Free Travis Justice by Colleen Shannon

Hana had her answer as to potential backup: none.
    It was the warehouse or nothing.
    The Travises wouldn’t be fooled twice.
    The warehouse had digital-dependent security, according to her contacts. The valuable items the transit service handled were seldom there more than a few hours and they counted on their high-tech security and safe more than costly security guards. She trusted Ernie to get past that. Her own skills in breaking digital security usually ended with snipping a few wires, but Ernie was a true Renaissance man. She turned a corner and stopped abruptly, certain she heard pounding feet. She listened: Background noise of a busy city.
    She hurried on. She was panting slightly when she finally reached her car. Unlocking and opening it, this time she was certain . . . someone was following her. She spun in time to meet a large shadow in the dim streetlamps.
    A very solid shadow. The minute the long, lithe body crashed into hers, forcing her body weight flat against the car and slamming the door, she knew who it was despite not being able to make out the face. No one else she’d ever met had made her nerve endings tingle head to toe like he did.
    Hana tilted her head back to allow the dim streetlight to illuminate her face. “Zachary Travis. Somehow I knew I’d see you again.” She gave him a sweeping glance. “But I liked the way you were dressed better the other way.”
    He reared back slightly, as if insulted, and even in the dim light she saw his cheeks flush. “Ditto. I figured you’d be back at some point. Scoping out our new security.”
    â€œSo you were watching?”
    â€œAlways. It’s my new job as head of security for DPS and Ranger execs.” He settled against her so she could feel the holster at his shoulder.
    She tried to squirm free, but he held her arms at her sides and let her struggle, his cold smile widening. She stopped and used a better weapon—her tongue. “Go ahead then, take me in. But a charge of trespassing won’t keep me locked up very long, and I also have powerful friends with ties at major media outlets.”
    He lockstepped her out of the shade of the tree directly beneath a streetlamp so he could see her face more clearly. “Oh, we know a lot about you now, Ms. Nakatomi. Enough that we’d much rather catch you red-handed with evidence that will stick than bring you in on a misdemeanor. Go on with your malfeasance.”
    She was tempted to reach for his weapon, but then she saw the feral gleam in his blue eyes and thought better of it. He wanted her to go for his gun. No doubt that would have some serious penalties attached now that he was an officer of the law.
    She tilted her head back and thrust out her pointed chin, as she did when she was cornered. “I had nothing to do with the murders.”
    His grip went lax, but then he caught her, more tightly. “At least you get straight to the point. But why would I believe you?”
    â€œUh, a little thing like motive . I had no reason to kill two people I’ve never met.”
    â€œYes, well, that’s why you should come in for questioning. Only you can clear your name.”
    She made a scornful sound. “Like you don’t know anything about me, huh? You’ll believe me despite my priors?”
    That feral gleam softened a bit. “It’s obviously not my call, but I can tell you we’ll all listen to your side of the story. Good enough? Do us both a favor and come quietly.” He moved back half a step, preparing to shove her in front of him. “I’m decent this time.”
    Hana smiled up at him, long and luxuriously. “Pity, that.”
    When his gaze caressed her lips, she struck, stamping her booted foot down on his toe. His grip loosened enough for her to get one arm free. In one fluid movement, she twisted sideways and brought her elbow up sharply into his jaw. He staggered slightly, but still had presence of