Page 20 of Breathe Me In

“It is.” Kennedy flipped his partner off. Ellis just laughed; clearly their relationship was strong. “It’s just something to do. Keep the mind busy with friends.” His eyes were bright with excitement.

“I get that.”

“Don’t encourage, Bree,” Ellis laughed. “I really think they get together to play an adult game of D&D.”

Kennedy shook his head. “Have you ever played D&D?”

“No, that’s why I’m super cool.” That sent the table into laughter.

“So, Bree”—a familiar face at the next table pulled my attention—“how’s the Velvet Nightclub case going?”

“You remember Stanley?” Kennedy asked.

I nodded, leaned back in my chair as Stanley joined us. He had been a year below me in grade school, so I knew of him, but we never ran in the same circles. These guys were all police officers, so I let myself go a bit. “Things are moving along. We’re combing through everything, camera footage and all that. Interviewing everyone we can.”

Ray, the older detective, spoke up. “So, why’d they bring you in? Stone doesn’t usually need hand-holding.” He sniffed. “Need to bring in a consultant.” He finger quoted. “The department payin’ you for what, lookin’ over our shoulder?”

“Fresh eyes on a case like this can’t hurt. Two murders in such a short time can cause panic if people think a serial killer is out there.” I didn’t want to get into it, especially with one of the more experienced guys. “Captain just felt more hands on deck were needed, and I was happy to oblige.” I went for a smile.

“So, what have you come up with so far?” He seemed determined to poke at me.

“Well, I’m pretty sure the same guy killed both women. He got in and out both times without being noticed. He’s smart, probably familiar with the club’s layout. He waited until the place was busy, the alcohol had been flowing, and the sea of bodies was tuned in to the loud music. Everyone pressed in close both on the dance floor and at the bar. He’s probably decent looking, hits on the women, and they talk.”

“That’s a stretch.” He made a face. I noticed the others watched us.

“I disagree.” I looked at him. “Straight women dancing and enjoying a few drinks are always open to a nice-looking guy. It’s why many of them are there.”

“She’s right,” Ginny chimed in. “I see it all the time when we go out. It’s nothing personal, but a girl’s got standards, just like men. A nice-lookin’ guy’s always welcome.” She laughed, and the others joined in.

“Race, age, height, and motive?” Ray cut through the noise of the table, shutting everyone up. He shrugged and waited for me to take the bait.

“That’s not something I want to comment on right now.” I turned to Ginny, but Ray held up a hand.

“No, let the newbie answer the question. You’re here as our consultant, so consult.”

I licked the inside of my mouth. I often ran into cops who had a problem with the fact that I didn’t wear a badge or that I didn’t have to follow their rules. “I’m not gonna speculate on that.” I hoped someone would change the subject again.

“So, what is it that you do speculate?”

“The facts.” I was tired but knew this was a test. “But if you insist.” I shifted my weight in my chair and looked at Ray. “White male, forties, medium height.”

“And that’s based on?”

“Nothing, because we don’t have all the facts yet. These facts are based on the average serial killer in America.”

“Motive?”

“To kill.” I lifted a shoulder. “His motive was probably to simply just kill someone, women. It probably wasn’t premeditated. He didn’t have any specific target in mind, but who knows at this point.”

“I could have told you that,” Ray scoffed.

“Of course you would have, because that’s really the only thing we’ve got so far.” I turned my glass in my hands.

“Weren’t you training to be an FBI agent?” Bostwick held up his phone. “I googled you.” He grinned as he scrolled through the page, and I knew the moment he read it. “No shit, you’re her?” His eyes lit up, and mine dimmed. “Oh my god.”

“What?” Ellis strained to see the screen, and Ray squinted at me like he distrusted me even more.

“She’s the girl Bradley was with when they stumbled onto the Barbed Wire Killer when they were just teens.” Bostwick grinned like he’d just met a celebrity. My stomach rolled, and I did everything in my power not to show how much that topic affected me. Though I saw Kennedy’s pissed expression when he saw my face fall at the mention of it. “What was it like? You got in a stare-down with a killer. You must’ve shit your pants wondering what he’d do to you.”