Free Wicked Release by Katana Collins Page A

“Hello,” he said.
    â€œSam, how ya feeling?”
    â€œMatt. I’m feeling a lot better. What’s up?”
    â€œI finally had a chance to review that security footage from the rest stop outside of Boston today. Don’t know why I even bothered now that we’ve got Zooey, but you asked and I had time on my lunch break . . .”
    Sam froze, eyeing Jess. “Oh, yeah?” He tried to keep his voice even, but it felt tight, like his throat.
    â€œYeah. I don’t know what’s going on, man, but I watched that video really closely. From what I can tell, Dane’s truck pulled into the rest stop as he claimed. And a man wearing a hat entered the building. I didn’t see any specific close-ups, but . . . I dunno. Something felt off. The guy . . . he didn’t look like Dane. He was shorter and I could have sworn younger. With blonder, longer hair. I mean, to someone not really paying attention, it could look like Dane, but I don’t think it was him.”
    Check fucking mate. He knew that man was hiding more than he let on. He knew it before Jessie had told him about his lie in not knowing Cass was dead. That whole story about the job he had in Boston and his stop at the service area . . . it was all too damn convenient. It wasn’t until Sam met Dane’s assistant at the masquerade, “Mr. Fix-It,” that he had confirmation. And the video footage would prove it. Dane had given the kid his truck to go down to Boston without him. So then where the hell was Dane when Cass was murdered? As though Jess could read his thoughts—or maybe she could overhear the phone call—she glared at Sam. He cleared his throat, leaning against the wall in an effort to appear casual. “That’s . . . interesting.”
    â€œInteresting? Sam, what the hell is going on? I know you don’t believe Zooey is guilty here, but you’ve been looking into Cass’s death as more than just a robbery gone wrong long before you were attacked. Well, now we know it wasn’t a robbery gone wrong—it was a crime of passion. A love triangle. And yet, you’re still digging.” His partner paused. “And I’ll admit, the more I help you look into the details, the more I’m inclined to think something more is going on, too. I feel like a damn conspiracy theorist.”
    God, he hated keeping these sorts of secrets from his partner. Especially since he knew Matt could be a huge asset in a case like this. “Matt, we need to talk about this another time. Soon, but another time. I’ll call you back.”
    â€œBut—”
    Sam hung up before Matt could say anything else.
    â€œWhat was that about?” Jess sounded cold. Bitter. Untrusting. Not that he could blame her.
    â€œWork.”
    â€œWe both know better than to think I’ll accept that answer.”
    Sam bit his cheek to stop himself from smiling. She was too smart for her own good. And though he loved that about her, it also made her a huge pain in the ass. “I don’t want to lie to you, Jess. Never again.”
    â€œThen don’t.”
    â€œYou realize that I am not supposed to share case details with you?”
    â€œI think we’re well beyond that. For God’s sake, I found my dead sister’s cell phone outside of a secret tunnel from my house the other night. I’m involved in this whether you want me to be or not.”
    He took a step toward her and she backed up so quickly that she hit the doorknob with her lower back, wincing.
    â€œJessie,” he said.
    â€œNever mind, I’ll find out myself. Whatever it is you and Matt know, I’ll find out. Besides, I know things, too.”
    That gave him pause. “You do?”
    â€œOh, now you want to converse about my sister? Tough shit. That ship sailed.”
    Why did she have to be so difficult all the time? Why couldn’t she recognize that this was his way—only way—of