only place on the street that qualifies, so it’s ours. The houses here are spaced out, only five on the private road, and the others are occupied with normal, family-type folk.” Ann looked up at him. “This one was vacant.”
“Or not,” Luther said. “I’m guessing our psycho moved in unnoticed.”
Ann didn’t argue that probability. “He’s got enough privacy here that no one would hear a woman screaming for help.”
Or in agony. “Probably kept her in the basement.” Luther paced along the perimeter. The concrete walls of the house’s subfloor remained. In the cement blocks of one wall, he could see what might have been the bolts to hold shackles in place. “You call forensics yet?”
“On their way. But it’s going to be a conflict.”
“Local fire department?”
“They said they put the blaze out last night, but not before most of the house was already gone. From what they could tell, the fire started in the basement, got into the walls, and up she went.”
Just as someone had planned. Luther kept a tenuous hold on his temper. “It’s an old place, so not as protected with modern materials as a newer home might’ve been.”
Ann put a hand on her hip. “And get this. The bomb guy and the arson investigators are already on it, because naturally the fire was deliberate. Gasoline, they think. And yeah, they saw the bolts in the wall, along with some other suspicious stuff.”
“Like?”
“Broken vials. The type that might’ve held drugs.” She shielded her eyes from the sun. “I’m supposed to get a call from the guy in charge. I’ll know more then.”
“It’s possible they found evidence buried under the ash, and didn’t even know it.”
“I like a man who thinks positive thoughts.”
Yeah, they both knew it was a crapshoot. “Let’s talk to the neighbors, see if they saw any activity. Maybe someone can identify a car or give us a description of someone they noticed hanging around.”
“Arson guys already did that, but, hey, my dance card is free.” She held out an arm for him to lead the way. “I’m in if you are.”
Chapter 14
Gaby slid her phone back into her pocket. Why did Luther have to call right then, and why did she feel obligated to honor his request? The cretin in front of her needed a good beating. Or worse. He was a clear threat to the kids, most especially to Dacia and Malinal.
Next to her target, another guy vibrated with leashed anger. “C’mon, Whit, let me teach her some respect.”
“Shut up, Mud.”
Gaby raised a brow. “Whit? Mud? You’re kidding me, right? What kind of lame-ass gangster names are those?”
Whit raised a hand, halting Mud’s automatic reaction. Whit seemed to have a modicum more control than his buddy. But not much. He was plenty pissed, and it showed.
Of course, thanks to her, blood dripped from his nose down his chin. He didn’t wipe it away. “Is there a reason you struck me?”
“Yeah.”
He waited, and when she said no more, his face tightened. “Care to share it?”
She shrugged. “You interrupted my phone call. That’s rude.”
His eyes damn near glowed. Hazel eyes that, when iced with fury, took on a hue of gold. Freaky. She could understand why the kids feared him. Not that she gave a shit what his eyes looked like. In her lifetime, she’d seen a whole lot worse than him.
She’d slaughtered worse, too.
All around Whit, his aura churned with menace and mental disease. He looked tough, but weakness showed through the haze of abuse. This guy was one who liked to put up a hard-ass front, but he needed someone else to lead him.
Through his teeth, Whit said, “You stepped in front of me.”
“Yeah, I know. I didn’t like where you were headed.” Behind Gaby, the kids stirred. Odd that after her last display in front of them and the bloodbath she’d left behind, none of them seemed to fear her. In fact, she felt surrounded by their support and their confidence.
Goofy kids. They were young, so they’d learn.
Spittle flew from Whit’s mouth when he roared, “Where the fuck did you think I was going?”
“Too close to where the kids play.” Narrowing her eyes, Gaby wiped off her arm. “I’d suggest you
“It’s a public street, woman. More to the point, this is prime real estate.”
“For selling drugs?”
His chest puffed out. “I’ll go wherever I fucking well please.”
“Not if I say different.” Damn, she wanted to flatten him. Hoping he’d make a move, that he’d dare to test her, Gaby stepped away from the kids—and closer to Whit. “I won’t have you and the other thugs fighting over this block. Your pissing contests almost always end up in gunfire, so from now on I don’t want to see your ugly mug anywhere around here.”
Mud twitched with angry energy. “Let me dust her, Whit.” He made to reach inside his jacket.
Gaby gave him her steely-eyed attention. “Pull a gun around all these kids,” she told him, “and I swear to God, I’ll cram it down your throat.”
Whit held up a hand, stilling Mud’s automatic reaction. “And if I have business here?”
“Don’t.” Gaby moved in so close she could feel the heat of his tall, trim body. Ensuring that the kids wouldn’t hear, she whispered, “Do your business elsewhere, Whit. I’m giving you fair warning. Because if I see you here again, I’ll break your bones.”
He studied her head to toes, and came to a silent conclusion. “You’re the bitch who pulled a blade on my brother.”
“Bogg tell you that?” She would love to hear the story. It always sounded more graphic when someone else related it.
“Bogg isn’t saying shit.”
That surprised her. “No?”
“He got an infection and went into a coma. He might fucking well die.”
Huh. She hadn’t really counted on that, but . . . “Oh well.”
Whit’s neck went rigid. His eerie eyes gleamed. “You’ll pay for what you did.”
“Yeah. Someday, no doubt I will.” Gaby looked at his compressed mouth, then back to his eyes. “But we both know it won’t be today, and never by your hand. So be smart, Whit. Stay the hell away from here. Let the kids play in peace.”
Expectation pulsed in the air between them. One second, two, three. As prepared as she’d ever be, Gaby waited.
Whit stepped back. “Come on, Mud.”
Mud balked. “You fucking kidding me?”
Already on his way back to where he’d come from, Whit snapped, “Move your ass!”
Mud couldn’t resist shooting Gaby one last look of caution. He pointed at her as he walked backward, warning her of his intent.
Gaby held out her arms, inviting anything he wanted to bring. But, damn it, it wasn’t enough. Rage cramped her muscles, left her guts hollow and empty with the need to physically attack.
She turned back to Dacia. “Get your sister. It’s time for us to go.”
“Go where?”
“Someplace safe. Someplace you’ll love.” Gaby gave the girl a nudge and then retrieved her phone. “I
