A few minutes later, Lucifer has been assigned credentials and a badge by security and we’re stepping into the lobby. The receptionist, Shari, greets us, and she’s all eyes and smiles for Lucifer, flicking her red hair over her shoulder and giving him flirty looks.
“Anything you need, Lucifer,” she says, “I’ll be your angel.”
I roll my eyes and he and I head down the hallway. “Please tell me you don’t get that often, though I suspect you do.”
“Mostly in bed,” he says, all matter-of-fact, like the comment is a simple conversation.
I’d comment, but Josh is walking toward us, and he’s not with Grace as I’d expect considering he no longer works here and he’s dating her. Next to him is Martin Morgan, a homicide detective that I’d last seen at Josh’s going away party. I assess them, trying to figure out why the pair is here, and together.
Josh is classically handsome with brown hair, a man who, like Adam, you might call Mr. America, though more and more, I suspect Josh doesn’t deserve such an honorable comparison. Morgan is blond and muscular, with a bit of a quiet bear personality. He doesn’t say much, but what he does say is always kind of growly.
The four of us halt in the middle of the hallway, halfway to the conference room, deep in the bullpen of the DA’s offices. Josh is directly across from me and I greet him first. “Josh, I thought we’d see less of you, not more now that you don’t work here anymore.” I eye Morgan and give him a nod.
Morgan lowers his chin in my direction and seems to ignore Lucifer.
“Grace has been freaking out about you,” Josh comments. “You, Pitt, and the DA all being MIA has her uneasy.”
“Me and Ed are not MIA,” I say. “I told Grace what’s going on.”
“You know Grace,” he says. “She’s a worrywart. I came by to check on her and offer up my services again.” He glances at Lucifer, or rather, pins him in a stare. “And you are?”
“Not your mama,” Lucifer says dryly.
I have no idea what that means. Josh frowns and doesn’t seem to understand either, but I have a feeling that’s the plan. Lucifer wanted to put him off guard and I do believe it worked.
“Lucifer is the name,” Lucifer adds. “Walker Security. And our services have already been contracted.” He offers Josh a card. “Feel free to talk to our team about contract work.”
Josh’s face positively puckers and I do believe that’s exactly what Lucifer wants. He doesn’t like him. He’s goading him the way I did Lucifer. Josh snatches the card from him a bit too abruptly. Lucifer’s lips quirk with what reads as amusement. He then offers Morgan a card. “Detective Morgan,” he greets. “If you need us, you know where to find us.”
Morgan scowls, the scar on his lips protruding as he does. “How did you know who I was?”
Lucifer’s reply is smooth and simple. “It’s my job to know.”
In other words, I think, fear me. I see you. I see everything. Lucifer is really good at this game, but then I suspect this to be true of all members of the Walker team.
“Did you need help with something, Detective Morgan?” I ask.
His gaze shifts to me. “I just ran a couple of cases over for Deanna. I’m just leaving.” He casts Lucifer another quick, grumpy look and steps around him to leave.
Deanna is one of the ADA’s who works with Morgan frequently. His story is believable, but somehow it just feels off. Whatever the case, I’m certain Walker will figure it out. I refocus on Josh. “I need to get with my team.”
When I would step around him, he says, “Can we have a word?”
“I have a meeting soon,” I say, thinking of the dinner with my mother while avoiding any conversation that might pin me in a bad spot. “Can you call me later? I mean unless it’s urgent.”
He grimaces and his expression takes on a bull doggish look before he concedes. “I’ll call you.” He steps around us and leaves.
“Dirty, dirty dog,” Lucifer murmurs.
I glance over at him. “You think?”
“Oh yeah,” he murmurs. “And I do believe it’s time for me to meet Grace.”
We start walking and I point a finger at him. “She’s my friend. Do not lead her on, Lucifer.”
He holds up a hand. “It’s business, Pri. I don’t play on the battleground.”
Battleground.
God, that word, and the reality it represents.Chapter Thirty-TwoPRI
Lucifer and I are still standing in the hallway, after our Josh and Morgan encounter, when I hear, “Pri!”
At the sound of Grace’s voice, I turn to find her and Cindy rushing toward us, two beautiful girls, two targets for the devil himself.
Grace is quick to fling her arms around me. “I’ve been so worried about you.”