"And Jack's fine with that?" she said, brows lifting. "Quinn sniffing around? Wriggling into your case?"
"He's not thrilled about it, but we could use Quinn's law-enforcement know-how and if he's offering - "
"Oh, I bet he's offering. Since day one, that boy's been panting after you like a junkyard mutt smelling his first bitch in heat."
"Colorful..."
"But true."
I eased back into the seat, cupping my mug. "Whatever Quinn's motivation, we gave Jack the final say, and he agreed."
"Making Jack now, officially, the first professional killer ever to aspire to sainthood via martyrdom."
"I know hanging out with Quinn isn't Jack's idea of fun, but all he has to do is say no - "
"Hear that, Jack?" Evelyn swiveled, leaning over the side of her chair to yell toward the kitchen. "All you have to do is say no."
Silence returned.
"So, back to the break-in - " I said.
"Dee? Would you be a sweetie and feed the girls for me?"
"Uh, sure..."
"Their food is on the basement landing and their bowls are outside. You'll need to take them out and watch them. Make sure Scotch gets her share. Ginger's been bullying her again."
"Okay..."
"I'll help Jack with breakfast."
Chapter Thirty-six
When I fed the dogs, I noticed their water bowl had a pair of flies doing the backstroke. So I dumped it and looked around for an outside tap, but couldn't find one. I glanced at the back door. Evelyn had obviously kicked me out so she could talk to Jack, presumably give him shit for letting Quinn onto our case.
Ginger stopped eating, looked at where her water bowl had been, then up at me. When I didn't return her bowl, she lapped rainwater from a groove in the deck.
"Okay, okay," I said. "But if she gives me shit for interrupting, I'm blaming you."
I opened the screen door and lifted my hand to knock. Then I glimpsed Jack's shoulder and arm through the dining room doorway. He was shrugging, talking to Evelyn in the living room again.
I decided knocking would be more of an interruption. Just slip in and get the water. They'd hear me filling the bowl, so I clearly wasn't eavesdropping. It wasn't as if I'd been ordered to stay outside.
I stepped in, prodding Ginger back out as I quietly closed the door.
Evelyn was talking. "Bad enough you don't give that boy a smack upside the head."
"Boy?" Jack snorted.
"I don't care how old he is, he sure as hell doesn't act it. He's like a teenager, chasing after Nadia, barging in on your investigation."
Yep, arguing about Quinn. I headed for the sink.
"Didn't barge in. I invited him."
"That's my point, you dumb fucking Mick. You're not just letting him poach on your turf - you're opening the gate and inviting him in."
Evelyn had a point. Me working alone with Quinn was one thing. Bringing him in on this meant I was exposing Jack to an unnecessary risk.