Nine
“Hey, you had a late night again,” Megan said, greeting her as she came in.
Jensen was sleeping on her lap as before, but this time, he rose and stretched as Colleen came in, jumping down to walk to her with typical cat arrogance. He would allow her to stoop and stroke him that night.
“I thought I’d still beat you back,” Colleen said. “I don’t feel I’ve seen much of you—other than you helping us with Brant Pickering, and thank you very much by the way.”
“I’ve always wanted to meet Brant Pickering. I think his mind is amazing. Oh, and honestly! I know you—you’re thinking the worst immediately. With a mind like his, he can surely come up with all kinds of ways to be a heinous killer.”
“Someone else is out there. We can’t go by liking someone or not liking them,” Colleen said.
“Oh, I know. Anyway, I saw my writer, we had a great evening, and I’m going to head back to the city by tomorrow evening. Make sure you wake me and we’ll have breakfast together. So, where did you go?”
“To a place called A Little Night Music.”
“Oh! So, you are seeing your partner! A sweet dinner in a darkened room, music, and romance?” Megan said.
“No! We were working.”
“At a supper club?” Megan asked dubiously. She cast her head to the side as she grinned.
“One of our girls was dating the musician before the guy she’s seeing now.”
“Aha! So, you’re thinking a spurned lover taking revenge?” Megan asked.
Colleen grimaced. “This is far more than that. Nothing when it comes to crime is written in stone, but these killings—and kidnappings—don’t appear to be about irrational anger. They’re planned and organized. I believe—”
“But you do have Carver in custody.”
“Yes, but we don’t believe he took Dierdre.”
“I know. And I do understand. But if everything was done the same—”
“It wasn’t. There was no note this time. And Carver was holding Sally when Dierdre disappeared. So...”
“I know. Well, I’m glad work took the two of you to a nice place! Your partner is extremely...”
“Yeah, I know. Good-looking.”
“It’s more than that. He’s kind of like the Rock of Gibraltar. He gives off...vibes? Very...”
“Hard-core.”
“No, that’s not the word I was thinking.”
“Then what?”
Megan started to laugh. “So, you’re not immune! I know that attitude in your voice. You’re drawn to him.”
“He’s one of my partners.”
“Yeah, right. Whatever.”
“Megan! How eloquent from a woman who spends her life working with words!”
Megan grinned. “Well, I’m glad it’s him. The other one...”
“Red?”
“No! Ragnar. I mean, what does he think? That Vikings exist and it’s their way or the highway?”
“Megan, he wanted to see you home safely.”
“I’m quite capable on my own.”
“That was a courtesy because you extended a courtesy to us!”
“Whatever.” Megan waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I’m just glad you’re getting it on with Gallagher.”
“I haven’t gotten anything on with my partner!”
“Ah, but you will. And that is not a bad idea. Let’s face it—neither you, Patrick, nor I will ever have a normal relationship.”
“What?”
Megan shrugged and hesitated. “It’s just too hard. When I’m with someone and I think it’s going places...inevitably I will see someone who isn’t living. I give myself away, I’m awkward, and then angry, or the guy thinks I’m not all there. Or I know what someone is really saying no matter how they try to hide it, and I correct them or give an answer that makes them mad or... I don’t know. But this guy...well, he knows all about you. And he doesn’t think you’re too out there; he appreciates what you have.”
“I don’t think he believed it at first.”