LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter 1

      “It’s official.” Chief Finn Colton faced his K-9 officers in the morning briefing. “The Groom Killer has claimed a fourth victim.”

      Brayden Colton remained silent throughout the buzz of conversation that followed. Four dead men...and this time it felt personal. Again. The first victim had been the half brother of a cop. This time, the murdered guy was an ex-cop. Although he shared the shock and grief that gripped his colleagues, Brayden had even more reason to feel anger and frustration.

      He was aware of the chief watching him closely and guessed Finn was concerned about how he would react to this latest bombshell. Brayden was aware of his role. He knew how he was supposed to play this. He should keep an open mind, stay professional. Although the evidence against his kid sister was stacking up hard and fast, inside this building he was a police officer first and Demi’s brother second. Right now, he should be doing everything he could to convince his cousin, the chief, that he was impartial.

      Reaching out a hand, he placed it on the head of Echo, his K-9 partner. As always, the dog’s calm, quiet presence soothed him. Brayden made sure his gaze was steady on Finn’s face as the chief continued with the briefing. Crime-scene photographs appeared on a large screen behind him. “Like the other victims, Jack Parkowski was shot through the heart. A black cummerbund was stuffed in his mouth. He was forty-eight years old, born and raised in Red Ridge, but hadn’t lived here for over twenty years. Came back six months ago in preparation for his marriage to Sarah Mull. She was the one who found his body.”

      “How is she?” It was a voice from the back of the room. Sarah Mull had to be about the most popular person in Red Ridge. She had been Brayden’s first-grade teacher.

      “Not good. She’s being treated in the hospital for shock. As far as the Groom Killer case goes, there is nothing new to report. Since we have another murder, let’s recap on why finding Demi Colton is our priority. When the first victim, Bo Gage, was found, he had written Demi C in his own blood. Then, a gold heart necklace with the initials DC was found under a pickup wheel near Bo’s body. We also have a witness who saw Demi close to the scene just before the murder. When we add in the fact that she went on the run as soon as we got a warrant for her arrest, it’s hardly surprising that every finger in town is pointing her way. Last month, a witness also claimed to see her shoot the third victim—a witness who ended up dead soon after. However, the FBI reported a sighting of Demi across the state at the time of that murder.” Finn’s gaze moved purposefully around the room, lingering for a second on Brayden. “So, just because we are focusing our resources on the search for Demi, I don’t want anyone to stop looking at other angles.”

      “There are rumors that Demi is pregnant,” Officer Juliette Walsh said. “If that’s true, we have to hope she’ll seek medical help at some point. Is there an alert out to the medical centers in the region?”

      Finn nodded. “Demi’s photograph has been circulated throughout the county.”

      “Demi Colton is half feral. Why would she care about the welfare of her baby?” The sneering voice came from behind him and Brayden kept his head down, riding the wave of anger that swept over him. This was the way it had been from the minute Demi took flight. This constant fight between his job and his loyalty to his sister. It was getting harder each day.

      “We suspect that Demi is pregnant with Bo Gage’s child and is several months along. All we know for sure is that Bo ended their relationship and became engaged to another woman. Unfortunately, that speaks to Demi’s motive.” Finn’s voice was firm.

      “Yeah. But then again, Bo might not be the father. Anything is possible with Demi—”

      Brayden was on his feet before he had time to think, swinging around to face the unknown speaker. “What are you trying to say about my sister?”

      Among the faces looking back at him, one stood out. Lucas Gage, Bo’s brother, was a bounty hunter who had been deputized to the police department. Since Demi was in the same profession, they were fierce rivals and Lucas had been convinced from day one that Demi was the killer. Although Brayden couldn’t be sure Lucas was the person who had spoken, the other man stared back at him, provocation in his eyes. It was a challenge Brayden was more than happy to take.

      To hell with impartial. To hell with all of it.

      “My sister is not a killer.”

      “Let’s calm this down.” Finn’s cool, authoritative voice cut across Brayden’s overheated senses. “Personal comments have no place in this investigation.” His gaze swept the room. “They have no place in this department. I hope that’s clear to everyone?”

      There was a general murmur of agreement as Brayden returned to his seat. His fingers sought the reassuring softness of Echo’s fur and the dog gave the inside of his wrist a quick lick.

      When the briefing ended, Finn spoke quietly to Brayden. “My office.”

      With Echo keeping close to his heels, Brayden followed the chief to his room. “I know.” He spoke as Finn was closing the door. “I was out of order. I shouldn’t let it get to me.”

      “This has got to be hard on you, Bray.” The change in Finn’s manner told Brayden this was his cousin speaking, not his boss. “You’re one of the best officers I have, and I need all the friends I can get. The Groom Killer case is the biggest thing to hit Red Ridge since I took over as chief. If I start taking officers off the investigation because of family loyalties, we’ll struggle to keep up with what this murderer throws at us next. Not to mention our regular caseload.”

      Brayden knew exactly what he meant. “While this is going on, the Larson twins are stepping up their criminal activities.”

      “Our attention is split two ways.” Finn’s expression was grim. “We have a killer with a grudge against engaged couples, and the Larsons, who are intent on growing their crime empire. Our resources are stretched to the limit. In addition to that, you are the lead search-and-rescue officer on the team. I’ve never doubted your loyalty and you know the problems I face.”

      Finn didn’t need to elaborate. The mayor, their uncle Fenwick, was breathing down their necks to get an arrest in the Groom Killer case. The Colton-Gage feud that had torn Red Ridge apart for a century was alive and well right here in the police department. The tensions were never far from the surface. The Gage officers on the team would grasp any opportunity to stir up old hostilities.

      “You have a temper, Bray. You’ve said publicly you believe in Demi’s innocence. Don’t give anyone a chance to push you on this.”

      It was good advice. Brayden couldn’t help Demi by getting himself thrown off the force. And Finn was right about the search-and-rescue side of his job. The pressure increased as summer approached. The Coyote Mountains attracted large numbers of tourists. There were always the inevitable cases of inexperienced hikers wandering off the trails, falling or staying out after dark. Brayden and Echo were often all that stood between them and disaster.

      “You want me to

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