“Mixed drinking wine with sleeping pills, fell asleep in the bath,” Hunter said. “The real cause of death doesn’t need to come out. We need to know if the man sitting in jail really killed Anderson, or if we have a second killer on our hands.”
“If it’s a second killer?”
“We’ll decide then,” Hunter says with a shrug. “It can’t go to trial, not after covering up the truth.”
Which means that if it’s someone else, we put them six feet under and erase the fact they ever existed. My favourite thingto do to the scum of the world and one of my top three ways to clean up a mess.
“I don’t agree with that,” Quinn says flatly, lips pursed. “That’s not how justice works.”
“It’s how our justice works.” Justice isn’t always pretty, and it can’t always be wrapped up all nice and neat with a bow. Sometimes the result is the only thing that matters, not how we get there. “If you don’t like it, you’re dating the wrong person. If we only have an hour, let us get to work. Your job here is officially over.” A tap on Kendrick’s hip gets him moving, and he swiftly leaves the bathroom, skirting around everyone without so much as grazing them.
We methodically go over every inch of the house, searching for anything that looks out of place, anything the killer may have left behind. Riley doesn’t say a word when we go over the allotted hour. His impassive stare doesn’t change when I tap my watch and wink at him. I wonder what it would take to wipe that look off his face. Someone extraordinary. I’d send them a gift basket.
“Do you think she keeps her house this clean normally?” Kendrick asks, standing to his full height. He’s a fraction taller than me, only noticeable if we stand back-to-back. His curls give him the advantage because they’re springy.
“My guess is he wiped it clean,” Riley answers from where he’s leaning against the far wall, arms crossed. “Tech swept over the place, but we won’t find anything.”
“How many people have been in this house?” I ask, sharing a look with Kendrick. If they want to keep it quiet, we need to knowwhoto keep quiet.
“Short of being clairvoyant and being here before the murder occurred, having witnesses is unavoidable. The woman who found her is a next-door neighbour. The two officers who responded to the call aren’t from my station, but I’ve put a call in. Then there were three technicians; one was Tianna Allery, soyou’re in luck.” Only because she’s in Hunter’s back pocket too. “The body was taken by Maverick.”
My brother in all but blood, Maverick Burke owns a funeral home—family business, in fact. He helps us clean up the messes we leave behind when we go hunting. “The officers and the woman?” If they want this kept quiet, mouths need to stay shut. I doubt bribing them with sweets will work, though I’d be happy to give it a try. Buy some Skittles for myself while I’m shopping.
“NDAs,” Riley explains. “We’ve done as much damage control as we can. As far the world is concerned, this never happened. When Six lifts the files from our database, make sure to get the neighbour’s details. She knows to expect you already. You’re not to speak to the victim’s coworkers—either from the show’s set or her day job—or her family and friends.”
“Yeah, we know the drill.” Does Riley think he needs to tell us how to do our job? I’ve been doing this a hell of a lot longer than him. And the word “secret” surely implies that we aren’t about to go and run around asking questions like amateurs and get people suspicious. There are other ways to get information. Kendrick and I are much better in the shadows than we are in the spotlight.
“There’s nothing to find here,” Kendrick says, mouth twisted in a scowl. I want to lick it. “If there was a scuffle, he’s cleaned it up. If he broke in, he’s fixed it. It implies he was here for a while before he left.”
“Left the door unlocked?” I suggest.
“If she did, she’s an idiot. If she didn’t, then it means she opened the door to him willingly.”
“Or he’s a really good lockpick.” Six and I can get into places we shouldn’t be in without so much as scratching the paint on whichever entrance we choose. Not everyone who knows how to skulk is there for the right reasons. Hell, half the timewearen’t there for the right reasons.
“Too many variables.”
“There’s nothing more to see here. If there’s anything else found that we need to know, call us.”
Riley inclines his head without responding. He doesn’t follow us outside.
Hunter and Quinn are waiting outside, talking quietly beside where all our cars are lined up. They’re hidden in the shadows, looking more like they’re having a clandestine affair than here for nefarious reasons.
“Is this orgy invitation only?” I ask, joining them. Kendrick steps up behind me, his chest brushing against my back. It’s what I’ve been waiting for this entire time. For him to get this close.
“Invitation,” Hunter replies. “And we’re full up.”
“I’m wounded.” Fishing my keys out of my pocket, I drop them in Kendrick’s palm. “There’s nothing here. We’ll get the files from Six tomorrow and then go from there.” The killer is either too fucking smart for their own good, or they were lucky. Or a combination of both, which is the worst-case scenario. And I always bank on it being worst-case scenario.
“Alright. Keep me posted?”
“You got it, boss. Nice to see you again, Quinn.”
I’ve barely closed the passenger door before Kendrick is jerking the car onto the road. I haven’t even got my seat belt on yet. There’s only room for one NASCAR driver in this relationship, and it’s me.
“You alright?”
“I’m fine.”
