The Ringer by Amber Malloy

description, but he had already been cremated.”
    “What’s wrong with that?” She had always assumed John Does were cremated if they weren’t claimed.
    “At the time, nothing, but the acceleration of the process threw up some red flags. I kept at it until I found more John Does who matched missing persons’ reports. Most of them appear connected, but I can’t quite figure out how.”
    Lane pushed her hair back and blew out a breath. “This makes no sense.”
    “Unlike other cops, I didn’t have to watch the clock. I could do the work on my private time which must have made someone awfully nervous.” He closed his eyes. He looked wiped.
    “How does any of this tie into last night? You’re on the front page of the newspaper, wanted for questioning in the mark’s murder. A murder you didn’t commit.”
    “I think he was the snitch of one of the detectives I work with.” Jax rubbed his hand across his face.
    “Who, the guy who shot at us?”
    He merely shook his head. Lane could tell by the red in his eyes that the sleep loss had begun to catch up with him.
    “Let’s pick this up later,” she suggested. They would need to work on all cylinders to get out of this mess. “After you grab some Zs you should consider imploring the kindness of your wealthy friends. I think you could use it. I’m going to dry out your clothes the best I can and—”
    Jax was out of his seat and directly in front of her. Fast reflexes . She had no choice except to feel the strength of his body against her needy one. “I’ll understand if you want out,” he told her. “I can send you somewhere safe until this is all sorted.” He held her tight against him.
    Gold flecks twinkled throughout the hazel in his eyes. Jax was so close if he tilted his head just a few inches lower, he could kiss her. A taste of his lips would be enough. But fear shouldn’t have been a good reason to sexually attack him.
    “I’m a big girl. You’ll be the first person I tell when I’ve reached my limit. Besides, I don’t believe in coincidences. One or both of us were marked to die last night. We should find out why.”
    He held onto her a moment longer and stared into her eyes. He searched for something. A truth of some sort, she wasn’t sure. However, if he continued to touch her, she wouldn’t be responsible for her raging hormones.
    She tried to move back but bumped into the cabin wall.
    “Thank you,” he told her. “For saving me back there. You were great, and it was a lot to ask, so thank you.”
    A knot formed in her throat while tears threatened to come. Unable to speak, she nodded. It had been a long time since she had encountered such genuine kindness from a man, and she didn’t want to ruin it with blubbering.
    Once she was positive she wouldn’t cry, Lane eased past him. “You’re welcome,” she threw over her shoulder.

 
     
     
Chapter Eight
     
     
    Julian Blanchard, captain of the first district in Chicago, Illinois, sat calmly as the city’s mayor chewed him a new one.
    The two most powerful men in Chicago sat across from his desk. Everyone pretended they were just in the neighborhood for a friendly chat. However, Julian wasn’t a fool. Years of dedication circled the drain, all thanks to one entitled rich prick named Jackson Thornbird.
    “Captain, we must commend you on the success of your district.”
    Julian nodded and took in the accolades, ready for the other shoe to drop. Wise to the way of the powerful, he had worked very hard to become one of those “elite few.”
    “The crime rate has gone down significantly, and your squad did a marvelous job finding the side-alley rapist,” the commissioner said. Julian noticed he’d begun with a compliment, which meant he would swing down the axe next.
    “Now we don’t want this thing with Thornbird getting out of hand. He’s high society with lots of connections to the upper crust of our fair city.”
    Our corrupt city , Julian didn’t bother to say. Everyone