Open Wounds (Harbour Bay #2)(29)

“I’ll let the others know. Anything else?”

“Yeah, Nick took some surveillance photos of Lambert coming out of Coleani’s and a couple more today at his various drops. We recorded their addresses so if Lambert won’t talk maybe one of them will. But I doubt they’ll be able to tell you anything other than Lambert’s name.”

“Coleani always covered his arse well. Can either of you get away to collect Lambert?”

“Nick’s got his hands full with a woman and I’m co-ordinating a rescue at the moment.” He took a deep breath. “It’s not looking good for a kid, Donovan.”

She swore.

“Tell me about,” he said. “Some days it doesn’t pay to get out of bed.”

He hung up and immediately shoved a pair of sunglasses on to shade his eyes from the harsh glare. Dean hoped they got to Lambert before Coleani did, because he wanted to be face to face with the kid who’d caused so much damage.

If Lambert believed Donovan was the daughter of the devil, just wait until he met Dean Matthews.





Chapter 14



Amelia sat on the edge of her desk, facing Darryl and Kellie, whose diamond stud earrings winked in the sunlight that streamed through the large embankment of windows directly behind them, the long cream roller blinds drawn half way, giving off just enough daylight without blinding.

Coleani had surprised her. He’d not at all been what she’d expected but there’d been no mistaking the coldness of his eyes or the arrogance of his position, which he’d achieved by killing his former mentor and gaining control of his organisation. Coleani had built on the small following until he had an empire, with young guppies ready to do his bidding.

“Doyle said that when they followed Lambert home last night he was greeted as a conquering hero at his complex. Both he and Matthews agree that they’re more of Coleani’s men.”

Kellie frowned. “They won’t talk,” she stated unnecessarily, one hand on her hip.

Amelia wanted to clobber her old friend. Ever since they had returned from Coleani’s restaurant she had been a woman on a crusade—a dangerous one, at that. Amelia didn’t like whatever was going through Kellie’s mind and she’d have to keep a close eye on her if she had any plans on keeping her safe. Right now, she was her own worst enemy and messing around in Coleani’s business was a sure way of getting shot.

“Yes, we know that, Kellie, but our main objective here is to bring Butler and Benedict’s killer to justice. That’s what we’re paid to do,” she said, trying to reason with a woman who didn’t want to be placated. “I understand that by bringing in Lambert we’re really not helping anyone. But at the moment, arresting Coleani is out of the question.”

Kellie gave her a stormy glare that chilled her.

She wanted to scream. What did she want her to do? If I could get away with it, I’d walk down to Coleani’s this very second and put a bullet through his head.

Anger flushed her face and zinged through her blood. Her already short temper frayed to the point of snapping. Agitated, she clenched her jaw in an effort to avoid saying something she’d regret. Kellie always brought out the protective side of her. She could understand her frustration, as they had shared the same childhoods. Together, they had seen the worst humankind could offer. But, then again, her mother had never worked for Coleani, so maybe Kellie’s hatred ran a little deeper.

Darryl glanced from one woman to the other, clearly sensing the raw emotions pulsating between them. “Lambert is green,” he added. “Way over his head. That night was no doubt his initiation into the inner circle. Coleani probably demands all his high ranking lieutenants take a life. That way, they’re in as deep as he is should anything go south. They’re just as liable.”

Kellie snorted. “And this is a man free to walk the streets of Harbour Bay? All while we chase our tails and charge his lackeys for completing their tasks as ordered.”

“The LAC has been trying to nail Coleani’s arse for over twenty years. The man is like Teflon—nothing sticks,” Amelia said, exasperated. She was really beginning to lose what little patience she had. “Our only hope would be to turn one of his men.”

“You know full well his little cult members are hardened criminals. All of them would lay down and die for him. Not even a Donovan interrogation would yield results.”

“Don’t let Coleani cloud your judgement,” she advised.

Her phone rang. She reached over and answered it, her voice crisp. “Donovan.” She paused. “Where are you? I expected a report an hour ago.”

Both Kellie and Darryl perked up, waiting for news.

“I heard about that. Bad one, right? So why are you calling?”

***

Kellie began to pace back and forth, her body stiff with tension, as a feeling of uselessness settled uncomfortably over her. Darryl rubbed the back of his neck as he watched her, his brown gaze caressing her body with interest as if trying to understand what made her tick. His avid attention knotted her stomach in a way she couldn’t understand. She mentally pushed Darryl aside, though that was a chore in itself and focused on the one-sided conversation.

“I’ll let the others know. Anything else?” She paused again. “Coleani always did cover his arse well. Can either of you get away to collect Lambert?”