Fuck.
“McGrath, don’t even think about leaving. We’re pullin’ an all nighter.”
The guy snaps to attention, drops the jacket on his chair, and follows Billings over to us.
“What’s going on, lieutenant?” He’s practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, he’s so goddamn excited. He and Billings have only been on the job a little over a year, but they’re both solid. They’re also kids. McGrath is only thirty-two and Billings might be even younger.
Jas and I are north of forty, and the prospect of no sleep has my back aching already.
“Stakeout. Chief’s orders. You’re with me. Billings is riding with Jasper. Head down to the motor pool and pick up two sedans. Then go to Siren Coffee for traveler boxes. Be back here in thirty.”
“On it.” The two of them double-time it out of the bullpen like their asses are on fire.
For the next twenty-seven minutes, Jas and I go over every line of the file Marvin put together. His source provided nothing but vague rumors that don’t stand up to a lick of scrutiny.
“This is horseshit,” I say as Jasper shrugs into his jacket.
He shakes his head. “Tell that to the chief. Marvin’s so far up his ass, he can tell you what Harris had for breakfast.”
I choke back a snort, but my brother isn’t done.
“The fucker ain’t been on his game since that failed drug bust last year. He’s got more CIs than a centipede has legs, and none of ‘em can ride and chew at the same time.”
“Tell me how you really feel, Jas.”
He gives me the side-eye as we wait for the elevator down to the garage. “You call Grace yet?”
“Fuck.” Billings and McGrath are due back any minute, and if we don’t get a move on, we’ll never hear the end of it.
Jasper cringes as I thumb out a quick text message.
AJ: Caught a case. Jasper and I are on stakeouts all night. Tomorrow too. I’m sorry, but we gotta cancel our trip this weekend. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.
My phone rings less than sixty seconds later. I’ll catch hell for it tomorrow, but I tuck the device back in my pocket and let the call go to voicemail.
“AJ, you’re playin’ with fire. Grace is as easy goin’ as they come, but ignoring her? She’s gonna have your ass in a sling for months.”
My brother’s right. I should call her back. Apologize. Grovel, even. But she’s been looking forward to this trip all winter. Hearing the disappointment in her voice might do me in.
AJ: About to get in the car. We’ll talk in the morning. I promise. I love you.
The message status changes to Read, but Grace doesn’t reply. Or call again. It’s gonna be a long damn night. And an even longer morning.
Chapter Two
Grace
A wet nose pulls me from the comfort of sleep. The shower’s running.
Well, ain’t that just grand.
AJ came home from his stakeout and didn’t bother waking me. At least he knows he stepped in it last night.
Belle, my Australian Shepherd/Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, puts her swollen paw on the bed and whines. “I know, sweetie. Wasp stings are no fun at all.” The poor dog stepped on one of the mean little shits out on the deck yesterday morning, and she’s been favoring her foot ever since.
I glance at the bathroom door with a sigh. “He didn’t feed you, did he?”
She limps out into the hall, then stops and peers back at me.
