Mine to Keep (Mine 2)

“I’ll call Alex.” The detective might be able to arrange something for them.

At least Claire wouldn’t be seeing her sister’s body, soaked in blood. They could get the ME to only show her face to Claire. They could do something.

Because if they didn’t, Skye was worried that Claire might just break apart.

***

When his phone rang, Trace snatched it up immediately. “Reese? What’s happening?” Reese had orders to stick close to Skye. She was not going to end up like Sara.

“Uh, boss, they’re heading to the ME’s office. Skye and Sara’s sister.”

The ME’s office.

“Just thought you should know.”

“I’m on my way.” He stood. “Noah, start checking your personnel. I’ve already got a team backtracking through the last few weeks of Sara’s life. Someone saw the guy. Somewhere, sometime.” They just had to talk to the right person. The one who remembered the SOB.

Noah nodded and walked to the door with him. “Where are you going?”

“To see the dead.”

***

“I should come in with you,” Reese said as they stood in front of the police station. “I can help.”

Claire wouldn’t look straight at Reese. Skye had noticed that Claire also stiffened her body whenever Reese got too close to her.

“Alex is waiting for us inside.” Skye gave Reese a wan smile. “But thank you.”

He nodded. His gaze drifted to Claire. “I’m sorry about your sister. Sara was a good woman. She didn’t deserve an end like that.”

Claire pulled in a rough breath. “Thank you.”

They hurried inside. The steps they climbed seemed huge, but then they were past the swinging glass doors and in the lobby of the Chicago PD. The Medical Examiner’s office was located just behind the PD, but in order to gain access, they had to make sure they had Alex with them.

Skye signed in, then asked to be directed to Detective Alex Griffin’s desk.

“I’m right here,” Alex said.

Skye looked up. Alex marched toward them, the lines near his mouth making him look grim. Tired.

Alex’s gaze slid from her to Claire. “Ms. Kramer.”

“I want to see my sister.” Claire’s hands had fisted.

“The ME isn’t…ah, the autopsy hasn’t been completed.”

Based on what she’d seen, Skye was pretty sure what the cause of death would be.

“I have to see her.” Desperation filled Claire’s words.

“Soon,” Alex promised. “First, we need to talk.” His hand lifted and his fingers pressed into Claire’s shoulders.

Claire flinched and pulled away from him. “I don’t…I don’t like being touched.” Flat. Hard.

But Claire hadn’t objected at all when Skye touched her.

Skye saw the flash of understanding in Alex’s eyes. After the things he’d experienced in his own life and the darkness he saw each day, Skye realized that he understood Claire perfectly. “Of course. My apologies,” Alex said as he dropped his hand.

Claire’s shoulders sagged. “I’m not interested in talking. I have to see my sister.”

The glass doors swung open again. Skye glanced back and saw Trace striding determinedly toward them.

Of course, he walked as if he owned the place.

He didn’t. Yet.

“Now it’s a party,” Alex muttered.

“Damn right,” Trace said, obviously catching the detective’s comment. “I think you were about to escort us to the ME’s office.”

Alex leaned toward Trace. “It’s better, but she’s not…she’s not exactly show ready yet.”