Page 18 of Cooper’s Promise

Chapter Five

Cooper was having a hell of a time concentrating as he tried to investigate Josiah Edwards’ background. Images of Brenna Wells kept floating through his head. He had insisted in checking out her apartment to ensure it was safe before letting her go inside. He’d stayed for a half hour ‘cuddling’ with her on her couch, if you could call it that, considering the fact that his cock had had zipper burn this morning. But he had meant what he said, he wanted them to take it slow.

So, here he was, a total basket case, as he tried to track down the bastard who was stalking Brenna.

His phone rang. It was Hudson.

“What?” he demanded.

“Have you got a lead on this guy?”

“I’m working on it.” He pressed “Enter” on his keyboard to pull up his DMV record.

“Brenna told me that he had cleared out, why didn’t you call me?”

“Check your e-mail, asshole.” He didn’t have time for this shit. He peered at Josiah’s previous addresses, and saw that he had lived in Tampa since he had gotten a driver’s license.

“I’m sorry Coop, I didn’t check. Zane had to leave Dallas for a few days, so I’ve been babysitting the client solo. I didn’t check my Gmail account today.”

Cooper grunted. His fingers flying over his keyboard, he pulled up the address of where Josiah was living when he was sixteen. He soon found out that it was the home of his foster parents. Mr. and Mrs. Salmon would be getting a visit.

“Coop, are you listening to me?”

“Huh?”

“I said, what have you found out about Josiah?”

“I’m working on it. I don’t think he left town like his employer said. I’m following a lead now. I’ll call you back tonight.”

Cooper grabbed his keys off his desk. He headed towards Grey’s office.

“Hey, boss, I need some personal time for the next couple of days.”

Grey Holden looked up at him from his desk with piercing eyes. “Is there anything you need help with?”

“Nah, just a bug that needs squashing.”

“Not that you aren’t capable of handling insects, but if you find you need back-up, I expect a call.”

Cooper tipped his chin, and Grey nodded.

As he rode his motorcycle through the streets of Tampa, he considered Grey’s words. He realized that was what he loved about being part of the Omega Team, the people had your back, no questions asked

When he got to the small house in the suburbs, he was impressed to see that it was the most well-kept house on the block. He knew from his search that the older couple was no longer fostering children, and Mr. Salmon was retired. He was interested in whether they kept in touch with Josiah. He knocked on their door.

“Hello? Can I help you?” A bright-eyed woman with gray hair looked up at him. She had a sweet smile. “Do I know you?”

“No, ma’am. I’m an investigator. I’m here to ask some questions about Josiah Edwards.”

“Hold on while I get my husband. In the meantime, please get some identification ready for us to review.” She shut the door in his face, and he had to grin. She was a feisty lady. She kind of reminded him of his grandmother. He liked her.

The door opened, and a man with thick glasses answered. He wasn’t smiling.

“What has Josiah done?” he asked, as he opened the screen door to take Cooper’s ID.

“He’s stalking a woman, and he’s pulled up stakes. He told his employer that he went to go live near his sick mother in Georgia.”

The older man snorted.