Page 24 of Hawk's Sapphire

“For this victim, yes.But since we also got a call today that one of our key informants in an ongoing investigation, by the way, has suddenly died on your property -”

“It changes nothing.”Allyson snaps.“Your informant died of natural causes.Initial reports say as much.Hypoglycemia isn’t a crime.Neither is a diabetic coma.”Allyson pushes.“Of course, I’m sure you have the sheriff’s report, but let’s recap it for you, for shits and giggles, shall we?”Allyson’s every word is dripping with sarcasm.“Nate Hawkins had told others that he wasn’t feeling well and went to bed.No one knew of his medical condition.Therefore, they didn’t know to check on him.When he didn’t show up to breakfast, a prospect was sent to get him and found him dead.So, tell me again how that equates to permission for your men to start snooping around the property?”

She’s a fucking killer.It’s actually pretty hot to watch.Jameson’s smirk says he feels the same.

“I’m aware of the permissions granted by the warrant.However, if we feel these men have something to hide or could be involved in the deaths of the otherfourvictims from our homicide investigation, we will be taking them in.A warrant will then be issued immediately to search the rest of the grounds.”The snobby brunette snaps back.

“And why would you think my clients would have anything to do with the homicides in question?”

“Because it’s our understanding, the girl was recently removed from the Kings’ clubhouse for disrespecting the President’s daughter.”She glances at Avery, and Jake immediately pulls her behind his back and out of view.“And the other three who were killed, were members of the Devils’ Order MC-the known rivals of the Kings of Fury and suspected killers of the President’s wife years ago.”She smiles suggestively.“I think that gives us a reason to consider them, don’t you?”

The two women begin arguing again over legal jargon, but everything around me has suddenly turned to white noise as I begin to sort through my own thoughts about what this bitch just said happened.

A dead ex-club girl.Three dead Devils and a dead informant.

Does Sadie have something to do with these other four dead bodies?

She couldn’t have killed them last night she was here for the party then went home and spent the night with you in her bed.

True.But she wasn’t alone in the basement.Could Thomas have killed them to distract us?Keeping us busy with the Feds while he tries to redeem himself as an innocent man to his daughter?Does she know about what’s been done?

My phone chimes in my pocket and my stomach sinks.The last time it chimed it led to mine and Sadie’s argument and to her now disappearance.What if it’s her texting to gloat about how she’s managed to fuck over the club and get her revenge for the way we treated her father?Or her?

“I will no longer be the club’s obligation.I’m going to go do something with my life away from the club.”I hear her words in my head.The image of her sadness staring back at me in her sapphire eyes was almost more than I could take.

Fuck!

I glance down at my phone screen and see it’s another message from Tate with Trident.

Tate: The rat may be gone, but there’s still a mole on among you.Go along with the Feds but be careful.Your sister’s life depends on your cooperation.And so does Sadie’s.

What the fuck?

I’m about to type back and ask when the female agent calls me out in front of everyone.

“Mr.Hawkins.We’d like to begin by questioning you since it was your father who died after all.”

Shit.

I put my carefree mask back in place and look up from my phone making eye contact with the brunette and turning up the charm.

“Of course, sweetheart.Whatever you need.Just give me a second to answer this text if you don’t mind.”I continue smile like I’m sending off the sweetest text known to man, while in reality I’m, typing out a quick reply, screenshot the message, sending a copy to an encrypted email address and then immediately delete it.Before she realizes what, I’ve done, I casually say, “That should do it.”

“I’m sorry is our interrogation interfering with your hot date?”She says her eyes full of accusations and disapproval.I don’t let her words phase me.I know my reputation around town is that of a lady’s man, so I use her snide comments to deflect from the real situation and play along.

“It’s all right, darlin.I just rolled this evening’s plans to tomorrow night instead.”Cupping one hand around my mouth I fake whisper, “Of course I didn’t tell her about you and how you’re holding me captive for the night.I don’t want anyone getting unnecessarily jealous and spoiling any potential for this evening’s events.”I wiggle my brows emphasizing my suggestiveness.Cash curses and chuckles from somewhere behind me.The agent rolls her eyes in disgust but Allyson glares back at me.She knows what I’m doing and that’s fine as long as the Feds don’t catch on it’s all that matters.

The sooner I can get through this round of questioning the sooner I can get to my computer and investigate what’s really going on.Where Sadie fits into it all?How is Trident connected to everything?And how the hell do they know about Shea being my sister?

This rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper and deeper and I can’t help but feeling like I’m about to wake up in fucking Wonderland.

Allyson smiles, then turns to the room and says, “Gentlemen.You will all answer the agent’s questions about your whereabouts and what you know about her investigation.Gabe, please send the women and children up to the playroom with atrustedguardian so we can move things along.”She tilts her head and gives a Gabe a knowing look.She’s just told him to send a club member to watch over them to ensure the agents don’t share any details or ask any questions they shouldn’t overhear.In other words, she just told him in her own special way, that this is club business.

Gabe nods, then giving the women instructions to take Lilah and Carter up to the playroom.He then pulls Trevor and Mason in close, whispering, “No one goes in or comes out until me or one of the brothers comes to get them.You’re all going on lockdown in that room.Got me?”

“Yes, Pres.”They both reply in unison, and he sends them on their way.Then Gabe nods his head to me, and I don’t have to ask to know what he wants me to do.Years ago, Caleb and Gabe installed a door similar to the one on the basement for the playroom.It requires a special code when it’s locked and has a silent alarm that will trigger all our phones if someone opens the door without disarming it first.I pull my phone out and turn on the cameras in the playroom and set them to record while setting the door alarm.

Before following the others up to the playroom, Avery whispers, “Has anyone seen Sadie?I’ve been texting her, but she’s not responding.She should be here.”

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