Chapter 3 #2
“If they planned on dumping her here specifically, it’s possible they left a ride a little further along this stretch of road,” Minka adds.
“They knew the steps before they began, and they knew they’d need distance and a chance to peel their layers off.
By the time they dumped their stuff and arrived at their car, they could’ve been in a fresh outfit and completely inconspicuous to anyone who might’ve driven by. ”
“I don’t see a phone.” Aubree lowers her camera and reveals glittering blue eyes. “Josey’s eighteen, right? Just out of high school, ready for college. No one between the ages of twelve and sixty is without a cell these days.”
“Might be under her,” Minka rumbles. “Could be in a pocket, or under the seat.”
“Or her killer took it. As a trophy?” Aubree ponders. “As a way for her family not to track her? I see no purse either. No wallet. No jewelry. It could almost look like a robbery gone bad, except I don’t…” She shakes her head. “It doesn’t feel like one.”
“Nah, it’s personal,” Fletch agrees. “I could believe it was a robbery with the knife. Approaching the car. Mayyyybe even pushing her out of the driver’s seat, because they were tossing her things and checking her pockets.
But sitting in her blood? Driving her out here?
” He sets his hands on his hips. “Nope.”
I bring my focus back to Minka. “You need help getting her out of the car?”
“Nah. Her mother has already reported her missing, which means she’s expecting bad news.
You need to get over there before the media does.
Aubs and I will get her out, then we’ll process the scene and transport her back to the George Stanley.
Figuring out the cause and manner of death is easy.
Figuring out the who and why is going to be a lot harder. ”
“Yeah.” I pinch the hem of her jacket between my thumb and finger for a moment. A gentle rub. A touchstone until next time. “Alright. I’ll make the call and have the car towed for evidence. You do your thing, I’ll do mine.”
“I’ll provide you with my preliminary report before close of business, detectives.” She takes a single step away, stealing what little touch I could manage with unfriendly eyes watching on, then she glances to Banks. Clay. Fletch. “Good to see so many of Copeland’s finest show up for Josey.”
“Mmm. We sure make a great team.” My gritted words bring Minka’s brows up in surprise, but then I turn on my heels and start back toward my car.
“Let’s get the transcripts from the Rhodes’ 911 call.
We’ll also reach out to the officer who spoke to Josey’s mom last night.
” I glance over my shoulder and find Drake a mere half a foot behind, just like I knew I would, and behind him, Fletch and Clay follow.
Stopping by my cruiser and facing them all, I draw a fortifying breath and crack my neck.
Left. Right. “I’m under strict orders to work this one with Banks.
” Just saying his name feels like razor blades on my tongue.
“So while we speak to the mom, you two need to coordinate a search of the road from here to town.”
“We’ve got it.” Fletch scrubs a hand over his face. “We’ll stay in contact.”
“Thanks.” I spin on my heels and start toward the driver’s side door. “Let’s go, Banks.”
“Wait, Arch.” Fletch jumps forward, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me to a stop. While Banks moves one way, and Clay folds himself into the crowd of uniforms already on scene, Fletch lowers his voice and grumbles, “Tell me this isn’t an official reassignment. I’m begging you.”
“It’s not official yet.”
“It’s not like I have a problem with Clay or anything. He’s a cool kid, but…”
“Yeah. I get it.” I scratch the back of my neck. I feel Banks’ stare warming my skin. “Fabian’s testing us.”
“It’s the get-along shirt.”
“It’s the fuckin’ get-along shirt,” I grunt. “I want to stab that motherfucker in the face every time I look at him, so I’m gonna do what I need to do to make Fabian happy. Then it’s done and we can go back to normal.”
“One good case, right? You run it by the book, behave, close it out, and prove you can cooperate, then it’s you and me again?”
“That’s how I see it. And I reckon Drake knows it, too, because he’s keeping his mouth mostly shut. He doesn’t wanna work with me any more than I wanna work with him, so we’re doing the job, then we’re putting this in the past.”
“Good.” He claps my shoulder. “Don’t screw it up. I’m counting on you not getting my ass bumped down to TO. Clay’s nice and all, but a demotion means a pay cut, and this economy is already kicking my ass. I’m just trying to keep the lights on at this point.”
“I’ve got it, I promise.” I take a step back and let his hand fall. “Text me each time you move. I’ll do the same. We’ll meet up at the George Stanley and get an update on our case. Yours and mine,” I press. “Banks is just a fuckin’ tagalong.”
“A tagalong,” he chuckles. “And this is your version of shutting your mouth, huh?”
“Mmhm.” I turn to my car, my eyes trained on the driver’s side door, which is precisely where I intend to go, to slide in and drive away, but then I lock eyes with Detective fucking Banks already sitting in my seat. His belt already on. His hands on the steering wheel. “I’m driving.”
“Not anymore, you aren’t.” Smirking, Fletch backs up with a shake of his head, and at least thirty percent of his expression sour, like he knows a demotion is coming and it might be time to dust off the old resumé. I heard Wendy’s is hiring. “Button it up, Malone. It’s just one case.”
Button it up.
BUTTON. IT. UP.
For fuck’s sake.