Badge of Honor (The Town of Pearl 9)

“Well, he kissed me. But hey, I guess that’s typical. If this Harper guy works for your friend with the heavy connections, he must sway a little on the dark side. That was why he was so vague about what he did for a living. He only mentioned being a Navy SEAL. My God, he totally tried to seduce me. He wanted to meet in town. I should meet him and give him a piece of my mind. Or better. I should lead him on then stomp on his little game of his. Maybe that would send a clear message.”

“Calm down, Lauren. I think you’re making too many assumptions and jumping the gun here. I doubt Harper even knows why you’re here.”

“Well I’m not taking any chances. He better keep his distance and so better these other men who like to claim guardianship of women they don’t even know. No man or men are claiming me. I take care of myself like always. This is ludicrous.”

Mary watched Lauren storm out of the room.

That must have been some hell of a kiss. Lauren was insulted and truly hurt. Could Dmitri have asked Harper to watch over Lauren? It didn’t make sense. Plus Dmitri wouldn’t do that. It wasn’t even necessary. She hoped she didn’t just screw up any chances for Lauren to find happiness. Maybe she needed to look further into this. She needed to talk to Dmitri and then Wyatt.

* * * *

Dmitri Sanclare stood in his office talking on the phone with Stephan Koldovic, the head of a Russian crime syndicate based in New York. Dmitri had known him for years, and recently they had conducted some business together. In fact, Galvin and his team had just returned from an excursion more than a week ago. But this call was on behalf of Mary Higgins. Longtime family friend and resourceful woman.

“I sent Vadim and Anton in to gather information as you requested. You must understand, Dmitri, the Tenth Street gang is a notorious, ruthless group of individuals that rule a lot of the street action in the city. This woman, the detective who killed Aces and eight of his main men, will not be able to hide for long.”

“Am I understanding you correctly, Stephan? Are you telling me that Miklos and his brother have more power than you and your family? This is upsetting to hear.”

“Of course not. That is not what I’m saying. There are gangs that rule the street drugs and dealings. Our family, who is at the top of the food chain, take care of the highest paying customers and work with distributors.”

“I hear that Tenth Street gang is attempting to move in on your cousin Thor’s businesses on the eastside.”

“He’s got that under control. Miklos and his brother Rafael are on a rampage right now. They’re seeking justice for their brother’s death. They also had to close down a few manufacturing companies because the Feds and the state police were in on a raid on them. That cop worked them over good in their own club. She sat in on a meeting with the heads. A twenty-four-million-dollar operation turned to shit because of that woman.”

“Well, she did her job.”

“Why don’t you just issue protection for her?”

“She’s not family, and I don’t ever issue anything like that. She’s well hidden and I intend to keep her that way,” Dmitri told Stephan.

“Well, hate to tell you this, but there a lot of people who have money invested in the Tenth Street gang that want this detective dead.”

“Really?”

“Yep. Vadin found out some men in blue were assisting the Tenth Street gang. Looks like people were getting paid off to do more than turn the other cheek.”

“Cops? Huh, I’m not totally surprised. People get greedy. Money has a way of making the most honest people corrupt. It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve come across anything like this. Detroit, New York, Texas, it doesn’t matter. People see the wealth and power and they want it, too.”

“Dmitri, the difference here, and with this detective, is that she overheard some big plans. She cost Miklos more than just the death of eight men and his brother Aces. She caused him to lose money, to lose credibility amongst the dealers and buyers, and the power of negotiating terms. These men are Mexican mobsters. They will not let up on finding her and making her suffer. Her death may be inevitable.”

Dmitri felt the anger boil within him. Why had her and that partner of hers gone in after Miklos and their friends that night? What was the reasoning behind it? Plans were supposedly being made to take down the Tenth Street gang operation entirely. Had her and her partner been tempted by the money and drugs that were with Aces and his posse that night?

He didn’t like the feeling he had. Friend of Mary’s or not, he didn’t associate himself with rats. Nor with connivers and people who played victim but were really just playing a role to remain alive. He had to find out if this detective was on the up and up.

“I’ll look into the information you’ve given me.”

“And if she’s just another greedy cop looking for easy dough and used the badge for her own success?”

“Then I’ll take care of it, Stephan. She won’t have my protection any further.”

“Good. I’ll keep you informed of any updates, Dmitri. Hopefully I’ll see you soon my friend.”

“You bet.”

Dmitri disconnected the call and leaned back in his chair. Could this cop have really been looking to rip off the gang? How was he going to figure out if she was legit or not? Who the hell could he get to figure it out?

His cell phone rang and he glanced at the caller I.D,

He squinted his eyes and licked his lips before he answered.