Melinda’s Wolves(84)
Keegan nodded.
“Tomorrow, we go in to work with far more bodies. You’ll continue to collect all the data you can on the shortcuts taken at the site. A large deputy presence will keep anyone from being able to cause a problem.”
“Until we all leave to go home,” Keegan added.
“In numbers there is strength.” Trace lifted his face. “You’ll come with us tomorrow.”
Melinda shook her head. “Nope. I need to do inventory at my shop tomorrow. And besides, I’m probably safer away from you than with you. And you know it.”
“We don’t know anything anymore,” Trace said. “But we also aren’t going to argue about this tonight. I’ll get one of the guys from the precinct to go with you to the shop.”
“How about if I get someone from the rez instead,” Melinda offered. “A Native American shifter on the force would be even more intimidating as a body guard. Plus he would know the area better.”
“Okay.” Keegan squeezed her waist. “So we have a temporary plan for tomorrow. We’ll need to reevaluate at the end of the day. We can’t very well live like this indefinitely.”
Trace rubbed his fingers over his eyes. “Hell, this can’t possibly go on indefinitely. All we need is a court injunction that shuts down the construction. Even a temporary injunction would send all the workers home during the investigation. If we can accomplish that, we can breathe easier while Templeton Construction dukes it out in court. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to investigate the builder until we nail someone’s ass to the wall. It may take time gathering info, but at least an unsafe environment won’t continue to flourish while we wait.”
Keegan nodded. He hoped it was that simple. If he had to live with the constant stress that Melinda’s life was in danger, he would have a heart attack soon.
Melinda lifted his chin and met his gaze. “Let’s eat. You have to be starving. And then I’ll see what I can do to make that wrinkle on your forehead disappear for a while.”
“Excellent.”
•●•
“It doesn’t seem to me as if you’re handling things.” Wayne paced in his office, running a hand through his hair. “The site is now covered with deputies. Hell, the fucking FBI has been called. Is that construction office clean?”
“Yes.”
“You’re positive?”
“Yes. I did it myself. The deputies won’t find anything to implicate you or indicate that there was an intentional use of substandard materials.”
“You better be damn sure of that.”
“Look, it isn’t a stretch. Relax. The entire construction site is a disaster from the earthquake. The damage from that incident alone is enough. I’m sure even a thorough investigation would turn up nothing but crumbling structures as a result of seismic activity and wear and tear on the materials from sitting for over a year.”
“You better be right. If not, I’ll hold you personally responsible.”
“I’m sure.” The man’s voice was stronger than previous conversations, but Wayne still worried about his choice for handling this mess.
“If I have to take more extreme measures to cover this up, I won’t hesitate. Keep that in mind while you’re enjoying your life of luxury.”
The man said nothing, though Wayne thought he heard him swallow.
Wayne ended the call.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The following morning did not bring less stress to Keegan’s life. Two men from the reservation met Keegan and Trace at Melinda’s shop—one from the sheriff’s office and a civilian who was a friend of the Bartel family. Apparently Melinda’s family was well-respected among the tribe. It hadn’t been difficult to find volunteers to help without question.
The unease Keegan felt from the moment he arrived at the construction site did not abate in the least. He wasn’t sure if he was overreacting from the various forces against him or not. He couldn’t take any chances though.
He took a deep breath and considered how nervous he would be without having met Melinda.
Very.
The facts alone were daunting. Dead guy who sent him a warning email. A new email threatening Keegan outright. Shit all over the place in disarray from the previous night. New problems that crept up by the hour—both physical and unexplainable. An overall eerie vibe everywhere around the construction site.
Keegan wasn’t the only one on pins and needles. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to catch on to the fact trouble was brewing.
He spent the entire day making his way to every section of the building in an effort to cover every base. He needed every single fact documented—both mentioned in Friedmont’s email and discovered on their own.