Read Alive at 5 (Entangled Ignite) for Free Online

thighs.
    “And the X-Force Adventure Vacation Company? He was on one of their vacations, too?” She leaned forward.
    “Righto.”
    Samantha nodded slowly, lost in thought.
    Great. The detective had dangled the information like a carrot in front of a desperate reporter about to lose her job. No doubt she’d take a big, fat bite. Did she even have a choice? The woman had something to prove, and a lot to lose.
    “I definitely see a pattern here.” Her hand moved up to massage her temple.
    He wondered what she was thinking. Was she excited about this new information because it meant she was onto a good story that would save her ass? Or was she feeling sick at the implication someone could have murdered her friend?
    “But both deaths were ruled accidental, right?” she said.
    The detective sighed. “Only because the Florida Department of Law Enforcement couldn’t find evidence of anything otherwise. And each accident happened in different counties and under different jurisdictions, so maybe notes aren’t being shared. But now this little mystery has landed in my county, and in my lap, and I think something stinks like a pig’s ass.”
    Samantha cracked a sad smile at his language. “Why are you telling me—” She paused and surveyed Zack. “I mean, why are you telling us this information?”
    Zack held his breath. Why was she including him? He certainly didn’t intend to do the same. He worked alone. Solo. No partner. Ever again.
    “You have access to the X-Force Adventure Vacation Company in ways I don’t,” Johnson said matter-of-factly.
    She drew back. “But…you’re a cop.”
    “And you’re an attractive woman who can get closer to these filthy rich bastards than I can.” He crossed his arms. “Look, I’m going to be honest with you, Sam. I’ve dealt with men like this before. Most are arrogant egomaniacs who love nothing more than bragging about themselves and their accomplishments.” His gaze lasered directly on Zack.
    If this investigation wasn’t so damn important to him, he’d have shown the cop exactly how accomplished he was. He ground his teeth instead.
    The detective turned his attention to Samantha. “They don’t like cops, but I bet they’d love to spill some secrets to impress a beautiful woman like you.”
    Zack opened his mouth to protest, but then thought better of it. The detective was whetting the reporter’s appetite, giving her a chance to redeem herself while also seeking justice for her friend. If he tried to interfere now, convince her to leave, it would look suspicious. He’d just end up making things worse. He swallowed his anger and remained quiet.
    “Are you tipping me off to investigate the X-Force Adventure Vacation Company?” she asked Johnson.
    “You know I can’t do that.”
    “You just did.”
    The detective grinned. “Did I? Nah.”
    You sure as hell did. Zack groaned inwardly, but kept his face passive. He wanted to kick a deep hole in the dirt—or better yet, in the man’s cop radar for picking up on all this too soon…or too late—but refrained.
    “Why can’t you get a court order and investigate it yourself?” she asked.
    “I intend to devour this scene like my mother’s Thanksgiving meal, but the medical examiner said the previous deaths were accidental. If someone is making these murders look like accidents, they’re covering their tracks pretty damn well.”
    “You think that’s what’s happening?” Samantha’s eyebrows furrowed together.
    The detective nodded, then gestured his way. “So does your friend, here.”
    Zack narrowed his eyes. The detective was baiting him, but Zack knew all of these cop tricks. Had used them himself.
    Samantha turned to him.
    He shrugged and said, “I believe I’ve already stated my opinion.”
    Finally, she directed her attention back to the detective. “I’ll think about expanding the story. But no promises, because I don’t even know if my boss will trust me enough to pursue this kind of