“Chief. This is Justin. I haven’t caught you at a bad time, have I?”
Normally? Yep. All the time is a bad time.
“Absolutely not.” I sit back and fold one arm across my chest. One leg over the other. “I have time for you, Mayor. How can I help you?”
Val Chan’s glare sizzles in my peripherals.
“Really?” Lawrence hesitates. “I expected you’d be busy first thing on a Monday morning.”
“If you expected me to be busy, why call?”
He chuckles. “I suppose I was hoping for the best. You’re always busy,and I’m always running behind you, trying to catch up. I noticed you had quite a few guests at your home yesterday. Have fun?”
“Are you the president of the HOA? Should I always expect you to violate my privacy, or is this an isolated incident?”
“I have eyes, Chief. I see cars coming and going. I’m not interested in policing your guests. I was merely making mention of them while remembering your abhorrence of social gatherings. When I asked if you had fun, I was being sincere.”
I could’ve been slicing a man’s chest open by now. Even with a handful of mercenary stares and the possibility of a bullet in my back.
I’m not sure how I thought, even temporarily,thiswould be a better option.
“Minka?”
“As fun as forced social gatherings can be,” I drawl. “Did you know Doctor Raquel’s boyfriend is actually a girlfriend?”
“Er…” Stunned, he hesitates for a beat. “Yes, I did know. Is that… why is that a problem?”
“It’s not a problem. But I totally thought she was into guys. Her sister left this morning, and Doctor Emeri is on leave, so the office is quieter than usual. Is Fifi in?”
“You mean Seraphina? Yes, she’s in. Is there a reason she shouldn’t be?”
“Nope. Just curious. So what are you… uh…” Small talksucks!“What did you do yesterday?”
“You’re done.” Cordoza’s guard steps forward and presses his finger to the phone cradle, killing my call, and extending his hand, palm side up, like he expects me to hand him the other end. “You have work to do, Doctor Mayet. Mr. Cordoza appreciates your undivided attention to the matter.”
“That was the mayor, just so you know.” I slam the phone back into place, missing the guy’s fingers by a hair as he jerks his hand away. Then I settle back and study the man’s tanned face. His dark, dark brown eyes and the buzz cut that creates a shadow against his scalp. Cool for the summer, freezing for the winter. “The mayor cares that he speaks to me. I’m certain he’ll call back in a moment, and you’ll have extended the time Mr. Cordoza had to wait.”
“I could call Mr. Cordoza and inform him of your desire for idle gossip. I’m certain he would gladly contact your friend and let him know you’re busy.” He stops and sneers. “You probably don’t want him doing that, though.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Considering how little you enjoy people knowing your business?” He scoffs. “I suppose it is. But if you insist.” He dips a hand into his pocket and takes out his phone. “I don’t mind making the introductions.”
“Jesus. Fine!” I shove to my feet and send my chair spinning backwards until it crashes into the bookshelf behind my desk. Snagging my cell and slipping it into my pocket, I shake my hair back and stalk around my desk. “You’re exceptionally pushy, you know that? And rude, too.”
“I could be pushier.” He follows me to the door and pulls it wide before I can. “And I assure you, Chief, you don’t know how rude I can be. Lead me to your autopsy suite, please.”
“Have to go to the fridge on level two first.” I stride across the threshold and go all the way to the elevator, tap the call button, and get lucky when the doors open instantly and the inside remains blissfully empty. Stepping in, I turn again and meet my most annoying guard with an expression of smug nonchalance.
Not that I feel either.
“I need to sign our John Doe out of the refrigerator. I’ll be back in about five minutes. Feel free to head on over to the coffee machine and make yourself at home.”
Yeah right.He moves through the door and turns to stand on my left, his shoulder brushing mine. Then a second guard follows, sandwiching me on the other side.
What do they think? I’m going to escape them in the tinycube-of-truth-telling-and-something-something.
Frustrated, I stare through the doorway at the remaining two guards. “I’d invite them in, but I’m not sure the weight limits would allow it.”
