Dangerous Lies (Badge of Honor #2)

Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

Fear shot through Megan. Her hand trembled around the keys to the annex as the dark shadow in the parking lot edged closer. Jax pulled his weapon from its holster, stepping back and forcing her closer to the building. An icy wind gusted through the lot, scattering flyers across the pavement. One smacked against her calf, and she nearly yelped before catching herself.

“Open the door,” Jax whispered, his eyes locked on the approaching figure.

Megan fumbled with the keys. Her fingers shook so badly she struggled to fit the right one into the lock. Helplessness clawed at her, ramping up her fear. What if the man had a gun? What if he shot Jax? Coming to the NA meeting had been a terrible mistake. And now, they might pay the price.

Finally—praise be to the Lord—the key slid home. Megan turned it with a flick of her wrist just as a voice called out from the shadows.

“Don’t shoot.” The figure stepped into the floodlight’s glow. “I just want to talk.”

Megan inhaled. “Cody?”

It had been years since she’d last seen Zeke’s older brother, and time had not been kind. Deep pockmarks crisscrossed his cheeks, etched with lines that cut deep into his sallow skin. His thick coat, once sturdy, now sagged on his frame, three sizes too big. A frayed ball cap covered his graying hair, and his left boot had a rip near the toe. He was only forty-five, but he looked closer to sixty.

Drugs? Alcohol? Or something else? Megan couldn’t tell, but whatever it was, it had hollowed him out. Once built like a bull, Cody now looked as if a stiff wind could knock him over.

The fear coursing through her dimmed, but she wasn’t foolish. Cody lurking in a dark parking lot wasn’t reassuring, even if his hands were raised in surrender. His gaze flicked from her to Jax. “Don’t shoot me. I only want to talk to Megan.”

Jax lowered his weapon slightly but didn’t holster it. “Maybe you should try calling first.”

“I don’t have her number.” A violent coughing fit overtook him, rattling his whole frame. He hacked into the grass before drawing a shaky breath. His bloodshot eyes cut to Megan. “Why’d you send the cops to my mother’s house looking for Zeke? My brother didn’t do anything to you. How could you accuse him without proof?”

The bitter accusation made Megan’s stomach twist. She’d never liked Cody any more than she had Zeke, but it was clear life had beaten him down. She edged out from behind Jax but stayed close to his side. “I didn’t accuse Zeke of anything. The police want to ask him about Oliver.”

Cody grunted, his attention shifting back to Jax. “I heard the investigation was reopened. Zeke had nothing to do with Oliver’s death.” His glare swung to Megan. “Everyone knows you killed Oliver. Zeke wasn’t even there. Why are you dragging his name into this?”

“If Zeke is innocent, as you say, then he can come forward and tell the police himself.” Jax’s voice was like steel. “Sneaking up on us in a dark parking lot isn’t the best way to defend his honor. How did you even know Megan was here?”

“She runs the NA meetings. Everyone in town knows it.”

“How do we get in contact with your brother?”

Cody let out another hacking cough. When he caught his breath, he pressed a hand to his chest. “He moves around a lot. My mom already gave you his number.”

“He’s not answering.”

“Zeke ain’t fond of the police.”

Jax’s gaze sharpened. “Is that because he was selling drugs and operating an illegal fighting ring?”

“Lies!” Cody’s pale face flushed with anger. Spittle flew from his lips as he jabbed a finger at Jax. “My brother and I ran an honest business. We worked hard for what we had. But the cops wouldn’t leave us alone. They believed rumors from some stupid informant, even after we proved it was all lies.”

Megan’s posture stiffened. She knew Cody wasn’t being honest—she’d seen Zeke selling drugs with her own eyes—but arguing wouldn’t get them anywhere. He’d only dig in his heels or lash out. Instead, she focused on something else. “The sheriff’s department had an informant? Who?”

Cody’s eyes widened, a flicker of panic breaking through his rage. “Doesn’t matter. Just leave my brother out of it.”

He took a step forward, and Jax immediately shifted in front of Megan, blocking her from view. His grip on his weapon remained firm. “You said what you needed to. Now go.”

Cody glared at him. “You think you’re better than me, but you ain’t. People like you and Megan always get what’s coming to you.”

Jax’s expression darkened. “That sounds like a threat.”

Cody didn’t reply. His hand drifted toward his coat pocket.

Jax stiffened, raising his weapon. His voice dropped to a dangerous edge. “Keep your hands where I can see them.”

Cody froze. Tension crackled in the cold night air as he and Jax held their silent standoff. Megan’s breath shallowed, her pulse hammering against her ribs. Then a patrol car turned into the lot, tires crunching over loose gravel as it rolled up to the curb.

Tucker stepped out, his expression sharp with concern. He circled the vehicle, his hand resting on his holster. “What’s going on here?”

“Nothing.” Cody lifted his hands again for everyone to see. “I was just leaving.”

He ambled across the parking lot, humming a tune as he turned down the street toward the north end of town. Megan watched his shadow stretch and shrink under the streetlights until he rounded a corner and disappeared from view.

No one moved until he was gone.

Tucker turned back to them. “Y’all okay? Sorry I was late. Someone reported a prowler in their yard. I had to respond.”

“We’re fine,” Jax said, holstering his weapon. He filled Tucker in on their conversation.

The officer’s expression darkened. “I’ll follow y’all home. Make sure you get there okay.”

They gathered the scattered flyers. Megan’s heart was still racing from the encounter with Cody, even after they were on the road toward home. The truck’s heater blasted warmth, but it didn’t remove the icy block lodged in her chest. She replayed their conversation over in her mind.

“Cody’s hiding something.” She turned toward Jax. “Noah and Dawson said the sheriff’s department raided Bodybuilders because they believed Zeke and Cody were running drugs and an illegal fighting ring. Which they were. But no one mentioned an informant.”

“Noah and Dawson might not have known. The investigation into Bodybuilders was run by the sheriff’s department, not ours, so we wouldn’t have all the details. The investigators might not have even sent over the files yet. We’re not the only department suffering from a personnel shortage.”

Megan leaned against her seat. “What if… what if Oliver was the informant? That could explain why Zeke wanted him dead.”

Jax nodded. “Same thought crossed my mind. We need those files. I’ll text Noah and Dawson when we get home.”

The more they uncovered, the more questions surfaced. How did all the pieces fit together? Had Zeke killed Oliver and was now after Megan to ensure her silence? If so, why keep coming after her? The police were already looking for him. Could there be something more to it? Some piece of the puzzle they were missing? Cody’s impromptu confrontation suggested there was.

Then again, maybe the two cases weren’t connected at all. Zeke may have killed Oliver. And Wesley, believing Megan was guilty, could be seeking vengeance for his brother’s death. She prayed that wasn’t the case—for Jax’s sake—but with Wesley still missing, it was foolish to ignore the possibility that he was involved.

Megan realized she was still clutching the keys to the church annex in her hand. The unyielding metal had pressed deep indentions into her skin. She tucked the keys in her pocket and rubbed her palm. A tremor rippled through her.

Jax reached out, his fingers wrapping gently around her wrist. “You okay?”

His touch was comforting and grounding. Megan drew in a deep breath and grabbed hold of her runaway emotions. “I’m scared. But I’m also tired of feeling weak and helpless.” It was time to take charge of her life again, just as she had when she went into recovery. “I don’t want to be defenseless anymore. Can you train me? Teach me how to shoot, how to fight back if I have to? If the worst happens?—”

“It won’t.”

He spoke with such confidence. Jax was still holding on to her wrist, and she slid her arm up until their palms touched. The warmth of his skin seeped into hers. Megan interlaced their fingers. This man would take a bullet for her without hesitation, but this wasn’t about that. She needed to feel capable and strong. “I still want to learn. Will you teach me?”

He gently squeezed her hand and nodded. “We’ll start tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” Relief unknotted some of the tension in her muscles. Tonight’s confrontation with Cody confirmed this was far from over. Megan didn’t know what was coming next, but she hoped and prayed whatever it was, she’d be ready for it.

God, give me strength.