Free The Green Children: A Sycamore Moon Novel (Sycamore Moon Series Book 3) by Domino Finn

said Maxim.
    The other man nodded. "It's not a problem." The Coconino detective appeared spent, but Maxim didn't see any anger on his face. Perhaps Harper really was making a kind gesture.
    "This is what went down," he said. "Your friend got a name from the manager of Quiet Pines. That man, Jason Bower, lives at this residence. He actually wasn't on our list. According to Diego, we missed him at the scene because Jason checked out before the girl went missing. You with me so far?"
    Maxim sighed and glanced back at Diego. "Yeah."
    "Okay. So far, so good. Not a bad piece of information, actually. But then your friend decides to confront the man himself. Bower, being followed by a biker, is naturally afraid for his life. He clocks Diego with a bottle and they get into a brawl at the local watering hole. Except, this isn't the best neighborhood. They keep a bouncer on at all times, even in the morning. And you should see this guy. He's a grizzly bear."
    "Got it," said Maxim impatiently. "How much trouble is he in?"
    Harper raised his eyebrows and paused for dramatic effect. "None. Jason's sorry for what he did. Diego only got physical in response. It's funny how easily a large Samoan can appeal to a man's reason. Your friend decided he was fine with the authorities handling the rest."
    Maxim chuckled. "Neither wants to press charges?"
    "Nope. As long as everyone cooperates. I'm gonna call this a wash."
    A police officer in blues exited the house. He nodded at Maxim, who returned the gesture.
    "Sorry about all this," said Maxim. "And thanks. Can we get Diego out now?"
    The officer shrugged. "I was waiting for you."
    "By the way," said Maxim before they moved to the car, "where are you on the camper?"
    Detective Harper stretched his shoulders and yawned. "Jason Bower? He says he never even saw the girl. He let us search the premises, and a phone call confirmed that he left the campgrounds three or four hours before Hazel went missing."
    "What was the fight about?"
    "Guy owes money to some bad people, apparently. He says he's been in hiding over the weekend, avoiding any unpleasant confrontations. That's why he went to Quiet Pines. Get this. He had his hopes on the Final Four. Only Saturday's game doesn't go his way and he needs to wait for the championship on Monday."
    "But he's still hiding out today so it looks like he missed his payday."
    Harper shrugged. "We both know how that goes. Bower panics while deciding how to climb out of his deepening hole, sees your friend, and thinks he's a scary gangster."
    Maxim chuckled. "He's not far off."
    Both detectives waited for the other to say something, but that was all there was. A funny story, as long as you weren't Jason or Diego, but nothing more. The lead on Bower had triggered false hope. Still, Maxim couldn't help but wonder what else Diego had on the man.
    "Okay. Let's get Al Capone out of the car."

 
     
    Chapter 17

     
     

    Diego grew impatient as they neared the vehicle. It didn't make sense. He'd been detained for over an hour already—what difference did another minute make? But Maxim was sure as shit taking his time getting him out of this cage.

    Cage. Diego again thought of the biker word for cars. He had just wanted to avoid being cooped up in the tow truck today. He never figured the term to be so literal.
    As his freedom teased closer, all he could see was the photograph of Hazel Cunningham, still in his pocket but etched into his synapses, like an afterimage forever burned into a TV screen. Diego needed to get out, shake things up, change the picture again.
    Maxim, as if reading his thoughts, paused outside the car door. He shot Diego a familiar stare, half warning, half threat. It instructed Diego to behave. To act rationally.
    To not be himself.
    Diego fumed and wanted to curse but held back. If there was ever a time to check his temper, it was while in police custody. As he knew it would, the door opened just seconds later.
    "Proud of yourself?" asked