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“And they’ll be open? At two o’clock in the morning?”
“Absolutely.” Taking out her phone, she adds with a smile, “After I make a call.”
“Sucks to be the poor asshole on the other end of that call.”
While she talks to her mystery jeweler, I take out my phone and text Archer.
I’m done at the George Stanley. I’ll be home in about an hour. Did you know the Southern Rockhopper penguin is monogamous for life? They give their beloved a rock as a token of love. That’s not code for diamonds. I mean an actual rock. So while you work, I’m going on a treasure hunt. Also, since I’m doing this, you need to decide which apartment we’re keeping. I officially place that job in your hands. I love you. You’re still unwell, so I hope you’re taking it easy. Drink water. I’ll be home soon.
After a moment, since it’s two a.m. and vulnerability is acceptable at this hour, I add,I can hardly sleep unless you’re in bed with me.I’m tired, and I know you are too. The sooner you get back, the better off we’ll both be.
“Organized.” Pleased with her work, Aubree kills her call and steps forward when the elevator stops on the ground floor.
Taking the lead and exiting in front of me, she waves for security at the front desk to release the doors, then she walks straight into the chilly air and aims for a waiting cab out front, like she somehow conjured the yellow vehicle out of thin air.
“I was going to order us one of these,” she giggles. “But I guess Archer made sure you had a ride before he left tonight.” Sliding in and closing her door, Aubree leans toward the driver. “Emeri’s on Sixth and Thirty-First, please.”
“Emeri’s?” Stunned, I look to my colleague. “You own a jewelry store?”
“My brother does.” Settling back for the ride, she crosses her arms and smiles in the darkness surrounding us. “We’re the bestest of all best friends in the whole wide world, so it’s time you meet my family, right?”
“Oh geez.” Slumping back, I exhale a heavy breath. “I said we could wear five-dollar sweatshop chains. Not boutique-bought family reunion glitters.”
* * *
“Aubree?” He’s loud. He’s colorful. He’s an Emeri, through and through. And hell, he’sfabulous. “Baby sister! It’s two in the dang morning, but you call me up like my apartment is on fire.”
“Your apartment is fine.” She walks straight into the man’s arms so his six-foot frame swallows her up. “It’s right upstairs. And this was an emergency.”
“A jewelry emergency?” His hair is in rollers. Literally. His pyjamas are monogrammed, and his eyes are sharp blue, just like his sister’s. “Now you’re speaking my language. What do you need? What does your heart desire?”
I stand by the door and clear my throat, but they don’t notice me.
“I want matching…” She thinks for a long moment, “anklets. Dainty, but strong. Not too gaudy, since my bestie doesn’t like a lot of flash, but maybe you can add an extra bit of pizzazz to mine, since I do.”
“Well, ofcourse.”
“Ahem,” I clear my throat again. “Doctor Emeri?”
“Do you want them with clasps, so you can take them on and off? Or are you thinking more permanent? Bonded links, so the only way they’re coming off is if I cut them, or they break?”
“Bonded,” she decides easily. “Definitely. And since they’re on our ankles, they won’t interfere with work.”
“Doctor Emeri!” I growl. “Hi. Excuse me?”
“Oh, wow!” She giggles. “I’m sorry!”
Stepping out of the man’s hug, my colleague waves a hand my direction. “Doctor Mayet, this is Elijah, my oldest brother… who just so happens to be the sweetest of us all.”
“Oh, you flatter me, Bree.” Coming toward me in bedazzled cuffs, Elijah takes my hands and yanks me in for a European kiss, first on one cheek, then the other. “Doctor Mayet, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Um… thanks.” I take a step back and pull my hands free of his grasp, my heart galloping in my chest. I’m not great at meeting new people. And I’m quite certain I’m allergic to strange men kissing me, even if they are Aubree’s family. “Uh, Minka,” I breathe out. “My name is M—”
“Minka Mayet,” he fills in quickly. “Chief medical examiner, and the smartest doctor for the dead Bree has ever known.”
He flashes a fast grin when I look at him in surprise. “I know. You’re married to Archer Malone, Detective. You’re an only child, your parents were hard-working immigrants who have now, tragically, passed away. You like privacy and aren’t apt to spilling your secrets to anyone who didn’t earn it first. You’re also educated, extremely driven, and the youngest chief medical examiner in the history of the George Stanley medical facility.” He pauses and stops barely short of giving the jazz hands.“How’m I doing?”
“You’re… a cop?” I wonder. “A private investigator?”
