Protection

By Tracy Nolker

Kyra Baldwin doesn't trust the police system nor thinks highly of the officers employed there. When her brother is killed in a driveby, she is determined to take the matter into her own hands to bring the killer to justice. It doesn't matter what the detectives' say, this isn't going to end up unsolved like her parents. Only the farther she goes, the more she realizes she is risking everything.

Ben Chamberlain is used to putting his life on the line to solve murders and crimes. When he witnesses the Baldwin murder, his outlook on everything is changed. He knows the way it works, but Kyra Baldwin defies everything. By taking the investigation into her own hands, she ends up putting the spot light on her. Not only is he trying to solve a murder, but he has to protect the witness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tracy Nolker
• Release date: Nov 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311844217

Tracy Nolker

Tracy lives in the country of a small US town with her husband, 5 children, 4 dogs, and a cat. She grew up in a small town, where using imagination was the only form of entertainment. At the age of 12, she discovered she enjoyed writing stories. Over the years, she has enjoyed it more, and her imagination has grown. She writes in her free time and as a way to relax. When not spending time with her family, or writing, she enjoys photography and reading. Let her know what you think of her books and encourage her to finish more and post them for you!

Book preview

Protection

The Detective Series

Book 2

By: Tracy Nolker

Published by Tracy Nolker at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Tracy Nolker

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or any places, events, or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

About The Author

Broken: Chapter One

Chapter One

Hey, Kyra, the brunette waitress called to her while she was making drinks for someone. It had been forever, but lunch hour rush was finally over.

What’s up, Mick? Kyra walked up to the girl.

She nodded her head to a table in the restaurant, Just got you a table.

Kyra looked up, seeing the back of a man with a baseball cap on, and a sandy blonde haired man setting across from him. The blonde was good looking.

They’re hotties too, Micky smiled.

You and my brother, I swear, Kyra picked up her ordering pad.

What? We just want to see you happy.

She looked at the other woman for a second, smiling, I am happy.

It’s called a social life and you need one.

She turned away from the female, walking over to the men at the table. Good afternoon, gentlemen. May I start you out with something to drink?

Do you have some rum? The blonde asked.

Kyra looked at him and smiled, Sorry, fresh out, but we have plenty of soda.

The one with the cap on continued to look at the menu on the table in front of him, I’ll take a Pepsi, and he’ll have a Dr. Pepper.

I’ll be right back with those, Kyra turned away, feeling one of them watching her as she walked back up to the counter, sliding the pad into her back pocket.

Well? Micky laughed as Kyra walked by her to make the drinks.

Why don’t you take over and go flirt with them? I get off in an hour anyway. Kyra couldn’t help but laugh at her friend.

I’ll let you have the fun this time, I got the last ones.

Kyra laughed as she finished the drinks. She went back around the counter, and over to the cute blonde. He had pretty blue eyes that seemed to constantly laugh. She liked it. Too often, customers were rude, and had no personality when you spoke to them. Here you go, she sat the drinks in front of them. Are you ready to order or do you need some more time?

She couldn’t help but look at the one with the cap. She hadn't seen him look away from the menu. Both the men were extremely tall, you could tell by the way they were setting, and she couldn’t recall seeing them in here before.

I think we’re ready, the blonde answered.

Kyra pulled back out her pad.

How do you say your name? He asked looking at her nametag, a big smile on his face.

The ‘Y’ sounds like an ‘I’… Kyra.

That’s a pretty name, suits you well.

Thank you, she smiled back.

We have an extra chair if you’d like to join us, he motioned to the chair on the other side of the table from her. She would be sitting between the two of them.

Tom, the one with the cap’s voice was low and deep. It went perfect with his size. He was dressed different from his friend. She knew it was warm out, so the blonde’s T-shirt and blue jeans was common to see. But the cap was wearing the shirt and jeans, with a long sleeve shirt over the top, the sleeves rolled almost to his elbows. Stop flirting, she’s trying to work.

I’m just trying to be polite, the blonde, Tom, answered.

He’s fine, Kyra mumbled.

The one with the cap looked up at her, his brown eyes seemed to instantly pierce through her soul and her heart fluttered for a moment. She felt her hand shake, and forced herself to look away. She shook off the feeling he gave her, trying to keep the smile on her face.

What can I get for you? Her voice didn’t sound as cheerful.

I’ll take the double bacon with everything on it and some fries.

She avoided looking into his eyes again, Do you want lettuce, tomato, and all?

The whole nine yards.

Got it, she looked back into his eyes, and her heart skip again.

How ‘bout you sit down and tell me the specials? Tom asked from her other side.

Both of them looked at him, but brown eyes spoke, You already know what you want; it’d be mean to make her say it all and not even order it.

Man, you need to loosen up, Tom shook his head.

She felt the eyes back on her again, and she looked over, accidentally meeting them once more. The man was extremely handsome, but the feeling she got threw her for a loop. Then he spoke again, He’ll take the same thing.

No lettuce or tomatoes though, Tom smiled.

She broke the eye contact, writing on her pad, It’ll be right out. Kyra turned, hurrying away from them. She went around the counter, hanging up the order and spinning it to the back for the cooks.

She turned around, looking back at the table at the back of the cap. The men were talking about something, and there was still a huge smile on Tom’s face. He looked up at her and winked. She forced herself to look away again.

The diner was pretty much empty now, though a half hour ago it had been full. She couldn’t wait for her time to be up and her brother to come and get her. Even though she knew, she would probably be setting in here waiting for at least another hour. Kyra didn’t mind, it was better than walking, daylight or not.

She heard the bell ding, turning to see the men’s order was ready. She looked back at them, noticing their drinks were almost gone too. She quickly fixed them each another glass, placing the glasses on the tray with the plates.

She had done this so many times; it was easy to balance the large tray on one hand. She went back to the table, Fresh drinks. She handed them the glasses. Then we have veggies, she sat the plate in front of the cap, and no veggies. That plate went in front of Tom. If ya’ll need anything else just holler. She picked up the empty glasses.

The brown eyes found her again, Thank you, ma’am.

She smiled, ignoring her heart, It’s just Kyra.

Thank you, Kyra.

You’re welcome, She forced herself to walk away.

Time’s almost up, Micky commented when she came back up with the tray. Kyra looked up at the clock. She only had a couple more minutes. The hour had flown by while her mind was spinning from brown eyes. She took off her work jacket, which was actually a shirt.

It’s all yours, Micky. I need a breather anyway. She went towards the door.

Are you alright, Kyra? Micky’s voice was full of concern.

Fine, just need some fresh air. She went out, seating herself on the bench in front of the windows. She closed her eyes, but all she saw was those brown ones looking back at her. She opened them, looking at the cars in the lot. Her eyes fell onto a red GTO parked on the other side of the lot. She knew it had to be a 1972 by the headlights. She had always loved those cars.

She wondered who inside the car belonged too. It probably belonged to one of those men at her table. She wasn’t about to go and ask like she would any other time. No customer had ever gotten to her like that before… especially not by just looking at her.

No man had ever done that period.

They would flirt. They all did it in their own ways. She was a waitress, and she was guilty of flirting back to a degree, but she was always careful. The way her life had gone, she had to be careful. It was unhealthy for her not to be.

She looked down at her watch, only thirty minutes had passed. She knew Micky was probably in there flirting away. In a way it made Kyra jealous she couldn’t do the same. For a long time she had to struggle just to smile at the opposite sex, and really mean the smile.

Excuse me, Ma’am…, Kyra.

She looked up and into those wonderful brown eyes looking at her from under the baseball cap. The man was very tall as he stepped over to her.

He smiled as she forced herself to smile back, This is for you. He put two twenties in her hand.

You don’t have to do that, she went to hand it back to him. I wasn’t even your waitress for all of it.

You did the most. We already took care of the other one…. Thank you. He turned and started to walk away, following his friend. Then he stopped and looked back at her, their eyes meeting once again, Do you need a lift somewhere?

She shook her head, Thanks, but I have a ride coming.

She watched as he turned back, going over to the GTO. Brown eyes opened the driver’s side, his eyes meeting hers for a moment. She could see a hint of a smile, then he got into the car and they left.

Of course, the car would have to be his. She looked down at the forty dollars in her hand. She usually made almost a hundred in tips a day, but she had never made that much in one tip alone. She wondered how much they gave Micky.

What did they do for a living to be able to tip a waitress like that, especially for mediocre food from here?

Kyra looked up, seeing her brother’s Bandit edition Trans Am pulling into the lot. She stood, stuffing the money into her pocket, and got into the car.

Long day? Nicky looked over at her with green eyes that matched hers, as they headed back down the road. You’re usually not outside.

We were pretty busy.

That’s good for Kathy though.

I’m sure she’ll enjoy it. Kyra looked out the window.

What’s wrong, Kyra?

Nothing, she looked at him, forcing a smile, just tired.

Alright, then we can talk. He looked at the windshield. You know I’m a supervisor right?

Don’t start on the driving thing again, Nicky.

But you really should start driving the car, Ky, Nicky glanced over at her. What if I have to stay at work late or go in early?

If it’s late, I wait, just like today, she smiled at him. If it’s early I’ll drive.

I don’t like you setting down there waiting. You need to drive yourself. What if something happens to me?

Nothing’s going to happen to you, Nicky. She looked over at her brother.

He smiled, I just don’t want you to ever feel stuck, Sister.

"I don’t feel stuck," she looked out the window as he pulled the car into the driveway in front of the garage. She was glad to be at home, and she had tomorrow off. They both got out of the car, and Kyra walked around as he waited for her.

So what’s for dinner? Nicky asked as they walked to the porch.

Is that all you think about? She smiled up at him.

I can’t help it. He smiled as he stepped up onto the porch. What’s this? He pulled the note off the door, reading it. Anita says she needs to talk to you.

She can wait, Kyra stepped onto the porch, but he stopped her.

She’s never left a note before. Maybe it’s important.

She would call, She looked up into the green eyes.

At least go see if it can wait, Ky, be a good neighbor, he smiled.

Fine, she rolled her eyes as she walked back off the porch. She went across the yard.

You’re my favorite sister, Nicky called after her.

She turned to look at him from the center of the street, laughing, "I’m your only sister." She turned back around, entering her neighbor’s yard and started up the steps of the porch to the door.

The sound of loud exhaust of a car coming down the road made Kyra turn and look. The smile faded from her face as she watched guns appear out of the windows of the red sedan. She stepped back down the couple of concrete steps she had just gone up. The car slowed as it neared her home.

She looked across the street, and her eyes met with her brother’s matching green ones. Nicky!

Gunfire rang through the air as she started to run. A large heavy arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her to the ground. The blow to her body took away her breath for a moment, and the large body shielded her small one.

Nicky! She screamed again as she covered her ears, tears filling her eyes.

The shooting ended and the car sped away. She struggled to get out from under the arm as she looked at her home now covered with bullet holes.

Let me go! She pushed on the person, and the arm finally freeing her. She scrambled to her feet, running across the street and through her yard.

She stopped when she reached the steps of her porch, hearing glass crunching as she stepped up, Nicky?

She looked at the large bay window to her left, tears fell down her cheeks when she saw her older brother lying on his back between the window and the railing. She went to him, noticing the red spot in his gray shirt, under his hand laying on his stomach, and the growing redness coming from under him.

She bent down beside him, carefully brushing the glass from his clothing, Oh, Nicky. Slowly, she lifted his hand, but there was too much blood to tell how bad it was. The feeling in her gut told her she was going to lose him. Sirens filled the air as she gently brushed the dark curly hair from his eyes.

Ky, her name was barely more than a whisper as it escaped from his lips.

She looked down at the slightly opened green eyes. It’s ok, Nicky. It’s not so bad.

Looking at the older man was like looking at the male version of her, only now his usual bright green eyes were dull and glazed over. Don’t lie to me, Ky. His voice was ragged and shaky. He was struggling to get the words out. I know how bad it is. Promise me….

His voice faded away, making her breath catch in her throat, Nicky? She placed her hand on his chest. She let the breath go when she felt the shallow rise and then the quick fall.

You’ll be careful.

Fresh tears ran down her cheeks. She knew he was dying. You know I will.

I wish, he took a shallow breath as he tried to smile at her, slowly reaching up and touching her face, wiping her tears away. It doesn’t hurt so bad.

I love you, she whispered as she touched his hand. His eyes closed, and under her other hand she felt her strong brother release his last breath. She leaned down; kissing his warm cheek, then laid her head on his muscular chest. Save a place for me, She whispered.

She kept waiting to feel him take a breath, but it never came. She was alone now. Her protective big brother was gone to be with the rest of her family. She closed her eyes as she cried, her small body shaking with the sobs. She laid there for what seemed like hours, crying. She wanted to hit him, make him come back to her. She didn’t want to go on without him.

Nicky, she whispered.

I’m sorry, The deep voice caught her by surprise, making her instantly sit up. She looked up at the tall man, looking directly into the deep brown eyes from the restaurant. She remembered being pulled to the ground, and having the breath knocked out of her by the large arm. He must have been the one who did it.

She couldn’t find her voice as he leaned down, holding out his hand to help her up. She slowly placed her hand into his and he pulled her to her feet, but her knees gave out. The man caught her, sweeping her up into his arms in one swift movement, a low groan coming from his chest.

He carried her off the porch, through the yard, and past all the people. He went to the ambulance, sitting her gently down in the back of it. A shiver went through her body when the warmth of him left her, and she felt him place his shirt over her shoulders. A clean, musky smell filled her nose.

Just need to check you out, the female EMT began to take her pulse.

She looked over at the man as he stood in front her. He was extremely handsome with his dark tan. His dark brown eyes looked at her from under his ball cap, dark brown hair peeking out in the back of his head. She wiped her tears away, as her head took back over her emotions. Why was he here now? Had he followed her home? Was his friend here too?

No….

This man was a cop. If he weren't then he wouldn’t have stuck around any longer than he had too. He wouldn’t have come up on the porch for her. Her gut told her it was true, and she had learned a long time ago to trust the natural instinct. Usually, it was right.

He wasn’t in uniform though, so it was either his day off or he was a detective or investigator. It had to be coincidence he came into the restaurant today.

She looked across the road at her friend’s peach house.

Everyone over there’s ok. His deep voice forced her attention once again.

She looked at him with eyes that burned from crying, forcing herself to be strong. You went over there?

No emotion showed on the stranger’s face, but then she hadn’t expected to find any. And it didn’t surprise her when he didn’t answer.

That’s part of the job right? She noticed blood on the sleeve of the man’s t-shirt.

Am I that obvious? There was no surprise in his tone, only a slight tilt of his thin lips as he watched her. He leaned back on the vehicle behind him, his hands going into his pockets.

I guess I have a knack for picking ya’ll out, her mind floated back to the porch and her brother, and she looked down at her hands. Fresh tears stung her eyes before overflowing onto her cheeks. If this man hadn’t been there, would she be dead too? Even though she would have given her life for her brother’s, she knew Nicky would have wanted it to happen the way it did. Now, she supposed, she owed this