Code of Vengeance: Keller County Cops, #7

By Melanie Atkins

Keegan Riley, a court artist for Keller County, comes up with a murderous plan to avenge her sister's death, only to be thwarted at the last minute when someone else stabs her intended victim -- making her a witness to the heinous crime. Her attempt to melt into the shadows doesn't work, and she soon finds herself sparring with the sheriff, a man who intrigues her on many levels. In order to keep her plan of revenge secret, however, she must lie to him... and she finds doing so the hardest thing she's ever done.

Keller County Sheriff Rick Blaylock wants to stay in office but hates campaigning, so he relies on his hands-on approach to tackling crime to help him defeat his devious opponent. Then a stabbing outside a local strip club threatens his perfect record. Eager to close the case in record time, he corners an elusive witness and finds himself falling for more than her fictitious version of the events the night the victim died. Will her string of lies derail his campaign?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melanie Atkins
• Release date: Jul 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393055877

Book preview

Copyright © 2014

by Melanie Atkins

ISBN:

Published in the United States of America

First Publication Date: February 11, 2014

Second Publication Date: July 15, 2019

Cover Artist: Jenifer Ranieri

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All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information retrieval and storage system without permission of the publisher. Ebooks are not transferrable, either in whole or in part. As the purchaser or otherwise lawful recipient of this ebook, you have the right to enjoy the novel on your own computer or other device. Further distribution, copying, sharing, gifting or uploading is illegal and violates US Copyright laws.

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Pirating of ebooks is illegal. Criminal Copyright Infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, may be investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious situation. Any resemblances to actual events, locations, organizations, incidents, or persons living or dead are coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

Dedication

When this book came out at Desert Breeze Publishing, I dedicated it to Gail Delaney and Jenifer Ranieri, who were determined to put out a quality product. Kudos to all of my editors and cover artists there—even though the company has since gone out of business. I miss y'all!

Prologue

Oh, my God, Keegan. He's back! I need you.

Jenny's frantic words from her phone call echoed inside Keegan Riley's splitting skull as she dashed through the deepening purple twilight to the front door of her sister's upscale brick home.

The door stood ajar.

Jenny? Her heart in her throat, Keegan swallowed hard and pushed on the heavy wooden door. It opened with a soft creak. Jenny, I'm here. Where are you?

Silence.

Jenny? Heated cinnamon-scented air washed over Keegan as she nudged the door open all the way and stepped inside. The place was much too warm for her to keep on her coat, but she ignored the uncomfortable heat. She zeroed in on a dark, glistening smear marring the pristine white trim on the other side of the foyer, and fear sliced through her like a knife.

She marched over to the sticky-looking, brownish red smear and touched it with quaking fingers. Her fingertips came away wet.

Oh, no, Keegan whispered. Moisture filled her eyes, and she swallowed back the urge to bolt. Backing away from the stain on shaky legs, she brushed the tears from her cheeks and raised her voice. J-Jenny, where are you? Please answer me!

Still nothing. Not even the whisper of the icy January wind kissing the eaves.

Keegan drew in a fortifying breath and tiptoed into the living room. A lamp, a few books, and one of Jenny's white sneakers littered the beige carpet. More glistening splotches dotted the far wall. An odd metallic, almost coppery scent filled the air.

Oh, dear God. Jenny, did he finally—

Acid rushed up her throat as she pictured Dirk standing over her sister's prone body. She choked it down and skirted the fallen lamp. Everything else in the room looked okay.

Don't jump to conclusions, damn it. Just keep moving and find Jenny. She has to be here somewhere, right?

Not wanting to focus on what she might find in the next room, Keegan drew in another deep, shaky breath, glanced around the living room one more time, and stumbled into the kitchen. She halted with a gasp.

Her sister lay on her back on the ceramic tile floor in a pool of blood, one arm twisted at a crazy angle, the other next to her head. Her fingertips brushed the base of the island.

Jenny! Keegan sobbed. She fell to her knees beside her sister and desperately tried to find a pulse. Her hands shook so hard she had trouble pressing her fingers to Jenny's neck, but once she did she knew she was too late. She let loose a loud, keening wail.

Minutes, or maybe an hour later—Keegan wasn't sure—she finally stopped crying long enough to press the Emergency Call button on her phone.

911. What is your emergency?

M-my sister, Keegan choked out. She... she's dead. At least, I think she is. I-I can't find a pulse. And she's bleeding... so much blood. She can't possibly—

Ma'am, slow down, please, and give me your location. I'll get units en route.

Six-oh-one Pinehaven Circle. In... in Hunter's Bayou. She swallowed. I—

I'm sending help, ma'am. I need you to calm down and—

Calm down? Keegan screeched into the phone. I can't calm down. Don't you understand? H-he killed her. Finally. He said he would, and he did!

Ma'am, please. Who—

Keegan didn't hear the rest of the operator's question.

The bastard killed her, she shrieked out on a sob. "Don't you get it? Jenny got a restraining order to keep him away, but it didn't do any good. He came back and murdered her."

A high-pitched wail broke the unnatural stillness inside the house.

"Oh, my God. The baby." Reeling as if the knife that had killed Jenny had struck her heart, Keegan tossed the phone onto the counter without hanging up and bolted from the room.

Her sweet little ten-month-old niece, Haley Marie, stood in her crib holding on to the bars, her little face screwed up as she wailed out her discomfort.

Hey, baby, Keegan said, scooping up the child and holding her close. Aunt Keegan's here now. You're going to be okay. I promise. I won't let anyone hurt you.

Yes, Haley might be okay, but she'd never know her mother. Dirk had taken that away from her. Tears filled Keegan's eyes, and she drew in the tiny girl's comforting scent.

One day, Dirk Woodward, you're going to pay. I'm going to see to it.

For Haley.

Chapter One

Six months later

Keegan tugged her new black turtleneck over her head, pausing only when the soft cotton caught on one of her new garnet earrings. She freed it, settled the shirt over her body, and tugged her hair out of the collar. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the long dark strands back in a tight ponytail. Her pulse raced as she dropped to her haunches to tie her heavy black combat boots. Her charcoal-colored yoga pants fit her like a second skin. Once she donned her matching knit cap and slipped inside that dark alley, she'd disappear.

Vengeance wrapped in shadows.

She strapped a serrated hunting knife to her waist, attached a smaller one to her ankle, and settled the paddle holster containing her brand new Sig Sauer P220 in the small of her back. As an extra precaution, she pocketed a container of pepper spray and picked up the black leather sap she'd ordered off the Internet. The weapon was illegal in Mississippi, but then... nothing about her plan was legal. So what did it matter?

I'm sick and tired of following the damned rules. Rules are why Jenny died. Hell, even after Dirk murdered her, the cops bought his flimsy alibi. Attending an AA meeting, my ass.

Well, that was then, and this is now. Dirk won't win this round. I'm going to see to it. Haley lost her mommy that night, and even though she has her grandma and grandpa now to keep her safe, she'll always have a gaping hole in her life. I'm going to make sure Dirk never has a say in anything, even though he's her father. He doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Keegan grabbed her bike helmet and melted outside into the night. The summer heat enveloped her, and she wished like hell she could shuck the turtleneck, but she didn't dare. Blending into the shadows was more important than not breaking a sweat.

She wiped her brow and hurried over to the detached garage. One flick of her wrist, and the hidden panel at the back of the building swung open to reveal the used Kawasaki motocross bike she'd bought from a kid over in New Orleans for a song. The teen had even agreed to paint it black for her after she'd offered to pay him extra, because he was desperate for cash to buy a car. A week later, she'd picked up the bike. Took her another three weeks of spills and scrapes before she conquered it, but conquer it she did... and now she rode like a pro.

A wide grin split her face as she donned her helmet, rolled the bike from its hiding place, and closed the hidden door. Every time she climbed onto the bike, a thrill shot through her. She'd always been adventurous, but readying herself to take care of Dirk had taken the term adventure to a whole new level. She'd doubled her number of martial arts classes, bought the Sig and learned to shoot, and studied with a local cop who specialized in self-protection for women.

Then, after a two-day computer search, she'd finally located the cruel rat bastard who'd murdered her sister. The skunk had left Hunter's Bayou for a couple of months and returned after he decided the coast was clear. Too bad he hadn't remembered Jenny had a sister. Or if he did, he didn't view her as a threat. The first time he'd put Jenny in the hospital and Keegan had vowed revenge, she hadn't been much of a menace to him. Now, however, she was.

Now, she was ready.

Time's up, Dirk, Keegan muttered, determined to get justice for her sister since the law had failed them. She straddled the bike and revved the engine. Tonight, you belong to me.

She roared off through the darkness, sticking to side streets as she made her way into town, hoping no one would notice the lone motorcycle gliding through the dark night. She didn't see a single car until she crossed Main Street, probably because of the later hour. Luckily for her, the vehicle was headed in the other direction. Maybe the driver hadn't seen her.

Her heart thumped as she threaded her way to Houghton Street, cut the engine, and rolled silently into the narrow alley behind the Kitty Kat Klub, the largest of Hunter's Bayou's three strip clubs—and Dirk Woodward's favorite hangout. Once Keegan had learned he'd gotten blitzed there every Saturday night since he'd returned to town, she'd planned for his demise. A dark alley, Keegan primed to fight, and the drunk son of a bitch who'd murdered her sister.

And a good time was had by all, she murmured to herself.

Yet would her training be enough? Once she found a good hiding place, would she be able to dredge up the courage to sneak up on Dirk and draw her blade across his throat?

The humid summer breeze wafted over her as she hid the bike in the shadows next to an aromatic trash bin that made her wrinkle her nose. She pulled off her helmet. Sweat had beaded on her brow, and she wiped it away. Her heart pounded out a swift rhythm inside her chest. She figured it might calm down once she moved away from the awful odor coming from the open waste bin, because then maybe she could breathe normally.

She stowed the helmet in the compartment behind the seat before scurrying away from the sickening stench, careful to stick to the shadows and watch where she stepped. All she needed was to turn her ankle and have to abort the mission.

Not in this lifetime, she whispered, gritting her teeth as she sidestepped a break in the pavement. Gravel, broken glass, and an odd assortment of other items, the detritus of urban life, littered the alley. Any of it could prove dangerous to someone sneaking around.

Keegan slowed her pace. Seconds later, she came upon the back door to the Kitty Kat Klub. Settling into the shadows opposite it, she waited. The darkness in the alley was so complete that when she looked up, the stars overhead twinkled against the thick black canvas of the mid-summer night sky. Tonight, that darkness was her friend.

She didn't have long to wait before the door opened and one of the dancers stepped outside for a smoke. Keegan remained where she was, invisible and still, just part of the alley, until the stripper finished her cigarette and headed back inside. Keegan caught the door before it closed and slipped inside a few steps behind the woman. She moved silently, jamming the sap between the door and the frame so she could get back out without triggering the alarm, and then halting until the stripper disappeared into one of the dressing rooms.

Once the woman was gone, Keegan stole down the hallway and slinked into the bar. The place was almost as dark as the alley, except for the area near the stage and three glaring semi-circles surrounding several other raised platforms. All were topped by poles clutched by gyrating dancers wearing G-strings and not much else. Whistling, leering men crowded close to the platforms, jostling each other in their search for a good time. The damned club was packed. It reeked of beer, sweat, and sex, and Keegan made sure she didn't touch anything. No telling how many nasty germs lurked in this place. The idea turned her stomach.

Thankful she'd already spent so much time in the darkness, she didn't have to wait for her eyes to adjust. Didn't take her long to spot Dirk, hunkered at a bar near the main stage beside a buxom blonde in a tight black sheath. Talk about being poured into a dress. Keegan had to slap a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. Dirk seemed mesmerized by the over-endowed woman, however, and that didn't surprise her one bit. She'd tried to tell Jenny what a scumbag the guy was, but her sister wouldn't listen. She'd thought she could reform Dirk by dragging him to church and feeding him the gospel. Of course it hadn't worked, because the bastard liked his sinful lifestyle. Why walk the straight and narrow when you can screw strippers?

Keegan made a mental note of what the snake had on, then slipped from the bar the same way she'd come in. She had to leave the alley, though, because Dirk would exit via the front door, and she had no idea where he'd parked his truck. He drove a dove gray Chevy with a personalized tag that read, lv2play. Once he left the club and headed toward it, she'd waylay him. All she had to do was find a spot to hunker down and wait.

She found a good hiding place next to a stairwell diagonally across the street from the Kitty Kat and dropped onto her knees to better blend in with the shadows. A layer of grit bit into her skin through her yoga pants. She grimaced but put the pain out of her mind. A little physical discomfort was a small price to pay to get rid of the trash that had murdered Jenny.

Ten minutes passed. Fifteen.

After enduring the agony for another half minute, she shifted off her knees with a bitter wince, dropped back against the wall, and balanced herself atop a narrow ledge running the length of the building. Her backside grew numb almost immediately, but she overrode the new ache and riveted her gaze on the door. The placed closed at one a.m.

Only a little while to go.

A few minutes later, the door opened and a dark-haired man emerged with a scantily-clad brunette hanging on his arm. The woman shoved him against the wall a few feet from the door, kissed him, and rode his leg.

For God's sake, Keegan muttered, averting her eyes. Get a room.

They were still going at it a few minutes later when three men who'd obviously had one too many tumbled out the door. They halted and taunted the couple making out against the side of the building, and then wandered off laughing and shouting to each other as they went their separate ways. Every single one of them clambered into a vehicle and drove off.

Stupid drunk drivers. I'd call the cops, except I don't want to lose my chance of jumping Dirk. Dear God, please don't let any of them kill anybody on their way home.

The door opened again, and the man she was after stepped out of the club with a dark scowl on his face. He glanced at the lovebirds, sneered, and shook his head in derision. Then he jerked his keys out of his pocket and stomped off across the parking lot at a determined clip. Keegan smirked. The blonde at the bar must've turned him down. Good for her.

She rose on shaky legs and popped the snap on the strap holding the hunting knife. All she needed was to make one swipe of the razor sharp blade across his neck, and she'd finally have the revenge she craved. No more nightmares about him hurting Jenny, no more self-defense classes, no more plotting to nail his sorry white trash ass. Only peace.

Dirk reached the sidewalk and started across the street toward a small side parking lot at the end of the building where she crouched. Eager to catch him before he climbed into his truck, she pulled out the knife and crept toward the end of the building.

She reached the corner the second he stepped onto the sidewalk on her side of the street. His truck hunkered at the back of the lot, and no one else was around. That meant no witnesses. Glee filled her. All she had to do was dash up behind Dirk once he reached the Chevy, do the deed, and get the hell out of there. Mission accomplished.

Just as she stepped into the open, however, a man barged from the club.

Hey, you! He ran straight toward her. Stop!

Keegan froze.

That was my girlfriend you just tried to pick up, you sick bastard! the man shouted.

Dirk whipped around, and Keegan retreated into the shadows. Not a moment too soon, because the stranger plowed right up to Dirk and shoved him against the bumper of his truck.

"Amy's my girl. He stuck his finger in Dirk's face. Keep your fucking hands off her."

Hell, no. The bitch offers, I'm gonna take her up on it.

Who are you callin' a bitch?

Your fat slut girlfriend, that's who. Dirk bumped up against the taller man. "And just so you know, that bitch came on to me. Wagging those tits in my face, practically beggin' for me to bang her. She's one man-hungry heifer."

You goddamned son of a bitch, the stranger growled.

Dirk shoved him. Get the fuck away from me.

No effing way. The man pulled out a knife and drove it deep into Dirk's big belly. He yanked up on the blade, and with a surprised groan, Dirk dropped to his knees. The stranger twisted the knife before jerking it free and wiping it on Dirk's shirt. That'll teach you to screw with my woman, you pig.

With a bitter laugh, he left Dirk to bleed out and jumped into a battered black pickup truck parked only a few feet away. Seconds later, he roared off into the night, spewing gravel as he whipped from the parking lot.

Keegan looked around, hoping someone else had seen the attack, but the area was empty. Even the couple making out against the wall had disappeared.

Damn you, Dirk. Even though she'd been about to kill him herself, she dashed over to him and pressed two fingers to his neck. He had a weak, thready pulse and was fading fast. Blood poured from the wound in his gut.

He opened his eyes. Even though they were glazed with pain, a flash of recognition, topped by resignation, crossed his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but only emitted a watery surge of red-tinted liquid. It dripped down his chin to pool on his chest.

I know you killed Jenny, Dirk. Keegan leaned in close. Why'd you do it? She loved you with all her heart. This is your chance to come clean and tell the truth.

Help... me... he sputtered, more blood dripping from his lips.

Keegan dug out her phone, called 911, and gave the operator Dirk's location. Not because she wanted to, but because her own moral code wouldn't allow her to stand by and watch him bleed out when she hadn't stabbed him. She owed Haley that much.

Crazy, maybe... but it made sense to her.

Your name, ma'am? the operator asked as Dirk gurgled again. Ma'am?

No way. Hand trembling, Keegan ended the call.

Dirk blinked slowly, the blood on his lips glinting as he attempted to speak. Did he want to confess? Probably not. The bastard wasn't wired that way.

He closed his eyes, and she switched her gaze to his broad chest.

Was he still breathing? She couldn't tell and didn't care, but at least by calling for help she'd given him a fighting chance. That's more than he'd done for Jenny.

The wail of a siren sliced through the too-quiet night.

Afraid she'd already hung around for too long, Keegan re-pocketed the phone and came to her feet. Time to go.

She glanced down at Dirk one last time, cursed his vile soul, and then dissolved back into