Page 84 of Hart of Redemption
“Did you go inside to find out what happened to him?” she asked.
“Who’s asking? Maggie Hart, Dillon’s wife? Or Maggie Marx, the news reporter?”
Her lips twitched. “I like you, Fallyn—or do you want to stick with Joy?”
“Fallyn,” I said. Joy was a pretty name, but I had no reason to pretend anymore. “Learning the facts of Jason’s death wasn’t my priority. The stolen guns were, as well as taking down the cartel along with Duke. I’m ATF, not DEA. Did you know that Duke dealt in illegal weapons?”
She adjusted the green scarf around her neck. “Who’s asking? Joy or Fallyn?”
“Touché,” I replied.
“Bottom line, I don’t go near Duke’s business. I don’t ask. I don’t want to know. If Dillon was aware, he didn’t tell me. My husband knows not to discuss Duke around me, although he did recently. He shared that you slept with Duke. Was that a ploy for information? Is that why they sent in a woman undercover?”
I snorted. “I volunteered. Duke and the cartel need to be stopped. Do you know how many murders take place because of illegal firearms?”
“Too many,” she said. “I understand, Fallyn. I’m about upholding the law, but Duke isn’t my responsibility. Nor is he Dillon’s, Grace’s, or Denim’s. Since Dillon and I got together six years ago, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen Duke. The last thing that man wants is for his family to be dragged into his mess. So if you’re looking for people to testify against him, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“I’m not here to gather witnesses. I’m here to see how he and Grace are doing.”
The middle-aged couple who’d gone into the gift shop strolled toward us. We waited until they passed us and got into the elevator.
“I don’t think you’re welcome in the Hart family right now.” She sighed. “They’re in a private waiting room while Duke is in recovery. Doctors pulled a bullet out from behind his left shoulder and another from just below his clavicle.” She touched the area above her heart and below her collarbone. “He also had a dislocated shoulder from falling, it seemed. Not to mention the blood transfusion.”
“And Grace?” I asked.
“She had a hefty dose of drugs in her system. But she’s alert, angry, and worried. If I were you, I would give the Harts space.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “So Grace knows about me?”
“I’ll put it this way,” she said. “The brothers are taking the news about you better than Grace. Look, if it’s any consolation, I was a rival gang member of the Hart brothers growing up. We fought against each other. And look at Dillon and me now. We’re married and happier than ever. Of course, we were teenagers then. You and Duke are playing on an entirely more dangerous stage. But my point—I know he loves you. I would go out on a limb and say you have feelings for him. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.”
“It doesn’t matter how I feel. I’m a federal agent.”
“Is there a law that says you can’t date a criminal who is turning his life around?”
It wouldn’t look good for my career if I were dating a front man for the cartel. However, if Duke had been serious about redemption and was turning his life around, maybe there was a chance for us. After all, I had promised my dad I would leave the ATF when my assignment was over. But I’d joined the ATF because of Jason’s death, and I still didn’t have closure.
Ignoring her question because the answer wasn’t simple, I said, “Your story on Jason—do you still have your files and notes that you could share with me? My brother didn’t overdose intentionally, but the evidence we have tells us that he did. I know my brother wouldn’t commit suicide.”
“It’s been a while since I did that story, but I’ll look in my files.”
The elevators dinged, then the doors opened. Grace Hart breezed out, and her expression was dark and dangerous.
The devil was about to pounce.
Maggie tossed a look over her shoulder. “My cue to run. I have a deadline anyway. I’ll be in touch, Fallyn.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Dillon is looking for you, Mags.” Gone was Grace’s light-and-airy voice. In its place was a sound that was rough and gritty, as if she’d shifted into a different person.
She stomped over to me like a soldier ready to do battle. If she’d been drugged, it wasn’t evident.
I braced myself for impact, grounding my stance and straightening my spine. I would take my licks. I deserved whatever she had to dish out.
She pointed at my badge and gun. “Are you trying to shove that in our faces? Or think that you’re better than us?” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Duke adores you, and you stabbed him in the heart. He took a bullet for you, and you shot him.”
“How do you know that? It doesn’t matter.” The information wasn’t classified. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have worn my badge and gun. It’s a habit. I just came from work.” I wasn’t trying to excuse my actions. I should’ve thought before I came in.
