“Emotionally? I can’t.”
“But you just said?—”
“An awkward cut would be noticeable. Hesitation leads to jagged edges. It leads to more stops and starts. The fact Josey’s was one smooth, consistent slice says your killer was confident, determined, and moved without equivocation.”
“We were hoping you could bring us an update,” Aubree adds. “If you get us a knife, we can tell you for certain if it’s the one your perp used. If you get us their clothes, we can confirm the blood they’re soaked in.”
“We’re teed up to speak to Josey’s last tutoring clients this afternoon.” I drop my hand over the side of my chair and discreetly stroke Minka’s calf muscle. The mere act of touching her helps my pulse slow. Being near herregulates my nervous system. “Parents are Rhonda and Geoffrey Prim. Seventeen-year-old boy-girl twins, Scott and Tara. Josey tutors both kids and has for the last eight or so months. Both are gearing up to begin their senior year at high school.”
“Seems you’ve gleaned a fair bit of information already.” Minka doesn’t shift so I can see her face, but her fingers, so fucking sneakily, draw a gentle pattern against the back of my neck. “How?”
“I called ahead,” Fletch answers, ignoring the things Minka does to my skin. “I spoke to the dad, copped a little attitude, since I guess he’s got some of that, ‘don’t interrupt my life with your annoying murder stuff’ energy. He was happy to talk about his kid, though, and how wonderful he was. Mrs. Prim finishes work in about half an hour, then they’ll be expecting Detectives Malone and Banks at their front door.”
“And the death scene?” Aubree questions. “Have you located where she died yet?”
“We have calculated assumptions,” Clay answers. “No definitive proof just yet, which tells us this crime was contained within the car. Detective Fletcher and I are waiting for the street footage, at which point we’re hoping to narrow in on the window between Josey’s phone switching off and Mr. Carpenter’s arrival at the cinema. We believe we’ll see her car leave at this time.”
“Except, Josey won’t be driving.” Minka changes her stroking fingers to circles. To a gentle massage. To a promise she’s alright, even when we both know I suck at not worrying. “Had any luck locating anything between the dump site and town? A bag of bloodied clothes? A knife? Josey’s phone?”
Clay looks at Drake, like maybe his superior will answer, but Drake’s been with me, so Clay gulps and lowers his gaze. “Not yet, Chief. However, investigators believe they’ve found what may be recently disturbed brush. We’re hoping that’s the direction our perp walked.”
“But that’s a popular hiking spot, no? Why assume our killer disturbed the brush when it could’ve easily been another hiker?”
“Dogs.” His cheeks blaze bright red. “Detective Fletcher put in a request to bring the sniffer dogs out. We got a positive result for blood in that area.”
“You found blood?”
“No, Chief. The dogssmellblood. However, we have not located any yet. The scene’s been taped off, and investigators are tightening the grid.”
“Well, let’s hope our perp screwed up, because right now, we have abody, a clear manner of death, but no motive just yet.” Finally, Minka pushes away from my chair and circles back to hers. “All I’m hearing is that Josey was a sweet girl who helped kids, maintained a loving long-term relationship with a man who, even after their breakup, still loves her and holds no malice, and kept fantastic grades throughout high school, all so she could dive intoourfield of criminal investigation.” She lowers into her seat and meets my eyes. “She could’ve been our colleague, detectives. Could’ve been an expert consultant we worked alongside.”
“And now she’s dead.” Drake moves away from the glass wall and crosses the office. “Our twenty minutes are over, Malone. Get your ass up so we can find a killer. Officer Clay?” He spins at the door. “Push hard on that warrant.”
“Yes, Detective.”
“And follow those dogs until they find something. I want you to call me by the end of the day with an update on both.”
The poor kid gulps. Drops his gaze. Nods. “Yes, Detective.”
“I guess that’s your cue.” A gentle smile curls across Minka’s lips as Drake turns again and strides through her door. He stomps all the way to the elevator and slaps the call button. Slowly, she brings her eyes back to mine. “Should I ask, or…?”
“No.” I push up and brace with my fists on her desk. Leaning across, I press my lips to hers and hover longer than she’s comfortable.Because she’s a professional.I cup her face and draw this out, and fuck it, I don’t even release her when a deep growl rolls along her throat. But at the sound of the elevator dinging outside her office, I pull back with a smile and thrill in her unimpressed glare.
At poor Officer Clay’s tomato-red blush in my peripherals.
At Fletch’s rolling eyes.
“I’m at work, Detective.” And yet, she licks her plump lips. “I thought you understood we don’t do that while I’m on the clock?”
“Eh. Special circumstances call for special exceptions.”And you have blood on your fuckin’ shirt!“Drink lots of water today, Chief. No more coffee. Eat something. Stay with Doctor Emeri at all times, just in case those new meds go on the fritz and try to wipe you out.”
“I hardly require a babysitter.”
“Malone!” Drake barks from the elevator. “Let’s go!”
“Humor me and accept the babysitter. Please.” Turning to Aubs, I wink—she’s all yours now, Doc—then I pass Fletch and clap his shoulder as I go. “Wait for me, Charlie. I’m coming home to you.”
He snorts. “Okay, honey. But I’ve got other offers, so don’t be long.”
