“The dogs haven’t indicated they can smell any more?”
“We haven't brought them back since that first day. And besides, Maddox ended up telling us the names of the women and their exact locations in the yard.” His tone is clipped, as if he’s preparing to refute my opinions without even considering them. Jonesy frowns, running a hand over his mouth as if he’s calculating the likelihood of Connor Maddox knowing exactly who was where, their names, and the fact that it’s in his own damn yard and not actually committing the crimes.
Shit.
“Despite the evidence being processed, the investigation is finished. We’re just preparing for the eventual court trial now, Dr. Murphy,” Anthony says, uncharacteristically stern.
“I understand. You’ll have my report in a few weeks.”
He nods, stalking past Jonesy without a word as Officer Sanchez follows, giving Jonesy a small smile that makes my stomach churn.
He heads toward me, turning back to make sure they’re out of earshot.
“Thoughts?”
“I’m not sure. I need to think about this. It’s overwhelming for sure, but don’t you think this is a little convenient? The man we met doesn’t fit...well, this.” I wave my hand around. “The bed, the handcuffs...”
His eyebrow arches, and I blush. He bends low, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear as he whispers, “You’re so pretty when you blush, Katie.”
My stomach swoops, and I attempt to keep my professional face on despite the grin that’s tugging at my lips. “Dr. Jones, we’re at a crime scene. Three bodies were dug up a few feet away from us.”
“I know, it’s horrific. But life is short, clearly. And I’m obsessed with you. I think they’d understand.”
God, the mouth on this man. We’re at a literal burial site, and I can see the lust in his eyes. He’dfuck me in this house if I asked him. How crazy is that? How crazy am I for wanting him right here and now? Because he’s right. Life is short, and I’ve been sleepwalking through mine for a whole year, and I feel like I might be living again.
I look around to make sure no one is watching, and I squeeze his hand. His smile stretches across his face, and my heart thumps wildly. He looks so happy, all because I’ve held his hand.
“Can we go over everything again? I still think we’re missing something. This confession is a little convenient, don’t you think?” I say, pushing my shoulders back and putting on my professional face.
Jonesy loses his smile and gives me a stern nod. “I agree, and we need to finish our interview with Maddox. But first, there’s something really important we need to do.”
What could be more important than this? My brows pinch together, and his eyes narrow.
“You’re going to learn how to put up a curtain rail.”
I slap his chest, fighting the pull of my cheeks. I twist around and see the detective watching us from inside.
???
We head back to my house after wrapping up our walkthrough and start working on theliving room. I had a contractor come in to sand the floors and stain them, so now that they’re dry and the walls are painted, we’re moving furniture back into the space.
Well...I say we, but in reality, Jonesy uses those biceps he’s been building for the last fifteen years and moves the couch and solid oak coffee table with ease. We place down a rug, cushions, and a new cozy blanket, as well as hanging up the picture frames. All I need to do now is hang the curtains, and Jonesy is in the kitchen, grabbing the spirit level for the curtain rod as I steam the light blue fabric I picked out.
After five minutes, I go to find him, thinking he’s somehow got lost in all the equipment that’s been dumped in what will be an eating area of the kitchen, but I hear him talking.
“I understand, sir.”
He pauses, his fingers pushing through his hair. He looks significantly more stressed than when he left laughing five minutes ago.
“Yes, I understand. I’ll get it done.”
My heart clenches in my chest as he hangs up the phone, muttering a curse beneath his breath. He turns to see me just as he slips his phone into his pocket. He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, of course . . . just work stuff.”
“To do with the case?” I ask.
