Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(38)
“Niko,” the Warden called again. “When you’re finished, have someone wash down the walls and remove the body. It’s proving distracting to some of our guests. I wouldn’t want anyone else to fall behind.”
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CHAPTER EIGHT
* * *
GABE’S HANDS GRIPPED the steering wheel, his knuckles white with unchecked irritation. Tower was a piece of work.
His SUV sped through Denver, but the hair on Gabe’s neck stood. He could feel Deb’s focus on him.
“The sheriff doesn’t know you’re undercover, does he?” she asked.
What was he supposed to say? He couldn’t reveal the details of his investigation.
“You might as well admit it, because the only other explanation of what I overheard behind the bar is that you’ve gone bad, and I don’t believe that, Gabe. You’re all hero.”
The car pulled up to Luke’s house and Gabe turned to her. “I can’t talk about it. My operation has nothing to do with our investigation. And my family . . . well, I’m trying to protect them. Please, just leave it alone.”
Deb touched his cheek. “I understand loving your family and wanting to protect them. They won’t hear what you’re doing from me.”
He kissed her softly. “Thank you.”
Gabe pulled his father’s files from the backseat and together they walked up the pathway.
Jazz, his sister-in-law, answered their knock. “Gabe!” Her long, blonde braid swung at her hips.
She studied each step he took. She took his injury personally, since she’d been covering him when the gangbanger had knifed him. Gabe understood that, but someone else’s sabotage wasn’t her fault. Nor was the fact he’d lost his place on the SWAT team.
She still hadn’t forgiven herself, though.
He kissed her cheek. “I hope you’re keeping my brother in line.”
A little blonde dynamo with crazy bouncing curls erupted from the house and grabbed him around the legs. “Uncle Gabe! I missed you last night.”
“Missed you, too, short stuff.” He passed the box to Jazz, then swung his niece into his arms. “How are you doing?”
“We went to the planet . . . the plant aquarium this morning.” She scrunched up her face and sighed. “We saw a bunch of stars on the ceiling.”
He laughed. “You mean the planetarium?”
Her face brightened. “Yeah. The planetquarium. It was so fun.” She kissed his cheek with a loud, wet smack. “Did you come to play with me today?”
He kissed her back. Twice. “Sorry, kid. I have to talk to your daddy.”
“Daddy? Why?” Joy stuck out her lower lip. “He doesn’t play good as me. You’re a doodoo head, Uncle Gabe.”
“Joy! That’s not nice,” Jazz said, merriment dancing in her eyes.
Who couldn’t just love Joy?
“A doodoo head!” Gabe gasped dramatically. “I thought I was your favorite uncle?”
Joy looked at him seriously. “Nope. Uncle Zach is now. He got me a cousin to play with who is just a little bigger than me. You haven’t even bringed me babies. Aunt Jenna’s got one in her tummy for me to play with soon.”
Luke joined his wife at the door. “I guess she told you, little brother.”
Gabe smiled. “She sounds eerily like Mom when she says stuff like that.”
Deb shifted slightly, drawing Gabe’s attention. “Oh, Deb. I’m sorry. I forgot to make introductions.” Gabe hitched Joy onto one hip and drew Deb in closer. “Jazz, Joy. This is Deb Lansing.”
Jazz’s welcoming smile froze in shock. “Deb Lansing? Oh my God. You’re the helicopter pilot who flew Gabe . . .”
Luke pulled Jazz toward him, his entire stance comforting and protective. She looked over at Deb and smiled. “You saved Gabe’s life. Thank you.”
Deb reddened. “I just flew the chopper. Your husband, Gabe, and the man upstairs did all the heavy lifting that night.”
Gabe placed his hand on Deb’s back. She glanced up at him, but he just gave her a wink and they followed Luke and Jazz inside.
His brother took the box from Jazz and peeked inside. “What’s going on, Gabe? Is this more evidence? I haven’t had much time to look into what we discussed last night.”
“There have been a few new developments. Can we talk in your office?” Gabe said, giving Joy a meaningful look.
“Grown-up talk.” Joy sighed. “I don’t want to play in my room.”
Jazz lifted the little girl in her arms and nuzzled Joy’s neck till she squealed. “You lead such a rough life, kiddo. Your room looks like a toy store exploded in there. Whatever shall we find to do?”
“No, please.” Joy pouted, her words turning into a sudden wail. “I don’t want to go to my room! I want Uncle Gabe. It’s not fair.”
Jazz held tight onto the squirming little girl. “With that ungodly howl, the Prisoner of Zenda and I are off for a desperately needed nap.” They disappeared down the hall, though it was obvious from their longing looks, both wanted to stay.
Luke chuckled. “God help me when she’s a teenager.” He nodded his head toward a hallway. “Come on back to my office.”