Free COYOTE SAVAGE by KRIS NORRIS Page B

stopped pacing and glared at her when she walked in.
    “About bloody time,” he said.
    “Good afternoon, Darrin. What can I do for you?”
    “You can start by telling me where in the hell you’ve been. I’ve been waiting here for
    nearly an hour!”
    Rebecca shrugged, walking behind her desk. For some reason she felt the need to keep
    something between them. “Investigating. Is that all?”
    Darrin snorted and crossed his arms. “Really. Are you sure that’s all you’ve been doing?
    You haven’t, maybe, been out at the Brady ranch?”
    His voice made her skin crawl, but she pushed the feeling aside.
    She leaned against the back of her chair, meeting his gaze. “I was out at the ranch,
    checking their security as promised. I have more than enough proof that their coyotes aren’t to
    blame for your loss of sheep. We’ll have to consider another explanation.”
    “I had a feeling you’d see it that way.” Darrin smirked at her. “I hear they like to share
    their women. I don’t suppose you’d know anything about that?”
    She ignored the contemptuous tone to his voice, keeping her expression neutral. Though
    she didn’t plan on hiding her burgeoning relationship with the men, she’d be damned if she’d let
    Darrin taint it. “What the Brady boys do in their private life is just that—private. As is what I
    do.” She waved at the door. “Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do. I’ll call your father as
    soon as I have more information. I’m looking into a lead as we speak.”
    She sat at her desk and started flipping through papers, hoping he’d get the hint. His
    breath against the back of her neck took her completely off guard. She hadn’t heard or seen him
    move.
    “I’m more man than they could ever be.” His lips coasted over her skin, ending in a light
    lick to her neck. “You’ve put up a good chase, but it’s time you realized who the winner is.” His
    hand brushed down her arm.
    She spun, knocking him back as she surged to her feet. “Don’t touch me!” She flicked at
    her arm, wishing she could erase the feel of his fingers on her, even just her jacket. “Now I
    suggest you leave before I find a reason to toss your ass in jail for the night.”
    Darrin laughed, heading past her on his way to the door. “I like a woman who makes the
    hunt worthwhile. Enjoy this little victory…it won’t last long.” He took a step out then turned
    back. “And my father will find a way to shut those boys down. It’s only a matter of time.”
    Rebecca crossed her arms as he sauntered out of the office. Bobby popped through the
    doorway holding some papers. She shifted her focus to her deputy.
    “I’m not sure if this is what you were looking for, but I thought you might want to check
    it out.” He paused, grimacing. “You might not like it.”
    She took the papers and spread them out on her desk, skimming through the sheets,
    stopping on the third page. “This doesn’t make any sense. According to this report, the Mayor
    had his consulting firm organize a number of seismic tests on land adjacent to the Brady ranch.
    But he never had the company file their final analysis on their findings.” She looked over at
    Bobby. “He knows better than to break protocol when it comes to government money.” She
    flipped to the next page and her breath stalled. “This is a police report filed by my dad. Looks
    like he questioned the Mayor on the report, but he never went through with any charges.”
    Bobby looked away and a deep chill wove down her spine.
    She tapped him on the arm. “Do you know why he never finished this or why the original
    report isn’t on my computer?”
    “The original report isn’t in the database. I only found it because it was attached to your
    dad’s police file. And he never finalized anything because he was still investigating when
    he…died.”
    Tears stung her eyes, but she managed to keep them at bay.
    Bobby toed the floor, looking sheepish. “I’m sorry,