Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(20)

Brent took his time crossing the remaining distance to Salazar, then circled around behind him and sliced through the zip ties at his wrists and ankles with one swipe for each restraint. Salazar lunged to his feet. He’d only taken one step toward Rowan before Taylor grabbed him and shoved him face first against the wall beside Officer Nelson who slapped handcuffs on the thug.

“We’ll be adding evading arrest to your list of charges,” Taylor said cheerfully. “I’m sure I’ll think of several more things to include before I’m finished with you.”

Salazar spewed a series of vile curses.

“Get him out of here before I shut him up,” Brent snapped.

Taylor nodded to Nelson who escorted a still protesting and cursing Carlos Salazar out of the apartment. Once he was gone, Taylor turned to her and Brent. “So, what’s the story? Wait.” He held up a hand and focused on Brent. “Tell me I won’t see any bruises on this guy that I’ll have a hard time explaining to my superiors.”

“He admitted he broke in to murder Rowan,” Brent said. “Salazar was offered $10,000 to do the job.”

“In other words, he’s lucky to still be breathing. I’m surprised you showed that much restraint.” The detective rubbed the back of his neck. “Mind if we sit? It’s been a long night.”

“Of course. Would you like coffee?” Rowan asked. She had time to start a pot before changing to work clothes.

“Coffee would be fantastic. Thank you, Rowan.”

“No problem.” She led the way into the kitchen and motioned for them to sit at the breakfast bar.

“Need help?” Brent asked.

“I’ve got it.” Rowan crossed to the cabinet where she kept her coffee supply and measured out enough for a full twelve cups, figuring both Brent and Detective Taylor could use the caffeine boost. Didn’t look as though the detective had changed clothes, which told her he’d either still been at Heather’s when Brent called or at the station writing reports. She didn’t think Brent had slept much, if any, during the night. “Detective Taylor, do you know anything more about Alexa? Any new leads?”

“I’m sorry, Rowan. I’m still working through the evidence. We’ve just started combing through the electronics and haven’t had time to interview people at Jay’s work yet. I promise you, I will let you know when I learn something. Alexa is my priority now.”

“What about the feds?” Brent asked.

A grimace. “They’ll get involved this morning.”

Rowan started the brewing cycle and pulled out a couple of to-go cups with lids in addition to the regular ceramic mugs. “I have to be downstairs in forty minutes. Coffee House has pastries delivered fresh every morning at five o’clock. I’m the one who meets the delivery guy most mornings.”

“How long will it take you to get ready for the day?” Taylor asked.

“Ten minutes.” With only a few hours of sleep, no amount of makeup in the world would cover the evidence of fatigue. She’d just do the basics, she decided. Didn’t have time for much more than that anyway.

“Do what you need to. I’ll interview you when you finish. In the meantime, I’ll get Brent’s take on this morning’s events.”

With a nod, Rowan hurried to her room and closed the door on the murmur of male voices. Her gaze went to the window and she shivered. What would have happened if Brent hadn’t insisted on staying last night? Nothing good. Even more frightening, with her alive, Salazar missed a paycheck and that seemed to be all that mattered to him. What kind of man made his living killing people?

Turning away from the window, she brushed her teeth and washed her face. After applying enough makeup to keep her from looking washed out, Rowan grabbed a better pair of jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt with the Coffee House logo on the front. She changed her socks to match her navy shirt and tied her tennis shoes back on.

When she returned to the kitchen, both men were sipping coffee. “Rowan, this is fantastic,” Taylor said, lifting his mug for another sip.

“Told you,” Brent murmured. “I prefer not to go anywhere else for coffee if I can help it.”

Rowan poured coffee into the to-go cups for the men to take with them when they left, then poured herself a steaming cup. They weren’t the only ones in dire need of caffeine. “What do you want to know, Detective Taylor?”

“Cal. What time did you go to bed last night? I’m establishing a time line of events.”

She frowned, turned to Brent. “Did you notice the time?”

“Just before two.”

Rowan grimaced. “I slept for two hours?”

Amusement lit Cal’s face. “You stayed here last night, Brent? Didn’t expect that, buddy.”

“On the couch,” Rowan hastened to explain, concerned that Cal would see his friend in a bad light. “He was worried someone might try to hurt me. I thought he was overreacting. Turned out he was right.”

Cal sobered. “Any time Brent’s instinct tells him something, you’d be wise to listen. He saved my skin more than once over the years because I paid attention to him.”

“Believe me, I won’t forget. Anyway, I fell asleep on the couch while Brent and I were watching a boring cowboy movie. He carried me to bed at two, then left me with the door open. At four, I woke up to a noise. Couldn’t place it at first. Now, I think it was Ski Mask walking on the fire escape from the guest room to my room. He forced the lock and started to climb inside the room. When I screamed, he hurried back through the window and down the fire escape. Brent ran in and chased him out onto the fire escape and to the street. Brent knocked on my door about ten minutes later with Ski Mask in tow.”