“We’re going to deal with the body, and then later, dig in at the hotel for the night. Gene is on the suspect list for the night, MATE is getting me the list of funeral homes, and Callen is doing a deep dive on everyone’s childhood—all of the suspects.”
It was a good start.
She wasn’t done.
“Callen is also researching the groundskeeper, and I’m giving him the priest, too. We’re going to have to meet him tomorrow, if he doesn’t show up when we start exhumation.”
Ethan was mentally checking the list off in his head, too.
“I’ve got Tora and Mac on Bill Farmington, Larry Springer, and the shell company that owned the building. I sentCorbin a text regarding researching Steph Lewis deeper, and we’ll see if he finds anything.”
“And Alex?”
She shrugged.
“I’m going to say he’s going to be down until tomorrow, at least. We all know how he handles things. Luckily for us, we have enough people to cover this. The detectives can hold up.”
That they did.
Thankfully.
“I’ll be ready by morning to hit day two up and hard,” Elizabeth admitted.
Ethan was to the point.
“If at any time, it feels wonky…don’t fall for it. We’re going to be jerked around. Remember, he’s had years to perfect this game. We’re behind and at a disadvantage. We don’t know that you haven’t been his goal for a very long time. You’ve been doing this for twenty-plus years, and you’re the pinnacle when it comes to a challenge.”
Yeah, she was aware. Only, she’d catch up.
This was her jam.
“Calling me out never ends well for them, EJ. I’ll be ready,” she admitted.
Ethan was curious.
“Where’s our dog?” he asked.
She showed him. Shadow was laying on her feet, keeping her in one place.
“Why?” she asked.
“He gets a steak when I get back. Give the big fluff a kiss for me, and tell him he’s a good boy for protecting my family. I’ll see you as soon as I’m done with Lance Running Wolf.”
She broke into song, busting his ass.
“You love my doggo cuz he’s a good boy.”
He was amused, but mostly because she was absolutely right and calling him out on it. If a dog was going to guard his wife, he had all of his respect and love.
Period.
“Yes, I love you and that doggo. I’ve clearly lost my goddamn mind,” he stated before blowing her a kiss and ending the call.
When she tucked the phone away, Callen just shook his head.
“You finally broke the head-shrinker. Congrats. We never saw this day coming.”
She snorted.
