Reese checked out the next picture, pulling it from its perch to get a better look.
It was the house he was standing in, only a significant portion of it was burned. He thought back to the layout, to what angle the picture was taken from.
Moving to the window, he pulled the blinds back, saw the new windows.
The burned house in the picture was this one. The portion that had been destroyed had been rebuilt. Had Magnus’s parents done that? How did he end up with the house? Where were the parents now?
Not that any of those questions would help to solve the disappearance of a young woman, but as far as Reese was concerned, they were important. He needed to know more about Magnus Storme before he could figure out what part he played in all of this. If any.
Chapter Seven
JJPULLED AWAY FROM THE BIG, WARMbody she’d been curled up to, smacking the nightstand in search of her ringing cell phone.
She recognized the ringtone, which was the only reason she answered with a gruff, “Hello?”
“Hey. Did I wake you?”
If he’d meant to hide his condescension, Brantley had just failed epically.
“It’s Saturday,” she said, resuming her position, her head resting on Baz’s shoulder. “I’m allowed to sleep in.”
“Well, you better get up and get some coffee in you.”
“We have a case?”
“Technically, no. We do, however, have someone to find.”
“I don’t get dressed for just anyone, B,” she teased. “What’s goin’ on?”
“The police took Magnus down to Round Rock PD for questioning in a missing person’s case.”
“Who’s the missing person?” she dared to ask.
“JJ,” he said slowly, succinctly. “I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d get your ass out of bed and get over to HQ. Bring your boy toy along with you.”
The call disconnected.
JJ pulled it away from her ear, stared at the screen that showed the call had ended.
“He hung up on you?” Baz asked, pressing his lips to her forehead.
“The shithead,” she muttered, then relayed the ridiculously little information she had regarding the not-really-a-case that was getting her out of her comfortable bed on a Saturday morning. “He called you my boy toy.”
“Mmm,” he mumbled, rolling toward her, his hand sliding over her naked hip. “You can play with me anytime you want.”
JJ moaned softly, wishing she could sink into his embrace for a few hours, let his skilled hands bring her awake the way she was growing to enjoy. Unfortunately, she could still hear Brantley’s stern tone in her ear, knew there was no time for canoodling—as Brantley liked to refer to it—this morning. They had work.
“Careful, Detective. I’ll tell Brantley you’re the reason we’re late.”
Baz chuckled softly, releasing her before sitting up and dropping his feet to the floor. “If you get ready quick, I’ll run you through Dazzle on the way in.”
JJ didn’t need to be told twice. She lived for her morning coffee.
Just shy of an hour later, Baz was pulling the truck down Brantley’s drive. No sooner did JJ see the other Chevy truck parked behind Brantley’s than her hand shot out and smacked Baz’s forearm.
“Do you see that?” she whispered, shaking his arm to signify the importance.
“Reese’s truck?” Baz cut his gaze to her. “Yeah. I see it.”
