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Ramirez’s grin was wicked.
???
Inside Howser’s office, I could hear him bellowing at the uniforms. Although we could only catch every other word, we were highly amused. Ramirez was relaxed, leaning back in his chair while I was stiff. This would be the first blemish on my impeccable record, but I didn’t care. Irons had deserved it, and Ramirez was my partner. Howser threw open his door and glared before he slammed it shut, rattling the glass in the frame. For the next ten minutes, he yelled at us both, for being asshole detectives, for being brainless and for hitting assholes in front of witnesses.
Ramirez and I took it on the chin, although Ramirez held a half-smirk, which he couldn’t wipe off his face. Howser informed me I was suspended for two weeks without pay and to clean up my act. As we got to our feet, Howser’s voice dropped in decibels, and he spoke more calmly.
“You two, Nando, and Goldberg, are my best cops. Get me? My four best. I rely on you to keep your cool no matter what and keep our streets clean. Sometimes we bend the rules to do so, and that’s fine as long as we don’t cross the line. But I expect you to set an example. You won’t stop at detectives, the four of you, unless you choose to. You’ve got shining careers ahead of you. But end the careless actions. Two of my finest officers brawling in plain sight of witnesses.
“Take them out the fuckin’ back next time and ensure no fucking witnesses. Christ boys, do I have to teach you the old-school methods? Thought you had more common sense! And Irons will be gone. One for discussing the crime scene, two for trying to intimidate a victim, and three for the open racism he displayed in front of colleagues. Now I hope the fuck all I have left out there are excellent officers! Get out of my sight, and for extra penance, assholes, you both are volunteering at my sister’s bake sale!”
Ramirez and I exited the room quickly before Howser could think of anything else to make us do. Outside we swapped glances and groaned. Howser’s sister was searching for a husband and was handsy, for fucking sure.
Bollocks, my weekend looked shit!
Klutz
I glanced at my phone as another message from the unknown number came in. I skimmed it, anger rising as someone warned me that somebody was taking a dangerous interest in Aurora, and then I called Hawthorne.
“Hey, how’s Aurora Victoria doing?” Hawthorne asked as he picked up his mobile.
“She’s okay. Hawthorne, I’m calling for two reasons. Can Davies hook up a security system at home and at the store? Aurora doesn’t feel safe, and I want her to have the added surveillance. Don’t give a fuck what it costs, man; just make it the best,” I said.
“Not a problem. Davies is free this afternoon. I’ll get him over to you. House first and then the shop. What’s the second reason?”
“I’ve received two messages warning me Aurora is in danger. No details, but telling me to watch out. First one was dramatic, mentioning watching the shadows. The next was a straight-out beware informing me there’s dangerous interest in Aurora. Ain’t got a clue who’s sending them, but wondered if you can run the number?”
“Give me the digits, Klutz. I’ll have Leila get on it. Don’t need further bullshit after Calamity’s fuck-up. You fuckin’ two seem to find trouble after trouble,” Dylan said, but there was humour in his voice.
“Don’t fucking tell me. I feel like I’m living on the edge. That something big is going to happen, but Aurora isn’t picking shit up, or she’d mention it,” I replied.
“Aurora genuine, Klutz?” Dylan asked curiously.
“Yeah. Didn’t believe her at first, but now Aurora says something, I’m gonna listen and obey,” I answered, laughing.
“You’d do that, anyway; the woman has your balls in her tiny grip. We’ll come back to you tonight,” Dylan said, cutting the call.
I made Aurora some lunch and carried it into the living room. My poor girl was curled up in her oversized armchair and had a blanket wrapped around her. I thought about something and picked the phone up and phoned Rosie. I voiced my requirements, and Rosie told me to give her an hour. Agreeing, I next called Casey, and Casey informed me she’d be there in twenty minutes.
No sooner had Casey arrived than Rosie called back with the information I required. I sent my sleeping girl a soft look, which made Casey sigh, and I winked before leaving on my errand.
Aurora
“Klutz didn’t mention where he was heading?” I asked Casey for the fifth time.
“No, honey. Klutz said he had something important to take care of, and could I sit with you?” Casey responded patiently.
I shifted in my armchair. It was difficult as I couldn’t put weight on one arm to balance myself. What the hell was Klutz up to? He’d been gone for over three hours now.
“Is his bike outside?” I asked.
“Yeah, strange, he’s riding in your SUV,” Casey replied with a frown. “Here, I’ll go make us fresh coffee.”
Casey was in the kitchen when the door opened, and I craned my neck. Klutz cursed, and I heard him stumble and bounce off the wall, and there was a patter of tiny feet. Curiously, I sat up and stared in astonishment as two puppies raced in. Their tongues were hanging out the side of their mouths, and they instantly made for me.
“What on earth?” I demanded as one scrabbled up and began licking my face crazily. Casey appeared in the doorway and grinned as the second pup whined until Klutz picked him up and placed him on my lap.
“I thought they’d be excellent guard dogs for you. Mina’s going to work with them to train them like Demonicus and Lucifer. They are German Shepherds, and once they’ve grown and calmed down, they’ll be able to stay in the shop with you,” Klutz added, grinning.
