the devil.
Avery’s posture was relaxed, and he laughed at something the man said. Guess he won’t be needing an excuse to leave early. He didn’t want to think about why it bothered him so much.
Jonah carefully moved through the line, hoping not to do or say anything to catch Avery’s attention. The last thing he needed was Avery flagging him over for an introduction.
Eating at the café was out of the question, so Jonah trekked back to the office and ate his sandwich and chips at his desk. He’d just cleaned up his mess when his phone alerted him to an incoming text from Kendall.
Sorry if things got too loud last night. A second message immediately followed. And again this morning.
Jonah sent him the middle finger emoji.
Kendall’s response was swift and snarky. Thanks, baby, but I’m worn out.
Jonah snorted, then typed a reply. You can make it up to me by bringing home Chinese and moving your headboard a few inches away from the wall.
Deal. Smooches, Kendall replied.
Avery still wasn’t back, and Jonah didn’t want to think about why, so he forced his brain to think about Earl Ison’s situation instead.
Why were Morrisey and Milton, along with the district attorney and police chief, so eager to close Earl’s case and call it a day without taking any steps to corroborate Bo Cahill’s story? Bigotry? Laziness? Or something more sinister?
He couldn’t accuse them of neglecting the DNA evidence, because it wasn’t a widespread practice back then like it was today. Even if they had sent Cahill’s DNA off for comparisons, the results would’ve come back months, maybe years, after the correctional department electrocuted Bo Cahill. Maybe they could exonerate him for Earl’s murder now. If the panties were stored correctly, the DNA analysis could tell them a lot. They’d need to obtain a sample from one of Cahill’s living relatives for comparison if his DNA wasn’t already on file.
Jonah opened a blank document on his computer and began typing what he knew so far, the reasons why they should reopen the case, and how he wanted to proceed. Sure, Malcolm might decide to kick the investigation to a different agent since Jonah didn’t work in the field, but he sincerely hoped not. He couldn’t risk someone tossing the file to the side and ignoring it since both men were already dead. Jonah would be the only one to investigate it with any vigor and urgency, so he had to convince Malcolm he was the right guy for the job.
A knock sounded on his door. Jonah jerked his head up and wished like hell he’d yelled “go away” when he saw Avery’s gleaming eyes, flushed cheeks, and puffy lips. Don’t say anything. Don’t say anything. “Wow,” Jonah said, ignoring his directive. “That must’ve been some lunch.”
Avery’s face turned pinker. Unfortunately, he stepped farther into the room instead of shutting the door and leaving Jonah alone. “Wow,” Avery said, mimicking Jonah. “Your lunch must’ve been horrible because you’re in a darker mood than you were before I left. You did eat, right?”
“Yes,” Jonah said tersely. “I don’t need you to mother me.”
“Smother you?” Avery asked. “Did I hear you correctly? The thought has never crossed my mind. Not once since…an hour ago.”
Ignoring him, Jonah returned his attention to the screen and resumed typing. He wasn’t ready to put in writing his feelings about the shoddy investigation because law enforcement officers stuck together, even sometimes when they shouldn’t. Malcolm might let him reopen the case, but he’d have to attack it from a different angle such as focusing on the differences between the DNA testing capabilities now compared to back then, or even the reporting systems and ease of use now.
“Um, hello,” Avery said, not taking the hint. He shut the door, crossed the room, and dropped in the chair across from Jonah. His large desk might have separated them, but Avery still felt too close for Jonah’s comfort.
“What?” Jonah asked, not bothering to hide his exasperation.
“You were going to tell me what’s bothering you before Frick and Frack interrupted us in the men’s room,” Avery said.
Jonah snorted. Frick and Frack was perfect for Paxton and Meyers. “I was going to do no such thing.” Jonah met Avery’s gaze. “It would seem like you were worried about your blind date for nothing.” He was Avery’s supervisor, so he had to refrain from commenting on Avery’s lunchtime activities.
“You’re looking at me like you want to kill me?” Avery said softly. “What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing,”