Carol Ericson - Brody Law

Curtis shot an apologetic look at Sean. “Yeah, the captain has me running the show. Hey, did you see Jacoby wandering around? I thought he was coming down to get prints on the vic. Sorry, Ty.”

“I didn’t. Why, did you find a finger?”

“Not yet. I hope it doesn’t wind up in the mail to you.”

“What is this guy’s obsession with fingers, anyway?” Elise shoved her hands in her pockets.

Sean snorted. “Who knows? Maybe he got sick of people pointing fingers at him and decided to lop them off.”

“It’s sick and weird.”

“And right now, it’s Curtis’s problem.” Sean grabbed her hand. “Let’s get the rest of your stuff and move it to my place.”

Curtis coughed. “Elise is staying with you now?”

“I told you, her friend’s place was compromised. Her friend’s in a hotel, and I think Elise would be safer with me.”

“You know there’s going to be hell to pay when the captain figures out you tossed that GPS device into the bay?”

“Had to do it. Do you think we would’ve gotten anything from it? The Alphabet Killer is too careful with his fingerprints, and if he’s that careful with his prints he probably knows to file off the serial number on any device he uses.”

“You’re right, Brody. That’s why you should be heading up this case.”

Sean smacked him on the back. “You’ll do fine, Curtis, but in the meantime Elise is coming home with me, and you can tell the captain that, too.”

“The captain doesn’t have to know everything.” He winked and then rubbed his hands on his way to the hot-food counter.

Elise turned to Sean in the elevator and said, “I can’t figure out if John is happy he’s got the task force or upset.”

“Probably a little of both. It’s always good for your career to lead a task force, but he’s worked in my shadow for a long time.”

“Do you think he resents that?”

“John?” Sean stabbed at the elevator button for the parking garage a few more times. “He’s too good-natured for that.”

“Still, I get the impression that you’re the superstar detective in the homicide department.”

“I’ve solved a few big cases, but it’s all a team effort. I couldn’t do my job without all the support people.”

“With all the little people?”

The elevator doors trundled open on the second floor of the parking garage, and Sean wedged his shoulder against one side of the opening to hold the door open for her.

“Is that how it sounded to you?”

“Not at all. You sounded very modest, but I just wonder if everyone sees it that way.”

“Curtis knows the score. He’s good at some things and I’m good at other things.”

She clicked her remote. “Where are you parked?”

“Out front. Give me a ride to my car and I’ll follow you back to your place.”

“My place. I don’t even know where that is anymore.”

* * *

WHEN THEY’D COLLECTED her things and returned to Sean’s place, he stepped over the brownish spot on his carpet where Ty had collapsed. “I don’t think that stain will ever come out. I’ll have to get the carpet replaced or forever be reminded of Ty accusing me of hiring someone to attack him before passing out on my floor.”

“Ty was crazy with shock and confusion. Obviously the guy planted that in his head.”

“You know that accusation made my blood boil even though I knew there was no chance that you or anyone else would believe it. I’d fight to the bitter end to clear my name if someone unjustly accused me of a crime.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I just can’t understand why my father didn’t do the same.”

“You just can’t know what was going through his head, Sean.”

Elise dropped one of her bags in the corner next to the only plant in the room, making its leaves wave.

Sean snapped out of his reverie. “Hey, watch it. That plant’s barely alive as it is.”

She flicked her fingers at it as if to dismiss it. “Looks like it’s doing as well as the plants in my classroom. Just one more day of school.”

“And then you’re going to take that trip down the coast?”

“Maybe.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Do you think he’ll stop sending you messages when he knows you’re off his case?”

“You haven’t been watching Ray Lopez. I think everyone in the city knows I’m off the case. He’s not going to care about that.”

“I guess not, since he left you a message with the bodies last night.”

“Exactly.”

“Fifty-one plus fifty. Fifty-one fifty.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Forty-two plus fifty-eight. That can’t be a date. He’s not going to commit a murder on April second and tell us about it today.”

“Tell us?”

“You know what I mean.” She reached for her purse. “That’s my phone. It’s Courtney.” She picked up the call. “Hey, did you get checked in?”

“It’s like a minivacation. You can join me if you like.”

“I’m good where I am.” Her gaze wandered to Sean, checking the messages on his phone.

“I’ll bet you are.”

“Thanks so much for letting me stay with you. I’m sorry I led a killer to your doorstep.”

“How were you supposed to know the creep had bugged your car? Are you going to stay there with Detective Tall, Dark and Handsome until this guy is caught, or what?”

“I’m thinking of taking my vacation a little early.”

Without looking up from his phone, Sean flashed her a thumbs-up.

Courtney concurred. “I think that’s a great idea. Oscar should be home next week and I think that he’ll be around all summer, not that he would be much help in an emergency, but at least you won’t be coming home to an empty house.”

“Maybe it’ll be safe by then.”

“Oops. Hold on a minute. The restaurant where I just ordered my dinner is calling me. They forgot to take my address.” The phone beeped on the other end and then Courtney came back on the line. “Four twenty-five, eighth floor.”

“What?”

“Oh, sorry. Wrong line.”

“You sound busy.”

Courtney huffed out a breath. “It’s that needy new client. I’m seeing him after hours again.”

“Well, you go figure out his craziness. I’ll talk to you later.”

She ended the call and pointed her phone at Sean. “Anything new?”

“I called for the autopsy report on Dr. Patrick.”

“And?”

“Preliminary report suggests heart attack.”

“Then maybe that’s all it was—a heart attack and bad timing.”

“A heart attack and an incredible coincidence.” He stretched and perched on the edge of a bar stool. “Is Courtney working late tonight?”

“Yes, her demanding new client.”

“That’s a whole lotta crazy I couldn’t handle.”

“And that’s from someone who gets a package with a finger in it.”

“Come here.” He crooked his finger at her.

She eased out of the chair and sauntered toward him, his dark eyes drawing her like a magnet.

He drew her between his open legs and pinned her. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you, Sean.” She rested her hands on his thighs and leaned in to kiss his lips.

His legs tightened around her thighs. “Let’s go out and get something to eat. It’s getting late, and we both have to work tomorrow.”

Nodding, she slipped away from his clinch, missing her opportunity to ask him about their future. She didn’t want to push him into anything. Right now they needed each other, but when that need ended, what did they have?

“You okay?” He chucked her under the chin.

“Greek.”

“What?”

“I want to try that Greek restaurant, if that’s okay with you and if it’s still open this late.”