“Uh, that’s not happening. I can take you to Josh and Lily’s. Or…”
“Or what?” For some reason, her breath hitched.
“You could come to the game if you want. My partner, Finn, is there, and Maria’s watching too with the rest of the family. We haven’t missed much.”
The invite took her by surprise. How many games had she watched Josh and Michael play when they were growing up? She’d always loved how loudly and boisterously the Martinelli family cheered for their own. Everyone came. Win or lose, they would be there in the stands. She’d loved being a part of it when she was younger, often wishing her own family would, if not cheer and yell, at least loosen up and remind her that they were on her side.
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Good. It’s set.” He nodded at her like it was a done deal.
While he drove, Michael called the incident in to his precinct over the speaker and had her talk to one of his fellow officers about checking into Colter and his vehicle.
They arrived at North Eagle High School as the second quarter started. The Martinelli clan took up a good section of bleachers. Michael introduced her to Liam Finnigan, his partner, and they settled in to watch Gabe and Raphael and the rest of the Chargers football team.
The day ended on a much better note than it had begun.
But tomorrow, she would track down Colter McCord and give him a piece of her mind.
Ten
The loud and hectic pace of the precinct bullpen failed to distract Michael’s runaway thoughts. He had plenty of work to do, but his brain didn’t seem to care. He tried not to think about Dani. Dani at the ball game, cheering his little brothers on. Dani stealing his popcorn. Dani kissing hi?—
Oh man, this was getting ridiculous!
“Any leads on the guy who ran you off the road?” Finn looked over from his desk.
Michael snapped back to attention. “Colter McCord does have the right make and model of vehicle, but he’s in the wind. The Southwold precinct sent uniforms over to his address last night, but no answer and no truck there.”
“You think it was a jealous-ex move?”
“Could be. Colter works at the RWM plant, where we were. He could’ve seen Dani with me and followed us. I didn’t realize putting my arm around her would be such a big deal.”
“And why exactly were you there again?” Finn raised an eyebrow. “With Dani, no less. If I wasn’t such a confident man, I’d think you were cheating on me.”
“Don’t worry. No one can replace you and your Irish wit.”
“Ha. So…?” Finn circled a finger in the air. “Continue. Why were you investigating RWM?”
“We were scoping out the place more than investigating. Dani was looking into it for her case.”
“Find anything out?”
“Not really. We didn’t?—”
“Finn. Nelli. Got another business break-in. You’re up,” Sergeant Vahn called out. “The dispatcher will forward you the address.”
“Yes, sir.” Michael was so ready to get out of the office and do something.
And to stop thinking about Dani Kim.
Finn drove to the trendy downtown street. After parking, they walked past an ATM in the entryway and entered the upscale boutique. Exposed brick and black metal finishes gave the place a designer-industrial vibe. A woman with perfectly styled silver hair, probably in her fifties, sat behind a counter and held a towel to her forehead. She frowned as they walked in. “Took you long enough.”
Michael glanced at Finn. “I’m Detective Martinelli and this is Detective Finnigan. Can you walk us through what happened?”
“What happened was someone was waiting for me when I came to open up the store. He caught me from behind, forced me to open the door, and took all the cash in the till.”
“And the wound?” Finn asked her.
