The Girl Next Door (Shadow Agents 6)

Gabrielle winced. “You think you figured us out. Just after that little chat?”

He thought he wanted to know everything about the cop right then. Carmichael had torn into his past—turnabout would only be fair.

“No, not yet.” He would though.

For now, he took her hand, threaded his fingers through hers. Even though his hand was so much bigger than hers, they seemed to fit. “So...where’s this lead?”

She gave him a half smile. “Hope you don’t mind a little trip to jail. Because that’s exactly where we’re headed.”

Chapter Seven

She was burning through her favors at an insanely fast rate.

Gabrielle walked through the Department of Corrections, her heels clicking lightly on the floor. She’d had to use two favors just to get in the DOC—and to get access to Johnny Zacks.

Johnny was awaiting sentencing for a heist he’d done a month ago. Another jewelry store break-in, his fourth. Only this time, Johnny had gotten shot by a security guard.

Johnny Zacks had been breaking into jewelry stores for the last few months. He was usually in and out without a trace.

Except for this time...

Johnny was already waiting in the room for her. He was cuffed to the table, and a bored-looking guard stood in the corner, watching him.

“Thanks, Quent,” Gabrielle said to the guard. He’d been the one to first connect her to Johnny. Quent might look like he didn’t give a damn, but he did. The man had a giant heart.

Quent’s head barely inclined at her words.

Johnny, young, tan, with blond hair that was too long and wide blue eyes, glanced suspiciously at Cooper. “Who’s the muscle?”

“My partner.” Saying that was getting easier and easier. “He’s helping me to look for your sister’s killer.”

She felt, more than saw, Cooper’s surprise.

“Y-you’ve got news on Kylie?” Johnny asked.

Johnny was actually Kylie’s half brother. He’d been out of the country when she was killed, and when he’d come back and discovered that his sister had been murdered, the guy had broken apart.

And gone on a robbery spree.

It seemed that Johnny was the wild child in the family. Kylie had been his strength. Without her, he was still floundering.

“I believe that the man who killed your sister has taken three more lives.”

Johnny’s hands fisted.

“He’s still in the city, the cops are looking for him now—”

“Because more people are dead.” Disgust tightened Johnny’s face. “They should’ve been looking for him before! They shouldn’t have given up on Kylie!”

“I’m not giving up on her,” Gabrielle said softly. “You know that. I gave you my word.”

Johnny sucked in a ragged breath and nodded.

“I need to ask you a few more questions about your sister’s boyfriend—”

“Fiancé,” Johnny cut in, straightening. “They were getting married. She called me and told me that she was marrying Keith. She was so excited.” His voice softened. “That was the last time I talked with her. I try to remember her that way, happy, you know?”

“I know,” she told him, her heart aching.