Homecoming by Denise Grover Swank Read Free Book Online Page A

his car and we’ll stick him in the trunk. You drive his car and I’ll follow you.”
    “You’ve got this down.”
    James scowled. “I’ve rode in this rodeo a time or two.”
    As James predicted, the man stood and headed for the back.
    “Don’t let him take a piss. It’ll make him more antsy and easier to manage if he’s anxious about peeing.” James said. “Go get him out back, and I’ll meet you in a minute.”
    Will nodded and moved down the hall, grateful it was dark. The man started to open the door and Will blocked the entrance. “Sir, I need you step out back.”
    The guy’s eyes widened. “What’s this about?”
    “Your car has been involved in a fender-bender in the parking lot. I’m a detective with the St. Cloud police, and we need you to identify your car.” Will was surprised how easily the lie came to him, but he’d heard that victims were more willing to cooperate if their captor wore a uniform or impersonated a person in authority. Will’s breath caught. Victim. No, this man was probably some sleazeball that cheated on his wife and she’d hired some people to scare some shit into him.
    “But my car is parked out front.” He looked worried, the lines on his forehead crinkling. He glanced down the hall toward his girlfriend.
    Will nudged him toward the back door and the man took a step backward. “Sir, if you could just cooperate, this will go a lot faster.”
    “But I need to pee.” He looked scared now, and tried to duck under Will’s arm.
    Will stepped in front of him, ignoring the protest his conscience waged. “This will only take a moment.” Will shoved his hands into his gloves.
    The man grumbled, but Will could tell it was for show. Sweat beaded on his forehead and he glanced down at Will’s hands.
    “It’s cold outside.”
    Fear filled the man’s eyes. “I should grab my coat.”
    “Again, this will just take a second. If you could hand me your keys, we can check it out sooner and get you back inside.”
    He handed Will his keys, but his hands shook. If the guy suspected Will was up to something, why wasn’t he protesting? Further proof he’d done something he felt guilty about. Further proof that Will wasn’t turning over an innocent man.
     When he opened the back door, the cold hit Will in the face and stole his breath. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to it.
    “There’s nothing back here but a dumpster.”
    “We’re waiting on the other officer.” As if on cue, James walked around the corner.
    Will waved. “Officer Fife, could you be so kind to bring this good man’s car around so we can show him the damage from the accident?” Will tossed the keys to James.
    James stared at Will for a second before answering. “Why sure, Officer Taylor. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared around the side.
    “Listen,” the guy said, his voice shaking. “I don’t know what he’s paying you, but I’ll double it.”
    Will’s heart skipped a beat and his guilt roared in his head. “Are you trying to bribe a police officer? That’s a felony, sir.”
    “Please.” The man grabbed Will’s jacket. “I’m good for it. I promise.”
    James drove around the corner, stopping in front of them. The trunk popped before James climbed out, leaving the engine running. “Everything okay here?”
    The man dropped his hold and stepped back, his mouth working as though he were about to yell.
    Will clapped a hand on the man’s shoulder. “No problem, just a case of mistaken identity.”
    James motioned to the trunk. “The damage is back here.”
    The guy dragged his feet and Will had to pull him toward the back.
    “I don’t see any damage.” He sounded like he was about to cry.
    “It’s here,” James pointed inside the trunk.
    Will shoved the man down so that his head went into the space.
    “Please,” the man begged.
    James lifted the guy’s legs while Will pulled his upper half. The guy barely fit when James slammed the lid closed.
    Will looked at the