Deadly Coincidence (Brantley Walker Off the Books #4) - Nicole Edwards Page 0,74
his limbs askew, body lifeless.
Fear had made his blood run cold, the thought of losing Reese… Brantley honestly wasn’t sure he’d ever felt anything that terrifying. Including the day he thought he would die beneath the rubble of that building.
The moment he’d realized what had happened, Brantley hadn’t given a second thought to himself or any possible injuries Travis or Trey might’ve sustained. His entire world had shifted into a pinpoint focus on Reese. Even with his brain temporarily scrambled from the blast, he’d known he had to get to Reese, had to help. Thankfully, the damage to them had been minimal. Especially considering what it could’ve been if they’d been closer to the house. Or worse, inside.
“You said JJ had a visitor last night,” Sheriff Endsley prompted, interrupting Brantley’s thoughts.
Brantley nodded, adjusted his focus once more. “Yeah.”
“Who?”
“I’ll tell you, but for right now, this stays between you and me, Sheriff. Understood?”
He could tell the older man wasn’t keen on taking orders in his own jurisdiction, but the truth was, because he was on a special task force for the governor of Texas, Brantley’s authority won out over any and all. For a few more days, anyway. And since this particular case involved the governor’s son, he would be taking it, regardless of any pushback he might receive.
“Fine,” Endsley grumbled.
“Dante Greenwood,” he said, ensuring he kept his voice low and his mouth obstructed on the off chance someone was recording them. He’d seen half a dozen phone cameras out already, and a news van had arrived a short time ago.
Sheriff Endsley’s face tightened, his expression turning hard. “Are you sayin’—”
“Right now, I’m not sayin’ anything,” he interrupted. “What I need from you and your team is for you to work this crime scene.”
The sheriff’s gaze swung to what was left of JJ’s house. “Not much to work with.” He looked back at Brantley. “In case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Trust me, I noticed,” he growled hotly. “Had it not been for Travis showin’ up, I wouldn’t be here talkin’ to you now, Sheriff. I woulda been inside. With Reese and my brother.”
Sheriff Endsley’s eyes flashed with sympathy. “Understood.”
“Before the explosion, we hadn’t gathered much of anything. We were reviewin’ the scene.”
“And where was JJ durin’ all of this?”
Brantley knew he had to tread lightly here. “She was distraught, so I had one of my team take her somewhere safe.”
“Which is where?”
“Right now, she’s safer without anyone else knowin’.”
That seemed to pique the sheriff’s interest. “You think she’s the target?”
“I think Dante’s the target, but I think whoever’s got him is willin’ to do whatever they have to. So, can you do that? Can you process the scene? Get a fire investigator out here? See if they can determine what caused the explosion?”
They both knew he’d merely phrased them as questions.
The sheriff’s hazel eyes narrowed again. “You’re gonna owe me one, Walker.”
Considering the sheriff wasn’t asking the difficult questions, he already owed him one.
Brantley left Sheriff Endsley to deal with the aftermath of the scene, rounding up his team and sending them back to HQ with what they had. When Travis told him he was going home and would keep his nose out of the investigation, Brantley had some doubt. However, he had no reason not to take him at his word. Travis wasn’t one to say things unless he was going to follow through. Nor was he one to excuse himself if he thought he might have something to contribute.
“How’re you feelin’?” Brantley asked Reese once they were in the truck heading back to HQ.
A scratch that had bled like he’d opened an artery. It had scared the shit out of Brantley when he’d seen all the blood. And since there was currently a butterfly bandage holding it closed, it probably needed a few stitches.
“You sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?” he asked, simply because it would make him feel better if Reese got a complete checkup.
Reese huffed. “What would you say if I asked you that question?”
Brantley grinned. Yeah, he understood where Reese was coming from, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t ask.
“I’m just glad Tesha wasn’t with us,” Reese said softly.
Brantley saw the concern in the man’s eyes, knew he’d grown seriously attached to that dog. If anything happened to her, it would be a rough day for everyone involved.
“I’m not willin’ to leave her alone again,” Reese added. “Not when we don’t know what’s