He laughed.
“I’m serious. I feel like they’re trying to figure out if I committed murder.”
“Detectives can imagine all kinds of things.” He rested a hand on the doorknob. “We can work at your place or mine, if that’s better.”
“Mine. That way the Byrds don’t have to do another risk assessment.”
Ian opened the door and stepped back so she could exit. “I am most impressed with their thoroughness.”
She passed him and had to force her feet to keep going. “I’ve always recommended the Nighthawk agency, but now that I’ve experienced their services, I can really personally attest to their abilities.”
“As an observer, I can too,” he said as he caught up to her from behind. “By the way, if your jail appearance says anything, you could pull off that prison garb quite well. The pale blue looks striking with your coloring.”
He grinned, and the smile warmed the cold places in her heart left after seeing Snipes in person.
Ian picked up the files on his desk and directed her to the exit. He stayed close to her side, much closer than he needed to while in the secure building.
The elevator doors opened, and Londyn stepped out.
Ian held up his stack of folders. “We’ll be reviewing the phone logs you highlighted. I’ll get back to you.”
“You got it,” she said. “And I’ll keep working on finding contact info for Detective Wisniewski. His driver’s license address isn’t valid anymore. Looks like he dropped off the radar.”
Ian’s forehead wrinkled. “Let me know what you find the minute you do.”
“Will do.” Londyn headed back to the bullpen.
“I sure hope she can find him,” Malone said as she boarded the elevator.
“She will.” Two words, but they held certainty.
The doors closed, and she faced Ian. “Sounds like you really respect her.”
“This’s the first time I’ve worked with her, but she has a great reputation in the department. The way you can now vouch for the Nighthawk guys, I can vouch for her.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence. Malone really wanted to ask what he was thinking about, but if his mind traveled in the same direction as hers, he was thinking about how private this space was and wondering if they could experience a quick kiss before hitting the ground floor. She couldn’t keep thinking this way. Her best bet was to not be alone with him in confined spaces.
The moment the doors opened, she bolted out and almost raced past Clay at the front door.
“Hold up.” Clay stepped in front of her. “I need to notify my brothers that you’re ready to go.”
He leaned into his mic and shared the information, then listened for a moment. “Okay. We’re clear. Straight—”
“Into the SUV,” she interrupted. “No stopping or distractions.”
“You got it.” Clay took her elbow and walked her out.
Brendan waited midway to the vehicle, and Aiden sat in the driver’s seat. Exactly like she expected, and she slid into the back seat with no issues.
Ian leaned into the vehicle. “I’ll see you there.”
She’d been looking forward to the drive to sit near him. Inhale his unique scent. Sneak glances at his strong profile. Maybe press her leg against his, making it seem accidental, of course.
Ah, no. No.She’d gone and fallen for him. Or was she still remembering the guy she’d had a crush on? Was she focusing on the past with him like she was doing with her parents? If so, how could she know?
She leaned back and pondered their time together. She was much more mature now. Not experienced with guys, though. Could she know her feelings? She’d gone beyond his physical appearance to get to know the man inside. The kind and companionate man. The man who put others first and worked tirelessly for the weak. A man who knew himself well, even if she didn’t like the conclusion he’d come to about his potential for a relationship.
When they reached her house, she was surprised that Ian was parked on the street already. He slipped out of his vehicle and came around the back of the SUV to open her door.
