“Nah. It only sounds like fun.” He winked at Jane. “My buddy Bill Kane can keep all that to himself.”
Jane realized that was how he’d first thought to call her. Bill had mentioned he knew a great guy in the east precinct. “You know Bill? We worked the Red Ribbon Killer case together.”
“I know. Yet I called you when we needed help anyway.” He laughed and stuck out a hand. Jane took it. “I’ll call you when our next interesting case pops up.”
“Please do.”
Then he pulled her in for a quick hug and whispered, “You still owe me and Alex a marionberry pie.” He left with a wave.
She and Grimshaw watched him walk away.
Grimshaw shook her head. “Too bad. I liked him. He’d have made a great addition to the team.”
“Let’s consider him ours anyway. I like to reach out to our LEO friends from time to time.”
“Ha. You know, you remind me of myself. Always conniving while scheming to nail our suspects. Not bad, Cannon. Not bad. Now go write me some reports.”
Jane smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Grimshaw turned and went back to her office.
Jane headed to her desk. But she knew the case wasn’t over.
Not yet.
Chapter 54
Jane spentthe rest of her week writing reports. She had so much evidence to collect, files to collate, and calls to return that she didn’t have time to breathe until the weekend.
A text from her cousin came in.This is taking forever.
Be patient,Jane texted back.
After her Saturday morning run, she returned to clean up and spent her day goofing off. A walk through Pike Place market. A stroll downtown and then up to Seattle Center, where she happened upon an art exhibit full of paintings, dancers, and musicians.
She stopped to munch on some amazing cinnamon soft pretzels from a food truck that cost more than she’d normally pay. But hey, it was a festival.
The temperature felt lovely, just two days short of autumn. The wind whipped falling leaves over grass that hadn’t yet gone dormant. Mums still bloomed in pots and containers, framing stages where young performers gathered.
Families and friends laughed and strolled, a feeling of community that warmed Jane and reminded her that just because she chose to be alone didn’t mean there wasn’t room for more.
As if she’d conjured him, a familiar face appeared near a food truck. He glanced around, then moved behind it.
Conscious that she might be watched by any number of people, including nosy Lionel Gambol, Jane strolled casually behind the food truck.
When she saw Gunther Rapp standing tall and doing a poor job of hiding behind a beanie and fake beard, she slugged him in the arm.
“Ow.”
“What the heck, Gunther? Why did you interrupt my takedown of Victor Bednarek?”
He grinned, his gaze a touch wicked. “Jane Cannon. Man, you are looking fierce. Catch any killers lately?” He gave her a onceover that shouldn’t have made her blush but did…until he frowned. “Are you eating enough?”
“Really? That’s all you have to say to me? What are you doing here?”
“Me? I’m visiting Seattle. Having a great time.”
She felt more than saw movement to her left. But when she turned and spotted Diego approaching with a tray of food, he saw her, stopped dead, and turned right around.
