Chapter 20 #2
Jackson waved the file again. “After I dug up what you asked for, I sat this in front of the higher ups. I’ve been tasked with gathering more intel for a potential broader investigation into Crenshaw. While I’m here, I’ve also got the greenlight to work with you on your missing person’s case.”
“Great,” Dash said without as much enthusiasm as it deserved. This had been a plan formulating in his head. Gather enough for probable cause and get the Black Guard involved—only he hadn’t anticipated doing it with Jackson Powell at his side.
And the plan had been for the missing alphas, not Crenshaw.
Missing alphas he had yet to verify.
“Good,” Jackson said before he glanced around Dash’s living room. He turned to Dash and smiled, another that looked forced. “Either way, we get to work together again. If that’s alright with you?”
“Sounds like I need to be alright with it.”
“You don’t need to be anything,” Jackson said, irritation in his gaze. “I thought you’d want some help, considering. You are the one who called me, remember?”
He’d be a fool not to offer Jackson a position with Keller Security. The man was brilliant. But they both knew those offers had been made simply because of an old friendship neither could let go of. At least, he’d assumed they both knew it.
“I appreciate the extra help.” Dash crossed his arms over his chest again. “Where are you staying while you’re here?”
“Not going to offer me the guest room, Dashiell?”
Dash met Jackson’s gaze. “No.”
“Well, damn,” Jackson said before planting himself in a living room chair. He grinned at Dash. “No worries. The company has me set up at a hotel near the Municipal Center.”
The company. Dash hadn’t called the Black Guard that in a long time.
“Good,” Dash said. “Now that I’m retired, do I get to peek at that fat file or not?”
Jackson’s broad smile—a real one this time—emerged. “Knock yourself out.”
He tossed the file onto the coffee table and a few sheets spread outside of it.
Dash walked over and sat on the couch. Opening it, he scanned the first few pages but didn’t see anything too out of the ordinary.
He was a good third of the way through before things started getting good.
Dash scribbled notes here and there as he read, page after page offering new morsels that made his mouth water.
“What’s this?” Dash asked, sliding out a sheet and turning it towards Jackson.
Glancing past Jackson, he noted the sun low in the sky through the windows behind the man.
“I’m not completely sure. The email seemed strange—maybe in code? I haven’t seen anything else so far that has the same vibe, though. I kept it, just in case.”
Dash glanced at his watch and jumped to his feet. “Fuck!”
“What?” Jackson asked, his brows furrowing. He sat relaxing with a beer he’d snagged from Dash’s fridge, but his body was poised and ready to jump into action.
“I have a meeting across the province that’s supposed to start in five minutes.” Dash went in search of his phone and sent a quick text to Emerson. Turning back to Jackson, he sighed. “I’ve got to go. Can we meet up tomorrow so I can read through the rest?”
“Sure,” Jackson drained the last of the beer and set the bottle on the coffee table. “What’s this meeting?”
“Nothing really.”
“You sure?” Jackson asked.
“I’ve really got to go.”
Jackson walked closer, standing an inch away. “I know your tells. Something’s up. What’s nothing?”
“I’m meeting with a patrolman with the local Red Guard. He might have details about the missing alphas.”
“Alphas? I thought you were only looking for one?”
“There’s a chance this is a larger situation than originally thought, too, but I haven’t yet confirmed the claim. I can explain tomorrow.”
“Sounds like your easy little case has turned into shit every which way you look.”
“Yeah,” Dash said, sighing. “I’ll call you in the morning.”
“You need backup tonight?”
“I’ve got coverage.”
“Might not hurt for me to go, too,” Jackson slowly rose from the chair, reaching for his light jacket. “Save you time from explaining everything tomorrow.”
There was no way he was introducing Jackson to Emerson before explanations were made—and especially not since he was headed to the spot where they’d fucked for two nights straight. Jackson might glean way too much information from seeing him and Emerson together.
“While Crenshaw hired me for his client, I don’t think the missing alphas are linked to him or the case you’re building. These are two separate issues.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows?” Jackson said. “I’ll accompany you.”
“No!” Dash said, maybe a little too forcefully.
Jackson eyed him, confused. “Do you, or do you not, want my help?”
“I do,” Dash said. “Just… not tonight, okay?” He exhaled, not sure what else to say to get the man to back off. “I don’t want to spook my contact. I don’t want to spring you on him.”
“I can listen in from my car. If shit hits the fan, I can be there in two shakes and bail you out. Just like the old days.”
“I recall bailing you out a time or two, too.”
Jackson grinned. “We made a good team.”
“Yeah. Until we didn’t.”
Jackson’s smile faded.
“I’m already late. I’ll call you in the morning.”
Jackson collected the file and followed Dash out. He paused at the door while Dash locked up.
He snagged Dash and gave him another hug. Dash tensed, confused why Jackson was getting up in his space. Jackson winked before walking towards his car parked on the street.
He yelled over one shoulder, “I’ll be waiting for your call.”
“Yeah, sure,” Dash said before jogging to his car and slipping behind the wheel. Halfway to the marina, a thought hit. He reached into his pants pocket but came up empty. Trying the other, he dug deep before he brought his hand out. A tiny disc sat on his fingertip.
That asshole.
Dash rolled down his window and tossed the tracker out.
Scanning the cars behind him, he didn’t see anyone tailing him, but to be sure, he swerved around a corner, barely making it. He floored the gas and took a few more wild turns before sensing the coast was clear.
Fucking Jackson.