Bounty Hunter (The Rover 1)

Shit. Not good.

We’d known each other for two days. Since I was practical, I called it lust. The lure of the unknown and forbidden. This rationale soothed something biting in my belly.

Lust. Simple and easy to squash.

Yeah, right.

I popped back into the hallway, grabbed the walkie again with a wink to the guard, and walked into the dining room. “Captain, bring me the body, please. Note the use of please and lack of curse words. I’ve got some crime scene training and took some classes with the hunters on evaluating death.”

I probably over shared. I just didn’t want anyone thinking I dug around in their friend’s life with inexperienced hands.

Another cup of coffee called to me, and I snagged a little stack of shortbread cookies from the tray by the carafe. I could learn to love endless coffee and cookies during the day. My ass would regret it when my jeans didn’t fit, but hey, we sacrificed for the things we loved.

I walked back across the hall to Fin’s office and clipped the walkie back on the soldier and then offered him the cookie in my hand.

“You know you love me.”

I plopped back into the chair and watched Fin. He sat still, facing the window. Kind of unnerving how he could remain so perfectly straight like that.

“The chef made shortbread. Was that on purpose, or does she do that every day?” I took a sip of my coffee and continued. “Do the guards have access to the coffee because if so, I think we need a bigger pot to keep it all in. Just a thought.”

No response. I sighed and walked around to crouch in front of him. He didn’t glance down, but I put my hand on his knee, anyway.

“You can talk to me. I know I’m ridiculous sometimes, but I can listen when required.” Then I said the thing I didn’t really want to say but would accept the answer if he needed to do it. “If you want to call this off, say the word. I’ll go back home and work on my own.”

Finally, he met my eyes. The creases around his were a little deeper, his lips turned down. “No, that’s not what I want. I’m fine, honestly. I simply needed to process what happened.”

“Was she doing something in particular you guys planned when she got killed?”

He shook his head. The light glinted off the high points of his cheekbones. “Only trying to get us in.”

So, he did blame himself.

“This wasn’t your fault. She was a grown woman who made her own decision to help you. Grieve her loss, honor her memory, and then get on with the mission.”

He gave me a curt nod, and I stood as the captain returned, his mouth a grim slash across his face.

“What now?” I asked.

He couldn’t possibly have any more bad news. It wasn’t even lunch yet.

Fin swiveled back around. The captain cleared his throat, stood at ease, and met Fin’s eyes. Damn, I thought we were making progress.

“The body seems to have disappeared.”

I kept them both in my sight as I considered this new predicament. “A leak in your guards? Someone stole the body so we couldn’t investigate what happened to her?”

Fin shook his head. “No, that wasn’t the case. I trust the captain’s team.”

He waved at the captain, who executed a neat about face and marched out.

I took a minute to try and do that move, but only ended up tangling my ankles and narrowly catching myself on the edge of the desk. “He’s going to have to teach me that one.”

“We need to have a chat.”

Uh oh, I’m in trouble.

I slumped into the chair and braced for whatever he needed to say.