Her chocolate-brown eyes implored him to understand. “I’m seeking the truth. And there’s no way I’m impeding the NYPD’s investigation. But obviously I’ve struck a nerve somewhere.”
Anger put an edge to his voice. “Yes. Digging into things you have no business digging into can do that.”
She held up her hands. “Hey, all I’ve done is look up public records, searched social media, made a few dozen phone calls asking people for information. Information they might not be as willing to tell the police. Like the rumors of nepotism and favoritism.”
He tucked in his chin. “What are you talking about?”
The look she affected was one of are you kidding. “It’s a bit strange, don’t you think, the way Jordan rose through the rank and file so quickly? Your grandfather was with the NYPD, correct? Your father, too.”
Drawing up to his full height of six feet, he stared at her. “Really? Lady, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Jordan excelled at his job. He rose to the top by hard work and grit. Just like Noah has.”
“Okay, I’m only repeating what I’ve heard.” Her gaze bored into his. “And then there’s Jordan and Katie’s whirlwind romance. They went from dating to marriage to baby super fast.”
Stunned by her audacity, he could barely form words. “You have no right to invade our lives without permission. Katie and Jordan live...led—” the grief he kept under a tight leash bubbled to the surface, breaking his voice “—squeaky-clean lives. You’re not going to find anything going down those roads.”
“You may be right. But you’re too close to the situation.” Compassion softened her features, making her eyes warm. “You have to consider something in one or both of their pasts could have resulted in Chief Jameson’s murder.”
He hated that she was right. On both accounts. “I want that information.”
With a resigned sigh, she nodded. “You can have it. I will gather everything and bring it to you tomorrow.”
Taking her hand, he tugged her forward down the hall. “I need to inform Noah.”
“Did you know that several criminals that Jordan arrested have been let out of prison in the past year?”
“Of course,” he threw over his shoulder.
She dug her heels into the carpet, slowing their progress. “Most left the area or are trying to make something of their lives. But there was one guy who stands out.”
Carter stopped. “Who?”
“Miles Landau. He was released the day before Jordan died.”
“The drug dealer. We looked at him.” She really had no confidence in the department. He knew the public was restless with the lack of development in the case, he just hadn’t had it brought home to him in such an in-your-face way. “His operation was shut down when he went to prison.”
She raised her eyebrows. “So you know about his property on the waterfront.”
Carter’s gaze narrowed. “What property?”
“I uncovered a deed to a warehouse near the marina in Flushing with the business name of MiLand, Inc. Mi as in Miles and Land as in Landau. I pulled the public record on the company. MiLand, Inc. was formed two days after Miles was released from prison. And the lease on the warehouse signed a week later.”
His heart rate doubled. This was new information. “You have the address?”
Lifting her chin, she nodded. “Yes, I do. And the first name of a woman, Ophelia, whom he might be seeing or staying with, though I can’t seem to find her last name.”
As much as he didn’t want to admit it, her snooping might be helpful. And very dangerous. “Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Looking into Jordan’s murder?”
She made a face. “Reporter, remember?”
There was more to it than just her job. “But you’re not being paid to write about Jordan’s murder, so why? What do you hope to gain?”
“I want what everyone wants. The truth.”
“You expect me to believe that’s your only motive?” He shook his head. “You want to exploit my brother’s death to further your career, am I right?”
“Not exploit. Never. I’m not that person.” Her tone was one of pleading. “I’m doing my job. And yes, I hope if I write a great article with some meat to it, it will propel my career forward. What’s wrong with that?”
“Everything, because it comes at the expense of my family.”
The tenderness on her face made his stomach clench. “Your family has already paid an awful price for whatever motivated someone to kill Jordan. Don’t you want the truth? It really is freeing.”
Her words rang with sincerity. “What do you mean by that?”
Her expression closed, like a door slamming shut in his face. She may not realize how transparent she was, but he glimpsed the pain in her eyes before she hid it. She shrugged. “Nothing.”
“Oh, something.” He wasn’t going to let her make a statement like that, then back away. “What truth set you free?”
“This isn’t about me.” She started walking down the hall. “I’d like to leave now.”
He let it go. He didn’t want to get invested in this woman in any way. He matched her steps. “After we tell Noah.”
Noah listened, his face grim. Finally, he said, “I’ll put people on Miles Landau. Though I’m skeptical he’s our suspect. We looked at Miles. He doesn’t have a record of violence. He’s strictly low-level. However, Miss Clark, I would like to see your notes and research.”
“As I told him—” she tipped her chin in Carter’s direction “—I can bring it all tomorrow. It will take me some time to gather everything. I’m not the most organized individual.”
Noah inclined his head. “Tomorrow, 10:00 a.m., then. I’ll tell the front desk I’m expecting you. For now, I’ll have Carter escort you home.”
“I can’t right now.” Carter shook his head. “I have Ellie. Send Faith.”
Noah nodded and picked up his phone to call for Officer Faith Johnson and her dog, Ricci.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Carter left the room without so much as a glance at Rachelle. If he never saw the reporter again, it would be too soon.
* * *
“Thank you, Officer Johnson,” Rachelle stopped at the locked entrance to her apartment building.
“Of course,” the petite female K-9 officer said with a smile. “I can walk you up.” Her dog, a handsome German shepherd, sat patiently at her side.
Rachelle rattled the doorknob. “It’s a secure building. No one can get in without a key. I’ll be fine.” She was exhausted. Two attempts had been made on her life. If Carter hadn’t been there...
Now all she wanted was to get into her apartment before her roommates came home. A hot bath, a change of clothes and a tall glass of sweet tea were in order.
Officer Johnson looked around as if assessing the threat level. “Okay. We’re just a phone call away.”
Rachelle smiled because the irony was the NYC K-9 Command Unit was so close she could probably scream and be heard by the extraordinary dogs. “I appreciate you taking time for me.”
“Chief said to be back here in the a.m. to escort you to his office. I’ll see you then.” Officer Johnson nodded, her dark, chin-length