Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(27)

“Chloe, huh? I had a cousin with that name.” Treece rubbed her thumb along her jaw. “What time?”

“She’ll be there at nine. I planned to be there early.” If Treece offered to go with her, she wouldn’t turn her down. It was true that Beale Street was a tourist area, but a lone woman wasn’t safe anywhere at night anymore. No one would probably bother two women, though.

Her friend heaved an audible sigh. “You know I’m not going to let you go alone.”

“Kind of hoped you wouldn’t.” She rummaged in her purse for the Lortabs she’d put in an ibuprofen bottle. It might be a long night. Once she found it, she shook out two of the pills.

Treece eyed the bottle. “Glad to see you’re changing meds. Those Lortabs you were taking were pretty strong.”

“They’re not that strong—besides, the doctor gave them to me.” She brushed away the guilt that pinged her conscience. “And I’d never get addicted anyway—don’t have the addictive personality.”

Heat rose in her chest as her friend pinned her with a frown.

“Stronger people than you have become addicted to pain pills. You start out taking only one and then you’re taking two and pretty soon two doesn’t do it . . . It happens before you realize it.”



At nine forty-five, there was still no sign of Chloe—if that was even her name. In fact, there was little activity on Beale Street, probably normal for a Wednesday night. Andi pulled her jacket tighter against the April night and swallowed hard when the full moon disappeared behind a cloud.

She bunched her muscles tight, then released them to fight the anxiety surging through her. Her mouth was dry, but she curbed the impulse to pop another pill. That would only bring another sermon from Treece.

Treece shivered and rubbed her arms. “What was I thinking? Handy Park at night? So help me, Andi Hollister, if you get me killed, I’ll never forgive you.”

“Come on. She’ll walk by, and we’ll hustle her in my car. What can go wrong?” If only her insides would quit shaking.

“Are you kidding? A, she’s a no-show. B, two women on the wrong end of Beale Street after dark is not smart. How did I let you talk me into this?”

“First of all, you offered. And she wants out, and if I can help her, I will.”

The tapping of high heels came from up the street.

“Shh. She’s coming.”

“Somebody’s coming,” Treece muttered.

“Andi, are you here?” The disembodied voice sounded like a teenager’s.

“Over here.” Andi stepped out of the shadows so Chloe could see her and caught her breath. She’d expected a teenager, but not this kid.

Her jaw tightened. She would nail the lowlife who prostituted this young girl no taller than Andi’s five-four and who couldn’t be over fifteen, if that. She grabbed the girl’s hand. “Let’s get in my car where we can talk.”

“Wait! No! Who’s that with you?”

“My friend. Now come on.”

“I told you, don’t bring anybody. Is she a cop?”

Treece stepped forward. “No, and you’re coming with us.”

She turned wild eyes toward Treece, then looked over her shoulder. “I gotta go. He’ll kill me.”

“I’ll get you protection,” Andi said. She understood the girl was afraid, but she’d gotten the courage to call her earlier and ask for help, and Andi wasn’t going to let her change her mind now.

Tires squealed, and a dark SUV roared down the street. The girl broke away from them, kicking off her heels as she ran.

“Call 911!” Andi yelled.

She tackled the teenager, and they both hit the ground as bullets sprayed the wall. Treece fell, her phone clattering to the sidewalk. Hot fire seared the top of Andi’s arm. The teenager rolled on top of Andi as the car sped away.

Dead silence fell in the wake. Andi shifted under the weight of the girl, wincing at the burning pain in her arm. But at least she was alive. She wasn’t so sure about anyone else. “Treece, are you okay?”

No answer. Andi tamped down the bile rising in her throat and slipped out from under Chloe. She turned the girl over and felt for a pulse, her fingers slippery from the girl’s blood. Barely there, but she was alive.

Andi turned to Treece, who was struggling to sit up, her skin ashen. “Treece!”

“How’s the girl?”

“She’s alive. Are you hurt?”

Her friend pressed her arm to her body. “I think I broke my arm when I dove for the pavement.”

“I’m so sorry about this.”

“You should be.”

Andi’s heart plummeted until a thin smile curled her friend’s lips.

“I offered, remember?”

The teenager groaned. Andi shifted and cradled the girl in her arms. “It’s going to be okay, Chloe. Help is almost here. What’s your last name?”

“It doesn’t matter,” she whispered, closing her eyes. Suddenly, her eyes popped open, fear clouding them. “Don’t let him find me.”

“Who is he?” Andi asked.

The girl’s head rolled back, and she slumped in Andi’s arms.





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