Killer Headline. Debby Giusti

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СКАЧАТЬ got the same story before I left town. Someone who works with the internship program filled me in. The woman knows no fear.”

      Clay thought of Violet standing in her living room. His presence had startled her, yet she’d recovered faster than most. Later, after the danger had passed and the cop had left, she’d pulled an extra layer of attitude around her slender shoulders. When that hadn’t worked, she’d let her temper get the best of her. Through it all, she’d put up a tough defense.

      “I’ve got a motel room for the night located near the highway coming into town. I’ll spend tonight watching her house in case the guy decides to come back.”

      Clay glanced at the modest but comfortable homes lining the street. “Tomorrow, I’ll look for a place closer in. If I stay a few days, I can keep an eye on her and find out what she knows. Remember the old adage about never underestimate the enemy?”

      “From the sound of your voice, I take it the woman got under your skin.”

      Clay straightened and squared his shoulders. “Absolutely not.”

      “Just make sure she understands the mob plays for keeps.”

      “Anything new on your end?” Clay asked.

      “We’ve had additional confirmation the two women’s deaths were tied with the Martino family. No news about Eloise. If we can’t trace her, I’m praying the mob can’t, either.”

      “I’d feel better if you knew she was safe,” Clay said.

      “Micah’s helping us.”

      “Convenient to have a brother who’s a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Montana.”

      Jackson chuckled again. “Unless sibling rivalry gets in the way.”

      Clay wouldn’t know. No siblings, no parents, no wife or ex-wife, for that matter. Family reunions were a one-man show.

      “Remember the baby Eloise gave up for adoption?” the agent asked.

      “Of course, I remember Kristin. You arranged for her to be adopted by a family named Perry. He was a lawyer from Billings.”

      Jackson was silent for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was cold. “How do you know that information?”

      Clay let out a lungful of air. “Look, Jackson. Eloise was important to me. Like family. I wanted to ensure the child’s life wouldn’t be tainted by the mob. You did everything by the book.”

      “Hopefully the mob wasn’t as determined as you were to track her down.”

      “Hasn’t Kristin been safe all these years?”

      “Yeah, you’re right. But her adoptive parents died recently, and she’s trying to find her birth mother. Kristin paid Micah a visit not long ago.”

      Clay thought of Violet. “So another woman’s sticking her nose where she shouldn’t?”

      “Exactly. Micah told Kristin to go home and let the Marshals find Eloise.”

      “I hope Kristin’s not as headstrong as our friend the reporter.”

      “There’s another complication. The Billings newspaper ran an article on Mr. and Mrs. Perry, including a color photo of the family. Kristin looks like her mom, green eyes and all.”

      “You think the Martino family might see the article?”

      “Anything’s possible.”

      “What’s your brother say?”

      “Micah’s convinced the Marshals can find Eloise. Although his main interest recently has been another woman. Seems my dear brother’s fallen in love. You heard about Ruby Summers Maxwell?”

      “The woman in Witness Protection murdered last month?”

      “That’s right. Micah met her twin sister, Jade, while he was investigating the crime. One thing led to another. Now they’re talking marriage.”

      “Which should be good news. How come I hear frustration in your voice, Jackson?”

      When the FBI agent failed to respond, Clay filled in the blanks. “Has to do with Eloise, doesn’t it?”

      Jackson inhaled sharply. “She was long ago, Clay. A man has to move on.”

      “But you haven’t.”

      “I still think about her.”

      “Doubtful I could have survived the Southside Foster Home without Eloise. You would have thought I was her long-lost kid brother the way she showed me the ropes and made me feel included.”

      Not that Eloise hadn’t made her own mistakes. She’d given her heart to the wrong guy, gotten pregnant and ended up witnessing Salvatore Martino shoot two men in cold blood. One of the victims had been the father of her child. Jackson had been the rookie agent assigned to her case.

      Although he rarely talked about his feelings, Jackson had fallen in love with Eloise. His job demanded he place her in the Witness Protection Program, which meant he’d never see her again.

      “Keep me updated on your progress with Ms. Kramer,” Jackson said. “And watch your back. After what happened to Cameron Trimble, I’m sure you’re not on the Martino family’s list of favorite people. I wouldn’t want a supposed get-away trip to Missoula, Montana, to cost Chicago P.D. one of their finest officers.”

      Clay appreciated Jackson’s support. Especially when his future on the force still hung in the balance.

      “Thanks for going to bat for me.”

      “Cameron was a brazen punk who deserved what he got.”

      “Unfortunately, the inquiry board may not see it the way you do.”

      “They know you’ve been under a lot of pressure working undercover, Clay. Coming face-to-face with Trimble put you over the edge.”

      “A mistake I shouldn’t have made.”

      “The chief said a road trip would do you good. ‘Blow off steam’ were his exact words. That was after I explained the inquisitive Violet Kramer needed to be stopped. Since she called you the other night demanding information on the mob, you’re our go-to guy. Plus, you’ve got a history with her.”

      “We had a couple run-ins in Chicago, nothing more.”

      “Okay, but she knows you. That helps. Call me if you find out anything new. When people push hard there’s usually a reason.”

      Clay thought of Eloise, who had been forced into Witness Protection, and Sylvia, who had turned her back on their marriage. He had lost both of them, but that was the past, and he needed to focus on the present.

      Currently, his number-one priority was ensuring Violet Kramer didn’t get hurt. Maybe he needed to change tactics. If he worked with her, she might let down her guard and tell him what she knew about the Martino family and СКАЧАТЬ