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“That sounded almost convincing.”
“Did it?” She laughed. “No, really. I’m hanging in there. The trip to see my parents has helped a lot more than I thought it would. Who knew working through our issues would be such a good thing for us? It’s going to take time, on both ends, for things to feel normal again. If they were ever normal.”
“No family is normal. I know that for a fact.”
“True.” Cassie’s face fell as she thought of what had come next. “After I got home, I got a phone call from Detective Harris.”
“The woman who came to talk to you at the museum?”
“Yeah.” Cassie shook her head. “You have a good memory.”
“I’m pretty good with names and faces. Part of the security thing. Gotta remember people.”
“Well, Adelaide called to tell me some bad news.” She had told her sister soon after she found out, but Cassie still wasn’t used to saying it out loud. “We had a mutual friend, Detective David Klein. He was very important to me.” How could she tell Jason what David had meant to her? How could she sum that up in a couple of words? It was impossible. “Like a father, really. Like family. She called to tell me he died.”
Jason moved closer. He placed a hand on her arm. It was comforting, but she could feel her emotions threatening to spill over. He waited until she looked him in the eye before he spoke. “I’m so sorry, Cassie. This is probably a dumb question, but are you okay? I mean, down here, working?”
She shrugged. Her voice was thick with grief, so she took a swig of her drink. The tequila helped burn it away. “Honestly, no. I’m still processing it. We don’t know exactly what happened, other than someone murdered him.” When Jason’s eyes grew wide, she hurried on. “His funeral was the other day. I wanted to come down here to get away from everything for a while. Maybe it wasn’t the right call, but running into you makes it feel like it was.”
The alcohol made Cassie’s head swim, and her entire body felt warm and tingly. Jason was right there, so close, and she could feel the heat of his hand on her arm. It sent electric shocks throughout her body that were anything but painful. The sting of David’s death was never out of reach but looking into Jason’s eyes made her feel like everything could be okay. One day.
“If you need anything, let me know. Whether it’s a distraction or a shoulder or a pint of ice cream.”
Cassie laughed, even as a tear escaped from the corner of her eye. Jason was quick to wipe it away. He cupped her face and held her gaze. She couldn’t look away if she tried. The tequila wasn’t the only thing making her dizzy now.
“I’m really glad we ran into each other.” Jason’s voice was deeper than a moment ago, and Cassie could see a hint of a blush in his cheeks. “I like how the universe keeps bringing us together.”
“Me too.” Cassie felt a pull to lean closer. Her last encounter with Jason hadn’t gone over well—she’d accidentally punched him in the face, after all—but she was a different person now. She was brave, and she was ready.
But it turned out the universe had a sense of humor. Just as they leaned closer, someone bumped into Jason, sending his glass of water across the bar. He jumped to clean it up and apologize to the woman on the other side of Cassie who now sported a soaking wet arm. The man who hit Jason didn’t even look back to say he was sorry.
With the moment properly ruined, it didn’t come as a surprise when Jules showed up with Cassie’s jacket in hand. She looked at Jason with wide eyes and an enormous smile but said nothing.
After all, they’d have the entire ride home to discuss everything that hadn’t happened.
8
Detective Harris took a deep breath and brushed the fur off her jacket before she knocked on Chief Clementine’s door. She didn’t mind watching Apollo and Bear, but she needed to add an extra ten minutes to her morning routine to use a lint roller before heading to the station.
This morning, she’d been less than successful at removing the evidence.
But it was too late now, and she didn’t want to waste anymore of the Chief’s time. She heard a muffled response to her knock, so she twisted the doorknob and walked inside, closing the door behind her with an audible click.
Chief Sandra Clementine was a constant picture of perfection. Her dark copper skin was flawless, and the lines on her clothes were always sharp. She had pulled half her hair back into a ponytail, but her locks still fell past her shoulders. She was a tall woman with broad shoulders and rippling muscles, and every ounce exuded power and control.
Her office always smelled like oranges, and it was the only comforting part of the room. There was a single picture of her husband on her desk, but the rest of the office was void of any personal touches. If nothing else, everyone knew the Chief kept her personal and professional lives separate.
“Have a seat, Detective.”
Harris followed orders. She unbuttoned her jacket and sat down, crossing her legs to appear more comfortable than she was. She didn’t know why the Chief had called her into her office, but she had a few guesses.
Clementine pushed a few pieces of paper out of the way and folded her hands on top of her desk. She waited until Harris met her gaze before she spoke. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
Clementine leveled her with a stare.
Harris had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. “I’ve been better. I’m not really sure what you want me to say, Chief.”
