Chapter 11

Slapping at my alarm clock several times, I was starting to wonder why it wasn't going off until I realized the ringing was coming from my cell phone. By the time I rolled over to grab it from my nightstand, the caller had hung up. I was about to ignore it until I looked at the recent calls and saw that the person had called me four straight times.

"Would explain why I couldn't get the noise to stop," I muttered as I decided whether or not to call them back. The decision was quickly made for me when my cell phone started to ring again because of the same caller.

"Hello," I said a bit gruffly as I answered.

"Is this Agent Bradford?" the caller asked.

I didn't recognize the number or the voice. "Yes. May I ask who's calling?"

"It's Detective Wilson with the Denver Police Department. I'm Ayden Santiago's partner, and I–"

"Is there something wrong with Ayden?"

I had known the detective for several years now, and we'd collaborated on many cases over that time. I'd learned in some cities that the police and federal agencies often butted heads, but I was thankful I had a great working relationship with everyone I'd met so far at the Denver Police Department.

"No, he just asked for me to get you on the phone. He's looking at something at the moment. Do you mind holding for a few seconds?"

"Not at all," I responded, then sat up. Ayden still hadn't gotten to the phone and those few seconds actually turned into a few minutes. I'd been just about to hang up when the voices on the other end got closer.

"Easton," Ayden finally said. "Thank you for holding on. I'm at Syn." He stopped for a bit to say something to whoever was nearby him before returning to the line. "There's something I would like you to see. Would it be okay to swing by your place?"

"Sure. What's wrong? Did something happen at the club?"

"I can better explain everything in a little bit. I have to wrap a few things up here, but will be there in about an hour."

"Okay, that's perfect. It gives me time to get a shower."

"Alright. I'll let you know when I'm on my way."

The call disconnected and I sat up, then raked a hand down my face. If Ayden was at Syn, what couldn't he talk about there that he could here? It had to be something to do with a case. If so, what did Syn have to do with it? My mind was racing at the possibilities.

It could be a number of things. I threw my legs over the bed and let out a deep sigh. I'd hoped to see Shelby tonight, but now I had to wait here for Ayden instead. Grabbing my cell phone once more, I pulled up Shelby's number and began to text her.

ME: Hey Shelby! I know we were planning to hang out tonight, but I need to take a rain check.

I hit send, then waited for her to answer. Her response came right away.

SHELBY: I'm actually glad you said that because I needed to take a rain check myself.

ME: Is everything okay? Is it your welts?

I had used a dragon tail toy on her the night before which more closely resembled a whip than a flogger. Sometimes the true extent of welting didn't show up for several hours, or even until the next day. The last thing I'd ever wanted to do was hurt her, so I straightened up completely as concern filled me.

No, everything's fine. I'm just a little sore when sitting, but I suppose that's the purpose of the toy after all.

It is, and I'm glad you're doing well. Are you sure everything else is good?

Yes, I just have some things to take care of.

Some things?

I've run into a slight problem, but it's nothing I can't fix.

Problem. You have me worried.

Don't be. Everything will be okay. Can I hit you up tomorrow?

Sure. Goodnight, Shelby.

Goodnight, Easton.

I set my cell phone down and frowned. It wasn't like Shelby to be so evasive. Granted, this may be how she normally was with others, but it hadn't been indicative of how she'd been with me in the few weeks since we'd first met. We'd been talking a lot lately both in person and remotely. She likely just needed a night to herself which was understandable. It was for the best because I wouldn't even have to make up an excuse for why I couldn't see her.

I got up and quickly showered because Ayden would be here soon. He'd said an hour but it could be more or less. My decision had proven to be a wise one as I had no sooner gotten dressed in a T-shirt and pair of sweatpants when the doorbell rang.

I walked over to the door and expecting him and possibly his partner, I was actually shocked to see Hawke, Ryder, and Lucien with him instead. I stepped aside for the men to enter, then closed the door. Before I could speak, Ayden did.

"What we're about to discuss is strictly off the record."

"Sure thing. Go ahead and take a seat." I went to the refrigerator to grab a beer, then looked over the men. "Do any of you want one?" I asked as I held up my bottle.

"I'm driving so I'll just take a water," Hawke said.

"And I'm still technically on the job," Ayden told me.

"We'll take one though," Ryder responded for him and Lucien, so I grabbed two bottled waters, and two more Coronas.

Once everyone had their drink, I sat down in the empty chair. "What's this about?"

"Someone died in the alley next to Syn last night," Hawke said.

"What? How?" The place was very secure, and for good reason so that was surprising to hear.

Ayden cleared his throat. "The man had overdosed."

Now it was all coming together for me. Knowing what type of club Syn was, it only made sense that Ayden wanted to try to solve this case before it could reach the local stations. "Damn!"

"The last thing I need is the feds crawling all over Syn. We need– "

"Of course, I completely agree, Hawke." I turned to Ryder and Lucien. "Have either of you been able to check the surveillance cameras to see if a club member was involved? I'm assuming the man found was not one."

"No, the deceased was not a member at Syn. We're not even sure yet if the suspect on camera is one either as they were heavily dressed."

"How long will it take to possibly identify the guy on tape?"

"First, we have to figure out if the suspect is even a guy."

"What are you saying?" I asked.

"The suspect has very feminine attributes. If it's a woman, she was dressed in an oversized hoodie and baggy clothing. There was something about the way she moved that made us think it could be a woman."

It wasn't unheard of for a drug dealer to be female. Hell, the one I was actively investigating now from Los Angeles was most definitely a woman. "What kind of drug was it?"

"As you know, the DPD has recently waged a war on opioids, especially fentanyl. I'm pretty familiar with most recreational drugs, but this one doesn't look like anything I've ever seen before."

It'd been the same thing back in Cali.

"Do you have a picture of the pill?"

"Sure thing, let me pull it up," Ayden told me. Once he retrieved it, he handed his cell phone over to me. "Does it look familiar to you at all?"

"I just can't fucking believe this is happening after everything else lately," Hawke muttered.

I'd been in and out of the club on missions throughout the time it'd been open, but I knew Hawke and his friends had all experienced their fair share of trouble either in or out of its doors. Despite everything, they'd all been stand up guys to me, even after I'd seized all the assets from Emery Wilder. At the time, I wouldn't have blamed Hawke for canceling my membership, but he hadn't because he understood I'd just been doing my job.

I ignored the club owner, then looked back down at the cell phone. I used my fingers to zoom in and out on the photograph, before setting it down. "Hold on a minute, guys."

It looked familiar, but not exactly like the drug I was currently researching from California. Our labs were analyzing the ingredients and once they were identified, they would try to create an antidote for it.

"I'd like to get my hands on this pill. Was there more than one found at the scene?" I asked as I waited for my nearby laptop to power on.

"There isn't, and unfortunately this one has already been entered into evidence," Ayden responded. The DEA could get a hold of it, and I would have to let Bob know to do so.

My screen finally powered on and I pulled up the folder of unidentified drug, then placed his cell phone next to the screen. I had zoomed back in on Ayden's photograph, and while it wasn't the exact drug I'd been sent to investigate, it did favor another.

"Damn, it looks just like this except mine is more white than gray. Do you see the distinct markings on the top of the pill?" I asked, then moved back for the detective to look.

"What is it?" Ryder asked me.

I shrugged. "We're not sure. If these drugs are one and the same, they could come in different colors or be a different variant. I need to see the autopsy for your guy to match it up to that of mine."

"I'll get that for you," Lucien told me before Ayden could even respond.

"Yes, we'll make sure you get it," the detective confirmed.

"The dealer or person who sold the guy the pills could be a member, or at least in contact with other members. I can't have this at Syn," Hawke lamented.

"Could you get me footage of this person? I can see if I possibly recognize them."

"I actually have that with me," Ayden told me, and after he took back his cell phone, I waited for him to retrieve it.

Once he had the video up, I looked down at it and noticed something right away. The person was dressed very similarly to the girl I sought in Los Angeles. I continued to watch it, but it was in black and white and quite grainy. There were a few flashes of hair, but I couldn't even tell what color it was. I needed this in color and knowing what Lucien Fowler did for a living, I looked over at him.

"I already know, and I'll get it to you once I can manipulate it," he told me.

"Thanks. Was there anything else found at the scene?"

"No, but I need to get back to the station," Ayden told me. "I'll keep you informed, and please do the same." I nodded, and everyone stood up. "Talk to you later."

The men left, and I looked back down at my folder, then sighed deeply. I'd intended to play tonight, but it looked like work would have to come first. Replacing my beer with water, I got settled in on the couch, then started to look through the most recent lab results and emails hoping to find anything to help Ayden Santiago with this case. I also wanted to be able to absolve Syn of any wrongdoing and to keep eyes and running mouths away from the club that was more like a second home to me.