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“I’m sure that brain of yours has you suspecting the wife of doing something?” he said as we strolled to the deli.

I laughed. “We’re detectives. Of course, our brains go there. It’s what makes us dig deeper to get to the truth.”

“You’re right,” he replied, opening the door for me once we got there.

It was past the normal lunch hour, so there wasn’t much of a wait. As we ate our sandwiches outside in the adjacent park, I told Sean about the trip Craig and I took to Lake Tahoe to see if there was any new information about the disappearances.

“Did you guys find out anything more about Gretchen and the second missing woman?” he asked before taking a bite from his overstuffed pastrami sandwich and the accompanying pickle.

I took a swig of water. “Not really. We met the sheriff at Bally’s. Craig wants to head back up there on Wednesday to do some snooping around regarding the second disappearance. That was the discussion Craig and I were having when you asked who Howler was after I hung up.”

“Ahh,” he replied with a crooked smile after another big bite.

We finished our lunch, tossed our wrappers in the garbage can, and began the short walk back to the precinct.

“How come I haven’t seen you do your drag thing?” Sean asked quietly, a hint of dejection in his voice.

His question took me off-guard, considering I’d done a gig the night before. We’d been partners for three years, and purposefully, I’d never told him when I was performing as Onyx. He knew I had the drag side gig but didn’t talk about it at work. Was I afraid of what he might think? Would that change the dynamic of our partnership?

“I-I guess you haven’t, have you?” I replied sheepishly. “I’ve just never told you when I would be performing.”

“Why?”

Shit.

We were partners, and I was concerned about what he might think. Although I’d known him for a few years, there was still that chance it might alter how we worked together, or so I thought.

I sighed before answering. “I thought if you did, it might affect our working relationship…or what you thought of me. It’s a different side of me, Sean. I know you heard me sing at Detective Briggs’ wedding last year as my normal self, but having you see me sing in drag, though, just seems…” I replied, not knowing how to continue.

“Like I’d think differently of you?” he finished.

My throat tightened, and the sandwich in my stomach didn’t sit too well suddenly. “Yeah…maybe,” I replied, looking at the sidewalk in front of me as we walked.

Sean stopped, grabbing my arm to turn me to face him. “Jonesy…me of all people. You know I wouldn’t think differently because you do drag. I think it’s cool that you can show that side of you, along with that talented voice of yours. I’ve never asked to see you perform because I’ve been waiting for you to invite me. I’m sure Lorraine would love to see you, too.”

His comment made me feel about as big as the ants I was watching scurry at my feet. “I’m sorry, Sean.” I took a deep breath. “The next time I perform as Onyx, you’ll be the first to know, and I’ll definitely invite you,” I said, hoping it would placate him. “And, of course, I’d want your wife to come, too.”

“You mean I’d be second to know, since Craig would probably be first,” he snarked with a wink.

“Yeah…okay, second to know.”

Sean brought his right hand up to clasp mine and pulled me into a firm bro hug. “Seriously, I’d love to see you perform. I know you keep your life outside the precinct quiet, and I respect that. But most in the precinct know you’re gay, and I think a few of the guys would love to see you do your drag thing.”

“Ugh,” I replied, still not sure it was that great an idea.

“I think you’d be surprised. At least with a few that we know. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader should you decide to tell any of the guys.”

“I appreciate it, Sean. Should I feel brave enough to let others know, I’ll let you know beforehand.”

“You do that,” he replied, punching my arm as he opened the door to the precinct.

Not wanting to dwell on my other life, I slapped his back before saying, “I gotta go see the captain. I’ll catch up with you later.”

As Sean headed to his desk, I continued to Captain Davis’s office. It wasn’t in the squad room, but around the corner. Seeing him seated at his desk, I knocked before entering.

“Detective Jones, what can I do for you?” he answered, looking up over his readers, balanced on the end of his nose. Davis was a no-nonsense leader who earned respect. He could be a hard-ass and yell when needed, but he treated everyone fairly.

“Hey, Cap’n. I need a few minutes of your time to discuss a couple of things, if that’s okay?”