Chapter Six
Gunnar stared at Warden across the conference room table. “You want us to fit an investigation based on not very much—no offense, Bryn—in between all this other stuff?” He gestured at the array of folders spread across the table.
Warden blinked. “Yes. You have a problem with that? You’re a detective. Detect.”
Bryn made a strange sound somewhere between snorting and choking.
Gunnar glared at him. “You have something to add, mister?”
“Nope.”
“Wise decision.”
Warden got to his feet. “Assess the case. I’ll provide administrative support so you won’t have to do the grunt work. It’ll be good for Bryn to do something other than read people.”
And there’s the kill switch. Fuck.“Fine. Don’t expect miracles.”
“You’ve already got one of those working with you, Gunnar. This’ll be a breeze.” Warden went to the door. “You have my number if you need me. I’ll be off-site for the rest of the day.”
“Is there steam coming out of my ears?” Gunnar asked, staring at the now closed door.
“Your hair has come loose, I can’t tell.”
Gunnar growled and redid his messy bun. “That man is not good for my wellbeing.”
“You’re not going to go all feng shui on me and start rearranging the furniture, are you?”
“You’re awfully calm about this shit-ton of work.”
Bryn shrugged. “Don’t have much choice, do I? No point in getting over-excited.”
“I’m surprised you’re not bouncing off the walls considering you had Twinkies for breakfast.”
“I had some of that granola stuff you made, too, and besides, I need to rebuild my sugar capacity. I wasn’t allowed junk food in training.”
“Hmm, there’s a reason for that. Where the heck do we start with this lot?” There was a tentative knock at the door. “What?” Gunnar yelled.
A bespectacled blond poked his head around the door. “Detective Ericson?”
“The big grumpy one,” Bryn said.
“I’m, uh, Emmett. I’m your new admin.” Emmett didn’t venture into the room.
“You intending to work from the corridor, Emmett? Get your butt in here,” Gunnar said in a softer voice.
“Yes, sir!” Emmett scurried in. He had on a diamond-patterned sweater-vest over a shirt and tie. Beige chinos and polished brown brogues completed the outfit.
“Don’t call him that, he likes it a bit too much.” Bryn smirked. Emmett paled.
Gunnar glared at Bryn. “How long have you been working here, Emmett?”
“Three months…Detective.”
“Call me Gunnar. Well, that’s three months longer than us so, I guess you know your way around the computer systems.”
“Oh yes.” Emmett put his laptop on the table. “Are we working here? Warden told me you have an office on the top floor.”
“Yeah, I guess we should move. We’ll probably get thrown out of here.” Gunnar gathered all the folders then led a small procession to the apartment office.
