Cold Shadow (Cold Country #2)(4)

"Sorry. Walker and I go back to the Corps. He's an old friend." He said more than he should. It wasn't like he remembered Walker from back then.

"Are they taking over the case?" Derrick nodded, understanding.

"Not today."

"But you wish they would, don't you?" Castle rocked on his feet. He was sweating in his uniform.

"Yes. This one time. And you didn't hear me say that."





Chapter Two




Natalie Truman wasn't the same sultry college girl he remembered. Nathan was right, she had grown up. Tall, almost his height in the Keds she'd lived in back then. Now in heels, she towered over him. She kept her long, black hair contained in a sleek ponytail. The only difference between her and her brother was their choice of holder. The ornate clip at the back of her head looked like a diamond-studded bow. Her silver eyes tilted up at the corners-most likely from an eyeliner trick, but it worked. He couldn't tear his gaze away.

She sat behind a desk that overlooked the parking lot. The office was small and plain but very tidy. She was happy to see him. Her lips quirked at the corners when she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"We're keeping check on everybody. No one goes home alone now. Nathan has his department patrolling the areas where the Hispanic workers live now. They don't like it, but they are more afraid of the alternative. Such quiet people. It's a horrific shame." Drew heard a slight tremor in her voice that she tried to hide. Nathan was right about one thing: This thing had her freaked.

She didn't say anything about that Christmas when they'd almost dated. He didn't either. He was here to do a job, not to hook up with the one who maybe got away. Just keep telling yourself that. 

"Dad wants to rush back. He doesn't understand retirement. Mom either. She should be down in Florida with him instead, but she stayed home to look after Emma."

"You sound jealous. What is it? You don't like coming in second in Nathan's life now?" He hadn't meant to say that. But she smiled.

"More like fifth or sixth." She laughed, her eyes crinkling up at the corners with genuine amusement. "The job first, then Quinn, then Emma, Mom, Dad, his stupid motorcycle, his gun. Okay, eighth," she said, ticking off each of Nathan's loves as she went.

"Nathan has a motorcycle now?" He laughed with her. Her red lips turned up in a sweet grin, so different from her taciturn brother.

"He got it to go with the hair. He has prettier hair than I do. I wish he'd go back to the buzz cut, but nooo Quinn won't let him. They make me sick the way they gush all over each other."

There was love in her voice. Much younger than Nathan, she idolized him from afar, at least that's what Drew observed all those years ago. And Nathan had poked and teased her like any older brother would. He'd felt guilty for leaving her behind when he joined the Marines. Nathan had told him that himself. And Drew knew without a doubt Nathan would have followed through on his threats of bodily harm if he'd ever hurt her. It was one reason he'd left her alone. But not the main reason.

"So how do you want to do this? Set up an interview room? Or wait for break and-"

"I want you to let me come to work for you for a couple of days. Let me talk to the crew as one of them. Blend in. I'll find out if they know anything and are afraid to talk. They'll see the badge and clam up if we do it any other way."

Rubbing her forehead as if to stave off a headache, she sighed. "You're right about that. They keep to themselves. They work hard, but it's almost a desperate …  I don't know, Drew. I tried so hard to make them feel at home. And then this happened. They're scared. I'm scared."

"Nathan is scared."

"I know. He won't say anything, but he thinks it's someone in the community. After what happened to him, I can't say as I blame him."

"We'll find them. In the meantime, let's talk about what's going on with the plant itself. Anything new or out of the ordinary?" He moved away from small talk and on to business at hand. At first Natalie was reluctant to deceive her staff, but she agreed that bringing him in quietly would work better for everyone. He assured her when he was finished with his investigation, he'd slip back out as quietly as he came in.

She arranged paperwork and hiring forms while he waited. "I'll arrange a ride in for you in the morning. It'll be easier that way. My foreman, Alonzo Ortiz, usually handles new hires at the lower levels. I'll make up some story for him. Prepare to be some down-on-your-luck charity case."

She looked at his undercover credentials without blinking. She scanned his fake ID into her computer, worry creasing her brow. "Nathan said I could stay out at Casa Truman for a couple of days. And that was what finally got a reaction out of her. "Is that going to be a problem? I can stay in the motel if you'd prefer."