Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6, Kathleen Brooks [great novels of all time TXT] 📗

Tinsley sighed along with the rest of the women at the table.

“Is the interrogation finished? I do have a case that needs to be solved.” Paxton looked around the table. Ridge and Ryker grumbled but didn’t ask anything else.

“So, there’s no one on the FBI task force you can talk to?” Peter asked.

Paxton shook his head before making a funny face at baby Chase.

“What about local law enforcement?” Granger asked. “Every city has a Street Crimes Unit. Atlanta probably has a huge one.”

“I never worked with them. It would be hard to know who to trust, but it’s a decent place to start,” Paxton said.

“Tinsley?” Granger said, turning toward her. “Could you ask your family in Kentucky if they know anyone we could trust there?”

“How would they know?” Paxton asked.

Tinsley smiled as she thought of them. “They know everyone. My uncles run a military and law enforcement training facility. They’re all former military and law enforcement, including FBI. I also have several cousins in law enforcement.”

“Then ask them. Let’s see if I can get a local contact. Maybe I can have them pay off an informant for information. That’s how we get most of our tips,” Paxton told her.

“You know,” Granger said, “you’re known in Atlanta, but we’re not,” he said, motioning toward himself and Kord. “We don’t have jurisdiction, but we don’t need it to pay off some informants.”

“I could help,” Dare said. “After all, ATF does go after firearms and most gangs are involved in weapons dealings. I could see if my ATF buddies in Atlanta have any information on Myriad or if they have heard any rumblings about corrupt FBI agents.”

Peter and Paxton shared a look. “Looks like we’re going on a road trip.”

Paxton turned to Tinsley then and took her hand into his. “I hate leaving you. Do you think you can close your gallery for a couple of days? I don’t want to leave you unprotected while I am gone.”

“She can stay with me,” Ryker said. “My house is well guarded and the men staying for the meetings all have bodyguards.”

“I know when to be cautious. I’ll stay with Ryker. But what happens if I close the gallery and Maurice and Murray become suspicious?” Tinsley asked.

“I have to bring my team back to Charleston. They weren’t equipped for surveillance.” Peter said. “I could have one of them stay at your gallery with you during the day.”

“It’s not necessary,” Ryker said calmly. “I’ve just ordered private security for her. She’ll be here tomorrow morning.”

Harper looked over at Tinsley and grinned. “Paxton, Peter, Dare, Granger, and Kord on a guys’ trip to the sunny and welcoming Myriad territory in Atlanta. Who’d have thought? I wonder if they’ll have a pillow fight?”

Tinsley laughed as she pulled out her phone and sent a text to Walker Greene. He was Edie’s brother and had grown up in Shadows Landing before joining the Navy SEALs. He was then recruited up to DEVGRU, which was the old SEAL Team Six. He was the elite of the elite. He’d been injured in the same act of treason that left Edie’s husband dead. It had been a long road to get to Shadows Landing and have Gavin fix him up medically, but that’s how they met their Keeneston cousins.

Tinsley’s great-grandmother had been a piece of work and not the good kind. She’d treated her daughter, Marcy, horribly. She’d wanted a servant, not a daughter. When her great-grandmother moved to South Carolina from Keeneston for Tinsley and her cousins’ grandfathers to join the Air Force, Marcy had stayed in Keeneston with the love of her life. Tinsley’s great-grandmother had disowned her and told Tinsley’s grandparents lies about her that caused a long-standing rift.

But then Walker needed help and Gavin had sucked it up and asked Dr. Layne Davies, their cousin and expert physical therapist, for help. Walker and Layne fell in love, and the Davies and Faulkner families had healed old wounds to become one big happy family.

Tinsley’s phone rang a second later. She excused herself and headed for a quieter spot in the bar to talk to Walker. “Hey!”

“Hey? You’re asking me about dangerous gangs and trusted police officers and you say ‘hey’ like we’re going to chat about the fam?” Walker asked, sounding all big brotherly even though he was only a cousin by marriage. Tinsley filled him in and Walker grumbled. “I don’t like this. Should I come for a visit? I can bring an army.”

“No kidding. I’m fine here. Ryker said he’s hiring a private bodyguard for me while Paxton goes to Atlanta.”

“I thought you didn’t like that guy?” Walker asked.

“I didn’t get him. I thought he was making fun of me, but he wasn’t. He’s quite wonderful and if you or any of the cousins or uncles ruin this for me, I will have my vengeance.”

“I make no promises,” Walker said. “But I can get the guys some support. I’m sure one of the uncles will know someone who can help. How’s my sister? I talked to her a couple of days ago. She sounds good, but I could tell it was for show.”

“She’s getting better every day. I know it’s been a little while since she lost her husband, but she’s just not ready to move on yet. However, she’s getting out more now. She’s involved in the community and we have plenty of girl time together. She’s taking self-defense at the church with me, too. I think that’s helped more than anything. She’s truly skilled with a blade.”

“Gotta love Shadows Landing. Send me Paxton’s number, and I’ll let him know what I find out.”

“Are you going to threaten him?” Tinsley asked, knowing darn well Walker would do so.

“Of course I am. Talk to you soon. Call if you need anything. I can catch the next flight there if you need me.”

“Thanks, Walker.”

Tinsley hung up and sent the contact. A second later, she saw Paxton look down at his phone and frown. Walker moved