Dixie Under Siege (A Warrior's Passion #2) - Natasza Waters Page 0,112
you, Commander. I believe she went to San Diego to ask for your help.”
Josh bowed his head. “And I would have helped her. Now, I intend to help prove who murdered her, if I can.”
Berrywhite choked up, but said, “Thank you, Commander. I’d appreciate that.” He hung up.
To Josh, the extreme empathy from Gesem’s boss sounded more like a broken heart.
Ditz downed his drink. Hydrated, he stood. “Sir, sounds like the senator’s ride is about to get a little bumpy. I’ll get to work on our plan. The more firepower we direct at Kallis, the less chance he can escape.”
After Ditz departed, Mace said, “Smart lady. She left a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow.”
Josh wasn’t surprised Gesem had the forethought to cover her bases. He considered himself honored to have spent a few years with a woman of her caliber. Her unwavering commitment to the US Navy a priority. He respected that. But she also had a softer side. One he’d experienced firsthand and enjoyed while it lasted.
Josh placed his empty cup on the table. “No question, she was intelligent. Yet, the wheels of justice turn slowly. Probably be months before the DOJ can follow her leads and come up with enough evidence to lock Kallis up.”
Mace smiled. “No, sir. Don’t think that’s true. I’m pretty sure someone is going to help them connect the dots.” He shot a glance at Tinman, who nodded and grinned.
Josh gazed at Mace, uncertain of what he meant. For now, Kallis wasn’t in complete control anymore, and the tide always turned.
Chapter Twenty-six
Dixie opened the Styrofoam take-out container the guard slid into her cell. The dinner consisted of congealed brown beans, a stale bun, something that might have been chicken once, and wilted lettuce with a few carrot shavings.
She closed the lid and placed the container on the cement floor, then returned to the cot with the bottle of water that had come with her meal. Thankfully, Rayne had dropped by with fresh clothes, but wasn’t allowed a face-to-face visit.
Whiling the hours away with only odd noises from other cells to keep her occupied made it hard to remain optimistic. Dixie hadn’t been formally charged or moved to county jail, where her daily attire would include orange pajamas.
Irony and bad luck smirked at her like two mean girls in a high school locker room.
For the last twelve years she’d lived a life of restrictions. Chandler Kallis had kept her on a leash with notes and threats. Her current dilemma taught Dix that living outside a jail cell far outweighed the alternative.
She closed her eyes and imagined walking through a hayfield with Josh. An unspoiled vision. Blue sky. Fresh air. A gentle breeze. The scent of nature and the warmth of his hand holding hers. Instead of seeing an eighteen-year-old, Dix saw the man he’d become. Her ex was the most handsome guy she’d ever known with his dark blue eyes and carved jaw.
She wondered whether Gethsemane thought the same thing. At least the poor woman had her freedom. Although Dix told herself not to have dark thoughts, she couldn’t help but wonder how much time Gesem and Josh were spending together. His old girlfriend had a right to be scared of a politician like Senator Kallis. If she took sanctuary with Josh, Dixie wouldn’t blame the woman.
Dix didn’t open her eyes when she heard footsteps and the cell door across the walkway slide open.
A woman slurred, “Fuck you, pig.”
She kept her eyes shut, but listened. The guard ordered the gal to turn around, probably removing her handcuffs. Next came the clang of steel when the guard secured the cell door.
If the ninety-six hours expired, Lumin or someone from her firm would represent Dixie. She had to have faith her attorney could convince the jury of her innocence. No matter how long that took.
“Heyyy, bitch. Whad’ya in for?”
Dix opened her eyes to see a woman with long, stringy hair, wearing a low-cut tank and black leather jacket and jeans, staring at her from between the bars of her cell.
The woman swayed on her feet. Dix considered ignoring her but if she did, she’d probably keep hassling her.
“Murder,” she answered.
The chick bobbed her head and grinned. “Awesome.”
Dix rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, then lay on her cot. Yeah, awesome.
****
Josh sat at his desk in Base Command. His office felt more like a tomb than an accomplishment. He glanced at Red’s empty chair, which he’d vacated at seventeen-hundred hours.