Read Online Operation Swift Mercy by Karlene Blakemore-Mowle - Free Book Online Page B

was going to kill me if I told him what I saw —so I took my chances with the river…that’s when you found me, early the next morning , ” she said looking back at Chase.
    “So you’ve got this as evidence? We’ll go with you to the police , ” Tupper said.
    Mercy shook her head, but Chase jumped in quickly, “ Did you not just hear what she said?”
    When Tupper opened his mouth to retaliate, Mercy decided to jump in quickly and stall a possible argument. “ I can’t…not yet. I don’t know how far up the chain this thing goes. Nikkos has politicians and local government on his payroll…it stands to reason he also has friends he can get to put pressure on law enforcement. I called in the murder, and somehow Nikkos got word about it—someone tipped him off that I made that call, somehow. I can ’ t risk this evidence going missing.”
    “Okay, so no local police.” Tate agreed.
    “I think I have to go higher to the federal police, but not until I do a bit of research first and find someone I can trust.”
    “ And you can’t do that here because?” Tupper asked.
    “Because I have to keep looking over my shoulder to see if Nikkos has found me. I’d rather be out of state somewhere, to give me a bit of breathing room.”
    “Well you know, you’d be better protected right here with us. You can do your research, find someone you trust, and we’ll be able to keep an eye on things for you. You’re still going to be looking over your shoulder if you leave the state.”
    “Truthfully, I have no idea where to start looking,” Mercy confessed.
    She saw the men share a glance and a smile. “It just so happens that we can help you out there too,” Tupper grinned.
    “Willow is one of the best investigative reporters around—this would be something right up her alley,” Chase told her.
    “Ah, guys…that would be my future wife you’re talking about and I’m not sure I want her getting mixed up in all this. Sorry Mercy, no offence, but if you only knew the crap my wife has gotten herself into over the last few years…”
    “You seriously think she’s not going to get involved once she hears this?” Tate asked.
    “Then maybe she shouldn’t hear about it,” Del said.
    There was a moment of silence around the small table before Mercy jumped in quickly, “Del’s right. This is why I didn’t want to get anyone else involved. It’s dangerous. I think I should just stick with my original plan and leave the state.”
    “Let’s just think about it. Don’t make any decisions about leaving just yet, stick around here for a few days and we’ll figure out something,” Tate finally said, tossing down the remainder of his beer, before standing up to leave. The other two men followed suit and waved farewell to Chase and Mercy shortly after.
    “I don’t know Chase. I can just see this turning nasty.”
    “You’re safe here with us. We’ll figure out something. You’ll see.”
    Mercy didn’t reply, what could she say? On one hand she knew he was right—she was safer with the others keeping an eye on her here…but if it caused some kind of discord amongst the group of friends, she would feel responsible for it.

Chapter N ine
     
    Chase showed Mercy back to his room, and left her to have a rest. He had to speak to the guys, but before he faced them, he needed a minute to get his head around this whole thing. Sinking onto a single chair in a quiet nook of the foyer next to the elevator, he sank down and let out a deep breath.
    He’d spent every minute of the last twenty four hours with this woman and he was finding it hard to sort through his emotions. The circumstances of discovering her—close to death, had somehow side-stepped the usual niceties. He’d spent those first few hours watching her in the hospital room and had developed a protective streak over her before she’d even opened her eyes. Knowing she was in trouble had done nothing to lessen this strange new possessiveness he’d