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Before Joey could wonder too much why Cole would be concerned about earning and keeping points from her, the door opened behind her. Instead of turning around, she watched Cole’s body language. He smiled.
“Morning, Cole,” she heard, recognizing Flint’s voice.
Joey turned so Flint could see her. “Hey, boss.”
“Joey. Are you okay?” Flint’s concern warmed her as much as the coffee. What had started as Flint’s divine interference in her FBI arrest had turned into a friendship she’d never take for granted.
“I’m okay.” She gestured to Cole with a nod. “He’s the one who found her. And lost his friend,” she added sadly.
She looked back at Cole and found him running a hand through his hair. He’d clearly taken the worst of the damage yesterday, and yet here he was, taking care of her with breakfast and a place to stay.
She looked back at Flint. There was something in her friend and mentor’s expression that made her pause. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Flint sighed. “Miranda sent Connor to grab your car from Zia this morning.”
That was Miranda, always taking care of the details for the team. “And?”
“The tires had been slashed.”
Her mouth fell open.
Cole straightened, an angry scowl on his face. “Seriously?”
Flint nodded. “I’m afraid so. I’d like to look at the security tapes. We can’t be sure yet if it was before or after the murder.”
Joey stabbed a piece of egg with her fork. “Worst-case scenario?” she asked Flint.
He hesitated. “Worst-case scenario is that it was the killer and it was done after the incident in the alley. Maybe laying a trap so he could get to you while you were stranded in the garage.”
She sagged. That was definitely not a rosy picture. If Cole hadn’t insisted on giving her a ride last night… She glanced at him to find his eyes on hers. Apparently, the same thoughts were rolling through his mind.
“Well, this sucks,” she said.
Cole choked on his coffee. “Joey!” his exasperated cry made her laugh.
She shrugged her shoulders and threw her hands up. “What? It does suck. In all likelihood, the killer saw me in the alley, or at the very least saw my car in the garage, and figured the person who owned it was the one person who can tie him to the murder.”
Cole sighed. “I know. You’re right. I hate everything about this. Our number-one priority is to keep you safe.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Honestly, I’m tempted to shut down the entire project.”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “You can’t do that, Cole. You’re so close.”
He rested his elbows on the counter and cradled his head in his hands as they fisted in his hair. “I know. But no one was ever supposed to die.” He tipped his chin up, his eyes zeroing in on hers, laced with sadness. “I’m supposed to save lives, right?”
Joey’s heart squeezed with sorrow for his tortured plea. Before she could follow her foolish desire to step around the counter and soothe his worry with a touch, Flint spoke again.
“Maybe we should call it off, Cole. At least until the police have a chance to catch the guy.”
Joey tensed at Flint’s recommendation. “No way,” she argued. “The police are convinced Cole is the shooter anyway. The best thing we can do is continue with our plan. We find the mole and we find the killer.”
There was no way she was going to hole up waiting for this to blow over. Not when she could be helping.
She pressed her lips together, waiting for Flint to make the call.
“All right, Joey. You might be right. I don’t think our killer is going to do anything in broad daylight at work. I’m sending in Tank and Will with you.”
Joey started to object. “That’s really not—”
“Is that enough?” Cole asked.
