Brantley looked at his watch.It was only a little after eight, but it felt like he’d been up for an entire day already.That was JJ’s fault since he’d gotten the call moments before his alarm would’ve gone off.His best friend had been just shy of panicked when she explained that her contractions weren’t stopping.
Luckily, he had the presence of mind to get the real details from Baz before they jumped the gun and raced up to the hospital.The soon-to-be father had been much calmer, insisting Dr.Tinder was confident it would likely be several more hours before she progressed any further.
At that point, Reese had effectively taken Brantley’s mind off everything.
Shaking off the thought, Brantley looked at Holly.“You hear anything more from Corpus Christi PD?”
“Not yet, no.”
“Anything from Z?”Brantley asked Darius, who was officially filling in for Baz.
“I talked to him half an hour ago.Gave him an update on the goings-on here,” Darius explained.“I updated him on JJ.I think he’s planning to come down with RT when it’s confirmed the babies are being pulled outta the oven.”Darius smirked.“His words.”
“Oven.Cook a little longer,” Atticus mused.“Y’all freak me out sometimes.”
Brantley laughed.
Charlie raised her hand.“I have a question.”
“Elana, would you mind gettin’ me some coffee?”Brantley asked JJ’s assistant.If he’d known he would be over here this long, he would’ve brought some with him.
“On it,” she said with a beaming grin.
Brantley turned his attention back to Charlie.“What’s up?”
“Rumor has it you hired a new investigator yesterday.”
“That doesn’t sound like a question,” he told her.
She flashed a beaming smile.“Who’d you hire?”
Before he could answer, Holly said, “Archer Halligan.”
“She’s in love,” Luca said.“Too bad for you, he bats for the other team.”
“He does not,” Holly argued, her gaze shifting to Brantley.
“What?”he asked.“Because I’m gay, I’m in tune with his sexual preference?”
She blushed.“I didn’t—”
“I’m kidding.”He laughed.“Not that I give a shit one way or the other, but yeah, I think he prefers misters.”
“Archer Halligan?”Charlie asked, her tone confused.“The investigator forHavoc Your Way?”
“One and the same,” Brantley confirmed.“But for the record, he has not accepted the job.”
Holly’s eyebrows lifted.“But you offered it?”
“Yes.Reese and I think he’d be a good fit.We talked a little yesterday, and I plan to answer any of his questions when and if he calls.”
“If?You don’t think he’s gonna take it?”Atticus asked.
“I didn’t say that.I’m gonna leave the choice up to him.Once I hear from him—one way or the other—I’ll let you know.”
“If he does take it, when will he start?”
“ASAP.”At least Brantley hoped that was the case.“If he accepts, we’ll submit the paperwork.He can start once it’s processed.He’ll be partnering with Atticus.”
