Free Tracking Shadows (Shadows of Justice 4) by Regan Black

walked away. When the woman had turned the corner, she moved into the unit and looked around more critically.
    Her initial plan a failure, the farce might actually have more practical applications. Trina pulled out her new phone and checked for broadband signals, grinning at the solid connection. She recognized all kinds of potential she hadn't considered when she'd been blinded by her little reunion fantasy.
    If the owners here were not related to Joel, she could use this location to stash another emergency identity. If they were, she would simply let the rental expire and sacrifice the key replacement fee.
    She refused to do anything to disgrace her memory of Joel or his family. They'd always been so very nice to her no matter the rumors she denied or the bruises she covered.
    This close to the docks, she could pluck up a couple discarded crates and use them to satisfy Mary, who would surely be watching for her return. She could stash her new wardrobe here and find a thrift store and pick up some old looking junk. Both old and new would be great cover for her back up equipment, just in case Mary had a tendency to snoop when she wasn't working her nails.
    On the docks, or even the strip, Trina might find someone willing to talk contraband. Her mind turned a couple more gears. Smuggling wasn't her thing, but Slick Micky had to have some connections close by. The storage unit was too convenient for a criminal to overlook, evidenced by Mary's sleeping dock hand.
    She pulled down the door, making a mental note to oil the rails and rollers, and programmed the lock with her own code. Maybe Mary didn't know precisely who owned this place, but she was nosy enough that if Trina asked Mary the right questions, she might stumble onto something to put her back on Slick Micky's tail.
    She thought of April and was glad now that she hadn't stayed. She wasn't in the habit of causing trouble for innocent bystanders. Apparently fate or karma, or something else was on her side for the moment.

Chapter Seven
     
    Micky leaned back in his chair and scrolled through the news reports for any word on Sis's murder. Brian had kept his word. The cops hadn't mentioned anything about Sis's personal, professional, or criminal connections. So far, they'd even avoided the usual mention of Slick Micky as a person of interest in the case.
    While it was definitely better for him, he felt he was letting her down. She'd died because of him, because someone knew his vulnerability and wanted him to suffer. He changed media stations again, but there was nothing pertinent being reported anywhere. Knowing what it took to suppress a story, even one as publicly irrelevant as Sis's death, had his mind turning in troubling directions.
    His concern about his ventures made the bizarre report of some kind of armed conflict out West a valuable distraction. He turned up the volume to listen as a perfectly coiffed reporter speculated about vigilantes, over-juiced soldiers, and secret societies. He snorted at her preposterous theories and muted the monitor again. Those odd reports made him appreciate how good he had it dealing in moderately illegal substances and juggling minor personnel issues.
    He sighed. It was time to address April's lack of common sense and breach of direct orders. He called down to security and asked for her to be sent to his office.
    Minutes later, the girl walked in with such a despondent look, he nearly faltered. But Sis never tolerated insubordination and he couldn't afford to let her off the hook.
    "Sit down."
    She slid into the chair like her knees had been about to buckle. "I'm sor –"
    He held up a hand to silence her. "We have a system in place for everyone's protection."
    "I –"
    He scowled and her mouth snapped shut.
    "You listen." He couldn't recall a time when he'd been as young and naive as April. "When I put a stop to deliveries, I have a reason. When I tell you not to bring anyone home, I have a reason."
    Micky paused. He sounded just