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“Got a partial print from the cuff link. It’s a match to Ivan Mallovich. We compared it to the one we have on file from his long list of priors. He was in that alley,” he says. My ears perk up.
“Fuck, yeah,” I whisper excitedly. I turn to make sure I haven’t woken Sabrina, but she’s out cold. Although, now that I’m fully awake, I’m drawn to her naked body, as she lies on her stomach, one leg straight, the other bent at the knee, a hand under her pillow, her hair in disarray and flowing down the length of her back.
“Yo, are you listening to me?” Zeke calls out, trying to get my attention.
“Sure, yeah,” I respond, forcing myself to move away from her and into the next room.
“The print says he was in the alley, not that he killed him. Caleb has ordered that all the blood accumulated at the scene be retested. We’re hoping that Tursk drew blood and we can finally link Ivan to the murder itself.”
“Good. That’s good. It’s a start.”
“I have a complete schematic of the gallery. I’ve narrowed down the three main areas from where the most expensive pieces were removed. There were three people involved in the theft, but only one was privy to the connection to twenty-four.”
“How do you know?” I ask. “Doesn’t make sense. Three involved and only one knows the whole plan?”
“To get in and out of the place in less than fifteen minutes and hitting separate places on different floors of the building, it makes sense that two were in it for the money. The other was following orders for another reason,” he says. “Look, I have it laid out and will explain it more when I see you, but I’m due to meet mydate,” he says with a chuckle, “for a run-through of which exhibits we’re seeing at the gallery. We’re meeting there at nine. I wanted to tell you myself what I have so far.”
“Great work, Zeke.” I expel a breath and with frustration, add, “I wish I could be there. I feel like an idiot sitting on the sidelines doing fuck all.”
“I got this,” he says with conviction.
“I know you do. I trust you, man.” And I do, unequivocally.
“Thanks. That means something.”
“We all do,” I tell him. It comes to light that Zeke might not always feel the same connection as the team does because he’s quieter than the rest of us. Or perhaps because he works behind the scenes more often than we do. I gotta make a note to let Caleb and Damian know that we have to make more of an effort to make him feel like he belongs.
“Thanks,” he says again. “Got to get moving.”
“I’ll meet you at the station. You’re killing this, Zeke.”
He disconnects. I take a minute to absorb what he said. We’re one step closer. A small step, but I’ll take it.
I make my way back to the bedroom, not that I’ll get back to sleep. I’m too wired for that, but lying next to Sabrina makes me feel good. As soon as I lie back down, she gravitates over to my side and slings her arm over my stomach. Her leg nestles between my thighs, and her pouty lips, still swollen from our lovemaking, are beckoning for me to kiss them.
I can’t get enough of this woman. You would think I’m a randy sixteen-year-old who can’t control himself. There’s never been a woman who held my interest like Sabrina. I knew she was different the moment I saw her. There was something in her eyes. A vulnerability that made me want to protect her. And yet, a strength too. I saw her fight to get control of her situation. But it was the way she gave herself to help others that moved me most. Standing by Chloe through the rough times, making Damian do his physiotherapy when he was shot; her caring spirit is in everything that she does.
To hell with it! Sleep is overrated anyway. I roll Sabrina onto her back and taste her lips with my tongue. She opens her mouth as I kiss her soft and slow, running my hands down her side and curving her leg over my hip.
“Time for a good-morning fuck,” I whisper. Her hazy eyes, filled with sleep, flutter open, and a shy smile crosses her face.
FOURTEEN
Life is Art
ALEX
Damian sends me a text as Sabrina and I are getting ready for the day. Sabrina’s in the shower when the message flashes on my screen.
Chloe wants to drive in with Sabrina. Alone.
Oh, hell no. The last time she was on her way to work, I almost lost her.
No way,I type and hit Send.
We have to let them breathe.The three little dots tell me that he’s still typing, but I send out another text before he finishes.
They’re still out there.
