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“Such pretty hair and makeup.”
“Her hair is already pretty,” I sigh. “And she doesn’t need makeup.”
Spinning in place and stopping to face me, Fletch flashes a giddy grin that sends my mood plummeting. “This is likeRomeo and Juliet. But, like… without any similarities at all.”
“Awesome.” I push up to stand and step around him to head back toward the interview room. “Let’s get this shit done so we can get on to the killing ourselves part.”
“Speaking of,” he snorts and falls into step beside me, “I’m gonna take an hour this afternoon to visit with Jada. She’s been kinda out of it lately, so I wanna get her during the day. While I’m gone, you can head on over and woo the esteemed Doctor Mayet.”
“No thanks.”
“After that, Garzo wants a chat. He says he heard a new rumor about the vigilante killer, so I figure—”
I spin faster than I should. Far too conspicuously for a roomful of cops not to notice. “What about the vigilante killer?”
He only shrugs. “I know you’ve wanted this one since it happened, so I haven’t brought it up much while you deal with other shit.”
“Brought what up?”
I grab his arm and yank him into the next empty room I can find. Shoving him in and releasing his arm so he stumbles, I turn back and slam the door with a thud. “Tell me everything you know.”
“You’re obsessed with this one, I swear.” Fixing his shirt, he wanders across the room with no clue that my interest in the vigilante case has taken on a wholly different angle. “I talked to Garzo a couple of days ago, and he said he had his ear to the ground. I gave him a twenty and said to let me know what he hears.”
“When did you go see our rat without me?” My heart thunders and my palms turn sweaty. Because the case I so doggedly attempted to solve… leads to Minka. “When, Fletch?”
“Couple o’ days,” he repeats. “I dunno. But since he didn’t tell me anything new, I didn’t say shit.”
“But now he’s called you back because he wants to tell you whatever he heard?”
“That’s about the gist of it.”
He paces the room and pokes into things that aren’t his: the mini fridge in the corner, and the pamphlets on the counter. “He sent word that he wanted to talk. And since Paul McGregor’s killers kinda presented themselves on our doormat, I figure talking to Garzo will make us feel better about our masculinity and shit.”
“I want you to leave the vigilante case alone for now.” Crossing the room, I slam the fridge door shut and take the pamphlets from Fletch’s hand.
When his annoyed gaze snaps to me, I stare deep into his eyes. “Drop it.”
“Drop it?” A stunned expression flitters across his face as he stands taller. “I don’t get it.”
“There’s nothing to get. I’m asking you to drop it for now, until I can figure some shit out.”
“Figure what out?” He steps around me and crosses the room. “That’s literally what we’re doing. We’re cops, and we’re following the leads.”
“And I’m asking you to stop!” I stalk him to the door and slam my hand to the wood before he can open it. “I’m calling a pause on the vigilante.”
“Wait a minute. You know who did it.” He twists and faces me. “Youknow!”
“I know Jada would love for you to visit her this afternoon.”
His eyes narrow to dangerous slits.
“And I know you’re my best friend,” I say firmly. “I know that, when you ask for something real, I honor it, and in return, you honor my requests.”
“And you’re asking me to stop chasing the vigilante?” he grinds out.
“For now.”
My stomach threatens to rebel. Am I protecting her, or merely delaying the end? Will I turn her in before this is done, or will I bury a deadly secret and spit on the vow I made to my badge?
