He stiffened. “True.”
One of the guys caught their eye and said something to his buddy.
“Here he comes,” Heath said, relaxing his body.
Anya took a sip of her champagne. “I don’t like undercover. It’s too hard to pretend.” Then she shivered. “I feel like everyone is watching me. Or maybe it’s just him—the killer.”
“Just pretend you’re shy,” Heath murmured, smiling as the man approached. “Heath Jones from Lost Bastards Investigative Services.” He held out a hand.
The cop shook it, his brown eyes shrewd, his brown suit wrinkled, and his yellow tie shiny. “Detective Malloy from Snowville PD.” He turned his attention to Anya to shake her hand in what looked like a gentle grip. “I’m very sorry about the loss of your sister, Miss Best.”
Anya lifted her chin. “Thank you. I’m surprised you put that together so quickly.”
Malloy studied Heath over Anya’s head. “Let’s just say we have a friend in common.”
Awareness cascaded through Heath, and he drew Anya to his other side. “Do we, now? Somehow, I doubt that. My agency just arrived in town, Detective.”
Malloy rolled his eyes and suddenly appeared much more approachable. “Shane and I have worked together and still keep in contact.”
Heath drew back. “Is that a fact?” Why did it surprise him that yet another brother wanted to meddle in his life? He was used to Ryker and Denver interfering, and he loved them for it . . . usually. But Shane could’ve at least started slowly. Maybe with a fruit-of-the-month subscription or something. “You’re friends with my brother?”
“Well, I’m not sure I’d call us friends.” Malloy snorted. “I did try to arrest him for murder once. But we reached an understanding, and he’s a good guy. So long as he takes care of that Josie, we’re on the same page.”
Jesus. Heath kept his smile in place. It figured his brother would fall for a woman who’d wrap a cop around her little finger, even while said cop was investigating her man. “I really don’t need my brother or the local cops interfering.” There was no reason to pretend he was in town for anything other than an op, obviously. “I’ll give a call to Shane later tonight to make sure he understands that clearly.” In fact, he’d make his point loudly if necessary. Shane was safe, and he needed to stay that way.
Malloy’s eyes lit, and he chuckled, the sound surprisingly deep. “Shane mentioned you were still getting to know each other.” He held up a hand when Heath started to speak. “I don’t really care about your family dynamics, but you should know that even I could see how tight those men were. If you’re family, they’re definitely gonna interfere.” He leaned in, his cop face back in place. “If you’re running an op in my town, I’m involved as well. Shane assures me you know what you’re doing, but I rarely take anything at face value.”
Fucking great. Now they had the local cops on their asses. If Sheriff Cobb found these men and reached out for help, Heath and his brothers were screwed. “I’d surely appreciate any help you could provide, Detective.” Damn it.
Ryker caught his gaze from over by the Christmas tree, and Heath imperceptibly shook his head. No need for Ryker and Malloy to meet. Yet maybe Heath could take advantage of the situation. “Have you found any leads into the murder of Carl Sparks?”
Malloy shook his head. “Besides you?”
Heath lost his smile. “I didn’t kill Carl.”
Malloy didn’t twitch. “Miss Best? Who do you think killed your ex-boyfriend?”
Heath fought a growl. “This isn’t an interview room.”
“You brought it up, buddy.” Malloy smiled at Anya. “Well?”
She eyed the detective, looking beyond stunning. Curiosity and sadness filtered through her expressive eyes. “I truly don’t know.” She pursed her pretty pink lips. “Carl had inappropriate relations with one student, which I assume you already know. Perhaps there were others and somebody didn’t like that fact?”
“Hmmm.” Malloy studied her for a moment and then turned his focus on Heath. “So that’s only one case file currently occupying my desk. We’re also looking into the Copper Killer case, of course. Are you really comfortable setting this sweet girl up as bait?”
“No,” Heath said simply. The hair on the back of his neck rose. He looked around the room and then stepped closer to Anya. Something was off, but it might be his feelings. He had to get himself under control.
Anya frowned. “I set myself up, Detective Malloy.”
“I saw the news reports,” the detective said evenly. “While I understand your need to avenge your sister, I don’t think this is the way to do it. Let the FBI and local police do their jobs and catch this guy.”
Sparks flew through Anya’s eyes. “If the FBI and state cops were doing their jobs, then my sister wouldn’t be dead.”
Heath winced.
Malloy nodded, his eyes hangdog. “We’re just as frustrated as you are. Special Agent Reese has started meeting with state and county law enforcement, and he met with my precinct yesterday.”
Heath lifted his head, his body going on alert. “Were we mentioned?”
