Beloved by Brothers (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 6)

“In all those years, have I ever steered you wrong?”

“Can’t say that you have, Jason. And neither have Mitchell or Lucas.”

“Okay then, I’m sure you don’t want some hoodlum giving you trouble, running away your other customers. Right?”

“Sure thing, Sheriff. We may not be The Ritz, but I do try to run a tight ship.”

“Let’s have that number then.”

“If you’re sure it’s okay?”

“I’m sure.”

“It’s room number twelve.”

“Thanks Ted. You won’t regret this.”

The motel owner leaned back in his chair. “I hope you’re right about that.”

“I want you to sit tight, no matter what you hear, understand?”

“I’ll be doing that, Sheriff.”

“I need the key.”

“Here it is, now be careful. Understand?” Ted said with a grin.

“Come on, bros, we’ve got some arresting to do.”

With their guns drawn, Jason, Lucas, and Mitchell quietly approached room twelve. No lights were on.

“Looks like he’s sleeping,” Mitchell whispered, “which we’ll help us get the drop on him.”

“Lucas, go around back and make sure there’s no escape route.”

“Sure thing, bro,” Lucas said quietly.

Jason stuck the key into the door, turning it very slowly, hoping not to disturb McCrae’s sleep. Holding his breath, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the dark. The tiny room came into focus, though with dark patches of gray. A form was on the bed.

“Hands up, M

cCrae,” Jason yelled and then he switched on the light.

The shape he’d seen in the bed turned out to be only pillows strewn across the mattress.

“He’s not here, bro.”

The door to the bathroom was ajar. Jason walked in and saw a gruesome scene. In the tub was a mutilated corpse, likely of Andy McCrae.

“He’s in here, Mitchell. Holler at Lucas to let him know.”

Looking at the condition of the body, Jason scowled. Not even this bastard deserved a death like this.

Obviously, it had been slow and torturous. Fingers had been severed. Deep cuts were all over McCrae’s body, including a large gash to his face. It looked as though death finally came by a stab wound to the heart.

When Lucas and Mitchell returned, he saw the look of horror on their faces.

“There’s much more to this man than we know. I have some crime scene tape in my car to secure this area. I need to make sure no one enters until this is fully investigated. Will you take care of blocking off the scene while I make some calls?”