Chapter 10
Ten
D eclan smiled when his sister walked into his restaurant. They weren’t open yet, but he had called her down because he needed help. She had little Mike with her, so that made him happy.
“Come here, big guy,” he said, easily taking his nephew.
“Tell me why I had to run over here on my day off.”
He sighed.
“Tell me you didn’t screw up your date last night.”
“How did you know about that?”
“Really? This family is only outdone in gossiping by the Santinis. Please tell me you didn’t screw up.”
“No,” he said, grabbing a fresh towel to wipe off Mike’s drool. The boy was teething like crazy.
“Okay, why do you need me? And why couldn’t we do this over the phone?”
“First, I feel better talking this over in person. And second, I took BeeBee’s advice and took Eileen food one night. And since I cooked for her last night—” One eyebrow rose, and, at that moment, he saw his mother. He knew that he couldn’t lie to Kaitlin. “But when she had to leave this morning, I couldn’t do more than coffee and avocado toast.”
She blinked. “One date, and you got her to sleep over?”
Something in his sister’s voice had him tilting his head to study her. “Yeah. Why?”
She pressed her lips together as if trying to keep a secret.
“Really? Now? You’re gonna not tell me something I need to know?”
“You might need to know, but I’m trying to remember if it was told to me in confidence or not.”
“For the love of —”
“Okay, here, I can do this.” She drew in a deep breath, and he called on his control not to yell at her. Not because he wouldn’t yell at her. It was because little Mike was watching them. Declan would not lose his temper in front of the little man. “Say I have this friend.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” he muttered. For some reason, Mike found that hilarious. “I don’t want to meet any friend of yours.”
She settled her hands on her hips and stared at him as if he were stupid. Then, it hit him what she was doing. See, that’s the thing. Before his infatuation with Eileen, he would have picked up on it. When Aeden had once told him that love made a man stupid—in good ways and bad—his brother hadn’t been lying.
“Go on.”
“This friend made a comment one night. We were talking about sleeping with a significant other.”
“I don’t want to hear about you and your sleeping partner. Gross.”
An eye roll. “This was after I was married. I didn’t know the friend before that.”
“Oh, yeah.” See. He knew she had been assigned Wendy’s case earlier that year, and that’s how she had shown up in his orbit.
“Anyway, I was saying it was nice to snuggle with Brando.”
“Gross. But go on.”
“This friend said that Eileen didn’t like spending the night or having a guy spend the night. She actually said she wasn’t a cuddler.”
Everything seemed to stop around him. Or he didn’t notice much else other than those words. Wasn’t a cuddler? He had pulled her close and kept her that way all night long. She hadn’t protested or even suggested that he take her home. He remembered her sigh of contentment as she settled on his chest the night before.
“I take it Eileen spent the entire night?”
“Well, until she got called to a scene.”
Her eyes widened. “And?”
He shrugged. “I drove her there.”
His sister’s lips twitched. “So, why am I here?”
“I need some advice and wanted to talk to you in person.”
“And? Jeez, Declan, just spit it out.”
“That Sunday after the party, I took her dinner. Then I cooked her dinner.”
“And breakfast.”
“Hardly cooking. Toast with a mashed-up avocado.”
“Believe me, that’s big. When I was with that idiot I was engaged to, he never did things like that. But Brando does things like that all the time. It’s amazing.”
“So, if I sent her lunch, you don’t think that would be too much?”
There was a beat of silence. “Oh…ohhhhh. Declan.”
There was excitement in her voice.
“What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. Listen, she would probably appreciate it. More, send her partner something too.”
“I don’t know what he likes.”
Mike was playing with his hair, which he had yet to put up.
“Let me think. Eileen said they came in and ate one day, and you weren’t here. It was the day all you losers went fishing.”
“Love you too, sis.” Sarcasm was easy to hear in his voice. He didn’t even try to hide it.
“Be nice. I’m trying to help you.”
“Sorry.”
“Okay. She said she had your shepherd’s pie—because that’s her go-to. Although I know she loves Italian food. So keep that in mind.”
“I made Italian last night. I remembered you mentioning it.”
“But her partner had your mushroom and Swiss burger. He apparently raved about it for a week afterward.”
“I already took her Shepard’s pie once a couple weeks ago.”
“She also adores your clam chowder with the ham sandwich thing. She mentioned that.”
He frowned. “Does Eileen talk a lot about food?”
“Maybe. It’s because Eileen can’t cook.”
“Just because she has a time-consuming job doesn’t mean she can’t cook.”
“No, as in boiling water is hard for her. She just hates it, too.”
Hates cooking? What the hell?
“Hey, don’t look so upset. I think it’s perfect.”
“That she doesn’t cook?”
One of his greatest joys was working in the kitchen. Being with someone who hated cooking… would be a first.
“Listen to your big sister,” she said, drawing his attention back to her. “Every relationship is about things you can share, but it is also about that yin/yang thing. You know Brando and I are really different.”
“You’re both nerds.”
She cocked her head to the side in warning. His mouth was going to get in him so much trouble.
“We are different in other ways as well. Because of that military upbringing and him being in the military, he plans out every danged thing. I get having plans, but do I know what I want to do three weeks from now for dinner? No. But I bet Brando does. So, he keeps me on track for the important things.”
“That sounds like a nightmare.”
“On the other hand,” she said, ignoring his comment, “I help him be more spontaneous. Your differences should make you a stronger couple. If it doesn’t, then it won’t last.”
“We aren’t a couple.”
But you want to be .
God, that thought had him almost dropping his nephew.
“What the hell is that look for?”
“Should you be cussing in front of your son?”
“Did it bother you to cook for her last night?” Kaitlin asked as she motioned for him to give her Mike. With regret, he handed his nephew over.
“No.”
He liked it. He always wanted to cook for people, but something was different last night. Really, every time he was cooking for her or even plating up food for her, there was this feeling of how important her well-being was to him. He wanted to take care of her…needed to take care of her.
Oh, damn.
He might be in a lot of trouble, like in love kind of trouble.
“What’s that look for?”
He blinked, trying to push back his panic. What if it wasn’t reciprocated? He did not like that idea. Still, he knew he was helpless to avoid it…her.
“Nothing. Just, you think I should send her lunch?”
“What time did you feed her?”
“Before five.”
She nodded. “Send her lunch. Normally, she only has chips or a candy bar for lunch. I have to get going. Ma and I are hanging out today.”
He leaned over the bar and kissed his sister on the cheek. “Thanks.”
“No worries. Only, just be sure about Eileen. I like the two of you together. She needs someone to take care of her.”
“She can take care of herself.”
“Oh, I know she can. But having someone to take care of you, not because they want something in return, now that is fantastic. And, Declan, you need someone to take care of. Just be careful. Her job is high-powered, and I know there is talk of moving her up in the ranks. I know she wants that. It means a more public image, and you have to be sure you want that.”
Like that would scare him away. He saw the two of them out, then locked up as he started to plan. He knew he seemed obsessed with food, and that was what had led him to be a chef. Now, though, he seemed to be obsessed with feeding Eileen.
By noon, almost every news organization in the DMV—the DC, Maryland, and Virginia—area had jumped on the Arnie bandwagon. It was only a matter of time before the national news picked it up. It could blow their case up, and Eileen wasn’t in the mood for the press or their insanity.
“O’Reilly. Francisco. My office,” Captain Mathers said. They followed him into his office. Mathers was a demanding boss, but he was solid. The older African American had served in the Army before donning the same uniform his father and brothers wore. Another legacy.
“Thanks for the heads-up earlier,” he said as he sat behind his desk. Both she and Eddie took a seat. “I told them no, but is there a connection?”
She shrugged. “We have nothing to link the murders except the knife and where they were found.”
“That could be enough.”
“It could be,” Eddie said. “Could be a copycat, although we have kept some things out of the news. The knife in particular.”
“Don’t get me wrong. You’re my best two detectives. I just need this cleared and soon. I do not need this city going to shit because of tabloid reporting.”
“Noted,” she murmured. “We’re going through CCTV and running searches on the knives. ME has sent it to forensics, but I want to see if the designs are similar.”
“That sounds like a good start. The first one had a boyfriend you were looking at?”
“He was in jail the night of Irene’s murder,” Eddie said. “Drunken brawl.”
Mathers sighed. “That sucks. Any other leads?”
“Still looking for the guy she was dating,” Eileen said.”
He nodded, and then he glanced at Eddie. “Can you give us a minute?”
Her partner looked at her, then back at their captain. “Sure.”
He headed out of the office, shutting the door behind him.
“You two seem to be working out well.”
She nodded. “Eddie is fantastic.”
“So, why do you want to leave?”
She frowned. “What? I never said I wanted to leave.”
“You don’t have to lie to me, Eileen. I’ve known you since you were a senior in high school.”
He had. Her father and the captain had been acquaintances. “I’m not lying. I worked too hard to get homicide. Truth is, have my eye on your job when you retire.”
His smile came and went. “I hoped those were your thoughts because you would make an excellent captain.”
Warmth filled her chest. The captain wasn’t a man who threw out compliments. You had to earn those, and him saying that to her made her day.
“So, why so serious?” Then something horrible hit her. “You aren’t sick, are you?”
His eyes widened. “No. Nothing like that. I know that this job isn’t easy, especially as a woman. For me, as a black man, it was hard, but it will be even worse for a woman. It’s a drain on you and your family.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, the O’Reillys have been serving as long as there has been a police department.”
“I’m talking about if you should want to get married. Have kids.”
Declan flashed through her mind for some reason, but she pushed that aside. She couldn’t get distracted by that man or what his talented hands could do. Especially while she was discussing things with the captain.
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh. I just think you need to understand what will be expected of them. This job almost split Mary and me.”
Surprise hit her hard. Mary was the captain’s wife. Sweet, funny, and dedicated to her family, she taught psychology at one of the local universities.
“I see you had no idea, and I’m glad. It wasn’t too long after I was picked for captain here. I had to prove myself.” He shook his head as his gaze moved over to a framed pic on his desk. She knew it was Mary and their two boys. Then, his attention shifted back to Eileen. “Make sure they know the score if you get seriously involved with someone. This case has a chance to make a name for you and Eddie. You are the lead. Remember that. But also remember the press might start looking into you. Following you because they are sure if they harass you, they will get you to spill your secrets.”
Eileen shook her head. “That’s never going to happen.”
“I know that, but it won’t stop the press if this case goes sideways.”
She nodded.
“I thought that’s why you wanted to leave.”
“Because I had a date last night?” Who drove her to the crime scene this morning. That was abnormal but it wasn’t a problem for most other people.
“You did?” He shook his head. “I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about how you’re gonna work for your brothers.”
“Wait. What?”
His eyes narrowed as he studied her. “There’s a rumor going through the precinct that you’re planning on jumping ship.”
“To work for Zac and Zane?”
He nodded.
“No. Never in a million years. I do not want to deal with those nut jobs. Or the jobs they take.” She rolled her eyes. “They do some investigating, mainly protection or security assessments. Also, I would rather work security at a mall before I worked for them. Who would think I’d want to work for them?”
His mouth twitched. “Those were a lot of words.”
She felt her cheeks burning. “Sorry, but no. I like to be here, working for everyone.”
“Okay. Well, someone is spreading the rumor.”
“It’s not me, and I’ll check in with the two of them. I do not want to leave, and they have never suggested it.”
He sighed, relief easy to hear. “Good. Now, get back out there and find out who is killing women. I would hate it if the FBI came in on this one.”
She nodded and headed out. Eileen stood just outside of his door and looked over the precinct. Who the hell was telling people that she wanted to leave?
That’s when she noticed one of the servers from Declan’s restaurant standing by her desk. She knew the young woman was working through college by waiting tables. Did she have anything she needed to tell them about the case?
Excitement lit through her as she stepped toward her desk, only to have her way blocked by Bryan. Ugh, this was getting to be a problem.
“Captain Mathers seemed like he had something to talk to you about.
Why had she been attracted to this idiot? Yes, she had been young, but she had not been stupid. Maybe a little naive, but it went beyond that. She had been thankful that she had never slept with him. He had been pressuring her, but she knew it would be a mistake to do that at the academy. Whether fair or not, that would have given her a reputation.
“Yes. It was about the cases.”
“Don’t you mean case?
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. She was tired of his bullshit, and she was hungry. That avocado toast Declan had made her had only gone so far. Her stomach had been growling for an hour.
Then it hit her that Bryan always heard gossip first. “Have you heard anyone say I wanted to leave the precinct?”
He shook his head. “Who would believe that? Your entire life is wrapped up in your work here.”
The bitterness she heard almost had her taking a step back. Instead, she nodded. “Let me know if you hear anything. That’s a server from Fitzpatrick’s, so I need to see if she has any information for me.”
She stepped around him and headed to her desk. “Hey, Fee.”
Fiona Markle was her name, but she went by Fee. “Did you have something you wanted to add to your statement?”
Her eyes widened, then she shook her head. “No. The boss sent you lunch. Well, for you and your partner.”
She glanced at Eddie, who was plowing through a hamburger.
“Sorry that I kept you waiting.”
The younger woman shook her head. “Don’t worry. Slow day, and the boss always pays well when we deliver to friends and family.”
Still, she grabbed her purse and pulled out a ten. Fee shook her head. “Boss said not to take a tip.”
She rolled her eyes. “Then take it, and we’ll keep it between us. Thanks for delivering the food.”
The waitress smiled and slipped the ten in her back pocket. “No problem.”
With that, she walked away.
“If this gets us free lunch, I am all for you sleeping with Fitzpatrick.”
She frowned at her partner. “Why don’t you just put up a big neon sign about my sex life?”
“You want me to do that? Neon is really expensive these days.”
She sighed and dropped down into her chair. “I just like to keep my personal life separate. Also, you know how men are around here.”
“Well, they can get bent. You’re a grown-ass woman with a sex life. Idiots.”
She smiled at him. “Thanks.”
“What did he send you?”
She opened up the cup container and smiled. “Clam chowder and I bet this is a baguette ham and cheese sandwich.”
Before she could start eating, though, she had to thank the man.
Eileen: Thanks for lunch.
“Tell him thanks from me. Also, I will trade secrets about you for a burger any day of the week.”
She flipped him off, and he just laughed.
Declan: You are most welcome. How is it?
Like he had to ask.
Eileen: Haven’t started yet. I was in with the captain.
Declan: I order you to eat.
Eileen: Oh, do you, now? Also, Eddie said he would trade secrets for a burger any day of the week.
Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then reappeared before the text came in.
Declan: I might have to take him up on that. Now, stop texting with me and eat.
So, for once in her life, she would do what a man told her to and start eating. God, the man knew how to cook, and before long, she had devoured the whole thing.
“Damn, that was fast,” Eddie said.
“Like you can talk.”
He smiled at her just as her phone rang. She thought it was going to be Declan, but she was wrong. Instead, it was a reporter she knew worked for one of the big national news agencies. She sighed. Since she was the lead on the case, she couldn’t ignore him.
“O’Reilly.”
“Detective O’Reilly, this is Johnathon Carmichael, and I understand you have a serial in town.”
“We do?”
There was a pause. “I thought there had been a connection made between the two cases in the last two weeks. Young women stabbed to death with a knife with an ornate handle.”
That had not been released to the public.
“We have not made any connections between the two cases.” It was true. The two women did not cross paths that they could tell. “And even so, you know that the FBI considers serials to be three or more murders that are similar.”
“Hmm. That’s odd. I had Detective Henry call me with the information.”
For a long moment, she didn’t say anything. Vic Henry died ten years earlier. She knew because he had been one of the detectives who had worked on the Norma Wilson case.
“From this precinct? I think you’ve had a prank caller. We don’t have a Detective Henry here.”
Another long pause. She wasn’t lying since they genuinely didn’t have a Henry there anymore.
“If you could give us the number, we could run it down for you.”
“It was an unknown caller.”
“Ah, well, sorry about that. I don’t know who would be messing with you.”
“If I could get a comment from you?”
“No comment. Johnathon, you know we do not make statements about ongoing investigations.”
“Fine. I will find this person.”
“You do that.”
She hung up. “Who was that?” Eddie asked.
“Johnathon Carmichael.”
Then, she rose out of her seat and headed back to the captain’s office. She knocked and waited for him to call her in.
“Didn’t you just leave here?”
She rolled her eyes. “Johnathon Carmichael has someone feeding him BS stories.”
“Are they BS stories?”
She sighed. “Not sure. The problem is that the guy is using the name Detective Henry.”
The captain’s eyes narrowed, and she knew he understood the implications. It could be a coincidence, but seeing how Norma Wilson was stabbed to death and the former Detective Henry was one of the guys on the case, the caller had linked the cold case and their new case. That could mean they have a copycat.
“Damn.”
“Exactly.”