Investigate With Me: A With Me In Seattle Universe Novel Read online

  Investigate With Me

  Jen Talty

  Contents

  Untitled

  Praise for Jen Talty

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  The With Me in Seattle Universe

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Also by Jen Talty

  INVESTIGATE WITH ME

  A With Me In Seattle Universe Novel

  The Bowie Family Series Book One

  By JEN TALTY

  Investigate With Me

  A With Me In Seattle Universe Novel

  Copyright © 2020 by Jen Talty

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover Design by: Kari March

  Published by: Lady Boss Press, Inc.

  Praise for Jen Talty

  Praise for Jen Talty

  "Deadly Secrets is the best of romance and suspense in one hot read!" NYT Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst

  "A charming setting and a steamy couple heat up the pages in a suspenseful story I couldn't put down!" NY Times and USA today Bestselling Author Donna Grant

  "Jen Talty's books will grab your attention and pull you into a world of relatable characters, strong personalities, humor, and believable storylines. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll rush to get the next book she releases!" Natalie Ann USA Today Bestselling Author

  "I positively loved In Two Weeks, and highly recommend it. The writing is wonderful, the story is fantastic, and the characters will keep you coming back for more. I can't wait to get my hands on future installments of the NYS Troopers series." Long and Short Reviews

  "In Two Weeks hooks the reader from page one. This is a fast paced story where the development of the romance grabs you emotionally and the suspense keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair. Great characters, great writing, and a believable plot that can be a warning to all of us." Desiree Holt, USA Today Bestseller

  "Dark Water delivers an engaging portrait of wounded hearts as the memorable characters take you on a healing journey of love. A mysterious death brings danger and intrigue into the drama, while sultry passions brew into a believable plot that melts the reader's heart. Jen Talty pens an entertaining romance that grips the heart as the colorful and dangerous story unfolds into a chilling ending." Night Owl Reviews

  "This is not the typical love story, nor is it the typical mystery. The characters are well rounded and interesting." You Gotta Read Reviews

  "Murder in Paradise Bay is a fast-paced romantic thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. You won't want to miss this one..." USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard

  For Chelle Olson. You always manage to make me smile, laugh, and you always give me strength when I need it most. Your friendship is gold.

  Prologue

  Callie Dixon took a step back, planted her hands on her hips, and stared at the pictures of eleven different women she’d tacked up on a corkboard in her one-bedroom apartment. All of them were between twenty-five and thirty years of age. All blond. All slender in build and pretty. Two of the women were lawyers. Two worked as top executives for tech companies. One was in medical school. One a forensic lab specialist for the police department. Two more were professors at a local college, and the latest victim owned a series of upscale salons in downtown.

  “Babe, I caught the bastard. What the hell are you doing?”

  Callie sat on the edge of her bed and glanced over her shoulder. If anyone had told her that she’d end up in bed with Detective Jagar Bowie, she would have laughed in their face. Jag had to be the most arrogant, self-absorbed police officer she’d ever interviewed.

  For the few two years during the Trinket Killer investigations, she and Jag had not always played nice in the sandbox. As a matter of fact, they had tossed a few choice words at each other—more than once. He hated the way she’d covered the murders in the media, mostly because he thought it made both him and the police department look bad.

  But at the end of the day, he was a damn good detective.

  Jag was an incredibly sexy man with his thick dark hair; chocolate, almond-shaped eyes; and a five o’clock shadow that he couldn’t shave away even if he took a razor to his face three times a day.

  “It doesn’t feel right. It’s too neat. Don’t you think?”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake. What are you talking about?”

  If she told him what she was really thinking, he’d be pissed as hell, and then he’d get dressed and leave, never to return again. But if she said nothing, she felt as if she were doing all of these dead girls a disservice. Her job as an investigative reporter was to not only report the news, but also to help aid in the resolution of crime. “I don’t think you caught the right man. I mean, I’m sure Adam Wanton did something criminal, but I feel like this is all some sort of setup.”

  “Are we really going to start this bullshit again? We have so much evidence, both forensic and DNA. I know I can sleep easy tonight.” He punched one of the pillows and moved to a sitting position. “The case is closed. The Trinket Killer is behind bars. I’ve got my man. You broke the story first. Now, will you come back to bed?”

  She scooted to the headboard, but she couldn’t let it go. Jag might have arrested someone, and she knew he was good at his job.

  But something prickled the back of her mind.

  Unfortunately, she’d seen much of the evidence that Jag had mentioned, and she had to agree that, on the surface, it all pointed to Adam.

  Jag wrapped his thick arms around her body and kissed her shoulder. “Please, babe. Take the pictures down. You’ll feel better, trust me.”

  “Be honest with me, Jag. Do you really think this is wrapped up with the perfect bow?”

  “Wanton admitted it. He knew things.” Jag let out a long breath. “What’s still bothering you?”

  “The lack of trinkets. Where are they?”

  “What?” Jag smacked his forehead. “He leaves them with the body; he doesn’t collect them. Why are we still having this conversation?”

  “Don’t you think it’s odd that a killer who leaves dolphin trinkets behind, who bought out an entire store, doesn’t have any in his home or car or office?”

  “Maybe a little. But DNA doesn’t lie,” Jag said.

  Callie couldn’t argue that point.

  Detective Jagar Bowie of the Seattle Police Department followed the young officer through the woods. A faint layer of thin fog floated in the beams of flashlights. He glanced at the sky. The moon and the stars danced behind a layer of clouds, trying to shine their light on the scene below.

  “A group of teenagers found the body when they were looking for a place to party,” the officer said.
“They freaked out and ran to the parking lot where they called 9-1-1.”

  “Where are they now?” Jag asked.

  The officer pointed to a clearing about a quarter mile from the sound in Seward Park. Levi Crawford huddled with another detective and one of the CSI techs. He gave a slight nod.

  “We moved them away from the media. How the hell did Callie and her camera crew get here so fast?” the officer asked.

  “She’s a shark.” Jag couldn’t say it was because she was sleeping in his bed. Besides, that was only part of the reason. Ever since Adam Wanton had been released on a technicality two days ago, she was on the warpath.

  At least she’d finally come around to the idea that he was the killer since the murders had stopped once Adam had been locked up.

  But now that he was out, Callie was just sitting around and waiting for Adam to strike again so she could rip the police a new asshole for how they’d botched the DNA evidence. He nearly choked on his thoughts. DNA didn’t lie, but when you didn’t follow protocol, the proof got tossed, and then you had no fucking case, and a killer got to walk free.

  He wasn’t the one who’d bungled the evidence, but it was his case, but he had screwed up the arrest, and the buck stopped with him.

  “She doesn’t like cops,” the officer said as Levi made his way toward Jag.

  He’d thought that about her as well until he got to know her better. “That’s really not true. She just gets frustrated with the system. And right now, I can’t blame her.” Of course, when they first started sleeping together, it had been just that.

  Sex.

  And really good sex.

  But slowly it developed into something he’d never experienced before. They decided to keep their relationship to themselves, simply because it was so new to both of them.

  “You’re defending Callie?” Levi stepped in front of him and stretched out his hand. “Since when? You can’t stand that snake.”

  Jag turned. Callie’s news van was parked as close as the barricade would allow. He could barely see her silhouette through the trees. Once you got past her tough exterior, there was a really wonderful woman underneath. She had a big heart; she just kept it guarded. He could understand that. “Right now, I’m pretty annoyed with how our system works, especially because I assume you’re going to tell me that our victim blond, a professional, and is holding a cheap dolphin trinket in her right hand.”

  “You’re right. I am.” Levi was new to homicide but not to being a detective.

  “Fuck,” Jag mumbled.

  “She’s over here.” Levi pointed to where the medical examiner and his team had laid out a body bag and gurney.

  “Any identifying marks? Or anything we can use to find out who she is?”

  “We’re running her prints. But she has a tattoo on her wrist. It’s an infinity shape with the words sisters forever weaved into it.”

  Oh fuck. How many women had tattoos like that? He suspected not many. Jag sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He did it five times, each time clearing his mind a little more. Seeing a dead body never got any easier. It never got different.

  And he never became numb to it.

  Seeing a friend murdered sent him down a road he’d never navigated.

  He swallowed as Callie came into view, her face turned the other way.

  Careful not to disturb any potential evidence, Jag circled the body, slowing as he approached the head. Her thick blond hair partially obscured her face. He knelt down and gasped. “No, no, no,” he whispered, shaking his head. “Shit.” He stood. “Damn it.”

  “What is it?” Levi asked.

  “I know her.” Tears stung the back of his eyes. He pushed air out of his lungs and tried to take a deep breath. “Her name is Stephanie Dixon. She’s Callie’s—the reporter from Channel 5—sister.”

  “Motherfucker,” Levi said. “I didn’t know she had a sister. How do you know she has a sister?”

  “Long story.” Jag leaned against a tree. “Does anyone have eyes on Adam?”

  Levi shook his head. “Do you think Adam knew Callie had a sister and targeted her?”

  “I don’t know, but that puts Callie in his crosshairs. Not to mention, she meets his criteria.” Jag rubbed the side of his face. “Before this gets out of hand, I should go get Callie.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “She’ll never forgive me if I don’t.” Jag pushed himself from the tree.

  “Why would you care? She hates you.”

  Jag chuckled. “You know how you’ve been busting my balls about having a secret girlfriend for the last two months?”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “Well, not only did I go and get a girlfriend, I got myself engaged a few hours ago.” He paused for emphasis. “To Callie.”

  “No fucking way. You and Callie?” Levi asked with wide eyes. “How did that happen?”

  “No idea. But I’m in love with her, and I can’t let her stand up there and report on a dead body when she doesn’t know it’s her sister.” Jag had delivered more bad news than a Navy chaplain. Another thing that never got easier.

  But he suspected this would be about the worst thing he’d ever had to do in his life.

  A large crowd had gathered in the parking lot. Many whispered and tossed about the words Trinket Killer. He wasn’t surprised that everyone had already jumped to that conclusion.

  As soon as Callie saw him, she waved to her cameraman, who immediately flipped on his light.

  Jag gave her the cut sign. “I need to talk to you. Alone.”

  She handed her mic to someone and timidly made her way toward him. “What’s going on? You shouldn’t be pulling me aside like this. People will start talking.”

  “Let them. I don’t care.” He curled his fingers around her biceps and tugged her down the path until he knew they were out of sight of the rest of the crew, who would be doing their best to figure out why a cop would pick one reporter to bring over to the other side of the crime scene tape. He paused and held Callie steady. He stared deep into her eyes. “I love you.”

  “You pulled me aside to tell me that?” She turned.

  “Callie. I need to tell you something about the victim.” He grabbed her by the forearms. “Babe, this isn’t good.”

  “What isn’t good?” She blinked. “I appreciate all that you do, but don’t go out of your way to get me an exclusive.”

  “Oh, sweetheart.” He pulled her close. “I’m so sorry, babe. I don’t know how to tell you this.”

  “Tell me what? Just spit it out, before my crew comes looking for me, thinking you kidnapped me or something.”

  He cupped her face. “It’s your sister. It’s Stephanie.”

  “What about my sister?”

  “She’s the victim.”

  “What kind of cruel joke are you playing?” She shoved his hands to the side.

  This was harder than anything he’s ever had to do in his career.

  In his life.

  “Callie, babe.” He held her wrist, tracing her matching tattoo. “I know it’s Stephanie because of this.”

  Her fist came down on his chest. “What? No. It can’t be. We just had breakfast with her this morning. She was giving you shit for…for…” Callie took a step back. “You’ve made a mistake. It’s not Stephanie.”

  Jag looped his arm around Callie and led her toward the body. The medical examiner and his team respectfully took a step back.

  Levi, however, stayed in his place, inching a little closer to Jag.

  “Oh, my God. Stephanie,” Callie cried, starting to drop to her knees a little too close to the body.

  “It’s still a crime scene.” Jag caught her and pulled her back a little. “I’m so sorry, Callie.”

  She turned into his body and buried her face in his chest. “Adam Wanton did this.”

  “I’m afraid not,” Levi said.

  “What?” Jag said. “That’s impossible.”

  “The b
ody that was found yesterday morning mutilated in that back alley downtown? Turns out, that was Adam. If you all had breakfast with Stephanie this morning, there is no way Adam could have killed your sister.”

  “I knew he wasn’t the Trinket Killer, but you didn’t want to listen to me. You always brushed my thoughts under the rug, yet I was right all along, wasn’t I.” Callie glanced up at Jag, tucking her long blond hair behind an ear. Her expression turned hard and cold. She pursed her lips. “You did this,” she said, venom dripping from every word. She poked him in the chest. “Because of your arrogance. Because of your bad police work. Because of you, my sister is dead. I’m going to make sure you pay for this, Jagar Bowie, if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Chapter 1

  A year later…

  Jagar Bowie leaned against the bar and sipped his scotch on the rocks, letting the dark liquid burn the back of this throat before swallowing. He stared across the banquet hall. Levi Crawford hadn’t wanted a big send-off, but he’d been a staple in the Seattle Police Department for as long as Jag could remember, and when you’re married to one of the world’s most popular singers on the globe, people came out in droves when you had a party. Starla was kind of a big deal.

  Levi had just become a detective when Jag hit the streets as a beat cop. Shortly after, Jag followed Levi, and they worked together in the property crimes division before Jag decided that homicide was more his thing. Oddly enough, Levi gave homicide a good college try, but when the love bug hit him, Levi turned in his badge to be with Starla.