Page 32 of Targeted at Christmas

“I know that I wanted out,” Zapponi said, pausing. “Still do. But I came across info that I felt you needed to know involving your bribery case.”

Cooper switched the phone to his other ear. “I’m listening—”

“I’d rather not talk about this over the phone,” the contractor said, ill at ease. “Too many big ears around. Can we meet in person?”

“Where?”

“The shopping center construction site over on North Tatum Boulevard.”

“Okay,” Cooper told him. “I’m on my way.”

“All right.” Zapponi took a deep breath. “Come alone.”

Cooper agreed to this, before disconnecting. It was obvious to him that his former CI was definitely unnerved about what he knew. Not wanting to divulge it till he felt safe and secure enough to do so. If his information was good enough to help crack the case, Cooper wasn’t averse to helping Zapponi out in any way that he could.

What did you learn? Cooper asked himself of the contractor. What—or who—was preventing Zapponi from just spitting it out over the phone?

Cooper mulled this over as he got inside his SUV, after alerting the special agent in charge of a possible breakthrough in the case.

LEXI WAS STILL feeling good after hanging out with Cooper at the Christmas festival last night. Apart from showing that he was willing to step out of his comfort zone in spending more time with her outside their residences, the fact that he was willing to join the carolers, along with her, in singing some Christmas songs told Lexi that he was willing to go the extra mile in starting something with her that could give them both a whole new reason for living. And maybe even loving again.

She was in her car, driving to the construction site on North Tatum Boulevard, where she was to meet with contractor Neal Zapponi to go over the progress of the future shopping center that she had codesigned. It would be named Heath Mall and include a number of the top stores and boutiques, along with fine restaurants, two theaters and other businesses.

In fact, Lexi had decided to get there early so she could do her own assessment of the project first, which was being developed by the Kenniston Group. Let’s see if I come up with anything that needs some extra attention, she thought, nearing the site.

After parking, Lexi got out and gazed at the steel skeleton construction under way for multiple structures and building materials spread about like pieces of a meandering puzzle. She envisioned the finished product and smiled, thankful for her own relatively small contribution.

Just as she began to look around, Lexi heard the engine of a vehicle. She turned to catch a car speeding away as though the driver were late for a meeting.

Hmm, Lexi thought for a long moment, before putting her attention back on the construction site. As she walked farther inside, her eyes latched on something lying on the ground between steel columns.

Getting closer, Lexi gasped once she realized that it was a fully clothed body—an adult male—lying flat on his back, unmoving. She recoiled when recognizing that it was Neal Zapponi. He appeared to have been shot in the head.

Fearful of corrupting evidence—and even being put in grave danger herself—Lexi backed away carefully. Not knowing if Neal was alive or dead, but suspecting the latter, she took the cell phone from her leather cross-body satchel bag and dialed 911, for starters.

WHEN COOPER RECEIVED the call from Lexi that she was at the construction site that he himself was en route toward, and moments away from—that was surprising enough. He quickly realized that it had to be part of her duties as an architect for the development under way, and that the location where Zapponi waited for him was a natural meeting point for the contractor and Lexi as well.

But when she mentioned that Neal Zapponi had been shot at least once—and she feared that he was dead—this was even more shocking to Cooper. Not to mention, it set off all types of alarm bells for him and what this might mean to his investigation into public corruption.

His overriding current concern, however, was the health and well-being of Lexi, who had returned to her car, locking the doors, while she awaited the arrival of the police.

And himself.

Cooper sucked in a deep breath, unnerved at the prospect of anything happening to the woman he had grown to care for so much in such a short, but meaningful, time frame. She seemed to indicate that whoever shot Zapponi had left the scene—apparently taking her out of any immediate danger.

Still, I won’t feel comfortable till I can assess the situation myself, Cooper thought, as he arrived at the scene. And know that she was totally safe and sound.

After parking alongside Lexi’s Infiniti QX50 SUV, Cooper got out of his vehicle. She stepped from her car at the same time and, looking frazzled from what she’d witnessed, Lexi’s voice shook as she said, as if for the first time, “Someone shot Neal…”

“Where is he?” Cooper asked, maintaining his own composure.

Lexi led him to the body in the middle of the construction zone. All the while, Cooper was aware of their open surroundings, which left them technically exposed to an attack. Though he was prepared to remove the firearm from his holster at a moment’s notice, he deferred to Lexi’s feelings that the unsub had likely vacated the scene—and, as such, was not an immediate threat to either of them.

It took only one look at his former CI for Cooper to see that Zapponi had been shot at least twice—both times in the head—judging by the wounds oozing blood.

“Is he…?” Lexi’s voice broke, as though unable to finish the dreadful conclusion.

Cooper removed a black nitrile disposable glove from the side pocket of his blazer and slipped it on one hand. He checked Zapponi’s neck for a pulse and came up empty, only confirming what Cooper had already sensed.