Blood Money (Bad Money #1)

  BLOOD MONEY

  Ali Parker

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  Blood Money

  Copyright © 2015 by Ali Parker

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  The novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and plot are all either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons – living or dead – is purely coincidental.

  First Edition.

  Editor: Nicole Bailey, Proof Before You Publish

  Cover Art: Kellie Dennis at Book Cover by Design

  INDEX

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek at Dirty Money

  About the Author

  Baited Information

  Jaded Information

  Justified Information

  Billionaire Alpha Series Information

  Forgotten Bodyguard Information

  CHAPTER ONE

  Kate

  The club was far busier than she had expected. Never in a million years had she planned to reopen the place and have it the hot spot in the center of the city within eleven months. Her father hadn't been able to do anything with it in the six years he owned the place.

  Grateful, but worn out, Kate pushed through the bodies crowding around the edge of the dance floor and made her way to the bar.

  Marcus looked up, his hands busy wiping steaming hot glasses from the back. Three bartenders whipped around him, their expressions frantic at best.

  "What's up? You look like someone kicked your grandmother." He snorted and laughed.

  "I don't feel right." She turned and looked around the bar, a sense of trepidation sitting heavy on her shoulders. Having lived far too long on the street, she knew when things were about to go south. She glanced back toward Marcus. "Just keep your eyes open."

  "Always do, boss." He reached up and rubbed his bald head, his eyes dark and almost menacing. He had been with her since she opened the doors. Whether he liked it or not, he was her closest friend, if not the only one.

  "I'm going to check the alley out back."

  "I don't like the sound of that. Let me do it."

  "No. I got this. I'm as tough as you, if not more so, and I have the element of surprise on my side."

  "How so?" He smirked and tilted his head.

  "I look small and rather frail. No one would expect that I pack a punch." She shrugged, her eyes moving across the well-defined muscles of his large chest and abs. His black t-shirt was tight, his slacks fitting perfectly. He was a looker, but they had defined their relationship in the beginning with the business in mind, sex the occasional release, but nothing more. It would stay professional, no matter how much either of them might want something else.

  "Frail isn't at all the word I would use for you."

  "I don't want to hear you talk dirty to me. I'll be back. If you don't see me in ten minutes, come rescue me."

  "Nothing else I'd like to be doing on a Friday night. I get a kiss if I do, right?"

  Kate rolled her eyes, walking from the bar and tapping a thin woman on the shoulder. The chick was screaming loudly at the guy in front of her, the atmosphere of the bar disrupted by her loudness.

  "Shut the fuck up or take it outside." Kate leaned in, narrowing her eyes.

  The woman's eyes widened, her messy red hair doing nothing for her appearance. Blush colored her cheeks as she pressed her hand to her hip and cocked her shoulder.

  "And just who the fuck do you think you are?"

  "I own this club and you've been warned. Take your drama out in the street and come back in when you're ready to remember that you're not the only one in here."

  "Whatever..."

  Kate glanced toward the sickly looking guy she was with. "Control your bitch or take her outside. I only give one warning."

  The girl huffed and marched to the front, the guy smiling shyly toward Kate before following her. Turning and moving fast toward the back, she heard the first gun shot, but just barely.

  "Fuck..." She picked up her walk to a run, looking over her shoulder to see if she could catch Marcus's eyes. He was flirting with someone by the looks of things. No time to deal with him.

  Kate pulled her glock from the back of her jeans and stopped by the back door. Reaching up to open the door slowly, she jerked back as someone began screaming and pounding on the door.

  She knew that voice.

  "Adam?"

  Frantic to get the door open, she tucked her gun back in her pants and pulled the four bolts that held the door closed. The scene before her was nothing knew, but the poor boy bleeding and crying was too young to die. She moved into the alley as he hit the ground. Looking quickly to her right and left, she noticed that no one seemed to be around. The screech of a car gave attestation to the fact that whoever had shot the boy was gone.

  She knelt beside him, her hand pressing to his chest softly. "It’s okay, Adam. Let me call the cops. I'll get an ambulance."

  "Kate," he whispered, reaching out and grabbing her with bloody fingers. "Don't... don't go."

  "I have to." She stood and moved to the door as he groaned loudly. She glanced over her shoulder, cursing at the situation. She moved back to him and squatted beside him, pulling out her cell phone and calling the police.

  "Stay with me..." He reached up and she hit her knees, scooting close to him and holding his hand as she tilted her head, trapping the phone between her ear and her shoulder.

  "9-1-1. What's your emergency."

  "This is Kate Jarret. I'm the owner of Expulsion on Twenty-second and Johnson Avenue. There's been a shooting behind my club and the boy is bleeding out."

  "All right. Calm down ma'am. I'm going to need you to stay on the phone with me. Do you understand?"

  Adam mumbled, blood seeping from his mouth, his eyes wide with fear. Kate mumbled yes to the operator and leaned over, one hand brushing through his hair as she used the other to try and get his shirt open. Frustrated and tired of the lady barking instructions to her, she jerked the phone from her ear.

  "Just fucking get someone here. I'm not talking to you while he needs my help. I'm hanging up. Get someone here now!"

  She dropped the phone and leaned over the teenager, ripping at his t-shirt as her eyes filled with tears. Five large bullet holes oozed blood. There was no way they were going to make it in time.

  "It's okay... just hold my hand, Katie." He reached up, his fingers shaking as she slid her hand into his. She moved toward his head and closed her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks.

  "Who did this to you, Adam? I'll find him."

  "Don't get involved." He coughed, spraying himself and her with blood. She moved toward his head, pulling it carefully into her lap as she brushed her fingers through his hair. The scream of the siren lifted in the
night and Kate sighed with relief.

  "They're almost here. Hold on, kid. Hold on and it's going to be okay."

  "No. I can't. I'm tired of running. Find my brother and tell him not to look into me."

  "What? No. Hush and save your energy."

  "No. Find him. Officer..." His words slurred, his eyes closing.

  "Adam. Adam. What's his name?" She looked up as the ambulance stopped at the opening of the alley. Three men ran toward her.

  "Hurry. He's going to bleed out. He's just a kid. Fucking run faster."

  They moved in, one of them carefully pulling her to her feet as she choked on a sob.

  "Don't go anywhere, Miss. The cops are almost here and will want to get a statement from you."

  "I'm not, just save him. He's just a kid."

  "Move back and get out of the way." One of the EMS guys looked up, his expression less than kind.

  Kate wrapped her arms around herself and pressed her back to the wall of the club. She slipped her phone from her pocket and texted Marcus that she needed him out back.

  The door to the club opened a few minutes later, Marcus barreling out as if he were ready to take down the whole city.

  "What the fuck?" He looked at Kate, moving toward her fast. He brushed his hands along her arms and pulled her against him, his thick arms trapping her. "Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?"

  "No. It's the kid's blood." She shivered and pressed into his hold.

  Two of the EMS guys ran toward the truck with Adam on a gurney, the boy not responding to anything. The other looked over at Kate.

  "Did you see anything?"

  "No. When I got out here he was on the ground. I tore his shirt off of him and called 911."

  The sound of the siren just behind them caused her to sag against Marcus. Talking to the police was never a good thing for her. With a record long enough to stay forever attached to her, they never listened.

  "The cops are here. I'm headed to the hospital." The guy turned and jogged off as Kate pulled from Marcus's hold.

  "Don't talk to them without an attorney, Kate."

  "I didn't do anything. I called the ambulance. I was holding the boy as he was dying. Why would they even consider me a suspect?" She looked back toward him as the sound of shoes clipping along the pavement drew her attention away.

  "You have a past. They could care less about the rest."

  "Whatever." She sighed and turned to face them.

  "Kate Jarret?"

  "That's me."

  "We're going to need you to come with us." The bigger of the two men moved toward her as Marcus moved up beside her.

  "Why? Take her statement here." He moved in front of her. Kate reached up and pushed him a little to the side, Marcus not giving her much option but to move around him.

  "That's none of your concern, Sir."

  "I'll go. I don't see why this is necessary, but if it will help Adam, then let's go." She moved toward them, looking over her shoulder at Marcus. "Just hold down the fort and I'll be back in a little while."

  "I'm calling Paul."

  "No. I didn't do anything but try and help. No need to get anyone involved."

  "If Paul is your attorney, that might be a good idea." The older cop to her left spoke softly, his eyes more kind and accepting.

  "What? Why? That's fucking ridiculous." She shrugged and turned to walk toward their car, keeping the rest of her thoughts to herself.

  "I'm calling Paul." Marcus's voice followed her out of the alley and into the busy street.

  She lifted her hand in the air and tucked her head before turning to get in the car. "I have a weapon on me. Do you want it?"

  "Why are you carrying a weapon?" The younger cop moved toward her aggressively.

  "Because I own a club and have a few enemies." She turned her back to him, lifting her hands so that he could get it himself. This wasn't her first rodeo. Any sudden movements and the cops were likely to make an example of her. His hand touched her back, walking her to the back of the car. She jerked from him.

  "Unless you're arresting me, get your hands off of me."

  "Should we be?"

  She turned and looked at him over her shoulder before getting into the backseat. "That's ridiculous. I have no motive to hurt the boy."

  "We'll see what the evidence says."

  "Yeah... we will." She got in and flipped him off behind his back.

  Once a criminal, always a criminal.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Jon

  "Where the fuck is she?" Jon walked into the station, his heart pounding in his chest. He worked hard at staying focused on not losing his shit and letting the whole place know how fucked up he was. He narrowed his eyes on his partner Seth, his voice gravelly as he asked again, "Where the fuck is she, Seth?"

  "Hey buddy. You're gonna need to come back here with me. Captain wants to see you, okay?" Seth moved toward him, hands extended. His light blond hair was matted to his forehead, his blue eyes filled with sympathy that Jon didn't want.

  "Stop fucking with me. I'll talk to the Cap after I see this bitch."

  "Jon. She isn't guilty until proven so. You're one of the good guys. Come on. Come back here with me, man." Seth reached out and put a hand on Jon's shoulder, moving him down the long hall of offices.

  The New Orleans Police Department was vast and the building stood empty most nights. Too many crimes to fight out in the streets. Jon let out a slow breath, his chest tight, hands squeezed into fists. Adam was his only brother - his kid brother. The little shit was trouble from the day he could walk, but damned if Jon didn't love him.

  "She had his blood all over her, Seth. I've already read the initial report."

  "Did Karen send it to you?"

  "It doesn't matter how I got it. The girl was covered in his blood and she's a known criminal. She's been brought up on murder charges multiple times. The bitch did it. I want to question her."

  "Not gonna happen." Seth stopped and turned toward Jon.

  The captain got up from his desk, walking to open the door just behind Seth, the look on his face pensive. "Thanks Seth. Jon, come on in here."

  Jon adverted his eyes from Seth and walked into the all too familiar office, taking a seat and clasping his hands together. There was nothing he dreaded more than telling his mother about Adam. He would be the one to identify the body and to find and convict the woman who took his brother's life and that was all part of it, but watching his mom crumble... or even watching her not... He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes for a minute to gather his emotions.

  "I'm sorry, son. There is nothing worse than watching an innocent lose his life, but when he's your family." The captain paused as Jon opened his eyes.

  "Not sure if my brother was entirely innocent, but he didn't deserve to be gunned down in the street. Tell me what you know."

  "No. You tell me what you know and we'll go from there."

  "I want the case." Jon rolled his shoulders, preparing himself for the fight ahead.

  "No. Not happening."

  "I can handle myself. Let me do this for my mother, Captain. Mike. Seriously. I'll not step over the line once."

  "You're too close to it."

  "Does anyone know he is my brother?"

  "Only a small handful of us, but you look like you're ready to take down the city. I can't put you on this. It's against policy."

  "Then don't tell anyone he was my brother. Put Seth with me and I'll keep cool. If I dick this up at all, then remove me and give me a leave of absence."

  "That wouldn't do well for your record, son. If you're hoping to rise to the top, then you better keep your nose and everyone around you nose's clean. Got me?"

  "Yes. I know this. Tell me I can take the case. Only you, Seth and Karen know Adam was my little brother."

  "If you step out of line at all... it's going to be ugly. For all of us."

  "I won't. Not in the slightest."

  "Let me think on it."

  "There isn't ti
me for that. The woman... she's still here right?"

  "She's in questioning."

  "Then I need to go." He stood and moved toward the door.

  "No. I won't allow that yet. You just found out. You go home and chill out for a few days. When the labs come back and we know if she's the killer or not, then you can come onto the case."

  "Then it's too late. The trail will be cold." Jon put his hands on his hips, shifting slightly from foot to foot to keep himself from exploding. The fact that Captain was willing to put him on the case was a huge relief, but if he wasn't going to start until next week...

  "Then forget it." Mike stood up and pressed his hands to his desk. "You can have the case starting next week on Sunday. Not a minute before that."

  "Who's questioning her?"

  "Grabousky and Lamons."

  "Fuck, Cap. You know those two are morons." Jon sighed and walked to the door, pressing his head to the cold glass and letting out a long breath.

  "I don't think this is healthy Jon. You just got off a child murder case. That almost tore you to shreds. Adam was what, nineteen? Twenty?"

  Jon turned around and pressed his back to the door, holding in the scream that rose in his chest. He needed to do something. Whoever killed his brother needed to be brought to justice and most likely it was the chick at the end of the hall.

  "He was seventeen. What is the story on the girl? What was her alibi for watching the victim bleed out?" Jon moved back into the room, standing behind the small leather chair, his hands gripping the back softly. He would need to remain very calm and methodical in his movements, or Mike would remove any possibility of him assisting.

  "She claims good Samaritan." The captain sat back down in his chair, his fingers brushing his white hair from his face. A haircut was beyond overdo, but time was a lost commodity for most of them on the force.

  "She just happened to be walking by the alley where the victim was shot? That seems a little iffy to me."

  "She owns the club where it all happened. The boy was... he was..." Mike paused.