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“I thought you were cool,” he counters dryly. “Is she okay? Why aren’t you working with her?”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Malone.” She double-fists her burger and takes a heaping bite. “Just a few weeks ago, she and I had never met. How did you think she worked back then?”
“Carefully,” he growls. “Now youhavemet, and within days of doing so, you have a massacring mayor on your doorstep with a gun. Who has Aubree’s back tonight?”
“No one,” she talks around her burger. “But the old mayor is turkey. The new mayor is sexy. And the guy she’s with right now was too dumb to wear a helmet this morning.” She flashes a cheesy smirk that almost—almost—breaks Tim’s mood. “She’s just fine. I promise. Do you think maybe you could box up her dinner to keep it warm longer? I’ll pay for it even if it goes to waste.”
“Call her.” He snatches the third plate, but points a threatening finger in Minka’s face. “It’s dark out. The snow is falling. The George Stanley is only two blocks away, but two blocks right now can be dangerous for a woman to walk on her own.”
He bends lower and narrows his eyes; I’ve seen him look at men like that mere seconds before slitting their throats. I’ve seen him growl at men the same way he does now, moments before ending their lives.
Still, I don’t worry he’ll hurt Minka.
Not physically, anyway.
“Call her,” he repeats. “Then next time, you work the case together.”
“You’re really demanding for a guy who’sonlyfriends with her.” Wrinkling her lips but doing as she’s told, she leans to the side and takes out her phone.
Unlocking the screen and moving to her call log, she hits Aubree’s name, sets the phone on speaker, and waits for the call to connect. The moment it does, she looks to Tim in an ‘I told you so’ way.
“Minka?”
“Just checking in on you.”
“Where are you?” Aubree shouts. “It’s loud there.”
“Tim’s. I ordered you a burger. Where are you up to with your guy?”
“Only just got him on the table,” she calls back. “Got busy talking to transport for a bit. The guy wouldn’t shut up. What kinda burger did you order me?”
Minka’s attention swings to the plate Tim holds. “Archer ordered for you, but all he actually did was lift his hand. Tim brought out a burger with an egg and beetroot added to the onions and lettuce and stuff.”
“Oh man,” Aubree sighs. “That sounds so delicious. I’m gonna be another hour at least. I haven’t even started documenting yet. Then I’ll cut. Then I’ll push him into the fridge and tie up the loose ends in the morning. Hey, Minka?”
“Mmm?” She pushes fries into her mouth and groans. “What’s up?”
“Does it taste good? I’m so hungry.”
“Tastes amazing. Tim’s gonna make an awesome housewife someday.”
“Is he there right now? Can he hear you?”
Silently, Minka looks up and smiles at my brother’s murderous glare. “Yeah, he’s right here. He asked me to ask you if you’d like him to walk down to the George Stanley and walk you back here. Ya know, to keep you safe.”
“He…” Aubree Emeri has zero chill. Zero discretion. “Really? I mean, sure, he can—”
“I’m sorry, Aubree.” Irritated, Tim picks up Minka’s phone and brings it closer to his face. “I’m working the bar and can’t leave. But catch a cab down here. I’ll pay the bill.”
“Oh… okay.”
“Don’t walk on your own,” he presses. “Don’t step outside the building till your cab is right there.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket and draws my attention down. Grabbing out my cell and accepting the call, I bring it to my ear, only to close my other ear when I hear that telltale click.
“Dispatch to Detective Malone. Suspected homicide in City Park, on the corner of Twelfth and West. Responding officers are on-scene and have reported a possible connection to your ongoing homicide investigation. Please confirm.”
“Confirmed.” My breath comes out on a dejected sigh that draws Minka’s attention with a fast twist of her neck. Her eyes lock onto mine, her chest grows smaller, then the playful smile she wore to taunt Tim is replaced with a frown. “ETA, ten minutes.”
