Beautiful Bounty(95)

“Okay Miss Sears,” he approached the bed and pulled out a little black notepad from his inside breast pocket. “Now, it’s my turn for some questions.”

“Shoot,” she said, looking away from the beast of a man. He looked like he lifted trucks instead of weights. Why in the hell did men think women found juice heads attractive? The man was built like a Mac truck.

He snickered at her attempts to avoid his gaze.

“I usually like suspects and witnesses to look at me when I’m questioning them. It kind of helps me to determine if they are being honest with me,” he added patiently.

“For crying out loud,” she turned her head. “Just ask your dumb questions.” The sooner she got this out of the way, the sooner she could see Nikko. She crossed her arms. Cooperate, she reminded herself. She was still in some serious trouble, but her worries over Nikko made her push everything else to the way side. The sooner she cooperated, the sooner the bear would get the hell out of there. Then, she wouldn’t have to see him until he picked her up tomorrow to cart her to jail.

“So, first question. Gary Campbell admitted putting the drugs in your equipment in Tampa?” he asked.

“Yes! We have it on tape.” He just nodded and took his time writing it down in his little notebook. He even licked the tip of his pencil. She rolled her eyes. Obviously this guy was going to torture her with his methodical interrogation.

“Okay. Thank you.” He turned and began to exit the room.

“Wait?” she called after him totally confused. Was this a joke?

“What?” he turned, hand on the door.

“That’s it?” she asked eyes widening in surprise.

“Yep, we got the tape, and it is being sent to analysis now in Bangor, and we’ve recorded Gary’s voice. I’ve got statements from both Gio, and Blaze. I’ve got to talk to Andreas, and Nikko. If the tapes are good. We will know in a couple of hours, then it’s a wrap.”

“What do you mean it’s a wrap?”

“We’ve been on to this Gary fellow for a while now. Suspected him in this Tampa thing, but wanted to keep it under wraps until we could bring down the bigger fish. You really didn’t need to come down here. We have been keeping an eye on him and the Brimeyer Gang who he works for. You would have been cleared anyhow. The tape makes it nice and tidy with Gary though, so thanks for that.”

“The Brimeyers?” she asked in confusion.

“Yes, the Brimeyers,” he told her as she laid there mute with shock. “There a local drug scum outfit. We were just a few weeks away from busting them, but with Gary in custody, we might be making a little dealio with the little rich kid, and get them sooner rather than later. Give him fifteen instead of twenty for turning them in. They were Gary’s main supplier, and they have been dealing locally for nearly a decade. They have been working with Gary to extend their reach into Bangor, and they have been using him to bring more product into the state.” He shrugged like this was not news to her.

Gary had been up to a whole hell of a lot more than she thought. She was flabbergasted. But cutting Gary a deal was out of the question. “You’re going to cut Gary a deal!” she scoffed, appalled at the thought of him getting off lightly.

“I think you’ll be fine with the Marinos for fifteen years, Miss Sears. Plus, I don’t think prison is too kind to pretty boy rich kids. We’ll be on him when he gets out.” Detective Alexander stood there for a moment waiting to see if this little package had any other questions. It seemed she was still too stunned to speak. He had things to do. “Have a good day,” he said and gave her a mock salute as he exited.

Holy hell, she thought. “Wait?” she yelled again.

“What is it now, Miss Sears?” he asked with an exaggerated sigh popping his head in the door again. It was his turn to roll his eyes at her.

“I’m not going to jail tomorrow?” she asked, a warm feeling beginning to course through her.

He shook his head and smiled again. “Maine cops aren’t idiots. We have been investigating this drug ring for quite some time. We have been watching this group in the hopes of also getting their suppliers. We know you’re squeaky clean. Florida will get all our reports.” He nodded again, and this time she let him go.

She was free. Free to be with Nikko. That is if he still wanted her. Her mind ran rampant with doubts. Would he? Want her? Would his brother’s accept her? After all they’d been through, they might . . . her fears were back. They’d said she was family, but that was before she’d nearly gotten their brother killed. Hell, she’d be reluctant to have her new baby sister, or brother involved with someone who’d put their life in danger, and she or he hadn’t even been born yet. What the hell was she going to do? What the hell could she say?