Killian (Hope City #8) - Kris Michaels Page 0,81

it.

Kallie shook her head as Grant unfolded the paper. They flashed several pictures of the letter. “Evidence bag?” Kallie asked Grant and the man nodded.

“I’ll be right back.”

“What does it say?” Bekki whispered the question.

Kallie read the words, “Dig deeper, my shining star and believe in miracles. I’m so sorry. Please take care of Thor and Oden. Walter.”

Kallie’s forehead pinched together. “Thor and Oden?”

“His Irish wolfhounds. He loves… loved those dogs. He even had his car fitted with a metal cage so they couldn’t get into the front seat while he was driving. They almost caused him to drive off the road once because they wanted to sit in his lap,” Bekki answered but her voice seemed distant. “Dig. Into what?”

“My guess would be who was responsible for making this guy, a person you believed was a friend of yours, flip on you, but that’s in our hands now.” Kallie placed the letter on top of the pile of clothes and pulled the small chair over for Bekki to sit on. She fell into the plastic seat but didn’t let go of their connection. He squeezed her hand. The color was still gone from her face.

“Kallie, how is Zamparelli?” Killian had to ask. He didn’t want the man to die from his injuries, but he sure as hell wanted the man out of their lives and wanted to make sure he would stay gone. But most of all, they needed to deal with everything now. He wasn’t sure either he or Bekki could process much more, but they needed to know.

Kallie looked from Bekki to him and seemed to understand they didn’t need any more info bombs to lay in wait. “We just came from his room. He looks like someone took an iron bar to him, but he’s well enough to be transported today to lockup.”

“Has he said anything?”

“As a detective, we don’t discuss ongoing cases.” She lifted an eyebrow and glanced at the door. “As your sister-in-law, he lawyered up.” Kallie shrugged. “We’ll dig into Walter Crane. Zamparelli is in custody and he’s looking at four counts of murder. Walter and the three vics that Brock was working. The DA could make him an offer he can’t refuse. Life in prison somewhere away from the Russians. The Mob’s predilection for retaliation for messing up a job is a big incentive to cooperate.”

Killian closed his eyes, suddenly exhausted. Kallie continued, “We’ll get this evidence processed and be out of your way. I’m sure your insurance company is going to want the report on the damage to the trailer. They can call me, and I’ll put them in contact with the arson detective doing that part of the investigation.”

Three minutes after Detective Couch reentered the room, they were gone with the evidence properly secured.

Killian squeezed Bekki’s hand. “Go home and get a shower and a nap. I’m not going to be released until this afternoon. I’ll call you if something happens before that.”

Bekki shook her head and leaned her head on his shoulder. That’s when he noticed the tears in her eyes. “Oh, damn.” He pulled her down onto his chest and hugged her tightly, letting her cry. “I’m so sorry, babe.”

“How could he do that? How? Why?” Her tears soaked his thin hospital gown. He held her as she grieved the loss of a longtime friendship.

A knock on the door stilled her tears. She lifted as his father stepped inside the room, but he kept their connection through their joined hands. Benjamin Ganas glanced at her tear-stained face and then at Killian. He watched as his father stiffened. “Is there bad news, then?”

“No, no.” Bekki swiped at the tears on her face. “I, ahh, got some shocking news and… well, I got some news about a friend.” She sniffed again and glanced at Killian. “I’ll go grab that shower and be back.”

He squeezed her hand. “Get some rest if you can.”

She smiled at him before she dropped down and kissed him softly. “I’ll be back.” She collected her purse and murmured a goodbye to his father.

“It would seem I have ill timing. For that I am sorry.” His father strode over to the foot of his bed. “Have you seen the physician?”

Killian nodded and then asked the burning question. “Why are you here, sir?”

Benjamin Ganas cleared his throat and sent his glance out the window. “I know things have not always been good between us, but you are my blood. My son.” He walked over to the window, placing