Gene lifted a brow.
“You think the ME is part of this?”
He shook his head.
“No, that was just me venting and an example of jackassery. I think the ME is a douchebag and does shit work,” he stated. “That’s my opinion on him.”
Gene got it now.
Ethan kept going.
“What I do know is that men collect women. Women doNOTcollect men. They will kill them in a rage, or out of betrayal with a knife, but how many female collectors have you encountered in the six years that you’ve worked for the FBI?” he asked.
Gene thought about it.
It didn’t take long.
“None.”
That was his point.
“Exactly. Same here. If this person took them over the span of two days, and then killed them at the same time, he was collecting or setting a scene. He wanted them to be together so they could be afraid. That means there is likely something that connects his collection. We just have to figure out what that is. As for the cops, I just wasn’t telling them that.”
Gene understood.
“So, we’re running this close to the vest?”
Ethan nodded.
“Agreed?”
Gene didn’t have to agree. This wasn’t his rodeo, and this wasn’t his responsibility.
“You’re the lead investigator on this one. I’m just here to do your paperwork until I get my arm back. I’m your backup as you do this your way. I trust you. You’re more than a competent investigator.”
Ethan was glad he had his back.
People tended to forget before he profiled, or started profiling, he ran cases. He wasn’t as good at it as Gene was, but he could hold his own.
“What’s the plan, Boss?” Gene asked.
Ethan laughed.
“That hurt. I know you like being the boss.”
Oh, he did.
Gene winked at him.
“I like when you tell me I’m the boss, specifically in bed. That’s my happy place,” he said, slapping his partner on the ass when no one was looking.
That sent a flush of heat up Ethan’s body, and his belly curled with lust.
“Oh, and I like calling you that. Daddy, specifically,” he said back, making Gene grin like an idiot.
God.
He loved this man.
