Free Arms of Promise by Crystal Walton Page A

forehead. He didn’t want to argue with his high school buddy about what he could handle. Even though all service men held a given respect for each other, jealousy over his elite training somehow always found a way into these types of conversations.
    He took another swig of the bitter coffee that was supposed to keep his focus off wishing he were with Anna right now.
    “I know the risks, Harris.” Some more than others. “You got a name and address with the plate I gave you, or what?”
    His pause grated on Evan’s already-tense nerves. “Registered to M. J. Industries.”
    Michelli’s front company. Why was Evan not surprised? “And let me guess. The address matches Adele’s Little Italy’s.” He’d already scoped out the restaurant once. It served as a rendezvous point, but they must headquarter somewhere else. He just had to find out where.
    “Like I said, man. Leave it alone.”
    “What about the other plate I gave you?”
    “Stolen.”
    There was a shocker.
    “But I think the guy you’re talking about is Jamie Painter. The kid’s got a list of priors longer than his age.”
    “So, you picked him up?”
    “Not yet.”
    Evan clenched his coffee cup. Were they waiting for a personalized invitation?
    “Two units patrolled the neighborhood you gave us. No sign of him. The guy’s a drifter. Never stays at one address longer than a few weeks.”
    Maybe the punk was smarter than Evan gave him credit for. “Set a squad car at Brookfield Apartments. He’ll be back.”
    “You know we don’t have the resources to run a stakeout on every low-level drug dealer.”
    “The guy’s walking around, waving a gun up in people’s faces.” Evan ran a hand back and forth over the top of his head. “If nothing else, pick him up for illegal possession. I guarantee he lifted that Glock on the streets.”
    “Him and two-thirds of the guys in that area. Look, my department’s swamped on a case right now. When things die down, I’ll see if we can get an informant to wire up for us, all right?”
    “That’s not good en—” Coffee dripped onto his shirt as he scrambled up in his seat. “Let me go, Harris.” He dropped his phone on the center console and stared out the window.
    Across the street, a bundled-up Anna hurried down the sidewalk with a drink carrier in her hand. What the heck did she think she was doing?
    She ambled over to a woman and two children huddled together on the corner and handed them each a hot drink. The rain had let up, but the damp cold wasn’t as merciful.
    Evan shook his head at her unfailing empathy.
    The door to the Escalade opened when Anna started down the sidewalk. TweedleDum lumbered out and jutted his chin at his partner. One flanked left while the other gained ground on Anna from behind. Bells .
    Evan shot a glance toward her dad’s town car creeping down the street. If Anna saw them, she’d flip. He grabbed his Sig and drew back the slide to check the chamber. Why’d he think she’d actually listen to him and stay inside? The girl was going to be the death of him.
    He glanced up right as another man from the opposite direction strode for her.
    Halfway out the door, Evan halted at the sight of the dude wrapping his arms around her. She obviously knew him. Even the dark couldn’t hide the look of comfort on her face. Evan’s whole body froze as she returned the affection.
    The Trench Coat Duo stopped short, exchanged a measured glance, and backed into the shadows. A left-hand turn steered the town car out of view just in time. Her dad’s men would be circling back around to their post, just as Evan should be tailing the Escalade.
    But when the guy with Anna draped an arm over her shoulders and prodded her forward, Evan slumped back into his seat. Her dad’s men had Anna covered. Still, if it didn’t feel like a Humvee was sitting on his chest, he would’ve followed them.
    Someone banged against the passenger window. Marissa pressed her face against her cupped hands while