Page 39 of My Beautiful Sin

“Agreed.” She squeezes my hand. “He just needs time to process.”

I draw a breath. “You really believe that?”

“Do you?”

I shrug. “I’ve been asking myself that since he left. And I almost believe it. But like he said, it’s an open case again. Ever since they realized Ricky Mercado gave a false confession, it’s a mystery to be solved.”

“You think Lamar’s going to turn Devlin in to score cold case brownie points?”

“No,” I admit. “But I went through the Academy with him. And even though I didn’t stay on the job, I know that world. So we talk about it a lot. Lamar has a code, and overlooking murder isn’t part of it.”

“Guess I know what you two will be talking about tomorrow.” She yawns and stretches. “Ask him before you get out of town. It’s going to be super awkward if you drive all the way to LA before he tells you he’s going to rat your boyfriend out.”

“Thanks so much for the comforting thought.”

She laughs, then hugs me. “Gallows humor. Seriously, do you want to get drunk and watch a movie?”

“Want? Yes. But I should probably try to sleep.”

“Me, too. I’ve got to be out of here by eight for a full day of meetings, and then Christopher and I are going for wine and appetizers.”

“Nice,” I say with a grin.

Brandy grins and blushes. “Yeah. It is.” She leans over and gives me a hug. “It’s going to be an early night for us, though. Christopher’s knuckling down with his keyboard and writing tomorrow night. So shoot me a text and let me know if you’re having dinner at home, because I’ll—” She cuts herself off with a nod to my phone, the screen of which has just lit up with a text. “Gee. I wonder who that can be.”

She slides out of bed with a little wave and a waggle of her eyebrows. “Be good. And tell him I said hi.”

“Ha ha—oh.” I can only see part of the message on the lock screen, but what I see makes my stomach twist. “Lamar went to see him.”

Her eyes go wide. “In that case, you better ask him where he buried the body.”

I can’t quite manage a laugh, and once she’s out the door, I unlock my phone and read the entire message.

Had a guest tonight.

Lamar.

Did he tell you?

I frown. I’d hoped for more.

No. Do I need to

come claim the body?

I bite my lower lip as I wait for his response.

Touch and go there

for a while,

but all is good.

I read that twice, just to make sure.

Really?

He cares about you.