“Who did you tell him Gabriel was talking to?”
“We didn’t,” Blake states. “We simply left that unknown to us and them.”
“They’re still going to talk to Pocher,” I say. “And Pocher is still going to see us as trouble, all of us, Blake, and he’s not an enemy we need.”
“I heard you made contact with Kane Mendez,” he says. “I was ATF back in the day. I knew Kane Mendez’s father, who was a piece-of-shit, but I met Kane when he was much younger. He wanted a different life. His mother wanted him to have a different life. I believe he tries, and I believe he’s a peacekeeper in his world in a way that goes underappreciated. If he can help us, I’ll help him.”
I arch a brow. “How?”
“Find out what he needs.”
“No,” I say. “That is not how we’re rolling with that man. He owes me a favor. That’s all he needs to know. We aren’t giving him more. Just back the hell away from all things Pocher when you talk to anyone and everyone.” I change the subject. Kane and I, will do Kane and I. “How did you tell the detective I, and therefore Walker, got involved in all of this?”
“You and Candace got back in touch when you joined Walker. She was scared. You contacted her. She confessed her fears. We got involved.”
I turn to Candace. “Are you up to getting this call over with?”
“I want this call over with, but I feel awkward. I’m not crying. I’ve realized he’s gone which makes me feel like a shitty person. I feel like the detective will expect me to cry and there will be a funeral. His father is in Europe. His father—”
My hands come down on her shoulders and I turn her to face me. “Easy, baby. You got this and I got you.”
“The man was trying to kill you,” Blake adds, “and you’re running for your life. They don’t expect you to feel anything but scared. A memorial set up by his estate, at a later date, for your safety, feels appropriate.”
“He’s right,” I say. “Don’t overthink this. You didn’t kill the man and neither did I. We’re guilty of nothing. I’ll go first,” I offer, snaking my phone from my pocket. “Okay?”
“Yes,” she says. “I really do want to get this over with.”
I punch in the number on the card. “Good. I’ll hand you the phone. Listen to what I say and back me up.”
“Isn’t it really early to call?” she asks.
“He wanted to talk to you right when you landed,” Blake says. “And it’s better to just let his mind process you and move on.”
I dial the number and Detective Hines answers quickly. I spend about five minutes talking to him before he asks, “You’re close to this,” he says. “Why turn on the man who hired you?”
“Killers don’t protect people. They kill people. He was never there to protect them. And frankly, I could give two fucks about that sick fuck Gabriel. We’re better off without him but that asshole Alejandro is coming for Candace. Tell me you have some clue where he’s at?”
“We’re looking for him but for a man who killed Gabriel without a care for who saw and what the cameras recorded, he’s managed to disappear.”
My lips thin. “Because he’s not there anymore. He’s probably in a damn car on his way here.”
“We’ve alerted the locals there who apparently know Walker well. Blake Walker told us you’re handling her security detail.”
“Hell yeah I am, but here is what I can tell you, Detective. While you look for who hired him, because we both know that’s your focus, he’s looking for Candace. If he finds her, he’s dead. I will kill him, and you can only blame yourself because you let it happen. If he kills her, I’ll kill you.”
“Are you threatening a police officer?”
“I sure the fuck am. Do your job.”
I hand the phone to Candace, who’s staring at me like I’ve grown horns. Blake is also staring at me like I’ve grown horns. “Fuck, Savage,” he growls.
“Fuck him,” I growl right back. “They let him get away.”
“Lord help me,” Candace murmurs before sticking the phone to her ear and calmly, but softly details everything Blake told her to say. She then hands the phone back to me. “He wants to talk to you.”
I take the phone. “Yeah?”
“Look, man. I get it. You love her. And I get it. Walker is like one of us. Your team is involved with our teams. So I’m just going to speak the truth to you.”
“I’m listening.”
“From what I saw on the traffic camera, if you see him, you’d better kill him and ask questions later.”
“Is that professional advice?”
“It’s personal. And I’ll deny it.” He hangs up.
“What did he say?” Blake asks.
I breathe out and slide my phone back into my pocket. “That it takes a killer to kill a killer. I’m taking Candace home and we’re both going to get a few hours of sleep.”