Chapter 13
Major was waiting on the porch as a sedan appeared down the driveway.
He jogged down to the passenger side, opened the door, then reached over and unhooked Tabitha’s seatbelt.
He gently helped her from the car, inspecting her face.
When she’d called and told him about getting shot at, he’d been ready to leave Craig’s ass alone and go to her, but she assured him she was fine.
He pressed his lips to the unmarked side of her face before wrapping her in his arms. He held her close until Craig interrupted their moment.
“Is this really the time for that?”
Tabitha leaned back, but Cailín got to him before Tabitha could say anything. “Yes, it damn well is. Tabitha just got in a fucking shootout, so maybe go back inside and let her have a minute to fucking decompress.” Craig opened his mouth, closed it, and went inside. “Fuck him,” Cailín muttered.
Major kissed Tabby’s forehead. “Let me get our bags, then you can relax while I get you a drink.”
“Okay,” she agreed too quickly for his peace of mind.
Major had never seen Tabitha this upset, and he didn’t like it.
Cailín popped the trunk, and Major shouldered two of the bags, then gripped the third while Cailín gathered the grocery totes.
Tabitha removed her purse from the floorboard and led the way.
Once inside, Major dropped one of the duffels on the sofa where Craig was sitting, then took the other two to the bedroom he’d commandeered.
Tabitha didn’t follow. Instead, she and Cailín headed for the kitchen, where he found them when he came back downstairs.
She was sitting at the scuffed table, twirling her phone, while Cailín was putting the groceries away.
Major opened the fridge and grabbed three beers. It was early, but the situation called for something stronger than flavored water. Safehouses were kept stocked with basic necessities, and alcohol was one of them. When he set one in front of Cailín, she asked, “Got anything stronger?”
“Yeah. Name your poison.”
“Whiskey. Neat.”
After Major poured a healthy dose of alcohol for the other redhead, he popped open the beers, tossed the caps in the garbage, then sat next to Tabby. She tapped her bottle to his before taking a long pull.
“Tell me exactly what happened. The long version.”
Tabitha recounted her whole morning, leaving out one important detail.
Mason had already called to tell him Tabitha killed the man who was shooting at her.
Maybe she didn’t want to dwell on it? When she was finished, she turned to Craig, who had joined them about halfway through Tabitha’s story.
“Sarah was adamant about bringing your things to you. When I wouldn’t tell her where you are, she got pissed, so if you haven’t spoken to her, you’ll probably get an earful when you do. ”
Craig leaned his head back, his neck popping.
“I talked to her already. Both her and Craven. This is all a fucking nightmare. Adams showed up, even though Trista had already quit, and from what Sarah told me, he and Craven got into a yelling match about who’s in charge.
At this point, I doubt the movie will go forward.
Now that both leading actors are out of commission, they’ll at least have to postpone it until they can find replacements.
Adams wasn’t happy with me, even though none of this is my fault. ”
Major squeezed Tabby’s hand. “Are you still okay with me taking off?”
“Where are you going?” Craig snapped.
Major took a breath before responding so he wouldn’t yell at the prick.
“Back to Atlanta to question Brad Campbell. I specialize in interrogation techniques, and if I can get him to talk, we might find out who is behind all the amateur assassins coming after you. If I can do that, we can contact their boss and convince him you weren’t responsible for Carmen’s death. Get them off your ass.”
Craig clasped his hands atop the table, his gaze wary. “But how are you going to prove it?”
Tabitha scraped at the beer label with her thumbnail.
“Our tech specialists are working on gathering evidence such as the video from your home cameras that prove where you were on the days surrounding Carmen’s death.
The only good thing from this whole debacle is that before Carmen was buried, Toby paid to have a DNA test performed.
Carmen had named Toby as her next of kin and executor of her estate in all documents, so it was allowed.
At some point, we’ll need a sample of your DNA to prove you aren’t the father.
” Nikita had emailed them during the night with that last bit of information.
Major often wondered when his cousin slept.
He had stopped wondering how she and the other members of the Trio managed to get some of the information they did.
He could use a computer to do basic searches, but their level of competency was mind-boggling.
“I’ll do a DNA test. Anything I can do to help get this target off my back, just let me know,” Craig offered.
Major pointed his bottle at Craig. “One thing you can do is not give Tabitha any shit while I’m gone.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Major stood, taking both empty bottles to the trash can. “Do you want me to show you which room is ours before I leave?”
Tabby leaned her head back, her eyes sad.
“Nah, I’ll figure it out. You go so you can get back to me.
I’ll walk you out.” She rose and followed Major to the front door, where he told her the alarm code.
Now that they had a little more privacy, Major kissed her lips, keeping it soft and gentle.
He inspected her cheek where shattered glass had come close to her eye. Too close.
“If you need to talk about what happened, I’ll gladly listen when you’re ready. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Major didn’t want to leave his mate when she was upset, but the sooner he got answers, the sooner they could dump Craig and get on with their lives.
Major let Everett know he was on his way.
Instead of heading to the detention center where Brad was being held, Everett took him to the zone five location of the Atlanta Police Department so that Major could question him in an interrogation room.
Everett met him at the front door and escorted Major deeper into the building.
He entered the room ahead of Major and took a post against the wall.
Major sat across from Brad. He had no idea if someone was on the other side of the two-way mirror, but it didn’t matter.
His Gryphon voice would only be directed at Brad, and the other humans wouldn’t know of his ability.
Everett, being a shifter, would probably feel the vibration, though.
“Mr. Campbell, my name is Major Lazlo. I’m a consultant with the police department, and I need you to answer a few questions.” Brad didn’t look at Major. Instead, he kept his eyes on the table he was shackled to. “Why did you go after Craig Kilbrook?”
There was no answer, but Brad’s hands shook slightly. “Who are you protecting?” Calling on his Gryphon, Major demanded, “Tell me the truth, Mr. Campbell. Why did you go after Kilbrook?”
“Because he killed my sister.” He answered so low, Major doubted the camera picked it up.
“Do you have proof of that? And speak up when you answer.”
“Yes. Carmen said he was the father of her baby.”
“She told you that? Or wrote it in a note?”
“She wrote it down.”
“But that isn’t proof.”
“Carmen detested drugs. There’s no way she would have overdosed, even if she wasn’t happy.”
“I believe you, but killing Kilbrook won’t bring her back. When you were arrested, you yelled, ‘this isn’t over.’ What did you mean by that?”
“I might have failed, but someone else would come behind me and try again.”
Everett, who was leaning against the wall, softly cleared his throat. Major already knew the questions to ask. “Who would that someone be? Who knew you were going after Craig?”
“My boss, Cabretti.”
“Damian Cabretti?” When Brad nodded, Major asked, “Why would he care about your foster sister?”
Brad looked up. “He’s her father.”
“If Cabretti was Carmen’s father, how’d she end up in the foster system?”
“Carmen’s mother was his mistress. When she got pregnant, he told her she could either get rid of the baby, or he’d put her out on the street. She chose her baby. When she overdosed, Cabretti let Carmen go into the system instead of admitting he was her father.”
“Did Carmen tell you this, or…?”
“No, he did. He likes to brag about his harem, as he calls all the side pieces his wife doesn’t know about.”
“Did you offer to go after Kilbrook to get revenge for Carmen’s death?”
Brad’s eyes were wet when he shook his head.
“No,” he whispered. “He made me do it. Said if I didn’t, he would take out my family.
My foster mom lives by herself with a couple of young girls.
Toby and Vaughn have good lives now. I…” Brad used his shoulder to wipe his face.
“I couldn’t let anything happen to them. ”
Everett crossed the room and placed his hands on the table. “Did he say what would happen if you failed?”
“No, but it was implied. He told me, ‘Don’t fuck this up, and don’t get caught.’ I did both.” Brad ducked his head, but Major still caught the tears streaming down his face.
“One more question, Brad. Where is Cabretti?”
“Last I saw him, he was in his office in Wilmington.”
“Thank you. I think we have enough.” Everett motioned with his head for Major to join him outside.
“I’m going to take him to the Pen instead of back to the detention center.
He shouldn’t be in gen pop where anyone can get to him.
Actually, I’m surprised they haven’t already.
Cabretti isn’t someone who fucks around. ”