Fumbling aimlessly at the nightstand, I reached over for my vibrating cell phone. Checking the clock on the wall, it was almost three in the morning. I groaned at the thought of what could be going on at this time.
“Hines.” I rubbed my eyes as I answered. “I hope this is important…”
“Would I be calling if it wasn’t?” My eyes shot open at the sound of Captain Young’s voice. “There was a double homicide near the Heights, and I need you to come in. We’re a little short-staffed at the moment, and I could use your help.”
“I’ll be right there,” I confirmed, getting out of bed. “I apologize for?—”
“No worries.” He cut me off, causing me to curse under my breath. He was the last one I wanted to disrespect or piss off. “See you when you get here.”
“Are you leaving?” Blossom muttered as she rolled over onto my chest. I kissed her forehead immediately. “I thought we were going to breakfast?”
“Cap called about a double homicide and needs my help.” I pulled her tighter into my embrace. Her soft skin was making my dick hard, and I knew I was going to have to call up one of my girls to handle it for me later. “If I’m done in time, we could still go.”
“Hmm,” was all she said as she rolled back over. I knew she was pissed, and I cursed myself once again. I could tell Blossom was getting tired of my excuses, and that was why I decided to come kick it with her last night. My plan was to spend time with her today, and if I could do what was needed for the double homicide, I would have time to come back. Maybe she and I could discuss the wedding later to get her in a better mood. Even though things were rocky with us right now, I still wanted this wedding to happen. It wasn’t just about love, but the power that came with being attached to the governor’s daughter. Being associated to this family could open more doors than just being a good officer on the force. Not only that, but I could also have so many men in this city eating out of the palm of my hand, off the strength of whose son-in-law I was.
It took me a little under thirty minutes to get dressed and out the door. Thankfully, I’d packed a bag and brought it over, so I had clothes on me. I’d been trying to ease my things into her home for years, but Blossom wasn’t going for it. She said that once she felt like she was in a real engagement, she would be more inclined to share her space. It was another thing that irritated the fuck out of me, but I knew I had to do better with my time management to knock down her walls.
Traffic at this time of morning was nonexistent, so it didn’t take me long to get to the Heights from Blossom’s townhouse. Pulling into the lot of the complex, blue lights flashed all over the place. A few people gathered around under the streetlights, crying and yelling, while most were outside just to be nosey.
“Captain.” I walked up and greeted him with my notebook in hand. “What do we have?”
Glancing over his shoulder, he turned and extended his hand for me to shake. “I know this is your off day, but a few of the detectives called out tonight.” He shook his head in frustration before motioning for me to follow me toward the bodies. In the middle of the lot, under the brightest lights, were the deceased men. Ducking under the yellow tape, we made our way over to the two bodies that were spread across the pavement. “The ME and his team should be arriving shortly.”
Groaning internally, I accepted a pair of latex gloves to ensure I didn’t contaminate anything on the bodies. Careful not to disturb them before the examiners got here, I crouched down and checked for any identification.
“Mike and Lewis Jones.” I looked back and forth between the bodies and their ID cards. “It says here that they’re both from Willow Springs.” Peering up at the Captain, he jotted down a few notes in his notepad as I went back to looking over their bodies. They both had gunshot wounds to the chest and stomach.
“How long have they been here?” I asked.
Before he could answer, tires were heard screeching in the distance. Standing back to my full height, I glared across the lot at the bass exuding from the blacked-out Suburban.
This nigga.
“Hines, I’m telling you now… I’m not here for any shit between you and McKnight.” He glared at me knowingly as JJ’s truck door slammed in the background. “He’s a stellar examiner, and while you may disagree with the way he carries himself, our precinct, as well as the ME’s office, is lucky to have someone so thorough on our team.”
I said nothing as I stepped away from the bodies.
Taking my silence as a response, he called over his shoulder, “Let’s be professional.”
I’d heard what he said, but I would match whatever energy my so-called cousin threw at me. My eyes locked in on him as he adjusted his jacket and walked across the lot. The commentators parted for him as if he were someone they feared. I frowned in disgust as he got closer. The Captain mentioned professionalism when this nigga was anything but.
“I take it that it’s laundry day.” I motioned toward his attire as he bypassed me and hovered over the bodies. He was dressed in his ME jacket, a wife-beater, and sweats with his medical bag in hand. “Is this how the office lets you guys dress?”
“I didn’t know my office needed to run our dress code by you, Mr. Hines.” Dr. Massey startled me as he came up from behind me. “We were a little pressed for time, so I didn’t think it mattered what my best man wore as long as he was here to assist me.” He moved past me, placing his medical bag near one of the bodies while JJ went to the other. “Dr. McKnight…” He gestured toward the bodies. “Proceed.”
Standing back to full height, JJ looked between both bodies before looking around the lot. His face was void of emotion outside of the deep concentration. Opening my notepad, I saidnothing as I watched his every move. Finally bringing his eyes over to me, I saw his jaw clench before addressing me.
“Have you guys already taken the necessary photos before we begin?” I gave him a quick nod. Captain Young had let me know upon arrival that the called officers made sure pictures were taken. “Good. Step back and allow us to do our job.”
“Is that how you ask?” I raised my brow.
So much for professionalism.
“Will it kill you to have manners, McKnight? I’m sure you were taught better than that.”
“You right.” He chuckled, placing his gloves over his hands with a loud pop. “Myfathertaught me a lot of shit. Did yours?”
My heart began beating in my chest immediately from his words. I knew this nigga was taunting me. My fingers flexed over my weapon as I wanted nothing more than to blow his brains out in front of all these people.
