AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ryan,” she said reassuringly, “we’re just two co-workers having a friendly chat in the parking lot. I don’t think your pension is at risk here.”
“I’m glad you’re so confident,” he said testily.
“Should I not ask?” she retorted, feeling a little snippy herself.
He sighed. She knew she was pushing the bounds of what was appropriate in both their professional and personal relationships. But there was no one whose opinion she trusted on this more than his. It occurred to her that it couldn’t hurt to say that.
“Listen,” she continued. “I’m sorry for putting you in this position. If you want, we can forget I brought it up. It’s just that I’m in the weeds here and what you think matters to me. I value your perspective. But I can investigate it without you if you prefer. Just know that either way, I’m not giving up on this case, regardless of the consequences.”
Ryan’s expression was hard to read. His lips were pursed into a grimace but his eyes suggested something else.
Admiration maybe?
“What’s your lead?” he finally asked.
She smiled and leaned over to give him a peck on the cheek.
“I figured out who some of those initials belonged to,” she said. “H.Z. plus M.Z. They turned out to be a married couple in Beverly Hills. The guy was paying to sleep with Michaela. They both appear to have an alibi for that night but for reasons I can explain later, they were holding on to an envelope she gave them. It had photos of what I believe are other clients of hers. The problem is that I don’t recognize any of them and I’m worried that putting them through the system will alert the wrong people that I’m still poking around. I was hoping you might have some suggestions.”
“Let me think about it,” he said, his brow crinkling in concentration. “Can I see the photos?”
Jessie handed the envelope over and Ryan thumbed through the contents. When he got to photo of the third man, he froze.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I know this guy,” he said. “He’s a cop.”
