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When he looks at me, all the dread is present in his eyes. “I want you to stay. Carson will be here soon.”
This doesn’t work for me. Stay. I’m not a dog to command. “There are two dead bodies. I’m the ME. I should go—”
“No.” His voice booms, shocking me silent. “I’m almost damn certain this was done to get you out in the open.”
I cross my arms. “Or the Alpha is closing up loose ends.”
“Which,” he says, grabbing hold of my arms, “you are still one of.”
I swallow against the clot in my throat. “I’m aware of that.” Despite Quinn’s best efforts to seduce my fears away, the letter hasn’t wandered far from my thoughts.
The hard-drawn lines of his face relax as he exhales. “I thought of that, too. Without Maddox to represent them, their chances of getting a reduced sentence is no longer guaranteed.”
And they’d take a deal, giving up information. Like the fact that McGregor was just a peg in the sex trafficking ring, not the head. “The Alpha knew they were being watched,” I say, thinking out loud. “Did Sadie get a chance to—?”
“No. They were gunned down inside The Lair before she and Carson could talk to them. Even if they’d had the chance, the perps are dead now.” He runs a hand down his face as he backs away.
Dead. Unable to impart the knowledge of Wells’ trophies to the Alpha. We need another way…
The idea snaps into place like a puzzle piece finding its home. It’s about to burst free, coming together with more clarity, when Quinn says, “And now I can call off the hunt for Maddox.”
My eyebrows clip together. “Why? Because his clients are dead?”
“No, because he is.” He yanks a button-up from his closet and shoves his arms inside the sleeves. “Three dead bodies, not two. Maddox was discovered outside the club in an
alley. Throat cut.”
Silenced.
Tying up loose ends.
“Who is the ME on call at the scene?” I ask, knowing the answer.
Quinn lets out a harsh curse. Turns toward me as he buttons his shirt, no words needed.
I raise an eyebrow. “If your suspicions are right, do you think Aubrey should be anywhere near those bodies?”
“I’ll have Carson drive you to the lab.” He grabs his shoulder harness. “Bonds will meet you there.”
“I have to see the scene, Quinn. It’s not just about examining a body. The scene tells a story, too.”
He knows this better than most, and yet his stubbornness doesn’t yield. “I’ll do a thorough job at the scene,” he assures, sliding on his trench coat. “I’ll have the bodies sent to you.”
“I know you will, but—” I shake my head. “You don’t think keeping me with you is the safest plan?” A shock of sickness jolts me as soon as it leaves my mouth.
Pain bleeds through his gaze. I would’ve hurt him less if I just punched him. “You’re right. I’ll call Wexler back and assign another detective to the scene.”
“Wait. No—”
He does as I ask, halted in the doorway, and I curl my hands into fists at my sides.
I don’t deserve him. Quinn was the most upstanding detective in law enforcement before me. I can’t let him lose anything else. “You honestly believe this was all done as a ploy…for me?”
His mouth hardens into a firm line. “I’m not willing to chance it.”
My shoulders sag. All fight stripped away. “Then I’ll go to the lab.”
A knock at his front door pulls him away, and I pace. I’m not a pacer. But it seems to help Quinn assemble his thoughts. I grab my phone and send Sadie a text.
