Page 61 of Under the Radar
33
Detective Ethan Kelley was a satisfied man. He’d just spent three weeks on a honeymoon that included daily massages, fishing, snorkeling, exquisite seafood, and unusual local beers. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear he’d gone to heaven.
That was only the half of it. The off-the-charts sex made him docile as a steak-fed pit bull sleeping by the fireplace. It didn’t even bother him to admit that he’d been domesticated. So domesticated, in fact, that he’d just spent the last three hours hanging curtains and pictures for his exquisite bride, Tia.
He rummaged through the refrigerator for one of the last Caribbean beers from their trip. He popped the top, leaned against the kitchen counter, and dutifully rotated his shoulder. It had healed on the outside after the Sanctuary mission had gone awry in May. All he had to do now was remain committed to his exercises and wait for the muscles to knit together. They had their own timetable, but so far, so good.
He took a swig and glanced at his phone. It was time to let his best man know he was home. He tapped Mac’s number and took another gulp of beer.
“Big dog, I can’t talk.” Mac’s breathless voice oozed with alarm.
Ethan stood up straight. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s Mo, she’s missing. Wait a minute.”
Ethan listened while Mac asked someone named Dominica to pack his stuff and have it delivered to his penthouse. He sounded winded, frantic, and pissed. Three characteristics that Ethan had rarely detected in his best friend’s voice. Shuffling and commotion started in the background.
“I’m back. Look, I can’t talk right now. Call me in fifteen minutes on a burner.”
Ethan stuck his phone on the charger, poured the rest of the beer down the kitchen sink, and strode toward his office to get a burner phone. Whatever was going on with Mo was dead serious because they only communicated by burner to discuss Sanctuary business. How the hell did Mo Reardon get herself involved in Sanctuary business? Or was something else going on?
He tossed three burner phones on the desk, thought again, reached in, and grabbed his ammo suitcase. He’d only worry about Mac and Mo if he stayed at home on the Eastern shore of Maryland. It would be better to get his ass to Baltimore and be part of the solution. Hell, he didn’t even know what the problem was, but the alarm in Mac’s voice fired up all his protective instincts. Whatever was happening—he wasn’t going to let Mac handle it alone. He packed his hardware and briefcase as if he were leaving for a Sanctuary mission.
Ethan checked his watch. Ten minutes until he had to call Mac. He headed for the master bedroom closet where he kept a three-day suitcase packed. Tia was laying shelf paper in the built-in drawers and yelped.
“Good God, Ethan, you’re so quiet—like a cat. Scared the bejesus out of me,” she cried out, clutching her heart and laughing.
He set the overnight bag on the bedroom carpet and drew her into his arms. “Cat, huh?” He nuzzled her neck and inhaled her intoxicating citrus scent. “Maybe that’s why I’m so fascinated with your pussy. Meow.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “That’s really cheesy, you know, and we’re in a walk-in closet.”
Ethan glanced at the glaring lights and back into her sparkling blue eyes. “It has possibilities if we keep the shoes picked up and skip the candles.”
“Uh-huh, what’s with the suitcase, husband?”
He placed a noisy kiss on her neck. “The suitcase is because I need to go to Baltimore today. There’s something going on with Mac and Mo. I need to be there. Save me some of what’s cooking in that crockpot, would you, please?”
Tia frowned and took a step backward. “What’s wrong with Mo? Please tell me, she’s my best friend.”
“All I know is that Mac said she’s missing. Charge your burner phone. I’ll call you when I know exactly what’s going on, and then I’ll call again once we make it right. Okay?” He ran a thumb along her cheek. “Let’s stay positive.”
“Of course, I will. Are you taking your truck?”
“Yeah, but only to the airport. From there, a chopper to Mac’s building.” He slung the overnight bag over his good shoulder and pulled the hardware suitcase behind him. He turned around and started to say something but Tia interrupted.
She flashed him an encouraging smile and twisted the new rings on her finger. “I already know what you’re going to say. I won’t discuss where you are, not even with my mom. I won’t use social media—no posts. In this situation, I will not call the Reardon home. I get it. You operate under the radar. I knew that when I married you. Get going.”
He opened the door to the garage and set the suitcase on the cement floor.
“Ethan?” She hurried to the door.
He turned and raised an eyebrow.
“We promised we’d never forget this.” She leaned over the garage threshold and kissed him soundly. “I love you.”
He gave her a wink. “I love you too, T. I have no idea what I ever did to deserve you.”
* * *