Abigail smiled, her red-painted lips curving. A mottled bruise on her cheekbone extended to her puffy eye. “How apropos.” She switched her clutch to her other hand. “I’m trying not to feel hurt by the fact that you had your goons turn my office and laboratory upside down.”
Laurel pushed the button so she was even more upright. “Are you succeeding?”
Abigail pouted. “Somewhat. You were shot, so perhaps you weren’t thinking clearly.”
Any decision her half sister made would be calculating rather than emotional. “You know what I think.”
“I do.” Abigail lowered her chin in a conspiratorial way. “You think I’m a sociopath or some other nice label who played with a young man’s head just for fun and that my experiment went horribly wrong.” She tsked her tongue. “But you’re incorrect. I’d never do such a thing. My time is much too valuable.”
She looked at a diamond-encrusted watch on her wrist. “I spent two hours this morning being interviewed by the police. I really had no idea Jason Abbott wanted to rent that greenhouse to grow black dahlias. He said he wanted it for plants and his business, and I frankly forgot all about it. The place is miles away from anything else on the property. Who knew he was growing those horrible flowers? I’ve never even seen a flower like that.”
So much for pinning Abigail down. “You’re dressed nicely.”
“I have a date. Dr. Joseph Keyes invited me to a fundraiser in Seattle, and we both share a mutual interest in you, so I figured I’d go. You’re not interested in him, are you?”
“No.”
Heavy footsteps sounded and Huck strode inside with a backpack slung over one shoulder. “Hey. I brought—” He stopped at the sight of Abigail in the room. “Dr. Caine.” Aeneas ran inside, turned in a circle, and then sat by Huck’s ankle.
Abigail chuckled, sliding her hand down his arm. “You did not bring me.” She clipped to the door and pivoted. “Feel well, sister. I’ll check on you tomorrow.” The sound of her heels down the hallway came back clearly and then softened, finally disappearing.
Huck shuddered. “That woman.” Then he turned and his brown eyes warmed. “You look better.”
“Thanks. The warrants for Abigail’s records didn’t lead to anything.” Her frustration was dulled by the pain meds.
Huck sank onto the yellow chair and placed the backpack on the floor. “Let’s start with you for a moment. How are you feeling?”
Oh. Well, she could discuss personal matters before returning to the case. “I’m healing well and I’ve been thinking.” She shifted uneasily.
“That’s not unusual.”
Amusement ticked through her. “True. But getting shot and seeing you hurt made me think that perhaps life is short.” She plucked at a string on the blanket. “I spoke with my boss earlier and put in a request to lead the Violent Crimes Task Force permanently out of Genesis Valley.”
Huck leaned back in his chair. “What did he say?”
She sighed. “That he’d take the matter under consideration and give me an answer within the week. In the meantime, I thought, well, I considered, that perhaps we should have dinner together.” When Huck didn’t answer right away, she hastened to say, “You and me. On a date. Not my boss and I.”
Huck grinned and the bandage near his hairline moved. “It’s nice to be on the same page with you for once.” He opened the bag and whipped out burgers and fries. “I ordered yours loaded except for onions.”
She smiled. They had eaten together at a diner once during their previous case. “You remembered.”
“Yeah.” He set a basket of fries on the bed and then kicked back, the scruff on his hard jaw several days past a five o’clock shadow. A lock of his dark hair fell onto his forehead. In the too-small chair, he looked strong and wide. Very handsome.
“You’re good looking,” she murmured.
He munched on a fry, watching her carefully. “Thanks. So are you.”
“I’m okay.” She took a fry with her good hand. It was nice and salty. Her body felt relaxed and warm. The sensations might be from the meds or it could be she enjoyed the captain’s company. He was intriguing and so different from anybody she’d ever met. The memory of him rushing in to keep her from getting shot by an armed lunatic kept running through her mind. “You know, we do work well together.”
“You make a good partner.” He reached over and patted the dog’s head. “Although I’d like it if we both stopped getting shot.”
She nodded; the room was still nicely fuzzy. “It’s a deal. No more getting shot.” She took another fry. “Did you check on Haylee Johnson?”
“Yeah. She was released last night with a little headache and was making noises about suing Abigail, but I don’t think she was serious. I think she’s freaking out because she was engaged to a serial killer. Poor thing.” He shook his head. “The woman had no idea.”
“Jason Abbott is a psychopath. He only fakes emotion but is quite convincing.” He was also charming and good looking, which were disarming attributes as well. “Has he been charged yet?”
“Not yet, but he’s in custody.” Huck leaned over and snagged a fry. “We searched his home and found the bloody ax, a journal listing all of his kills, and Sharon Lamber’s camera. That guy is nuts.”
