Cool. But you won’t make a difference today.
MINKA
“They’re creeping me out.” Kirk side-eyes my guards, careful not to turn his head fully in their direction.God forbid they know he’s talking about them.“They’ve been following you around all day, Chief.”
“Like a bad smell,” Doctor Flynn snickers. “If I didn’t know better, I’d guess you became the First Lady overnight. Has Detective Malone changed career paths, or did you dump him and marry someone else? If it’s the latter, Detective Malone isn’t likely to be pleased.”
“Detective Malone’s status remains as it always has been. Personally, and professionally.” I perch on the edge of my desk, just like I did this morning. I face my staff… just like I did this morning. But I’m more tired now than I was eight hours ago. I’m irritated and overstimulated, especially when, with every move I make, the stitches in my knee catch on my pants and tug me just a little closer to insanity.
Taunting Cordoza’s men was entertaining for a while, and pushing Number-Two to the point of yacking was the highlight of my day. But, hosting them is exhausting. Being watched by them is jarring. Putting Agosti away and still having those eyes on my back is officially too much.
There’s only so much peopling I can tolerate before I need quiet. Only so much noise I can handle before I want to block my ears, close my eyes, and strip annoying fabrics off my body.
I’m done.
“Ignore Beavis and Butthead.” I set my hands on the desk on eitherside of my thighs and practice what I preach.Ignore them. “Did everyone finish with their DBs today?”
Kirk’s hand shoots into the air. “Yes, Chief. I racked and reported on my two, and then I caught a hit and run. Patient didn’t make it to the hospital. Trauma to the?—”
I shake my head, raising one hand to stop the boy from speaking. “I don’t need the details right now.”
“He… you…” Like a kicked puppy, he shrinks in on himself. “Okay.”
“Do you have the case under control? Do you require assistance?”
“I’ve got it under control, Chief.”
“Great. If you’ve finished with the DB, write the report and have it in my inbox by the morning. I’ll read it then, and you can present the case at rounds.” I drop my gaze to my empty visitor chair and sigh.That’s where Doctor Emeri would normally sit. “Unless anyone needs anything from me tonight, let’s pack it up and go home. If it’s not urgent, save it for tomorrow.”
“You okay, Chief?” Doctor Torres’s dark, dirty-blond hair drops forward to rest across his forehead. “You’re usually a stickler for the details.”
“I’m tired.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a moment to rest. To find peace in the chaos. To know, for the next minute, everything is fine. “I’m okay. But I’m depleted, so unless it’s something Ineedto know, I’d prefer you save it till tomorrow. I’ll be able to focus better then.”
“Should we be worried?” He tilts his head to the right. To our staring guards. “Anything to tell our families about?”
“No. They’re here for a high-profile John Doe, that’s all. Their job is to watch him and make sure I don’t screw up. They’ll be gone after today.”
Raquel reclines on the sofa, digging her hands into her coat pockets and peeking toward the four who stare back. “I’m no Secret Service agent, Chief. But if their job is to watch the body, wouldn’t it make more sense for them to be… ya know, watching the body? On the second floor.” She drags her bottom lip between her teeth, shrugging. “Looks more like they’re watchingyou.”
They are. To make sure I don’t throw the case or destroy evidence that might implicate my husband.
“They’re doing whatever it is they’re meant to be doing. Ignore them.” I move off my desk, only for my pants to catch on my stitches again and send bolts ofickinessto the base of my stomach. Grinding my teeth, I stalk around to the other side and drop into my chair, then I gesture toward the door. “You can all go. Pack everything away and get out of here.”
“Early?” Doctor Flynn wonders in surprise. “I don’t think that’s ever happened before.”
“It’s ten to five.” I snatch my desk drawer open and search its dark, disorganized depths. “Ten minutes isn’t enough time to start—and complete—anything of significance, and I know for a fact you’ve all worked unpaid overtime far exceeding these ten minutes. You have my blessing. Wait.” I slam my drawer and check the one beneath. “Does anyone have a pair of tweezers?”
“Sounds like something Doctor Emeri would have, Boss.” Raquel drags my heavy glass door open and searches Aubree’s desk, finding what she’s looking for in mere seconds and lifting the tiny silver instrument in victory. Grinning, she comes back again, crossing my office and slapping the tweezers onto my desk. “I wasn’t going to say anything about your eyebrows.”
“What?” I bring my hand up to my left brow.
“I’m surprised the makeup artist didn’t pluck those caterpillars for the wedding. But whatever, you figured it out.”
“What the hell is wrong with my eyebrows? There’s nothing wrong with my brows!”
“If you say so. Also, I know you were talking to your autopsy techs when you said everyone could leave early, but Doctor Campbell and I heard it too, so we’re outties.” She heads back to the door. “Toodooloo, Chief. If you don’t come to work tomorrow, I’ll assume the Secret Service put you somewhere far, far away. If that’s the case, you should know I’ve enjoyed our friendship. I especially liked that time my little sister beat the crap out of your little brother.”
Doctor Campbell’s eyes spring wide.
