Keller County Cops Book Seven: Code of Vengeance Read Free Page A

cop glanced away. She didn't want to be associated with Dirk or the crime, even though she'd called for help. Better to remain in the shadows, out of sight, until the cavalry arrived. Then she could slink back home and decide what came next.
    The deputy finally gave up on finding a witness, dropped to her haunches beside Dirk, and pressed two fingers to his thick neck. The look in her eyes told Keegan he was gone.
    Good.
    Dirk's death made her heart sing, and yet so many other cruel men still lived. Men who hurt women they supposedly loved and then worked the system so the DA never brought charges against them. Men who deserved to die the same way Dirk had.
    Keegan clenched her hands. I'll be more than happy to oblige them.
    Along with that thought, a strange new warmth spread through her. Finding abusive men who beat the system would be no problem, since she worked in the court system. All she needed was a little more strength and self-assurance. A little more luck.
    Then maybe she'd finally find the vengeance she craved.
    The deputy rose and spoke into her shoulder mic just as another KCSO cruiser pulled to a stop at the curb. Afraid the second officer might search the area more thoroughly, Keegan turned and slipped back through the inky darkness to the Kawasaki.
    Tomorrow was a new day. A new day to find another target.
    For Haley.
     
    *****
     
    "That you, boss?"
    "Yeah, Abby." Keller County Sheriff Rick Blaylock cringed because he knew what was coming. Abby Bowman, his newest investigator, was working a case at a tourist venue down near the beach, and dispatch had just ordered her to another crime scene.
    She hesitated. "I'm still working the shooting at Trader Tom's. Can't get away for a while. Is anyone else available to head to the other scene?"
    "Unfortunately, no. Mitch is running down that witness for court in the morning. I can't spare him right now. Jonah's on vacation, Cash is at the hospital with Tessa, and Brody's on his damned honeymoon. You two are the only ones on the schedule tonight."
    "Call C.J. I'm sure he's asleep, but he won't mind helping out."
    "Are you kidding me? He's just worked eight days straight without a break." Rick shook his head. Abby had married C.J. Bowman a little over a year ago, right before she'd made detective. "If I wake him on your recommendation, he'll never let you hear the end of it."
    "That's okay." She laughed. "I'm used to his crazy rants."
    "I'm sure you are. Still, I don't enjoy abusing my men. I'll take this one."
    "Sheriff--"
    "Don't worry about it, Detective. I don't have a reason to hurry home."
    "What about Boozer?"
    "I dropped him off at Mom and Dad's this morning. They keep him every day while I'm at work anyway. Won't matter if he stays overnight."
    "Well, if you're sure..."
    "I've got it, Abby. Heading down to the Kitty Kat Klub right now."
    "Yes, sir. Tell Tiffany we're still on for drinks on Saturday."
    "Sure thing, Detective." With a wry chuckle, he ended the call.
    He didn't usually work cases, but a surge of violence had accompanied the hot July weather and the department was extremely short-handed. Wouldn't hurt him to pick up the slack. Might even give him a little extra exposure if the press got wind of it. He was up for re-election, and with crime on the increase, the public would no doubt appreciate seeing their sheriff put boots on the ground and get down and dirty with the criminal element.
    Hell, he hoped they'd appreciate it. His main opponent in this year's election, Henry Maillet, had already spent a bundle criticizing Rick for three back-to-back shootings by a couple of his SERT officers -- members of the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team -- even though the Board of Review had deemed them all to be good shoots, followed by Captain Frank Wainscott's subsequent resignation. Wainscott, a twenty-year employee of the KCSO and a five-year member of the Board of Review, had kicked up a ruckus during the investigation and then had a complete meltdown in