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They bantered back and forth for a few minutes until David had to hang up to see a patient. Just before he hung up, he said, “I’m glad you called, Faith.”
“Yeah,” Faith said, “me too.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
She hung up and smiled softly to herself. The demons weren’t gone, but they were quiet now for the first time in a long time. She was so glad that she overcame her anxiety and called him anyway.
She smiled down at Turk and said, “I feel better, boy. How about you?”
Turk barked in agreement, and Faith laughed, then stooped down and hugged him. Turk allowed the embrace but cast Faith a quizzical look when she stood.
“I guess I’m just in a good mood,” she said. “Shall we head back?”
Turk whined and reluctantly turned around.
“I know,” Faith said. “Don’t worry. When we get home, I’ll take you to the Nature Park and let you chase birds.”
Faith barked exuberantly and wagged his tail, and Faith grinned. Today was a good day after all. If she could hold onto this feeling a little longer, then she could make it through this case without falling apart.
Hell, she might even be able to handle therapy without tearing her poor doctor’s face off.
Maybe.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Faith’s good day got even better when she reached the hotel. Michael was just walking back inside. He waved to her, a big grin on his face.
“Did you talk to your sweet thing too?” Faith asked.
“Yes,” Michael said, “but that’s not why I’m smiling. For the record, I will be teasing you for calling David your sweet thing, but I’ll save that for another day. Right now, I need to apologize for ever calling you ineffective.”
“The ring angle worked?” Faith asked hopefully.
“The ring angle worked,” Michael replied sunnily. “Travis just called me. They’re bringing in a Julius Masterson, thirty-seven. Runs South Tucson Pawn and Trust. Apparently, Mr. Masterson has recently come into possession of three wedding rings matching the sizes worn by our victims. He failed to provide receipts for those rings and was apparently quite reluctant to come to the station for questioning. Reluctant enough that he chose to assault the officer who confronted him.”
“Really?” Faith said, eyes widening.
“Yep. Took a swing at him. Fortunately for the officer, Mr. Masterson isn’t much of a pugilist. That one punch was all he managed before he ended up in handcuffs.”
“Well, well,” Faith said with a grin of her own, “looks like a certain Special Agent has a little crow to eat.”
“And I shall eat it thoroughly, feathers and all,” Michael promised, “but first, I would like to talk to Mr. Masterson and make sure this isn’t another case of mistaken identity.”
“What a coincidence,” Faith said. “I would like to talk to him as well. I’m sure he has a perfectly good reason for trying to punch a police officer in full view of his patrons, not to mention the officer’s partner.”
“I can’t wait to hear what that reason might be,” Michael said.
***
Julius Masterson fidgeted nervously as he sat in the interrogation room. His eyes were as wide as saucers, and he kept looking around as though expecting someone to sneak up on him.
“Oh yeah,” Travis said, “he’s guilty.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Detective,” Michael said. “Remember what happened the last time we jumped to conclusions.”
“Well, he’s guilty of something,” Travis said. “Look at him.”
