“Please tell me you share, Commander Cardoso,” Simone said.
Nikki laughed. “Hell, yes. I’m stress eating, so I buy way too much.”
The Homicide department was bustling with detectives and uniformed police officers. Once in her office, Nikki sat behind her desk while Simone eased onto a chair.
A man wearing a suit strolled in, a sheepish smile filling his round, clean-shaven face.
“How’s it going?” He extended his hand. “Detective Blake Hull.”
Simone shook it. “Special Agent Joelle James.”
Nikki pulled out a candy bar and handed it to him. The detective nodded at Simone before leaving.
Nikki closed her office door, sat back down.
“Are you seeing someone?” Nikki asked.
Jus thinking about Luciano made her smile. “Yes, why?”
“The detective who just came in wanted me to ask.”
“How do you know that?”
“He threw you a head toss, which ishismale speak for ‘ask if she’s seeing anyone.’”
“He moves fast.”
“He’s definitely not a procrastinator, but he’s been married four times, so he’s not a horse I’d bet on.”
Simone laughed.
Nikki pulled out three small bags of chips, several candy bars, then extracted a package of six glazed donuts. “I like working with the Bureau, so take your pick.”
“Gotta have a donut.”
“Definitely.” Nikki opened the package, Simone selected a chocolate frosted and bit into it. As the delicious sugary dough titillated her taste buds, she said, “I love you, Commander Cardoso.”
Nikki laughed. “Stress eating is the best, especially when you do it with someone who appreciates it.”
“Nothing like being a strung-out LEO.”
“So true,” Nikki replied, before biting into her own glazed donut.
Simone asked, “Any progress with the Guy Chenkus case?”
Nikki got busy on her computer. “The gun casings were sent to forensics. Our witness, Sinclair Develin, saw a man in a hoodie approach the car from the east side, open fire, and bolt. One of my detectives followed up with Mr. Chenkus’ family and his boss. He worked for State and his record there was clean.”
Not exactly.
“I’d love to know why you’re following up on this case,” Nikki said. “Especially since we don’t have much to go on.”
If Simone told Nikki what she knew—and if Chenkus’ death was related to The Bomb Maker—she’d be thrusting him into the limelight. That could result in him blowing up the government buildings faster than he’d planned, simply to outrun law enforcement.
“I will as soon as I can,” Simone replied. “I’m sorry I’m not being more helpful, but I’m not at liberty to discuss. Don’t hate on the messenger.”
“I get it, but it would be good if we could work together.”
“Until recently, I had nothing. I’m concerned if word gets out, we’re just giving the unsub the attention he craves.”
