I think three raccoons in a trench coat could’ve scored higher than him.
“Shortcuts are how cases get tossed. Not to mention, if you take notes on your phone, the defense can subpoena it. And they’ll have access toeverythingon it. Did no one teach you that?”
His face blanched as he stammered, “Not… I… I just thought they?—”
I cut him off since it wasn’t the time and tilted my head toward the door. “Go check on Daisy.”
I expected an argument at the order, but I should’ve known better. For the first time all shift, Matthews showed some hustle as he practically ran from the room.
It was to see a gorgeous knockout of a woman, but again, small victories.
The abandoned chair across from Mr. Walker was already left pushed away from the table, but he used his foot to shove it farther back… an invitation to sit that I ignored. I’d long ago learned that because I was a female—and a short one at that—I needed to use any advantage I had.
And I got the distinct impression Mr. Walker easily read my power play. His mouth curved up on one side, highlighting the already deep dimple on his cheek beneath his trimmed beard. To his credit, he didn’t challenge me with his own. He stayed sitting, letting me tower over him.
Okay,towerwas probably too strong of a word since, even with him slouched back in the metal chair, we were only a few inches apart in height.
I launched into the questions and hoped something clicked into place to explain what else was happening there. “Name?”
“I think you called meSirlast time we met, if you want to stick with that.”
CHAPTER THREE
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK
LUNA
So he does remember…
My first case as a detective involved the stalking of his friend. I’d only landed the case because my former mentor had requested me, and it’d thankfully had a happy ending. But before that ending, it’d been ugly. Mr. Walker had brought Piper to the station when there’d been a development, but he hadn’t offered his name when prompted, leaving me to call himsir. The awkward exchange had replayed in my head for a week after, and each time I would cringe. It was rude as hell, and I’d been annoyed.
Mostly.
I’d also been slightly intrigued by the ridiculously attractive man who was so protective of his friends.
It was a shame he was clearly a man on a power trip.
A shame, but not a shock.
He was the one who’d said I should call himsiragain, but then he immediately scowled before I had the chance to shoot him one of my own.
And I would have. I had a mean scowl, and I didn’t appreciate him dodging my questions.
He must’ve decided he also wanted to get it over with because he answered, confirming the info we had in our system. “Never mind. Rhys Walker.”
“Date of birth?”
It wasn’t an invasive question, but his jaw clenched for a moment. There, then gone, but I caught it.
Is he about to lie?
After a long second, he told me a date. I did the quick math to see that he’d turned thirty-nine the month prior.
That was about what I’d guessed. He probably could’ve passed for a handful of years younger if not for the creases that lined his eyes and the hints of gray in his overgrown brown hair and in the dark stubble that covered his sharp jaw.
And the weariness that emanated from him, making him seem older than his years. Like he’d seen too much shit and was already over the day by the time he climbed out of his bed.
Or whatever bed he was warming.
