Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(89)

Silence filled the room, an uncomfortable silence that Perry had caused. He’d sounded like a jerk.

“I almost went with the purple hippo,” he said in a dead serious voice. “But the elephant felt much classier.” Everyone laughed. Even

himself. And just like that, the chip slid off his shoulder.

He was good at that, making people laugh so he could laugh.

He recalled Miranda accusing him of joking about things to hide how he really felt. It wasn’t altogether true. He didn’t joke to hide the

hurt. He joked so he could deal with it. Otherwise it would eat a hole through him.

“Why not a lion?” Kylie asked. “I’ve seen you as a lion and that was scary.”

“Just following orders,” Perry said.

“Orders?” Della asked. “You had orders to turn yourself into a pink elephant?”

“Burnett told me if I ever had to morph around humans to make it something no one would believe.”

“Then you did a damn good job,” Chase said. “I can’t imagine one of those dudes telling some cell mate, ‘And then a pink polka dotted

elephant busted through the fence.’”

Burnett walked out right then. “That’s pretty much what they said.” His gaze found Perry. “Good job.”

“We got anything to go on?” Perry asked.

“I’ll update everyone on the ride back.”

“So I got my ass shot for nothing?” Freaking hell!

“Not exactly.” Burnett motioned to the door.

When they got outside, the big sky beckoned Perry. The last thing he wanted to do was crawl back into that van. He almost told Burnett he

wouldn’t be making the trip. Then he remembered he didn’t have to meet his parents until three. Going back now, he might see Miranda again.

So yeah, he’d be climbing his ass back into the van. Time with Miranda would do him better than a week of flying.

Burnett got behind the wheel; Perry crawled in the front, the others in the back. Burnett pulled out of the parking lot and started talking. “

The gang’s called the Dragons. They’ve been a thorn in HPD’s paw for a year. They hadn’t been able to collar them. Now they have.”

“So it was the wrong house?” Perry asked.

“Right house. A day late.”

“What?” Della asked.

Burnett looked in the rearview mirror. “There’s a Web site where people sell things under-the-table. The former owner put the house up for

auction to the highest bidder. Furniture and all. Around eleven last night, the gang dropped a couple hundred thousand dollars for a house

worth close to a million. All seven of the members told the same story. So it’s credible.”

“Why would Jax sell the house for less than it’s worth?” Perry asked.

Burnett cut his eyes to Perry. “It makes sense if he’s on to you and knows we were about to hit.”

“No,” Perry said. “I haven’t even met him yet.”

Burnett stopped at a light. “You said that Caleb Davidson suspected you.”

“You got his full name?” Perry asked.

“I was able to run him down,” Agent Tobler said from the back. “His record is almost as long as your brother’s.”

“You find him?” Perry asked her.

“Not yet,” Burnett answered. “But let’s not change the subject. If Jax knows—”

“Jax sent Caleb packing,” Perry said. “Why would he do that if he bought what the guy said about me?” Perry pulled data together trying to

understand. “Jax might have left because of Caleb. He wouldn’t want a pissed-off ex-employee knowing his location. Or…”

“Or what?” Burnett asked.

“My dad said he was pissed at Caleb because the FRU was investigating Bell’s murder. Maybe he’s afraid that investigation could’ve lead you

to his old address.”

“Maybe,” Burnett said. “The Houston FRU is investigating that angle. But I still don’t think—”

“Then stop thinking.” Perry inhaled. “I’m finishing this.” He let the tension ease a fraction before continuing. “The meeting with Jax

has been rescheduled for tomorrow at four. I’ll be there.”

Burnett looked at the road. The neon green eyes reflected back in the windshield said how he felt. It didn’t surprise Perry that the three in

back didn’t speak. No one messed with a pissed-off Burnett.

Twenty minutes later, Perry muttered, “So tonight was a complete waste.”

“No,” Burnett answered, sounding less angry. “Catching that gang gave us some brownie points with both the Houston FRU and the police force.

Both are going to assist us in the case. And we got the name of the banker who signed over the title to the house. I’m looking into it

tomorrow.”

“What if we can’t tie Jax to this house?” Perry said. “Are we going to lack evidence?”

“There’s enough evidence to convict Jaxon for ten different cases,” Burnett said. “Getting info on the other underground gangs would be

nice. Getting Tabitha back is our main goal.”