Shelby's Secret (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

noise complaints. Shelby said the scene looked like her third video, and if that’s the case, this guy will need another big space.”
    “Got it. I’ll be at the office, waiting.”
    “Thanks, Daniel.”
    He hung up and focused on getting to her. The streets were relatively empty this time in the morning, so he quickly reached the freeway and punched it. He took fifteen minutes to get to Shelby from the moment she called.
    Her place was something he’d seen only in magazines. The grounds were gated and private, with a long driveway. A guard met him at the gate, flashlight in hand. Mike held up his badge, and the guard nodded and waved him through. He was a big guy, but young. Mid-twenties at the most, but he looked awake and confident. And that’s what Shelby needed.
    He parked and was met at the door by the manager. She was almost as tall as Mike, and built like she could have competed in the Olympics for power lifting. But the slight sheen around her eyes told the story. She was scared. “Ms. Henner,” he greeted.
    “Call me Madge, Detective. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Unless, you catch this guy soon.”
    Mike nodded. “Madge. Call me Mike, and I will catch him.” She looked hard into his eyes, as if gauging the truthfulness in his statement. Whatever she saw there must have assured her.
    She nodded and opened the door wide to admit him. “I looked you up, you know,” she said as she led the way through the massive foyer.  
    Imported tiles lined the floor and marble columns flanked an enormous staircase. He could have fit his entire department inside the living room. “I figured you might. Shelby mentioned all the staff had background checks. I assumed that was done by you.” And in truth, he didn’t mind. He’d never had anything to hide. And he was glad someone was looking out for Shelby. Someone needed to.
    “Your mother lives in New York, and your father is deceased. I found a sealed juvenile record. And then an exemplary military career with several medals awarded. Including a Medal of Honor and a Silver Star. Isn’t that for combat valor?”
    Mike nodded. “It is.” But didn’t say anything else. He had a feeling she wasn’t done.
    “I couldn’t find out exactly what you did in the Marines, but you finished as a Major. The lack of information leads me to believe you were in Intelligence. You served two tours in Afghanistan, and then came home and immediately went through the police academy. You didn’t stay long in patrol, working your way up to sergeant and then moving into homicide, where you’ve stayed.”
    “You’ve done some homework.”
    “I don’t want anyone around Shelby who can’t be trusted. She tends to trust a bit too easily for my peace of mind, and I won’t have her taken advantage of.”
    The woman in front of him was a veritable dragon lady, but he could hear the love ringing in her voice. Shelby could inspire that kind of emotion, which is how she became one of the youngest Entertainers of the Year at the Country Music Awards. Two years in a row. “I will catch this guy.”
    “Before he escalates and hurts her?”
    Madge was stopped in front of what looked like an office. French doors were closed, and Mike could see Shelby in the dim room. She was huddled under a blanket, wedged into the corner of a brown leather couch. She faced a gorgeous view of the city and wasn’t aware he and Madge were just outside the doors. “I don’t lose. Ever.”
    “I hope so, because Shelby has more than her life at stake here.”
    Then she moved away before he could question that statement. He opened the door and went inside. The large glass windows showed his approach. He saw her gaze meet his in the reflection.
    “Did Madge give you the third degree?” she asked.
    Mike smiled a bit grimly. “She just let me know that she’d looked into my background.”
    “She’s a bit of a steamroller, but she has my best interests at heart. She always