“That’s how we end up with police brutality charges,” he counters. “Thinking one bad deed balances another.”
“Well, I promise not to beat up any police officers, unless they deserve it.”
“Aren’t you funny.”
“I am, but most people don’t get that. I like that you do. On a side note, do you really ever hear about FBI brutality?”
“No,” he says, “but that’s because your people bury their shit and let us drown in ours.”
“Whatever the reason, I’m on the team ‘do more, suffer less.’ That works for you if you let it.” I motion to Jay, and he takes the hint and walks away. When I’m alone with Marco, I say, “I’m just in it to win it with you.”
“Until you take over.”
“If you don’t go get yourself killed, I won’t have to.”
“I’m not going to get myself killed.”
“Aren’t you? You have a potential serial killer on your hands, Detective Rollins, and while you wouldn’t ask for my help, you’re asking questions about me and Kane instead of working the scene. The killer is probably watching us right now; serial killers enjoy watching the aftermath. Maybe he thinks you’re acting childish and it seems that’s not a trait he rewards. That case was not a normal case. The killer asked for me. There seemed to be a personal message to me in the murders, considering I was about to get married. Set it aside and let’s catch a killer. This isn’t a contest to see who has the biggest balls. I have none. You win. It’s your show.” I motion toward Jay for him to join me and I’m already walking with him by my side when Marco calls out, “Special Agent.”
Apparently, my new name is no name at all. I halt and turn to face him. “Yes, Detective?”
“You’re right on all points. I’m wrong. I did get pissy, And truthfully, I thought you’d just take this one over and shut me out. I appreciate that you didn’t. We do need your help and I will send you the files, but for the record, I don’t have panties to get in a wad. I’m a boxer guy all the way.”
“I don’t care what you have in your pants, Detective Rollins, as long as you remember you have balls. Use them.” With that, I turn away and start walking.
“Where were you?” I ask, eyeing Jay.
“I wasn’t outside throwing up if that’s what you think.”
“Liar,” I say because we both know he was outside throwing up. And this case wasn’t really all that bad. Not compared to some I’ve visited. “But let’s pretend you didn’t because we both like it better that way. We’re meeting Andrew for coffee at Curly Joe’s.”
He nods and we exit the crime scene, weaving through a crowd of looky-loos until we finally break through the pack and find a walkable sidewalk with average crowds, not thick, sticky, messy ones. Only, the freedom to breathe and not inhale someone else’s air is muted by a prickling awareness on my neck, a sense of being watched or followed chasing me now.
“It never gets to you?” he asks when we slide under the tape and start walking toward the coffee shop.
“I threw up once, too,” I admit, remembering Rich, my ex, and the crime scene where I’d waded through buckets of blood. “Dead bodies don’t bother me. Blood does and that day, there was a river of it.”
“There’s always blood,” he says, and I notice the way he shifts his hand closer to his weapon.
He feels it, too, that certainty we’re being tracked. “Not like that day,” I assure him, keeping the conversation going. “This was excessive. The killer ended up being a sweet little nurse. No one is who they seem, Jay.” We pass Walgreens and I find the confirmation I didn’t really need. I already knew we weren’t alone. It’s a man following us and he’s right on our heels, which allows me to use the windows as a visual. He’s weaving into the crowd, but closer than a good tail follows. He’s in a black jacket, and he’s wearing a black beanie.
I could assume he’s Kane’s man, but if he is, Jay’s edginess tells me he doesn’t know who he is, or what is going on at all. I could assume he’s Kane’s uncle’s man, in which case, he could mean to kill us both. I could assume he’s the man who killed the victim at my crime scene and he wants to kill me.
Or I could just find out the truth.
I know this area well and when we round the next corner, I slow down, waiting for our pursuer. When I’m certain he’s behind us, I track a few more steps and then order Jay, “Alley,” before I step into the small walkway, draw my weapon and flatten on the wall.