Page 89 of The Deadly Shallows

He had to admit he liked the sound of it.

“We’d love for you to stay,” Kenzie said. “I can always drop you off at the station later.”

“That’s a really kind offer, sis,” Noah said. “But I want whoever Brooke rides with to be . . .” He glanced at the kids, and instead of saying armed, he patted his side where his holster hit.

“I’ll head in with you,” Brooke said, then turned to Kenzie. “But thank you so much for the offer.”

Kenzie smiled. “It stands anytime.”

FORTY-FIVE

Noah held the door to the station open for Brooke.

The overhead lights were bright compared to the dismal gray sky. The click of typing on keyboards mingled with Em’s and Logan’s voices.

He caught sight of Caleb at his desk and Austin seated beside him. The two were quite the investigative pair.

Given the circumstances since the graduation shooting, the team had forgone their typical morning case-board meetings, but with everyone present, they could resume them—at least for today.

“Morning, everyone,” Noah said.

Everyone turned and greeted him and Brooke.

“Since we’re all here, let’s go for our morning case board. We still have a ton to discuss, and I’d like to hear the latest updates.”

Within minutes, everyone had settled on the U-shaped sofa facing the oversized whiteboard.

“Who’d like to start?” Noah asked.

“I’ll go,” Rissi said. “I’ve got some good news.”

“Great,” Noah said as Rissi stepped to the board. It was about time they had some good news.

“I’ve been following up with all the eyewitnesses from the shooting and one lady—a Mrs. Lois Hunter—recalled the catering van outside the graduation.”

Noah rocked forward, ignoring the deep ache in his thigh. “Please tell me she remembered the logo.”

“Jason’s Delicacies,” Rissi said with a smile.

“My neighbor’s grandson, Grant Miller, said it began with a J,” Austin said.

“He even offered Jacob or Jason as options,” Caleb added.

Finally! Thank you, Jesus. Noah looked to Emmy.

“On it,” she said, without him having to utter a word.

“Logan,” Noah said, “see if Mrs. Hunter is able to provide the details for you to do a sketch.”

“Will do,” Logan said.

Noah shifted his attention back to Rissi. “Where are you on questioning the lab crew?” He’d added that to Rissi and Mason’s docket with Caleb catching—or literally falling into—the environmental case.

“One of the female soldiers on the lab team, Army Lieutenant Amy Caldwell, stood out to me,” Rissi said. “But I can’t put my finger on why exactly.”

“I trust your gut. Call her back in,” Noah said.

“If it works schedule-wise, I’d like to have you sit in with me. I’d like your input,” Rissi said.