watched his partner and one of Samuel Treyson’s lovers as they left the showroom before he lowered his observation to the tip of his boot. Samuel Treyson was part of a polyamorous relationship. Long-term. His mind flooded with motivations for the crime. Jealous wife, jealous lover, a lover's jealous lover, blackmail, furious father? All plausible and all those suspicions would stay on hold until the evidence led them to those conclusions. Prediction, when used by homicide cops during an investigation, never turned out well.
Hell, right now they had more questions than they had answers. The answers they did have just led to more questions. He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees as he waited for Jordan and Ms. Dall. Talking to Mrs. Treyson would be interesting, to say the least. His cell phone vibrated in his jacket. He reached for it, glanced at the face, and read Lieutenant Davidson’s text. Fucking fantastic. The Feds had pulled their heads out of their asses. Jordan was being called up to the big leagues, and it looked like he was getting a new partner. Fuck.
4
Kallie Redman sat facing the diner door and stirred her coffee as she watched the precinct house across the street. Her new home, as it were.
A waiter buzzed up to the table. "Are you ready to order?"
In truth, her stomach was not in the mood to wrap itself around anything substantial, but she hadn't eaten all day… nerves were a bitch. All she needed was to go across the street and faint. That would be awkward, especially since she was almost twice the size of a normal female. Timber. Splat. Yeah, she didn't need that on top of all the other baggage she was pulling behind her.
"Ma'am?"
She blinked back into the present. "Just a bowl of soup...a hh..." She glanced at the menu. "Clam chowder."
"Excellent. Do you want water or a soda?"
"No, thank you, just another pot of coffee." She indicated the small carafe he'd left about a half hour ago. It was empty.
He chuckled. "Cops and their coffee."
She cocked her head at him and raised an eyebrow. "Did I say I was a cop?"
The waiter smiled. "Nah, didn't have to. My name is Casey. I own this diner, and my mom owned it before me. I've grown up around cops. A person can tell, and after a while it becomes obvious."
"How's that?" She blinked up at him and smiled. He was a nice-looking guy. High and tight haircut indicated prior military, which went along with the strong jawed physique, the anchor and globe tattoo on his right forearm, and the bulldog tat on his left bicep. The guy hovered just over six feet, so Kallie would look him in the eye if she stood up.
"Well, what you did just now, for one. You just sized me up and down with that internal measurement tool all cops seem to have. You have long hair, lots of it, but you have it tugged back tight and wrapped in a braid. You either don't want it to be used against you on the street or you're a librarian, but the shoulder holster and badge you have under your coat would lead me to believe you don't organize the dewey decimal system. You're a nice-looking woman, too, but you're wearing clothes that allow you to move. Your shoes are practical, not heels. Everything about you screams no nonsense allowed, but most of all, you've got that cold, closed off vibe going on."
Kallie wiggled her toes in her black leather lace up boots. They were comfortable and not entirely unfashionable, but she'd ruined her fair share of shoes. She'd learned early; fashion had its place, and it wasn't at work.
"Maybe you missed your calling, Casey? Maybe you should be a cop." With his build he'd probably be able to get through basic law enforcement training without much problem, although he was older, maybe thirty or so.
He threw back his head and laughed. "Wait until you taste my clam chowder. You'll see I'm right where I need to be."
"Is that so? I don't know, I've had some mighty fine soup in my day. That is a pretty high bar to reach." She arched an eyebrow in challenge.
"I'll guarantee mine will move that bar way north." He chuckled and grabbed the small thermal-lined coffee pot off her table. His face got serious as he lowered his voice. "Are you joining us here in the Southern Precinct?"