Page 34 of Crimson Heart

15

Jude sat in the tiny security office of the Gallagher mansion. He was wading through page after page of police records that Francisco had hacked into. He’d collected everything where the name Steve or Stephen or Steven Leon appeared. The records covered San Bernardino County and Riverside County, and he’d even extended the search into Los Angeles and Orange Counties, just in case Steve Leon had committed any crimes or been arrested in neighboring counties. So far, the search was a bust. All he’d found was a parking ticket in Riverside County.

“What else are you checking?” he asked Francisco, who looked over his shoulder, since the office was too small for two chairs.

His friend pointed to the screen. “Tax records, both California and Federal. I’m pulling down the returns for the past ten years to see where his income is coming from. Maybe with that, we can figure out which companies act as the front for the pack and see if there are any irregularities in those records that tie back to Steve.”

“Feels like a wild goose chase.”

Jude sighed. He loved his sister and wanted her to be happy, but he also knew she was stubborn, and if she’d decided to reject Steve Leon, it would be difficult to make her change her mind. So, truth be told, he actually wanted to find something that proved his sister’s gut feeling right. It didn’t matter that this would go against his parents’ wishes. On top of it, going against the Werewolf Alliance once again would erase all the goodwill they’d shown him after he’d mated with Danielle against their orders.

The door opened suddenly, and Wendell popped his head in.

“Hey, there you are,” Wendell said. “Do you know where Byron is? He’s not picking up his cell. I have some stuff he needs to sign, and he left the papers here.”

“He should be at the Bail Bonds office on Bryant Street all day,” Jude replied. “Have you tried the office?”

Wendell nodded. “They said he came by for a few minutes and spoke to one of the bounty hunters, but he left again.”

“So much for his work ethic,” Jude grumbled, not surprised.

“The office manager said that he was with a woman.”

That made him listen up. “A woman?”

“Yeah, that’s all I got.”

Jude felt an uncomfortable ripple settling in his stomach. His mind was working overtime. He knew what he was thinking was crazy and far-fetched, but he couldn’t get it out of his mind.

“Thanks, Wendell. I’ll talk to the office manager.”

Wendell left, and Jude called the Bryant Street Bail Bonds office. When the office manager answered, he took a deep breath.

“Hey, Mike, this is Jude Beaumont. I was told Byron came by this morning, and he wasn’t alone.”

“Hi, Jude. Yeah, he only stopped by for a few minutes.”

“And the woman? Who was she?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t introduce her. Very pretty.”

“Long, dark hair? Green eyes? Wearing a pair of jeans and a blue sweater?”

“How did you know?”

“Thanks, Mike.”

He disconnected the phone, trying not to let his imagination spiral out of control.

He dialed the number for the cell phone he’d given to his sister before she’d left with Byron. He let it ring, but there was no reply. He punched the end call button.

“Francisco, trace my sister’s cell. It’s the one you gave me this morning.”

“Something wrong?”

“I hope not.”

Jude got up to let Francisco sit in front of the computer. Francisco pulled up a program on his computer and entered the cell number, while Jude dialed Byron’s number. He let it ring. After the fourth ring, Byron’s voicemail came on. He didn’t leave a message.