it so easily, Simon. Didn’t you say there were a host of possibilities in this case? Okay, so I don’t think it’s really true. I don’t have huge memory blanks or periods of time I can’t account for. But the fact that I’d even consider it scares me. I need to take some time off. Get my head together. I’m sorry to bail on you just when this case is getting more complicated, but I think it’s best.”
It was best that DeMarco take an extended leave from work? The situation was definitely serious, then. Simon felt nothing but concern for his friend; that and a fair amount of guilt that he hadn’t realized his friend was suffering so much. He sought to reassure him now. “I understand, DeMarco. Don’t worry about the case. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and know that I’m here for you. I don’t buy for one second that you’re involved in these murders. And as for Billy Dahl? You did exactly what you needed to do. I’d have done the same thing. So would have Jase. And Carrie. And Mac. And any other good cop. Unless you’d blame one of us for what happened, don’t blame yourself.”
“I’ll work on that, Simon. Until I get back, take care of yourself. And take care of your woman.”
“My woman?” Of course, Simon knew immediately he was talking about Nina, and having her characterized as his felt right. Too right. “Nina’s not my woman. She’s just—she’s just—”
DeMarco shot him a chiding look. “Please. I know I just told you I’m on the edge, but I haven’t completely gone over the bend, Simon. She’s your woman and you’re damn lucky to have her, for however long it lasts. Just like she’s damn lucky to have you. She’s not Lana. No, there are never any guarantees in life, but you’ve got your second chance at happiness with her. Don’t blow it because you’re scared.”
* * *
AFTER TALKING TO DEMARCO, Simon continued going over the evidence in the homeless murders, trying to find the chain that would link Davenport, or even the boyfriend, Leo, to them. Just like before, he came up empty. Turned out, Leo was studying overseas in Italy. Simon called and spoke to the guy himself.
After that, he followed up on what DeMarco had told him about Billy Dahl. Not because he actually believed Billy Dahl’s death was connected to the homeless murders, but because no matter what he might believe, he didn’t leave anything to chance. He got hold of the reports on the shooting, and did some checking on Dahl’s immediate family, as well. Three of his six brothers had long criminal records, and two were in prison, one in California’s San Quentin Prison. But there was absolutely nothing to suggest they’d gone on a killing spree the past week.
In other words? Dead ends all around.
But what was worse than that?
When he wasn’t agonizing about how little progress he was making on the case, he was agonizing about his feelings for Nina and what he was going to do about them.
Nina had gotten bored working in the small office by herself and had decided to work at one of the empty desks across the room from Simon. At several points, he’d watched her when she hadn’t known he’d been doing so, and a secretive smile had played on her lips, as if she was recalling the passion they’d shared the night before. It had made his body ache to touch her. Kiss her. Make love to her over and over again. Several times, he’d wanted to go to her, but he’d held back, wanting to prove that he could focus on the job and not her.
Now, Simon gave in to the twitchy feeling in his stomach, left his desk, headed over to where Nina sat and hitched a hip on the desk. He checked around, confirmed that they were the only two in the room and leaned in close. She looked up from the papers she was scribbling notes on and focused her gaze on him.
“Don’t tell me this is one of those ‘about last night’ moments, is it?” she asked, an edge to her voice.
He let out a laugh and fought back the desire to cover her mouth with his, the way he had just hours before.
“Technically, it was this morning, but no, that’s not why I’m here. I—I was hoping I could talk to you about something. But it would