”

  I ignore the jab that changes nothing. “Call Adam and tell him what you did. Then tell me if I’m overreacting.”

  His jaw sets hard. “You’re out of line.”

  “Out of line?” I demand, crossing to stand in front of his desk. “Do you want to die, Ed? Because I don’t.”

  “Do you want off the case?”

  “If that’s a threat, we both know me stepping back from this case this late in the game hurts you and your campaign more than it hurts me.”

  “You’re pushing me,” he bites out, his energy crisp as an autumn day about to surprise you with a blizzard. “Is that really what you want to do?” he asks.

  “What I want is for Waters to go to jail for the rest of his life, while we live ours. He’s brutal. If he gets off, he still might come after us. Losing is not an option. Please call Adam, or I can, if you like.”

  “Call him,” he says, passing the ball in what is clearly a power play.

  I don’t push back. I don’t care who calls Adam. I just care that we call. I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Adam on speakerphone. “Pri,” he greets and I can tell he’s on speaker, likely with Adrian, as he asks, “Is everything okay?”

  “I’m with Ed. He told Agent Pitt and Josh Martin, an ex-detective here with the DA’s office, who is now in private security, that we hired private security.”

  He’s silent a full three beats in which I can almost hear him cursing. “Did you tell him who, Ed?”

  “No, I did not. Is this really a problem? Pitt and Martin are good men.”

  “Everyone’s good until they prove otherwise,” Adam says.

  “Exactly what I said,” he replies.

  “Unfortunately,” Adam says, “we often find out they’re bad when someone ends up dead.”

  “Ed, this is Savage,” comes another male voice. “Hey ya, Pri,” he adds as if we’ve met, offering me power, I think.

  “Hi Savage,” I say, playing along and wishing I could speak freely and directly to Adrian, but comforted by his team’s open involvement.

  “The good news,” Savage says, “is that our involvement means killing witnesses will feel too high-risk for the assassin.”

  “In other words,” Ed says, a gloating smile on his face. “The assassin will back off.”

  It hits me then that this was Ed’s. He thought Walker was wrong about keeping their involvement silent. And he thought exposing them was a way to protect himself, but I don’t think Savage is confirming his success but rather the opposite.

  “Speaking as a former assassin,” Savage continues, “no. He won’t back down. He’ll decide he can only risk one last hit and he’d better make it good. That means you, Ed.”

  Ed visibly pales.

  “But more good news,” Savage adds. “I love these games and I always win. All the bad guys end up dead, Ed. All of them. I’ll be close. Stop talking to people.” The line goes dead.

  Ed’s jaw clenches and he stands up, no doubt flaunting his larger size. “Anything else?”

  “Waters wants to meet. He’s offering us a trade, three for one, him being the one. No names. He’ll give them to me if he trusts me. And before you get excited about this, Walker believes anyone on that list is meant to be a suspect in your murder.”

  “Let me be clear, I agreed to protection because I’m not stupid, but it’s borderline conspiracy theory that everything Waters does is a part of a bigger plot. Maybe he just wants to make a deal.”

  “You’ve read his file. This is what he does. He layers his many versions of evil. This fits his profile.”

  “I’ll take the meeting.”

  “He asked for me. Waters said he’ll only make the deal if he trusts me.”

  “I’m the final say. He can trust me.”

  “But can you trust him?” I press. “The deal will never happen.”

  “If it’s a good enough deal, it might.”

  I blanch and recover quickly. “I can’t even believe you’re saying this. A good enough deal will put him right back on the streets.”

  “And put three other monsters behind bars. What time is the meeting?”

  “Two.”

  “Good. We’ll go together. Then he has you and me. We’ll get this done and save some lives.”

  “You’re afraid of him, aren’t you?” I don’t give him time to reply. “I’m not going. You’re no better than my father. I don’t even know why I’m here. You’d better make the deal because I’m off the case and without me, there will be delays. It won’t look good that I quit right before the trial and your election.”

  “You think you can blackmail me?”

  “This isn’t blackmail, Ed. This is me telling you where I stand.” I start for the door.

  “Do not even think about walking out of this office,” he cal
ls out.

  I pause, hand on the knob and I don’t turn. “Are you going to let me run this case my way?”

  “That’s not how this works.”

  I open the door to exit and gasp. Adrian is standing there.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ADRIAN

  Pri pulls Ed’s door shut behind her, her perfect pale skin flushed pink. “What are you doing here?” she whispers, catching my shirt and then glancing around me to check for prying eyes.

  “Relax, sweetheart,” I say, and do so with confidence. Aside from my team nearby and watching the building and even the floor, I tracked every person in my path and in view on my way here. “Ed’s office area is private.”

  “And yet you walked through the main workspace. You’re going to get yourself killed. Are you crazy?”

  She’s worried. I shouldn’t enjoy that, but I really fucking do. “For you,” I say, sliding my hand around her hip to press to her lower back.

  “Adrian,” she chides, her hands going to my arms, but her body softens and melts into mine. “What are you doing?”

  “Weeks ago you would have eagerly handed me over to Ed as your star witness.”

  “I would have protected you then, too, but now—”

  I arch a brow. “Now?”

  “Now, I’m personally involved,” she says quickly, glossing over what she might have said moments before. “We agreed you were keeping a low profile to stay alive.”

  “And now, I’m not. Do you trust me?”

  “I thought I did,” she says, “and then you showed up here trying to get killed.”

  “More like trying to catch a killer.”

  “Please tell me you’re not using yourself as bait.”

  “I’ll tell you everything after we make sure Ed doesn’t make a deal.”

  “That’s a yes. Or no. No and no. You are not doing this.”

  “We can argue the merit of my actions over lunch after we leave. Right now, you just did your part to check the mistake Ed was about to make. Now it’s time for me to do mine.” I release her and when I would step around her, she catches my arm.

  “Wait. Did you hear my conversation with Ed?” She gapes. “Did you wire the DA’s office?”