Read Online Fractured by Wendy Byrne - Free Book Online

cards or electronic funds transfer. I only keep some petty cash around for office emergencies, that kind of thing.”
    â€œHmmm. Then I guess you won’t have to worry about being a target.” She huffed out a breath as a new thought occurred. “How about disgruntled employees? Have you fired anyone lately?” If Lou had been fired, he might have been too embarrassed to tell her.
    When he shook his head, her stomach plummeted. “I screen my employees thoroughly. You can’t be too careful.”
    â€œSeems like you’re doing everything right.” She got up from the chair, more than a little anxious to leave. Instead of clarifying anything, things had become more scattered and confusing.
    While she wanted to ask him about Lou and Sergio directly, she didn’t want to risk any inquiry by the department. Right now she had diddly-squat to go on and couldn’t risk any wrath that might come her way.
    â€œThanks for stopping by, Detective Sanchez. I believe the Chicago PD is doing a wonderful job. My business is secure thanks to all your great efforts.”
    â€œThat and the fancy alarm system and bullet-proof glass you’ve got installed.” She nearly bit her tongue after the words came out. The last thing she needed was for him to get annoyed or defensive.
    â€œJust a precaution. You can’t be too careful.”
    All that effort for a bunch of bubble wrap and a crapload of Styrofoam peanuts. Something didn’t make sense.
    She walked through the door and got into her car. She examined the building and scanned the neighborhood once again.
    Nothing changed from earlier. It looked like a typical warehouse district in the city. Most people were inside unless it was lunch time or quitting time. A steady stream of trucks rumbled down the street to pick up or drop off loads.
    She eased her car away from the curb and did a slow reconnaissance of the block. At almost three, there was a chance most of the workers would be clocking out soon.
    Maybe she should hang around the area and wait. Maybe Lou might show up. Or, more likely, the sky might open up and reveal all the answers to her burning questions.
    She drummed her fingers along the steering wheel and forced her mind into detective mode. From where she sat, she could see the workers come out the back doors and walk to their cars.
    Curiosity alone forced her to sit watching, wishing, hoping.
    Just when she thought she might have lost the tenuous grip on her sanity, she spotted Sergio. She jumped out of her car and ran straight at him.

Chapter Five
    â€œWait a minute.” Landry held out his hand as if his meager protest would have some kind of impact. “Are you crazy? You want me to spy on Isabella?”
    â€œI wouldn’t call it spying so much as protecting her.” Malone sat rigidly in his seat, not giving away anything with his body language. The lieutenant remained eerily quiet.
    â€œIf she’s in danger, why don’t you have her at a safe house or something?” As much as his protective instincts were pushed by the request, he needed more information. If she was in some kind of trouble, he wanted specifics.
    â€œI’m not saying the danger is imminent, I’m saying there’s potential.”
    Landry crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in the chair. He could play chess with the best of them. “Okay, so why not warn her? Doesn’t make any sense to leave her out there hanging.”
    â€œYou know Sanchez as well as anybody. No way she’ll heed any warning. She’ll go rogue and we’ll never know what she’s doing. If you’re hanging around there’s a good chance she won’t do anything stupid.” The lieutenant looked at Malone when he spoke rather than at Landry, which could only mean the lieutenant was saying what he was supposed to, not necessarily what he wanted to.
    â€œYou should know that nobody can stop Isabella if she sets