Frey (31 page)

Rafael didn’t hesitate to grab and open the
container before anyone else could get to it. He held the bowl out
to Frey and Abbi. “Cookie?”

Both Frey and Rafael took one and shoved the
whole thing in their mouths while grabbing another. Abbi’s eyes
were huge as she watched these two grown men devour cookies like
they would never get more. “Abbi, you better get one before they
eat them all,” Kaya said as she walked into the room, followed by
Dane. Kaya took the bowl from Rafael and offered a cookie to both
Abbi and Dane before helping herself to one. Six glasses and a
gallon of milk magically appeared in the middle of the island.

“
Ah, thanks, Victoria,”
Rafael said to the newest addition to the cookie eating contest.
There was no better way to introduce Abbi to the craziness of the
manor than with Priscilla’s cookies. When the sweet treats were
devoured and the milk was gone, Frey made the introductions. “Abbi,
you’ve met Kaya. This brute is Rafael. The quiet one is Dane,
Kaya’s lead detective, and this lovely lady is
Victoria.”

Rafael brushed cookie crumbs off his shirt
and said, “Abbi, welcome. While you are here, please feel free to
make yourself at home. Kaya and I have family business that needs
tending to, so we will leave you in the capable hands of Victoria.”
Even with the façade of being laid back while eating cookies, the
tension in the room was thick. Family business meant something was
going on. Frey would make sure Abbi was taken care of first before
finding out what else was happening. He helped her remove her
jacket and they settled in at the island.

Victoria Holt didn’t look like an attorney.
If anything, she looked like a younger, frumpier version of
Priscilla. Her looks were deceiving. “Abbi, I’m sorry to be meeting
you under these circumstances, but it's a pleasure all the same.”
She pulled a small laptop out of her bag and placed it on the
island. Frey dug the folded papers out of his back pocket, passing
them over. “We have already done some digging on her husband. Sixx
should have already emailed the info to you, but I brought a
printed copy, just in case.”

Victoria rubbed her hands together. “I did
receive the information, and I have to tell you, I cannot wait to
nail this bastard to the wall.”

Chapter
Twenty-Eight

Dane had been approved by the City Council
to step into Kaya’s shoes as Chief. They were going over the
transitional period as well as how to handle Troy Quinn when he got
a call from Sixx. “Dane, we have a problem.”

“
I’m with Rafael and Kaya;
I’m putting you on speaker. Go ahead.”

“
You know Jasper’s ex is
in town and causing trouble?”

“
Yes, did you find
something?”

“
You could say that. I was
running his tag number for Jasper. I’m not as good as Julian at
this cloak and dagger stuff, so it took me a while. I’m surprised
one of you hasn’t been called yet. The car Craig was driving popped
up on the police server. Someone called in an anonymous tip that a
car was off in the woods with the driver’s door open. The driver is
dead. If my hunch is right, someone is trying to frame
Jasper.”

“
What makes you think
that?”

“
Because the car is in the
woods next to his house. The regular patrol has already been there
and they went through the car looking for I.D. Not only did they
find the victim’s wallet, but they found a video recorder hidden
under the seat. It’s not good. It shows Jasper shoving Craig and
then threatening him.”

“
Shit, I’m leaving now.
Have you called Jasper?”

“
Yes, he’s at the gym. I
told him to head to the manor since Victoria’s already
there.”

“
He just can’t catch a
break. Thanks, Michael.” Dane hung up and turned to Kaya and
Rafael. “There are some pretty explicit photos floating around of
Jasper and Craig. Someone sent them to Trevor, and now he’s left
town. This doesn’t look good for either one of them.”

“
Keep us posted. We’ll
talk about work later,” Kaya said.

Dane blew out of the manor and turned on his
reds and blues. He hadn’t known Jasper long, but he really liked
his partner. Too many bad things were happening to the mates of the
Goyles. Thinking about Marley, he wondered what kind of trouble a
waitress could get into. None, he hoped.

When he arrived at the crime scene, he
didn’t see the M.E.’s van, but he did see Gregor’s Hummer. That was
odd since Gregor was in Egypt. He walked into the woods where he
found Dante giving orders to the CSU personnel while the officers
looked on.

“
What’s going on?” Dane
asked as he approached.

“
I couldn’t get here in
time. One of your cops took the call and found the video recorder.
It doesn’t prove anything, but it paints an ugly picture since
Jasper and Craig fought and someone got it on camera.”

“
Could you tell cause of
death?”

“
There are no outward
signs, but my guess is a broken neck with the angle his head
settled.”

“
Fuck. Have you heard from
Trevor?”

“
Unfortunately, no. This
is really bad timing,” Dante said, frowning.

“
Is it worth all this?
Finding your mate just to have them tormented or
kidnapped?”

“
I would give anything if
Isabelle and Connor had been spared the trauma they both endured.
In the end, I have to hope they feel it is worth it.”

“
I’m sorry you had to come
out here when you just got home. How is Isabelle?” Dane needed to
go see his sister.

“
She’s good, adjusting,
but good. Connor’s settling in nicely, too.”

Dane smiled. “I can’t wait to meet my
nephew.”

“
He’s the best. I hope
when you find your mate, you get lucky like I did. I’m truly
blessed with those two,” Dante smiled as he spoke of his new
family. “Now, let’s focus on Jasper and his mate. I still can’t
believe it’s Trevor. With everything that’s happening, I hope he
can get past what we are and forgive me for keeping the truth from
him all this time.”

“
It is a lot to digest at
first. Believe me, I know. I don’t think that is going to be an
issue, though. The bigger problem for him is he thinks Jasper lied
to him about Craig. Jasper’s going to have his hands full when
Trevor comes home.”

“
If he comes home. Trevor
is a troubled soul, and this didn’t help matters.”

Dane thought about that for a second. Was he
troubled enough to kill Craig? Jealousy was a strong motive.

“
No, Trevor didn’t do
this,” Dante said emphatically.

“
I didn’t…” Dane hadn’t
spoken aloud, had he?

“
No, but it crossed your
mind. I know Trevor. He’s off licking his wounds.”

“
Well, let’s get in there
and get the evidence so we can prove you’re right.” Dane walked
toward the officer who was holding the recorder in an evidence bag.
“What do you have, Grady?” he asked the officer.

“
Looks like your new boy
might not be exactly on the up and up. Seems him and his queer
boyfriend had a lover’s spat. Might want to call Jenkins and
question the fag.”

Dane grabbed the cop by the collar before he
realized he’d done it. “If I ever hear another derogatory word come
out of your foul mouth, I will have your badge. Do you understand
me?”

“
What the fuck’s your
problem, Abbot? Quinn was right about you. You’re hot for the
redhead,” the cop said, sneering.

Dane yanked the evidence bag out of his hand
and pointed a finger in his face. “Get out of here. If you so much
as look at Jasper the wrong way, you won’t have a job.”

“
You can’t do that, you’re
not the Chief.”

“
Just fucking try me,”
Dane sneered back. His beast was raging to phase and rip the guy to
shreds. He had to get control of himself before he blew it. “Get
out of here.”

Grady glared at Dane before he stormed away
from the crime scene. Dante walked up and placed a hand on his
shoulder. He instantly calmed down. “We have to play this one by
the books, Brother. Isn’t Jasper on a stake-out?”

“
He was until sometime in
the early morning. He went home and couldn’t sleep, so as soon as
the gym opened, he went to relieve some tension. I called him, and
now he’s headed to the manor. Victoria Holt is there talking with
Abbi. Might as well get her money’s worth. I know we have to be
careful, but I’m going to take this to Sixx so he can make a copy
of it before I log it into evidence. I have unfinished police
business to discuss with Kaya, so I’ll be at the manor if you need
me. Please call me if CSU finds anything else.”

“
Will do. Just don’t take
too long getting this into evidence. We can’t play favorites.”
Dante wasn’t telling him something he didn’t already
know.

When Dane returned to the manor, he parked
beside Jasper’s car and went inside via the back door. His earlier
conversation with Kaya had been interrupted, and they needed to
decide how to handle Quinn. When he walked into the kitchen,
Victoria was just finishing up with Abbi and Frey. He didn’t see
Jasper, but knew his partner was somewhere in the house. “I’m sorry
to interrupt, but Victoria, I’m afraid we’re going to need to speak
to you about another matter before you leave.”

“
No problem. I’m hanging
around for dinner anyway.”

Dane left them to finish their business and
headed to the pool room. When he found it empty, he went to the
office. It was empty as well. “They’re in the garden,” Jonathan
said from behind Dane. “Our Jasper is in a world of hurt, and
Rafael led him outside for some quiet time.”

“
Thank you.” Dane had
heard the others talk about the garden, but had never experienced
it for himself. He walked to the back of the house and out onto the
patio. Priscilla was in the process of setting the outdoor tables
for dinner. He kissed the older woman on the cheek and continued on
down the pathway to Rafael’s sanctuary. Even though it was November
and the Georgia air was cool, the garden was lush with greenery.
Wind chimes tinkled in all directions. Dane stood still allowing
the serenity of the moment to wash over him. When he built his new
home, he really wanted something like this on his
property.

Voices drifted over the air, and Dane
directed his feet their way. When he rounded a corner, Rafael and
Jasper were sitting on a bench. Rafael’s arm was around Jasper’s
shoulders, and the younger Goyle was baring his soul. “I’m sorry, I
didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Jasper raised his tear-streaked face. “It’s
okay, Dane. What did you find?” He stood up, obviously glad for the
change in conversation.

“
Let’s take this to the
house so we can include Victoria. No need in having to go over it
twice,” Rafael said, gesturing back the way they’d come. The three
men walked in silence. When they arrived in the kitchen, Victoria
was chatting with her aunt. “Where’s Frey?” Rafael
asked.

“
He’s showing Abbi around
the house. She needed a break.” Victoria packed up her laptop and
said, “Let’s head into the office.” Priscilla was good about hiding
out when they were discussing Clan business, but she was cooking
supper for them and needed the kitchen.

Frey and Abbi were coming down the stairs,
followed by Kaya. When Abbi wasn’t looking, Dane inclined his head
at Kaya, indicating he needed to speak with her. Frey got the hint
and asked Abbi, “Sweetheart, do you mind talking to Priscilla for a
few minutes? Remember the construction I told you about? I need to
go over some of the details with Rafael.” Frey led Abbi into the
kitchen before finding the rest of the group in the office. He
closed the door behind him, a little harder than was required.

“
What’s wrong, Frey? Other
than the obvious?” Kaya asked.

“
On the way over here,
Quinn tried to run us over. He was driving someone else’s car. Abbi
said his name is George Novak.”

Jasper spoke up, “That’s the guy who came
and visited while I was watching the house. I swear I didn’t see
Troy at any time.”

“
Frey, are you sure it
wasn’t this George? What does he look like?” Kaya asked, now in
police mode. Dane knew it would take a long time to get it out of
her system.

“
I don’t know what George
looks like, but I damn sure know Troy fucking Quinn when I see
him.” Frey was pacing the room. Where was Dante when you needed his
special calming voodoo?

“
Brother, calm down.”
Rafael didn’t like anyone raising their voice to Kaya.

“
Please tell me you’re
going to put his ass behind bars. Abbi has filed a restraining
order, and he assaulted Matthew. He is going to flip the fuck out
when he gets served his divorce papers. If her moving out caused
this type of reaction, I can’t imagine what the bastard’s going to
try then.”

Dane spoke up, “We were discussing that very
thing before I got the call about Jasper’s ex.”

“
What about him?” Frey was
still agitated, but at least he stopped pacing.

Jasper took over pacing the room when he
told Frey, “He’s dead. Craig is dead, and someone is framing me for
it. Oh, and Trevor’s gone. Whoever is doing this knows about me and
Trevor. They sent him some photos of me and Craig together, and now
my mate has left New Atlanta.”

“
Okay, one thing at a
time.” Victoria took charge of the conversation. “First, decide
what to do about Quinn. If you suspend him for assault, he is going
to have all day to plot and scheme. You will need to have someone
watching him around the clock.”