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I don’t like the idea of her buying it, but I concede.
A short time later, I’ve dropped Sabrina off at work and parked the car, and I’m heading into the station. As soon as Zeke sees the box I’m holding, he confiscates it, snagging a donut out of the box and taking a huge bite out of it.
“Christ, Zeke. Those are meant for everyone to share,” I tell him with a chuckle.
Just as Zeke’s about to grab another, Damian and Caleb come into the room. Caleb’s the first to speak up. “Jesus, man. You should be four hundred pounds with the sugar you inhale.”
Zeke wiggles his brows and says, “You’re all just jealous. But for your information, I work out every morning for over an hour.”
“Fun’s over, guys. We got a lead on a counterfeit ring.” Caleb opens the folder he’s holding and spreads it open to reveal several photos. “These are who we think are the prime players.” He looks at Zeke. “You’re up first. Get everything you can on these guys.”
“What about us?” Damian asks.
Caleb pulls out a list of addresses throughout the city. “These are the places that have had the counterfeit bills funneled through them. Let’s see if we can find a pattern.”
With that, we get down to work.
* * *
Sabrina
Alex didn’t just dropme off at the curb. Oh no, he was quick to open my car door and walk me in, and he stunned me all to hell when he gave me a peck on the cheek and called out, “Later,” as he sauntered back to his car, leaving me holding a box of the tastiest donuts ever. I’m sure my mouth is hanging open, stunned.
The moment I walk in the door, Chloe’s waiting, and she obviously saw what happened. Her goofy, gooey smile is warm and sweet.
“Good morning, Bri. Anything new?” She singsongs the words, grinning from ear to ear.
Hells bells! How do I answer that? If I tell her that I called Alex because I was scared out of my mind because a drunk rattled my doorknob, she’ll get worried. And if I tell her Alex dropped by to have breakfast with me when he really spent the night and came back with donuts, she’ll still read more into it. Alex is being a nice guy. That’s it! That’s all!
Then I have to ask myself why he kissed my cheek, which, by the way, I’m not washing for a week. Go with the truth, I decide.
“I heard something last night and thought someone was breaking in. Alex came to check on me and decided to drive me in today,” I say casually.
“Someone tried to break in,” she repeats incredulously, her eyes wide in surprise.
“It was a drunk guy who got the wrong door, but I kind of freaked and called Alex. I’m fine. All is well. He’s just being a good guy. But since he drove me, could you take me home after work?” I open the box and offer her a donut in the hope that food will deter all other questions milling around in her head.
Chloe takes one and has a bite. “These are really good.”
“Right?” I say. “I have the first patient in a bit. Can you take these to the kitchen so I can set up?” I hand them off and start to walk down the hall.
“Don’t think this conversation is over, Bri. I know there’s more,” Chloe says.
* * *
I managedto circumvent the talk about Alex, mainly because we’re so busy. We have back-to-back patients, and when Chloe had a break, I didn’t, and vice versa. I’m thinking I can put this off until our drive home, and by then, it’ll be old news.
Chloe and I and the doctor, who is also the owner of the clinic, love to leave the place spotless and ready to start again the next day. I’m so lucky that we work every other Saturday, but the owner recognizes our dedication and gives us an extra day off to “rest up,” as he puts it. His wife is the office manager, and she’s a mother hen, always making sure we’re taken care of.
This is the best place I’ve ever worked, and having Chloe with me all day is the cherry on top. Chloe’s shutting down her workstation, and even though it’s her turn to take out the garbage, I pick it up.
“I got this,” I tell her, and head toward the back exit to toss it in the bin.
“You’re the best,” I hear from afar. I giggle. I love her like a sister.
I push at the door, only to find it stuck. I push hard and am finally able to wedge it open with my shoulder. As soon as I step out, I see a man lying in a pool of blood, blocking the door. He appears to have been severely beaten, and he’s not moving.
As I shove the door open further, I yell out for the doctor, then say, “Call an ambulance.” I crouch beside the man, putting my hand on his neck to find his pulse. It’s faint, so very, very weak.
