Secrets Collide (Bluegrass Brothers)

Bridget paused for a minute before looking back to Cy. “Forgive me if it’s none of my business, but I also had some ideas about the case.”
    “Well, then, take a seat and tell us what you think.” As Bridget sat, Cy filled Gemma in. “Bridget is an elite K-9 handler. She’s worked the front lines of the War Against Terror, guarded the president, escorted ambassadors, and more. She’s very well respected in the security world.”
    “Thank you,” Bridget said with a slight nod before lacing her fingers together and turning serious. “I think the men Ahmed turned over to the police may be of some use to you. As you know, they were the ones charged with finding you. They could be able to tell you how they found you. If you have that information, then you can work your way back up the food chain, so to speak. Also, if they’re personal security, for example, then they may have information on the boss they protect and run these kinds of errands for.”
    “That’s a good point. I had just assumed they’d be hired henchmen, but you may be right. I wish I knew if they had a tattoo. That would tell me if they were hired or part of the security team.”
    “They had a small black tattoo on their wrist. It was a Roman numeral X.” Gemma jumped back as she heard Ahmed answer from directly behind her. She hadn’t heard the bell ring or even felt anyone standing behind her.
    “Then we need to have a talk with them,” Cy agreed.
    “I thought the same thing. It’s why I came to see you. Miss Springer,” Ahmed acknowledged with a quick nod of his head.
    “Ahmed,” Bridget responded in kind. Gemma had to hide a smile behind her napkin. There was certainly a spark there, but it was strange. They were both so good at hiding their feelings, she couldn’t tell if it was love or hate.
    “Well then, what are we waiting for?” Cy asked as he placed some money on the table. “It’s about time these guys meet who they were looking for.”
     
    Cy followed Ahmed into the Lexington police station. The old concrete building somehow looked like every other police station in the world. Overworked and underpaid people living off caffeine ran them all. The old tile floors somehow darkened the fluorescent light beating down as their steps echoed down the hall.
    Ahmed stopped at the front desk and quietly spoke to the woman behind the plastic window. She nodded and then picked up the phone. Just as quickly as she dialed, she hung up. “Detective Basher will see you now. Through the doors and up to the third floor.”
    Gemma came and stood near Cy when a man in handcuffs was led down the hall by two uniforms. He liked the way she instinctively felt protected by him. She probably didn’t even notice she did it.
    “It’s this way,” Ahmed said, paying no attention to the man in cuffs now cursing and struggling as the officers tried to control him.
    Cy slid his arm around Gemma’s waist and urged her forward. After they passed through the doors, the environment turned more office-like. They pushed through a swinging door and into a large room filled with desks. An older man stood up solemnly on the far side of the room. His hands rested on his hips and Cy knew it wasn’t good. The man’s lips were pierced into a tight line as he waited for them to approach.
    “I was just about to call you,” he grumbled.
    “Detective Basher, Cy Davies and Gemma Perry. Cy, Detective Basher arrested your brother.” Ahmed looked somewhat amused, but it was hard for Cy to tell for certain.
    “Jeez, how many of you are there?”
    “He’s the target our two friends were really after. That’s why we’re here. We need to have a quick word with them,” Ahmed stated rather than asked.
    “That’s why I was going to call you. Seems they were sitting down to lunch and got shanked in a little disturbance between rival gangs.”
    Cy cursed. “This is a lot bigger than it seems and now our leads are dead.” Cy continued to curse under his breath and fought the urge to slam his fist against the old metal desk.
    “What does that mean?” Gemma asked from beside him.
    “It means your sister’s notebooks are our only lead now.”
    Gemma nodded and her eyes showed steely determination. “Then let’s get back to Miss Lily’s. I have work to do. There’s no way I’m letting these guys get away with murdering my sister.”
     

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
     
    Cy paced his room at the bed-and-breakfast. An evening sportscaster was trying to get his