Jodi noticed that Memphis stayed quiet while constantly searching the area. When he caught her stare, he smiled and took Turbo’s leash from Hunter. “I’m going to walk this poor guy around, let him calm down a little.”
True, Turbo wasn’t at all sure how he felt about the ruckus. He puffed every breath and seemed agitated by the activity.
Hunter gave his brother a warning frown. “Don’t go far.”
“We won’t,” Memphis said.
Of course he headed toward the other side of the road, which was exactly how someone would have accessed her property—and was where she had a few trail cameras hidden.
To the firefighter, she asked, “Do you need anything else from me?”
“You’ll be around?”
Jodi flinched, not at all sure how to answer. Even she with her daring didn’t want to stay in the house under these circumstances.
The photo Kennedy had sent her—was it ruined? Were her clothes wearable? Never before had she realized just how territorial she felt about her things. Then again, until recently, she hadn’t really had possessions—at least, nothing important.
Hunter put his arm around her and tucked her close to his side. “She’ll be with me.”
“That’s probably best, then. We’ll investigate, but we’re a volunteer department without a lot of resources.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s lucky you noticed the fire so quickly.”
Hunter nodded. “If my brother hadn’t stayed over, we might all still be sleeping. He was using the guest room at the end of the house closest to here. We were at the other side.”
It struck Jodi. “I’d have come down here only to find I didn’t have a house left.”
The firefighter studied her again. “You’d have smelled the smoke the second you stepped outside.”
Jodi locked her jaw. She knew what she had to do now. Looking up at Hunter, she said, “Let’s go home. Er, that is...” His home was not hers, but hopefully, he knew what she meant. “To your house.”
His gaze warmed and he gave her a gentle hug. He and the firefighter shared a few more words, but Jodi tuned them out in favor of making plans.
They were almost to his house when Memphis jogged up to join them. Turbo happily ran along with him, glad to leave the commotion behind. Quietly, Memphis said, “I removed three memory cards. Were there more cameras I missed?”
“Nope. You got them. Thanks.” If the firefighters called in an investigator, and they likely would, the area might be searched, and they’d find the cameras—but now they already had the cards.
Jodi went straight to the bedroom to get her laptop. If she had a choice, she’d check the feed without the brothers looking over her shoulder. She hated for Hunter to get further involved, yet without even asking, she knew he wouldn’t tolerate that.
Hadn’t they just discussed sharing this stuff? This was different, though. The danger had amplified, all because of her.
Hunter had followed her, so before she even left the bedroom, he took the laptop from her and slid an arm around her waist.
He kept doing that. Touching her, comforting her. “I’m fine, you know.”
“I know.” He walked with her through the hallway. “Somehow I think it’s in my best interest to keep hold of you so you don’t go charging off alone.”
That sentiment was nice, and still a little alarming. She gave a wry smile. No one knew her as well as he did. That had to mean something, right?
He steered her to the kitchen, where Memphis had arranged three chairs close together and refilled the coffee mugs. Clearly, this was to be a group effort.
“I’m not a huge coffee drinker.” That was Kennedy’s habit, not hers, and right now she didn’t need the caffeine jitters. Taking the middle seat, Jodi asked, “Could I get a juice instead?”
“You’ve got it.” Memphis removed her mug and filled a glass with haste, then sat to her left. Hunter was at her right.
It took only seconds to plug in the card and bring up the feed. As they watched the eerie black-and-white footage, Jodi repeated a silent mantra: Don’t let it be Remmy. Don’t let my instincts be so far out of whack. Not Remmy. Not Remmy. Not Remmy.
The image of a male came into view. Black knit hat. Dark clothing. Shorter than Remmy. Stockier. Jodi sat back in relief.
Until Hunter asked, “Why didn’t Remmy warn you?”
Her heart crawled into her throat and she slowly turned to face him. “Hunter...I doubt Remmy knew.”
He cursed low.
“What am I missing?” Memphis asked.
“Remmy would have told me,” Jodi said. “I’m sure of it. This means they’re keeping info from him.”
Hunter rested a hand on her thigh, and said to Memphis, “Someone is probably on to him.”
Jodi fought off the rush of panic. “That means he could be dead before we can get to him.” Unless she came up with a plan, and fast.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
EVEN BEFORE HE opened the door to the insistent pounding, Remmy knew it was going to be bad. No one would have disturbed him except King, and King usually just called. When the boss wanted someone physically brought in, Remmy was the guy he sent.
But not this morning.
Surprisingly, Danny Giggs wasn’t among the three men who informed him that King was waiting. They watched over him while he pulled on jeans, a T-shirt, socks and shoes. Even while he took a piss and quickly brushed his teeth.
Remmy didn’t miss the guns on their hips, or their looks of satisfaction. While one guy took his cell phone and keys, the biggest of them ordered, “Hurry the fuck up. You’re not going on a date.”
That was pushing him a little too far. “Did King tell you to kill me?”
The guy grinned. “No, he specifically said he’d deal with you himself.”
“Good.” Remmy landed a heavy fist in his face, knocking him off balance and permanently damaging that smug smile by removing a tooth or two. Instantly, he was tackled. His shoulder hit the wall, his ass hit the floor, but the few bruises he got were well worth it.
Minutes later, angrily stuffed in the back seat of a midsize car, with a goon on either side of him, the guy with the busted mouth driving, Remmy contemplated his chances of survival. They were slim to none, and unfortunately, slim was out of town. Hopefully, Hunter would be ready for any trouble sent their way. He detested the thought of Jodi being hurt because of his incompetence.
Hell, he didn’t even want Hunter hurt.