Page 6 of Twin Threats In Austin
“I’d invite you inside, but I’m fresh out of meat for my charcuterie board,” Kage quipped, more daggers shooting from his eyes. One thing was clear—he wasn’t going to help them voluntarily. It would take a warrant to cross the threshold the man was protecting like his life depended on it.
Rochelle had been listening for any sounds coming from the apartment that would indicate someone was trapped inside. The low hum of a TV in the background provided enough noise to mask a quiet plea for help. Based on what Rochelle could make out, the show was one of the many sequels toRocky. How manyCreedmovies were they up to now?
Rochelle didn’t know. Camden might. The irony of a former convict watching a movie about an underdog wasn’t lost on her.
She reached into her pocket and retrieved a business card. “These are rarely used anymore, but if you can think of anything that might help us with the case, I’d appreciate a call.”
Kage stared at the small three-and-a-half-by-two-inch card like it was a bomb about to detonate.
Rather than stand there with her hand stuck out in between them, she flicked the card in the open space between the door and above his shoulder.
“Keep it,” she said to him before turning to her partner for this visit. “Ready?”
Camden stood there for a long moment, not breaking eye contact with Kage. The timeline worked for the case. A man had been seen leaving with the victim. All signs pointed to Kage being guilty. However, the grainy surveillance video wouldn’t be enough to convict. Not to mention, Justina might have run away from her life on purpose. The pain of losing her father might have been too great, so she’d needed to get lost for a while.
“You a Texas Rangers fan?” Camden asked.
“Why would I be?” Kage asked, disgusted.
“Just asking,” Camden stated.
What was that all about?
Camden knew somethingwas fishy with Kage. But what?
“Look, I told you before, and I’ll tell you again,” Kage said in a tone that was one-hundred-percent believable, “I didn’t have anything to do with the disappearance of this lady.” He paused as a muscle in his jaw pulsed. “I’m not that unlucky with the opposite sex that I would need to force anyone to be in my company.”
The man was built. He had sandy blond hair and brown eyes. He resembled a stockier version of the dude from the popular movies involving shades of gray, chin stubble included.
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Durham,” Rochelle said, stopping Camden from commenting on the fact men who hurt women weren’t always considered ugly or undatable.
“I’d say it was a pleasure, but I gave up lying for Lent,” Kage quipped.
“We’d like to get through Thanksgiving this week before we worry about what comes before Easter,” Rochelle murmured, then rolled her eyes and turned toward the SUV.
“A comedian,” Kage called after her. “Do me a favor and take your show on the road. You won’t find what you’re looking for here anyway, and I’m a little tired of being harassed.”
Harassment was a serious offense and not an accusation Camden took lightly. Kage was trying to push Camden’s buttons with the comment. Camden refused to be baited into an argument by the ex-convict.
Instead, he thanked Kage for his time and then followed Rochelle to the SUV before climbing into the passenger seat.
“Good idea to let the lady drive,” Kage shouted as Camden reached for the door handle to close the door. “Can’t have a hothead, rogue cop behind the wheel.”
Camden closed the door and buckled in. From the corner of his eye, he saw Kage laughing.Think you got the last word? Think again.
“That was pleasant,” Rochelle said as she started the engine and then backed out of the parking spot.
“He’s just trying to rile me up,” Camden explained. “He always swears he has some kind of doppelganger out there making his life miserable.”
“Why would he think that?” Rochelle asked as she navigated onto the residential road with a speed limit of thirty. Too bad other vehicles on the road didn’t seem to notice the sign as one whizzed past.
“Take the surveillance video for example,” Camden began. “Kage says he left about fifteen to twenty minutes before the camera caught him walking out with Justina.”
“He estimated the time,” she said, shrugging.
“His name has come up in other crimes in locations he supposedly left just before the crime occurred,” he said. “Coincidence?”
She raised her eyebrows. “If so, the man has the worst luck in history.”
