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“My thought was that the shame and guilt Raymond felt might have led him to take his own life. Just another theory,” he added. “I didn’t bring that up with her, thinking your questioning might cover it.”

“Do you have anything else to add, Jonesy?” Davis asked.

“No, sir. I think my first course of action is to contact the pageant officials Anderson is working with to get me integrated into the styling team. That will get the ball rolling for our logistical meeting, which we plan to have in a couple of days.”

“Agreed,” the captain said. “I’ll get in touch with the investigating officer who was at the Chandler scene, and we’ll get Mrs. Chandler in for an interview. Is there anything else?”

“No, Cap’n,” I replied

“Thank you. Keep me apprised of the pageant plans, Jonesy. And remember, Craig, anything you find out in Lake Tahoe, keep Jonesy informed. No heroics.”

“Yes, sir,” Craig said, standing to shake Davis’s hand. The captain returned Craig’s handshake. I walked Craig out and led us back toward the squad room.

“Will I see you tonight?” I asked as we turned the corner, gently taking his elbow and making him stop.

“If you’d like,” he replied with a coy smile.

“I’d like that very much.”

“Okay, my place or yours?”

“Yours, because your bed works better for being tied up,” I whispered teasingly, so no one could hear.

Craig glanced around before answering heatedly. “I’ll pull out the special ropes, then.”

The sudden tightness in my slacks approved of his response. “I really want to kiss you right now. But⁠—”

“I know. Not here,” he said, dropping his head. “Text me later?”

Our playful banter vanished. Craig’s smile faded, and I knew exactly what had caused it. We couldn’t even share a simple kiss within the precinct, and I was the reason why.

“I’ll let you know when I’m on my way.”

Craig held his gaze a beat too long before turning to leave. His quiet “Sure,” revealed his disappointment more than he probably intended.

I watched him leave and reminded myself that it was what it was. I loved that man, but showing it publicly—outside a gay bar—was a different matter. At least for me.

22

CRAIG

“Fuck,” I said softly, walking to my car. Time and again, Jonesy got close to the edge and then backed away. Three years together, and he still couldn’t tell me he loved me or even give me a quick goodbye kiss in public. I doubted anyone in his precinct would think twice about seeing him kiss me or wrap an arm around my shoulder. That hang-up was getting old. Maybe it was time to confront him with how I felt.

His captain knew of my plans up in Lake Tahoe, and I felt getting away for a couple of days might help me evaluate where things stood between Jonesy and me. We were at the age where we didn’t need to care what other people thought. Maybe I was being selfish, but I was tired of pretending it didn’t bother me. He was coming over tonight, and we needed to discuss our future together.

I stewed over what had happened on my drive to my office. It was mid-afternoon by the time I got there. Chloe was at her desk, busy labeling folders with what looked like color-coded labels, which I’d never seen her do before.

“What’s with the folders?” I asked tersely, breezing past.

She frowned, and her eyes followed me as I headed into my office. “Well…hello to you too. I’ve been wanting to do this for some time. I’m color-coding folders that are still active, closed, or unresolved. I’ll alphabetize them accordingly,” she replied louder, making sure I heard her from the other room.

As soon as it registered what she’d said, I barked back, “Wait, just make sure and alphabetize them as a whole, not by the color you’re giving them. I don’t want to hunt down a specific folder in whatever color-codes you give them. I just need to know what color means what.” I winced, knowing I’d said it a bit too sharply.

“Whoa. Uh…boss, I get it, and this isn’t my first rodeo in filing things,” she snapped back. The next thing I saw was her standing in my doorway with her hands on her hips. I gave her a dismissive glance as I rounded my desk.

My hands went up in surrender as I sat in my chair. “I’m sorry.”

I heard her sigh. “What’s wrong? You’ve been gone all day, haven’t checked in, and I knew you went to see that black widow this morning. Was she spinning some web of lies for an alibi?”