“Cal? About that—”
“Hey, Seb,” Max said as he wandered over to us. “Can I go home?” He offered a lopsided grin. “And maybe have tomorrow off?”
“Sure thing,” I said with a weary laugh.
“I’ll get him home,” Quinn offered.
Max said his good-byes, and Quinn ushered him away from the scene to drive him herself. Police continued to fill the block, going in and out of the building and stopping to talk with Calvin, who still stood at my side. I even caught Officer Brigg standing at the apartment building’s front door. She noticed me and tipped her hat in my direction.
I FELLasleep in Calvin’s car while I waited for him to finish at the scene. I didn’t wake until the engine started and his warm, strong hand rested briefly on my thigh.
“Hey,” I mumbled, pulling my sunglasses off and rubbing my eye carefully to fix a contact. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“It’s all right,” he whispered. “I’ll wake you when we’re in the city again.”
Calvin turned the radio on to a low setting that barely qualified as white noise, and pulled onto the road. He didn’t seem to be in the mood for talk, so I remained quiet. I leaned my head against the passenger window, watching the streetlights pass by, their reflections bouncing off the windshield and raindrops. The sound of the windshield wipers lulled me back to sleep, my body unable to fight the urge after all of the adrenaline I’d spent chasing Ben.
I woke again after reaching Manhattan. We were sitting in traffic, waiting for the light to change. Calvin had his elbow against the door, resting his chin on his fist, while his other hand tapped the wheel absently. I reached out and put my hand on his and was grateful when he turned his palm up and briefly threaded our fingers together.
Calvin turned and looked at me. “I’m sorry. I should have kept you out of this.”
“It’s no one’s fault but my own.” I held his hand tighter. “I knew what I was doing.”
He returned the squeeze. “It’s my job to protect you. And you put up a hell of a fight when I try to do so, no matter what.”
I nodded. “I know. And no matter how many times I’ve told myself to drop this, to let it go and just be a law-abiding citizen, something pulls me back in.”
Calvin let go of my hand when the light changed and traffic began to move.
“I’m good at solving mysteries.”
“Yes, you are.”
I looked at him.
Calvin glanced sideways at me. “I never denied that.”
I felt myself smile.
“I love you, Sebastian. I want you far away from these messes because—you shouldn’t have to be witness to such monstrous behavior. And maybe that comes from… the part of me that… needs help. I don’t want you to ever wake in a cold sweat from nightmares.”
Traffic stopped again.
Calvin looked at me. “But… you’re so smart. And I do see the appeal in figuring these puzzles out, especially when they directly involve you. Should our positions be reversed… maybe you’d be constantly yelling at me to butt out.”
“I can’t tell if you’re happy or upset with me,” I said honestly.
“Both. I’m just worried,” he said. “All I want you to promise me is, when it comes to murder and mystery, just call and let me know what you plan on getting yourself into.”
I smiled again and leaned over in my seat, meeting Calvin halfway and kissing him. “I promise.”
The traffic was stop-and-go the rest of the way to his apartment. Calvin found a parking spot about a block away, and he held an umbrella over us both, arm around my shoulders, as we walked to his building. Everything seemed almostnormal, until we reached his apartment door inside, which was slightly ajar.
Calvin immediately pushed me behind him, set his umbrella aside, and pulled out his pistol. He took a readied stance and pushed open the door to the dark studio, reaching in to flick on the wall switch.
My heart was hammering loud in my ears, and I strained to look around Calvin and inside his apartment. “Cal?”
He didn’t respond and instead took a few steps inside. He immediately disappeared around the left corner, and I could hear him checking the bathroom. Calvin moved back into view, checking his closet and getting down to look under the bed last. Standing, he paused midway in holstering his weapon while staring at his pillow.
