Deep Into The Night (Hartz Island Series) by Tracie Ingersoll Loy

she show up with anything?” Kip asked.
    “Not that I could see. No phone, laptop, nothing electronic. Just a few clothes. Obviously, she left in a hurry.”
    “Jack, I heard she was an actress in Los Angeles on some daytime TV soap opera,” Jeannie said. “Is this true?”
    “You wouldn’t know it this morning, but…” Jack paused. “She’s actually pretty good. Or she used to be. When she first got on the soap opera, I tuned in.” He laughed. “It was sort of funny to see her. She played some person from the south and had a goofy accent.” Thinking about it, he shook his head and smiled.
    “I don’t understand. What happened?”
    “My guess is the guy she was living with did a number on her. She was always confident and mouthy, gutsy too. But something has changed.”
    “Well hell, if she’s been hanging out with that fu—” Kip glanced at Jeannie. “That Russian, who knows what went on. I sure hope for her sake she wasn’t involved.”
    “Are you two talking work?” Jeannie asked.
    Kip cleared his throat. “We might be.”
    “If she’s in trouble, then we need to watch out for her. You two need to fess up on what’s really going on. Keep in mind, I might not be good on the computer, but I know Betsy is, so spill the beans.”
    Kip sighed. Jack cleared his throat, thinking about how much to reveal. Did Jeannie really need to know about the Russian Mob and the possible connection to her husband Brian’s death? He thought not.
    “Cassie left Los Angeles in a hurry. The fellow she’d been living with was arrested for a high-end auto theft ring, where he shipped the chopped up vehicles overseas. They’re still uncovering his illegal activities.”
    “Interesting. Would he be part of the West Coast auto theft operation Brian had been working on?” Jeannie looked them both in the eye.
    “The dots have not been connected. Yet.” Jack glanced at Kip, who nodded his head slightly. This was a wife of a slain police detective who deserved honest answers. “However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he were somehow involved.”
    “Did she know this?”
    “No. I’m pretty certain she didn’t. Cassie was in the Hollywood scene, trying to get her career to take off.”
    “Then she has to be scared. Those people are vindictive. Is he after her?”
    Jack shrugged. “He might think she ratted on him, though I don’t think she knows anything to rat. The problem is the Russian Mob can be ruthless in their pursuit of their version of justice.”
    “Well,” Jeannie said. “It looks to me like you two have your work cut out for you. Kip?”
    “Let me make some phone calls down to L.A. and see what I can find out. I’ve got a few contacts.” Kip slipped off the counter stool and leaned over and gave Jeannie a quick kiss. “Honey, we are off to my office.”
    When Kip and Jack were clear of the café Kip asked, “Is there a warrant out for her?”
    “As of this morning, no.”
    “Do you expect one?”
    “I’m not sure. I hope not. At the moment, the FBI thinks his latest squeeze is the artist girlfriend, not Cassie. By all appearances, you’d think so too. Cassie might be in the clear from the FBI, but not the mob. I’d like to connect all the dots and nail that bastard’s ass.”
    “No doubt in my mind you will.”
    “Sometimes things are easier said than done.”

Chapter Twelve
    "W e’re almost there.” Montana turned and smiled at Cassie. Cassie continued to gaze out the window. “This is really turning out to be a quite a morning. I had no idea when I picked you up yesterday that you knew Jack.” Montana peeked to see if there was any sort of acknowledgment. Nothing. Very odd. She’d watched the subtle interaction between them. Their vibration was strong and intertwined, and Montana guessed it had been for a long time. “So how long have you known Jack?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. It’s hard to say. A while.”
    Montana turned her face away so Cassie couldn’t see her biting her