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“No big reason. I swear. I just think the less who know, the better. It could…interfere with this big case we’re working on, is all.” Damn. I am so not good at this. Can I go back to saying and doing whatever the hell I want now?
“Is this about Alan? Because you guys are all suspended?” Her voice is so innocent and lost it’s almost sweet. Like, seriously, bless her heart.
“Uhh, well…” My brows furrow as I try to consider what to say next, but she beats me to it.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell him. He’s been in an awful mood the past couple weeks.” Her aura flairs with sadness and pity and I try to tune in past the surface, but it quickly flairs with excitement and smothers everything else. “Oh my God! You guys are still working on the stalker case, aren’t you?”
“What? No! Of course not…” My immediate reaction is to deny. Deny. Deny. But I let out a sigh and cross my arms. “Fine. Yes, we are.”
“I knew it!” She sounds and feels so damn proud of herself, I almost crack a real smile. Almost. Okay, so it was just a twitch of amusement, but still. “Do you have any more leads? Any suspects? What have you guys found out? Ooh, can I help?”
My jaw falls open at her obvious joy at being included in our little secret and I shake my head slightly, slamming it shut. Maybe there’s a way to use this to our advantage?
“Actually, you know what? I think we really could use your help after all!” A wicked grin slides across my features and I rub my hands together as I think.
Flairs of confusion and wariness spike up from the guys around me and I place my hands on the two chests closest to me in reassurance.
I got this, boys. No worries.
“What do you know about the missing casings?”
“The missing casings? Nothing really, just that theyaremissing.” Her aura flairs with concern and trepidation. “I’m not really privy to that sort of information. Alan has pretty much kicked everyone but himself off of your case.”
“What?” Four voices all snap the same word and fear floods Andy as she steps backwards. I don’t blame her, I’d be pretty intimidated by three scary, angry men all focused on me too.
“Guys, calm down!” I say, like I wasn’t also part of it. Stepping forward, I motion for them to stay back, and smile softly at Andy once more.
Damn, it’s like trying to get information out of a fainting goat with this girl, like every small movement might send her to the ground.
“Okay, no matter. Thanks for telling us though! You’re doing great!” She flairs almost manically with satisfaction and I try not to cringe at her obvious girl crush on me. Sorry, Andy, but if I swung that way even a little bit, the first bitch I’m calling is Scarlette. Now that woman could send even my noncommittal ass down a wedding aisle, with her legs alone.
“I’m glad I can help!” She practically preens the words, taking one small step closer to me. I try not to immediately step back, she’s only like five feet away now, and I am not one to enjoy people being in my personal bubble.
“Could you maybe do me one more favor, pretty please?” I clasp my hands together in a prayer position as I widen my smile. Hell, I probably look like a fucking loon at this point with how big it is, but she doesn’t seem to care.
“Anything, Wicked, anything!” She bounces in place, her words sounding more like an oath than simple words and I know I have her.
“Could you look into those for us a little bit? Maybe see who signed them into the evidence locker that night? Of course, you’d have to be extremely sneaky and crafty to get it done. But honestly, I can’t think of anyone better for the job, can you?” I turn to the guys at that last bit and they all stand in stunned silence until I slap at the two chests closest to me, which just so happens to be Kai and Nic. “Can you think of anyone better for such a difficult job?” This time I let just a little bit of an edge into my words.
Come on, guys, get with the program!
“Uh–ahem–no, I really can’t.” Nic is, surprisingly, the first to listen and I smile a real smile this time as I nod to his words and face back towards Andy.
“I think you would be perfect for the job, A!” Kai’s exclamation is far more believable and, while I know he’s only faking to get us what we need, my stomach seems to turn to acid at his cutesy little fucking nickname towards her.
He’ll pay for that later.
Wait, what? No. I don’t get jealous. I don’t care enough to. It’s not in my range of emotions. Jesus Christ on a cracker, what is wrong with me?
“See! You’re the best for the job!” I try to grin at Andy once more, but it’s suddenly taking far too much effort and I feel the cracks in my façade.
“Oh, well…I can try?” She sounds unsure, but she agrees and I almost let out a humongous sigh of relief, barely managing to hold it back.
“Oh, you’re the absolute best, Andy! Thank you! I knew we could count on you!” My feigned excitement feels plastic and gritty all at the same time, so I start to edge towards the door, ready to get a move on.
Her aura vastly brightens as she steps aside and lets us pass by her, the guys giving her their quick thanks as they catch up and then shuffle me along.
“I won’t let you down, Wicked! I’ll call you if I find anything!” I wave and smile as she calls after us before turning back towards the exit, my forced smile immediately dropping.
