“Yeah, okay, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Let’s dial back the charm and leave some for the rest of us. Plus, shouldn’t you keep that as evidence?”
I’m nodding, as is Goldie, who is firmly tucked under Noah’s protective arm instead of hidden like me. He hasn’t let her go sincehe and Chase came busting into the restroom. Jesus. I drop my eyes momentarily, still trying to shake off the lingering fear.
We’re okay,but what if...
Jenko’s partner joins us. I guess that makes him his Schmidt.
Cop number two shakes his head at his partner.
“Hey, what did I say earlier?” Jenko looks at Schmidt, but Schmidt holds up a hand and continues. “You’re not a real cop. You can’t do real cop business.”
Wait, what?
We all look at each other in confusion until the real cop addresses us.
“I apologize. This is Rio—he’s an actor. He’s doing a ride-along, researching a role.Iam Officer Lewis, a real police officer.”
Rio smiles widely and makes finger guns at Chase. “Sorry, guys, but the Brooklyn Nine-Nine reference was such a compliment. Thanks, man.”
“You’re not welcome,” Chase says under his breath before I start to hand the evidence back but can’t because I’m trapped behind Chase.
So I push him aside, possibly ensuring the pointiest part of my elbow really digs in, as I groan, “Move.”
He grunts, grabbing his side, and whispers, “Ribs, Evil.” But I ignore him—because that’s what men deserve—and stand my ground. All five foot four of it as I extend the bag out in front of me.
“Did you already check the cameras—”
That’s all I get out before Officer Lewis shakes his head and cuts me off.
“Sorry ... Rio got that part right.” He points to the bag in my hand, and my brows draw together. “There’s no real crime here. The heart’s fake. And I mean, you’ve got the vandalism, but the owner said there’s no point because this theater is sold and scheduled for demolition. You guys were the last rental he allowed.” He hooks his thumbs into the sides of his bulletproof vest. “Frankly, we see these kinds of pranks all the time in this business.”
Rio looks pleased with himself, but all I can focus on is that he just saidno crime. What the hell?
Noah’s head draws back, drawing my attention. “You see fake hearts stabbed into walls referencing attempted massacres? Weird.”
The cop narrows his eyes on him, clearly not liking his tone. “We see petty offenses committed when someone makes these types of movies. You’d be surprised how common it is.”
“I bet I would,” Noah adds dryly before shaking his head.
“Hold on.” I breathe out, still stuck on the first part of what he said. “What did you mean ‘no crime’? What about harassment?” I wiggle the bag. “Isn’t that a crime?” My heartbeat picks up the pace. “It’s obvious somebody re-created this from the original one I made to make a point. So there’s no way this wasn’t a crime or just a prank, because this was Billy’s heart.”
I hear Goldie’s intake of breath next to me. We don’t say his name. Ever.
Fake Cop exhales. “If I may ...”
“You may not,” I answer immediately before Officer Lewis looks directly at me.
“Like I said,” Real Cop presses. “It’s a prank by some overly enthusiastic gore nerds. Besides, taking you all down to the station to fill out six hours’ worth of paperwork isn’t saving any lives. I suggest you guys go home, relax, and celebrate your big night.”
I shake my head quickly, my voice rising as I motion between the four of us.
“Relax? How? A psychopath that we Michael Myer’ed might be back from the dead ... or worse, inspiring people from the grave. Do your job. We’re unsafe.”
I know how panicked I sound when I say the last part. How completely fragile it came out, but I can’t stop the way my heart is thudding and how my mouth suddenly feels dry.
Because fear never stops being my bestie.
“Exactly,” my sister echoes. “Do your job. Investigate. Look at the cameras or something.”
