A Case of Love (7 page)

"Is that any way to speak to your boss?"

"It is when the asshole calls me at...” he glanced over at his clock. “Dammit, Dillon, do you have any fucking idea what time it is?"

"Wow, you get a real case of potty mouth when you wake up grumpy."

"Yeah, so tell me what the hell you want so that I can go back to sleep.” He rubbed at his eyes, stifling a yawn as he waited for his cousin and boss, Dillon Hunter to speak.

"How would you feel about going to Monroe City?” Dillon asked.

"Is this a rhetorical question or do I get an actual say in this deal?” Brett picked up his pillow, cradling the phone between his ear and his neck.

"Take it either way you want. Kenzie's in trouble and needs some help.” Dillon pushed the Monroe City paper further up on the table, staring at the byline that was his cousin's name. “She's gotten herself mixed with some shady characters and I want you to go check on her."

"What's wrong with your checking on her?” Brett grumbled, not too thrilled about having to pack up so that ‘big daddy’ Dillon would quit worrying. “Besides, she's a big girl. She even pays her own bills and everything.” The sarcasm was obvious, because Dillon thought he had to keep track of all of the Hunter clan. It was a big clan, starting way back when Aidan Hunter, Highlander chieftain, kidnapped the English beauty that at the time was thought of as ‘Incomparable’ by the ton. Heather Stanhope had been a lady born and bred, with an Earl as her father.

Heather had been feted and partied, making the rounds of all the most desirable balls and parties of the season, but she'd grown bored. Men were too much the dandy, seeming soft and most decidedly unattractive. She had wanted someone who would sweep her off of her feet, move heaven and earth to be with her and give her the stars from the sky.

Instead, she'd been swept up on the back of a horse, raced willy-nilly through the rugged countryside of the Highlands, and been besieged and bemused by the laird of the Hunter clan. He'd given up a lot to come to the Americas, to make a new start for the two of them away from the persecution of their peoples. Here they'd settled to raise a dynasty of Hunters, growing old together before death had parted them for a very short span of time.

Now Dillon considered himself the head of the clan, a position he kept with an iron fist and a generous pocket. He'd been willing to give Cousin Judah a job, when he'd come out of the prison term he'd been railroaded into. Instead, he'd given his cousin the family bible, knowing that something like that would mean a lot to both Judah and his Emma.

He'd dropped everything to help his sister, Shanna and even vowed to get along with her second husband, Brandon Austen. Now he was dragging Brett into his mother-henning ways.

"She may be big enough to take care of herself, but she's a Hunter...” Dillon said.

"...and we take care of our own,” they finished together... Brett with a sigh that couldn't be anything but exasperated.

"Fine, I'll go. But I'm not going to like it, Dillon. I want a raise.” Brett threw the last in as a jibe, knowing Dillon paid him a more than fair salary for running the main branch of the Hunter Detective Agency, in Michigan. Dillon was running the newly opened branch in San Antonio, staying down in Texas, a place he said he'd never live in again. But for Rylie Hunter, Dillon's beautiful blonde wife, Dillon would walk across fire.

"As if,” Dillon chuckled. “I pay you too much to sit on your ass in my office anyway."

"Yeah, right.” Brett stifled another yawn. “If you're done handing out jobs for the night, mind if I get back to sleep. I'm going to have a busy day tomorrow if I'm going to have to fly out and babysit Cousin Kenzie, especially after she reams me for letting you push me around one more time."

"It's your job to let me push you around, and don't you forget it.

"Goodnight, Dillon. Say hi to your sexy wife for me. Tell her I'm still waiting for her to realize she married the wrong Hunter and come to me."

"Yeah, over your dead body, Brett."

There was a click and then nothing. Brett snapped his phone closed, growling as he thought of what he'd planned to do. Ever since taking over the running of the office a few months before when Dillon had married Rylie Moore, he'd been so super busy getting caught up and trying to figure out Dillon's filing system, he hadn't had a moment to devote to figuring out his own enigmatic case. That of one Anna Marie Castillo, the gorgeous woman who'd hired the firm to find her sister, backing out before Brett even had much of a chance to get any information.

He'd planned to visit with her, now that things were slowly turning normal, perhaps see if they could try once more to find her sister, anything to sit for five minutes in her presence. He sighed, punching the pillow behind his head and then rolled to his side. “Dillon and his fucking meddling,” he sighed before closing his eyes and letting himself drift back to sleep.

Mackenzie, knowing nothing of her cousin's calling in the cavalry, was sitting at her desk, arguing on the phone with the Mayor's press secretary.

"Come on, Donna, you know that the people of Monroe City have a right to know. Why should it be kept quiet if there is an actual serial arsonist out there? I mean, wouldn't it be better to have the public forewarned. What's that old saying? Forewarned is forearmed?"

"The Mayor is not making any comments at this time, as to whether there is actually a serial arsonist plaguing the city. He will not be railroaded by you or any of your contemporaries into giving a statement saying anything like that. You know how he feels about politics and what rights the people really should have when it comes to the News."

"So the man is hiding his head in the political sandbox, because this is an election year and he's up for a second term? Wow, won't that make a wonderful quote, or maybe a front page news heading.
Mayor's concern over his political career more important than his constituents
."

"If you print anything like that Mackenzie, the Mayor's lawyers will be on you with a cease and desist order before you could blink.” Donna's voice was growing harsher as her patience ran out. “The Mayor's comment is no comment at this time, until we learn more."

"Can I quote you on that?” Kenzie said cattily before hearing the sound of the phone being slammed down.

"Wow, cousin, you make friends all over don't you?"

Kenzie glanced up at the familiar voice. When she saw who was there, she rose from her desk chair, squealing in glee and wrapped her arms around Brett's neck. “What are you doing here?"

"I got a call from the worrier. He wanted poor little Mackenzie checked up on.” He hugged her tight, swinging her into a circle in the small space between desks.

"Dillon called you?” she asked, hugging him tight before letting him go to stand back and look at him.

The Hunter family had three main characteristics that didn't change too much. The women were tiny, usually under medium height. The men were large, wide chests, tall, with long legs. All Hunters had dark hair, even little baby Hope, and they all had either amber or silver eyes.

Brett's eyes were a little more hazel than amber, but the flecks were there. He was tall and broad across the shoulders, with lean hips and long legs that had him towering over Mackenzie. He had the almost black hair and tawny complexion. He was also closest to Mackenzie in age, so they'd taken to each other right off when they were kids.

"Of course Dillon called me. Can you blame him after reading what you've been doing the past couple of days? Dammit girl, you could have gotten yourself shot or raped and if that weren't bad enough, you have to go running into a burning building the next day. Dillon was being nice by just sending me."

She sighed. “You know, I have a mother and a father, alive and well, living in Texas. I really don't need Dillon Hunter intruding any more in my life than he already has.” She dragged a hand through her short curls in frustration.

"I understand but you have to understand my position...” he began.

"I know, I screwed up, I almost got killed, and someone needs to be my keeper."

"No, Dillon's my boss,” he said quickly. “If I didn't come here and ream you a new one, I'd never have heard the end of it."

Mackenzie burst out laughing at the disgruntled sound of Brett's voice. “Oh poor baby, you've got it so hard. You're so lucky you didn't have to grow up around him. I think I was the only senior in high school that had to get her cousin's permission to go to the prom."

"Hunter!"

Both Mackenzie and Brett lifted their heads, staring over at Ron as he came out of his office. “What?” Kenzie shouted back.

"Where's my story?"

"Don't get your shorts in a bunch, I'm just finishing it up.” Kenzie chuckled as Ron's face turned red.

"Listen you, who do you think gave you a start in this business,” he growled, working himself up to a major fit.

"You did, Ron. I'm ever so grateful. The story is almost done, I just got a bit sidetracked here,” she said, waving at Brett.

"Keep your dates for your own time, Hunter. You're on my dime now.” Ron turned around, slamming his office door so that the glass panes rattled.

"Yes, Ron,” Kenzie quipped, rolling her eyes.

"I guess I should get out of here and let you get to work.” He reached down and picked up the small roll bag and briefcase he'd brought with him. “I thought maybe we could do dinner tonight, I could tell Dillon that I straightened your butt out with a few well placed words and that he can go back to driving Rylie nuts."

"Oh, shit, Brett. I wish you'd called. I have a date tonight.” She knew she'd said the wrong thing as soon as the words came out of her mouth.

"You have a date? Is it anyone we know?"

"How could it be someone you know? Do you have a lot of friends in Monroe City?” she asked, trying to take the spotlight off of her and put it back on him.

"Nice try. Who are you going out with?"

"He's a cop,” Kenzie finally said, refusing to elaborate further.

"What is it that this family has for cops? Shanna and Dillon and now you? At least Aaron married a doctor!"

"I'm sure we could find a meter maid who might take pity on you,” she said, reaching up and patting his cheek. “I mean, you're such a cute boy and all."

"Thanks, but no,” Brett negated wryly. “I appreciate the thought."

"Good, now get out of here so I can work. When are you leaving?"

"God, get out, when are you leaving? I'm beginning to feel a little on the unloved side here. Maybe I should call Dillon and tell him that this might take some of his own personal touches to make you see sense? What do you think?” Brett smiled evilly, winking at her.

"I think I'd nail your balls to a wall and then find me the biggest Pitt Bull I could...” she trailed off, her eyes going to the elevator where Hawk was just stepping out. But it was a much different Hawk than what she was used to seeing. Instead of neatly dressed and clean, Hawk was dressed in old jeans that were torn and dirty, a grungy bandana tied over his hair. He hadn't shaved, his chin and cheeks still covered with a couple days growth of whiskers. His flannel shirt was old, thrown over an old tee shirt spouting the fame of an eighties rock band.

"Do you know him, cousin?” Brett asked, seeing who she was looking at.

"Yeah,” Kenzie said, miserably aware of the phone call that Brett would be making. “He's my date for tonight."

Brett's eyes widened, going back to Hawk and taking in every bit of his clothing. He whistled softly, shaking his head. “Oh Mackenzie Hunter are you going to be owing me big,” he muttered loudly enough for her to hear.

"Hi,” Hawk said, coming up next to Mackenzie and dipping his head down to kiss her soft cheek. “I had a few minutes so I thought I'd come and see you."

"I'm glad you did,” she said, feeling a blush stain her cheeks as Brett looked on enthused.

"Who's this?” Gideon asked, cocking his thumb at Brett.

"Gideon Hawkins, my cousin Brett Hunter,” Kenzie said quickly, watching as the men sized each other up.

"Pleasure,” Brett said, grinning as he held out his hand.

"Yeah,” Hawk said, returning the firm handshake. “You live in Monroe City?"

"No, I'm in town on some...business, I guess you could call it.” Brett struggled to hide the grin that wouldn't behave.

"He's leaving for home today, as a matter of fact,” Kenzie jumped in, patting Brett on the arm. “He just came in to say goodbye before catching his plane, didn't you cousin?"

"Oh, I don't know. It's been so long since any of us has really gotten together. Maybe I should stick around for a couple of days. We could get together, compare facts and stuff,” Brett grinned. “I know that Cousin Dillon would love to know all about stuff."

Mackenzie rolled her eyes, before glaring at him, quickly changing her expression when she saw Hawk give her a strange look. “I'd hate you to have to miss out on any new cases coming in, Brett.” She turned to Hawk. “My cousin Brett runs my other cousin's private investigations firm out of Michigan. He's a busy, busy man."

"Interesting work?” Hawk asked, still giving Mac strange looks.

"Oh it has its moments. Listen, Kenz...I'm going to go check in at the hotel and catch a nap. I'll be by to see you later?” He didn't even wait for her nod. “It was very nice to meet you Gideon... Mackenzie is always so tight lipped about the men she dates.” He shook the detective's hand again and then bent down and picked up his briefcase and small bag. “Later cousin, I'll be sure to tell Dillon you send your best.” His chuckle trailed behind him as he left.

"Putz,” Mac glowered.

"You don't get along with your cousin?"

"Oh no, we get along great. He's...it's nothing. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what brings you here?"

"An informant. I might have found someone who actually knows who the arsonist is. I'm meeting him in about ten minutes."

"Really,” Mac said, her eyes glimmering with interest.

"No, Mac and I mean it. You aren't going and you aren't conning me out of any information. This man came to me because he's informed for me before. He trusts me and I'm going to keep that trust, got me?"