Read Online Hallowed Ground by Lori G. Armstrong - Free Book Online Page B

table.

    “More?” he asked.

    “No.”

    “You sure? This might sting.” He ripped open an antiseptic cleansing pad.

    “Shit. I hate this part.”

    “You’ll hate it worse tomorrow if it’s not taken care of tonight.”

    I knew he was right. But why had he designated himself my personal first aid station?

    As he applied antibiotic cream to the cuts, he said, “Tell me what happened.”

    So I did. It distracted me from the too-tight feeling of my skin and Martinez’s surprising gentleness.

    When I finished, he said, “Why didn’t you start in Pine Ridge, like I told you?”

    “For the same reason you wouldn’t have.”

    Those deep brown eyes hooked mine.

    “Because following someone else’s plan drives you bat shit. I do things my way, Martinez, you knew that when you hired me.”

    “If you hadn’t met with Donovan—”

    “He’d be dead.” I signaled for more tequila. “I’m still not positive Harvey didn’t set this up without your knowledge. With Donovan out of the picture, Rondelle will keep full custody of Chloe. Which, quite frankly, after talking to Donovan, I’m not sure she deserves.”

    “Not your decision. Your job is to find Chloe, period.”

    I stalled, braced myself with a shot.

    “Even if Rondelle’s working for the Carlucci family?”

    As I expected, that got his attention.

CHAPTER 6
    “DONOVAN WAS CONFUSED. RONDELLE DOESN’T WORK for the Carluccis,” Martinez said.

    “You know for sure? You’ve been up there lately? Seen her in action?”

    The tiniest bit of annoyance showed. “No. She’s a cocktail waitress at The Golden Boot. Bud Linderman owns it.”

    “Who’s Bud Linderman? A friend of yours?”

    “Hardly. A business acquaintance.”

    “Or business rival?”

    “No. He owns a couple of cowboy bars in Spearfish and Wyoming, but his main dealings are in

    real estate. Apartment complexes, retirement resorts, and nursing homes. Couple of car dealerships.” His gaze cut through me. “What else?”

    “According to Donovan, she hadn’t told Harvey she’d switched jobs because she knew he’d have a shit fit. He said she’s been working the cage at Trader Pete’s for a while.”

    He said nothing, just eased back onto his haunches, expecting an explanation.

    God. I needed a cigarette. I finished telling him the little bit I’d learned.

    Although his expression hadn’t changed, I sensed anger. Danger. His silence frightened me more than a burst of rage.

    “I’ll look into it,” he said, rising to his feet. “You’ll be at the office tomorrow?”

    I nodded.

    “Good. I’ll call you.” He extended his hand to help me up. “You’re exhausted. Go home, get some sleep.”

    “That’s it?”

    “For now.” Martinez walked to the door, fiddled with the locks. “You can go out the back.”

    Not that I wanted to saunter through the main bar. Raggedy appearance aside, it bothered me I’d been dismissed. Okay, it really bugged me that I wouldn’t get to stick around and see if Martinez ripped Harvey a new one.

    I glanced up; he’d already exited the room. I followed and watched him unlock about two hundred locks on another steel door at the back of the storage area.

    Once I’d stepped outside, I shivered from the chill in the night air. My tank top didn’t cover much skin and I’d accidentally left my sweatshirt on the bathroom floor. I spun back toward him.

    He reached out; a blunt fingertip softly tracked my profile from temple to chin.

    I shivered again.

    “We’ll talk tomorrow, blondie.”

    Then he shut the door in my face.

    I smoked all the way to Wendy’s. No comment on my horror movie escapee appearance from the chubby girl manning the drive-thru window. When she handed over my bacon cheeseburger combo with a genuine smile, I figured her as a new hire. Nobody gets that much joy from slinging burgers.

    Although, it beat the shit out of watching someone get shot.

    I ate while I drove home, wishing I had three