Definitely not Steven.
“Hey, Steve. What have we got?”
The main area of the floor they were on was large and open with various workstations and complicated looking equipment. Staff members in lab coats milled about, as well as officers and CSI, but once Andrew walked in, the uniforms all gave him a wide berth. It was probably his imagination, but it never felt like it.
“Still questioning the staff,” Steven said, passing Andrew a scrutinizing once over. “Why’d you run out of the precinct the other day? You didn’t even stay to talk.”
“Um…” The last thing Andrew wanted to tell him was the truth—that he’d had to ditch his underwear. “Sorry. Work thing came up. Had me on the run all afternoon. But I appreciated the intel.”
Steven grunted like he either didn’t care for that excuse or had something stuck in his throat. “Sounds like this Wellesley asked for you by name. Finally getting a reputation?”
Andrew winced at the unintended jab. Steven didn’t mean to be an asshole; it just came naturally. “Not with this one. I know him.”
“Hn.” He grunted again, making Andrew feel about twelve years old, never living up to big brother’s expectations. “Since he asked for you, you’re welcome to consult, but you’re here for security only, not police work. Don’t overstep.”
“I’ll do my job,” Andrew bristled.
“Speaking of… I know things have been tough,” Steven’s voice hushed, his eyes taking on a familiar look of pity. “That’s why I threw you that bone about the briefing. Can’t be easy losing so much business to Ford. I never bought that crook’s 180.”
Even only days ago, Andrew would have agreed, but now he felt a stir of indignation.
“This case is a big one, being Avalon. I’m glad you have a friend who trusts you enough to bring you in, but there’s always a place for you back on the force.”
“Steve—”
“I’ve already talked to the captain. He’s willing to—”
“Youwhat?” Andrew’s voice raised before he could censor it, and several people turned their direction.
“I’m just looking out for you,” Steven hissed. “If you want something more stable, the chance to start fresh—”
“I am starting fresh.” Andrew stepped closer to drop his voice. “This was my fresh start, and I’m not giving it up. It’s been tough, yes, but I’m making it work.”
“How? By losing jobs to a conman?”
Outrage boiled in Andrew’s gut, and his fists clenched. He was so sick of having this argument, but it incensed him more to have Ford dragged into it. “Better his shadow than yours.”
“What’s that supposed to—”
“Andrew!” Dalton called, waving as he approached them.
Andrew and Steven stood by the only area with broken glass and toppled equipment, where Dalton joined them with swift strides. He dressed so differently from Ford’s simplistic black, more preppy and colorful, just like he had in college, with a collared shirt and quarter-zip sweater.
Relieved at the interruption, Andrew reached for Dalton’s hand with a matching smile, a strong collision and squeeze rather than a shake.
“Not exactly how I hoped to see you again,” Dalton said, “but glad it got us together sooner.”
“Steve, this is Dalton Wellesley,” Andrew introduced them, making it clear with the dart of his eyes that he had no intention of continuing their conversation. “We went to the U together.”
“Well, I was a Freshman to Andrew’s early-release Senior.”
“You graduated early too.”
“Yeah, but you graduating early meant our movie marathons had to come to an end.”
“Hate to tell you this,” Andrew tipped forward with a conspiratorial whisper, “but I replaced you and finished theStar Trekmovies with someone else.”
Dalton gasped dramatically and slapped a hand to his chest. “Betrayer. And here I thought our time together was special.”
