relationship.
She chanted again…
Erren knew he was staring at Darby’s endless legs. Would she ever hide them under the table so he could see something else?
“So, Brian, what brings you to Lake Texoma on a Friday night? You don’t seem to be dressed for camping,” she said.
The woman did have a nice wit. Great legs. Cute hair. Terrific body. But it didn’t look like he was going to be sleeping with Darby anytime soon. Detective O’Malley was concentrating on the subject she was dying to investigate.
“I called Thrumburt this afternoon. After you identified him as a prosecutor, I played a hunch.”
“Yes.” Thrumburt pushed his glasses to sit higher on his nose, playing the dork to perfection. “Erren asked if I’d been in contact with Walter before his death, which I had. I’ve been awaiting information for a grand jury hearing on Monday.”
“So the package is supposed to be delivered to you.” Darby pulled the chair out and joined them at the table. “If you explain about the case, it might point us toward finding the information.”
“Actually, Officer O’Malley, I was hoping you could provide me with an idea of how to prepare. I was very excited to learn you were here.”
Erren watched Darby closely for any sign that she knew what Thrumburt was talking about. Nothing. Nada. Only confusion.
“Can’t shed any light on the ADA’s dilemma?” he asked as casually as possible. The woman had started seeing through every persona he cloaked himself in. It had to be the close proximity, but he needed to play this like a normal guy. And he had to stay natural…even though he had no clue what natural was.
“Why would I be able to help?” Genuine curiosity. She had no idea. Back to square one.
“You’ve been called to testify,” Thrumburt informed her. “You were placed on the list per Walter’s instructions.”
“Could be another reason the dirty cops chose to silence you last night. They had access to the notification list and decided you need to be eliminated.”
“Normally Walter wasn’t as secretive with evidence and went through normal channels.” The attorney sat straighter in his chair, pushed his glasses up his nose again, more excited and confident. “He contacted me the day before he was shot, insisting I convene a grand jury to hear evidence. It was imperative the witnesses remain anonymous as long as possible.”
“Someone has to know what this is all about. How can I be a witness?” She pushed back from the table and walked around the room. “I’ve been at the academy for almost four months.” She picked up his autographed baseball. Put it back on the shelf. “Any case I was involved with has been resolved.”
“What exactly did you do for the Dallas P.D., O’Malley?” Erren hated being in the dark. He should have asked the question as soon as he’d suspected she wasn’t undercover.
“Nothing special. I took statements, confirmed reports, lots of paperwork for the past two years.” She picked up her Glock, checked the load and replaced it on the shelf with better access.
“She did a beautiful job,” Thrumburt said with evident admiration.
“You pushed paper?”
“What if we call the DEA?” She ignored his question and picked up a collectible of his grandmother’s.
“Not advisable.” The lawyer shook his head, certainty in those two words.
The fiery redhead was about to let the ADA have both barrels. He recognized the smoke signals she was huffing behind the lip she was biting.
“If you don’t mind, Thrumburt, could you explain before Darby decides we’re just shooting down her ideas.”
Darby’s eyes softened for a brief moment.
“I’m certain about one thing,” he paused, literally looking over both shoulders, “Walter didn’t trust
“He’s probably right. I put feelers out regarding Pike’s ambush. I was set up to take some kind of ride. And instead of getting my back, my handler disappeared.”
“Did Pike send you Michael’s picture?” Darby asked Thrumburt while setting his grandmother’s poodle figurine back on the side rail much too hard. Her impatience was clear. She wanted answers and wanted them yesterday.
“No, but I knew you were both involved.” Thrumburt placed his palms flat on the table, then readjusted his glasses, then folded his hands in his lap.
Simple movements, but they seemed calculated and stiff. It was hard telling someone outside their group what was really going on. It had been for him and he knew Darby more than Thrumburt.
“Look, man, she’s in this up to her eyeballs. You can tell her.”
“You’re most likely correct.” He cleared his throat and looked at Darby. “When your brother was accused of Walter’s murder, I immediately assumed the true murderers would like him dead, too. I lobbied for the case and assigned police officers I can trust as his guards.”
“Great. Isn’t that great, Darby?” Erren leaned back in his chair. Now she could relax, right? Her brother was okay.
“You’ve seen him?” She crossed her arms, hugging her middle.
“I’ve made it a point to speak with his doctors daily. He’s recovered from his gunshot wound and been moved from ICU.”
Erren heard the washer stop.
Darby waved at him to stay where he was while her lean, shapely form headed for the washer. “They’ve told us that much. Go ahead, Brian, I can hear you.”
Brian proceeded to give a medical report. She seemed to be taking the information in stride even though she’d been yearning to know more. Darby bent over to stuff clothes into the dryer.
Hold on. Where had that thought come from?
The same place that was still thinking about tasting her lips again. The same place that wondered if the spot at the back of her neck would still be slightly salty. The same place that still wanted to take her to bed.
“So you think Michael’s in danger,” Darby said, rejoining them at the table.
Damn, had he missed the conversation? What had Thrumburt told her?
“I’m not one to assume.”
“Spit it out, man.” He was more impatient that he’d allowed himself to become distracted by Darby than with the attorney’s evasiveness.
“There does seem to be more pressure to close the case than normal. I’m better with facts, but it does seem logical.” He looked back and forth between Darby and Erren. “Now that the witness isn’t monitored as closely by the nurses, he might be easier to eliminate.”
“You think they may try to kill him. Where are the keys?” She stood from the table and went back to the empty bookshelves, searching. “If I can get to a phone, I can at least call the Sergeant Major.”
“Hold on, Darby. Don’t you think those legs may draw undue attention?” He watched her tug the shorts down to hang lower on her hips.
“You have until the clothes are dry. I have to do something soon.” She returned to the table.
“We agree that Michael needs to be moved.” He could be that honest.
“So you think Michael is innocent.”
“Helping O’Malley won’t stop me from finding Pike’s murderer.”
“Then why would you help him?”
He shrugged and knew it reflected how he felt. He didn’t know. He’d be the one to dole out penance for the murder of his mentor, no matter who had pulled the trigger. “There are a couple of details we need to work out before we go. Have a seat.”
