“How did you let yourself in?” he asks.
“I have a key.”
“Okay, so why do I need to send a detective there if you can let yourself in?”
“Because he might see something I missed. She isn’t there, and she isn’t answering my calls,” I say desperately.
“I’ll call you back,” he says, then hangs up.
“Do you think he’ll do it?” I ask Sebastian.
“Oh, yes. That man sounds like he would do anything for you.”
His words hit me like a shockwave. I’ve been with many men, but none have ever gone out of their way to do things for me. They’ve always been transactional relationships. Whereas Arlo invites me around, introduces me to his friends, and sits me on his lap in front of them as if he’s claiming me somehow.
Have I looked at everything so wrong?
“He’s a bad man,” I say quietly, almost a murmur.
“All the best ones are, sweetie,” he replies with a laugh.
THIRTY-EIGHT
ARLO
Confidential — Personal Use Only
OBSERVATIONS:
Emerging personal feelings towards her are growing.
“What?” I grumble at Boston as he eyes me.
“You really like her,” he says, sounding surprised. “She called the police on you, got you arrested, and now here we are, waiting for her to arrive so we can check on her friend. This is not like you.”
He has a point, but I don’t bother answering him. I’ve only just admitted to myself that I want Cora more than I’m letting on to everyone else. I’m against breaking the rules, but for her, I’m willing to break every single fucking one in the rule book. And that is a significant issue.
“You can’t even say it out loud.” He laughs just as Cora’s car pulls up. I immediately walk over and open the door, only to have her friend Sebastian be the first person I see.
“Why, aren’t you a gentleman,” he coos, batting his lashes as he climbs out.
That’s when I see her, still dressed in her skirt from work but no longer in heels. As she slides across the seat, I can’t help but let my gaze fall to her legs.
“Arlo,” Cora says as I offer her my hand. She takes it, and I’m genuinely surprised by the action.
“I like it when you say my name, but I like it more when you use your manners,” I tell her, and she blushes. “You remember Detective Boston?”
“Yes, thank you again for coming out. I let myself in yesterday and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. I know you probably can’t go in without her permission, but I do have a key.”
“I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” Boston replies. We already decided that he will do whatever is necessary to assist. She unlocks and opens the door, then calls out to Delaney. When there’s no answer, she turns back to us.
“Come in. I’ll turn the lights on.”
Boston enters first, careful not to touch anything as he slides on a pair of gloves. Sebastian and I stay outside while Boston looks around, with Cora following him.
“Cora likes you, you know,” Sebastian says, and I turn my head toward him to find him watching me. “And I know you like her too. So, why are you keeping secrets from her?”
“She’s told you I’m keeping secrets?”
