22
Monday morning, Izzy heard Chloe leave and rolled over to glance at the clock. Five thirty in the morning and she was wide awake. Not surprising. She’d crashed into bed shortly after getting home from her parents’, and while she hadn’t had nightmares about Mick, the Hulk kept intruding. As a result, she’d had a less than restful night’s sleep.
But at least she’d been horizontal for a while.
She yawned and kicked the covers off. She had two more days of leave, then she’d be back at work full time. Which would sorely cut into her time to work on finding Kevin’s killer.
Her first day back on duty would begin with security detail at the speech the winner of the election would make. Izzy had received a reminder email before falling into bed last night detailing her assignment. Everybody who was anybody would be there and security would be massive.
In the meantime, while she knew the detectives working Kevin’s case were putting everything they had into it, she had to do something. As much as she understood and knew that Kevin’s death wasn’t her fault, she couldn’t help listening to that voice that wanted to question her actions the night he was killed. Finding his killer would go a long way toward shutting that voice up.
After a quick shower and dressing, she walked into the kitchen, grabbed a bagel and some cream cheese, and carried it to the table. She prepared her bagel and took a bite, then opened the email Derek had sent her with the list of what he’d first thought were dirty cops. Studying the names didn’t help any more than it had the first ten times she’d looked at them. She picked up her phone to text Chloe and noticed a text from Ryan. She’d missed it last night.
Meeting Lee at 9:00 to look over pictures from charity event. You in?
Of course she was in.
Where?
His answer came fast, as though he’d been waiting for her to respond. He was up early too. She wondered if he was getting any sleep at all. She recognized the coffee shop.
I need a ride. Chloe brought me home, remember?
Be ready at 8:30.
Will do.
Izzy stood and walked to the window. The police cruiser that had followed them home last night still sat in its designated spot.
So, if Hulk knew she didn’t have the phone anymore, was she still a target? It didn’t really matter. It wouldn’t stop her from doing what she needed to do to hunt down Kevin’s killer, and it wouldn’t keep her from doing her job. Although, if innocent people were going to be hurt because of her, she’d have to rethink some things, of course.
Like working alone. For the next two hours, she cleaned Chloe’s house, raided her sister’s closet for something to wear, and at 8:00, called Mrs. Spade to check on her.
“I’m fine, honey. I’m glad you are too. That was a scary thing.”
“Very scary, but I’m thankful to be alive.”
“I’m sure. The good news is, I should be back inside my half of the duplex sometime next week. I didn’t have nearly the damage you did.”
“I’m so glad you were spared that. Let me know what the deductible is and I’ll take care of it.”
They chatted a few more minutes and Izzy hung up to go get ready.
Her phone buzzed and she lifted a brow while she answered. “Hi, Mom.”
“I’m checking on you. How are you doing?”
“I’ve had better weeks.”
“Haven’t we all?” A pause. “Have you heard from Derek this morning? I’ve been texting him for about an hour and haven’t gotten a response.”
This time Izzy hesitated. “No.”
“He’s not answering my texts or calls, and he managed to avoid me getting him alone to talk yesterday at lunch.”
“You said he was on leave. Maybe he thinks he doesn’t have to talk to you until he’s back on official duty.”
“I’m also his mother.”
“He’s also a grown man.”
A huff came through the line. “I don’t like it. I should have just cornered him yesterday. If you talk to him, tell him to call me, okay?”
“Of course. And Mom?”
“Yes?”
“What are you going to do if he loses?” She didn’t have to specify who she was talking about.
Her mother went quiet for a moment. “What makes you think he’ll lose?”
“Mom, seriously? What is there to make me think he’ll win?”
“You’ve noticed that, have you?”
“Of course I’ve noticed it. I’d have to be oblivious not to.”
“Good.”
“What?”
“I’ve been asked, unofficially, of course, to stay on as chief of police even if Melissa Endicott wins the election.”
“But will you?”
“For a while. I’ll see what it’s like to work with her.”
Izzy nodded, even though her mother couldn’t see her. “She’s going to win, isn’t she?”
“Probably. If the polls are anything to count on. She’s saying some good things, making significant promises. If she wins, it might not be a bad thing—if she can—and will—follow through on them.”
“But what about Eric? Mayor Cotterill? Why hasn’t he done more campaigning? Why hasn’t he stood up to her? It’s like he wants to throw the election.”
Silence echoed back at her. “That’s a very good observation.”
Izzy’s jaw dropped. She snapped it shut. “Mom, I wasn’t serious.”
“I know, but if you’re noticing, other people are too. Let’s keep this conversation just between us for now, okay?”
“Um . . . okay.” Izzy frowned. What in the world?
“Get some rest, Izzy, I’ll check on you again soon.”
“Okay, thanks. Talk to you later.”
Just as she pulled her hair into a ponytail, her phone rang again. This time it was her dad. “Hi, Dad.”
After assuring him she was fine and taking it easy, she walked into Chloe’s den to watch for Ryan.
Ryan had finished off the eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns his mother had fixed this morning and noted that while sadness and grief still lingered in her eyes, the vacant stare that had him so worried was gone.
However, she’d attached herself to Ryan like a barnacle, and he had to remind himself that he needed to have patience like no other time in his life.
His phone buzzed. Izzy texting him.
I’m ready.
Patience.
I have none.
I know the feeling. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Exactly when I said I’d be there. LOL.
I know. I’m just antsy.
I get it. I’ll leave now.
Ryan stood and carried his plate to the sink, then headed for the den to retrieve his car keys from the hook near the door.
“Ryan?” his mother called.
“Yes, Mom?”
“Where are you going?”
“To pick up Izzy and we’re going to meet some people to talk about the case, okay?”
“Oh. All right then.”
Ryan gave a slight sigh, then went to his mother and wrapped her in a hug. “I love you, Mom.”
A wobbly smile curved her lips and she patted his cheek. “I know. I’m being a pain. Go. Do what you need to do.”
“You’re not a pain, Mom. Never that, okay?”
She gave him a teary nod and he held her for another thirty seconds before she patted him on his shoulder. “You can go now.”
“You’re sure?”
“Well, I would prefer to do this the rest of the day, but you have a job to do. Go do it.”
He looked her in the eye. “You’re going to be okay. We are all going to be okay.”
Another nod. “I know. One day.”
“You’re strong.”
“Not strong enough to lose another child, Ryan. Please remember that.”
“Every second of every day. I promise.”
“Okay then.”
She let him go and he sent a text to Charice and Lee that he was on his way to pick up Izzy. They’d see them at the coffee shop shortly after 9:00. His next text was to Izzy, to tell her to exit the house via the garage. She’d understand why. A garage was more cover, which meant less of a chance of a sniper getting her.
Ryan pulled to a stop in Chloe’s garage and Izzy climbed into his SUV. Once he was backed out, she hit the button on the remote Chloe had loaned her then slipped it in her purse. “I’m really praying this pans out.”
“I am too. This investigation seems to be going nowhere fast. There’s no way that Bianchi can just disappear like this. There has to be a way to track him, an associate who’s willing to turn on him. Something.”
“You would think.”
“And your CI hasn’t called you back?”
“No.”
It didn’t take long to get to the coffee shop and park. “See anything that makes your nerves jangle?” he asked.
“No, and I’ve been watching.”
“Me too.”
“All right, then, let’s do this.”
“They’re all the way in the back. Charice got that alcove that’s like a little room.”
Together, they exited the SUV and entered the coffee shop. About halfway through the diner, Izzy’s eyes fell on Charice. The man with her must be Lee Filmore, Chris’s friend. Ryan’s hand settled on her lower back and Izzy’s heart skipped a beat.
She rolled her eyes at herself. Really? The heat in her cheeks said, “Yeah, really.” She focused on the chair Lee held out for her and sat. Then clasped her hands in front of her. Since when did Ryan start having such a crazy effect on her pulse? It was silly. Weird.
And kind of nice.
“Glad you all could make it,” Charice said. “We got here a little early, so I let him get started.” Charice had a laptop open. Lee and Ryan shook hands.
“Good to see you again,” Ryan said. “Thanks for doing this.”
“Not a problem. Anything I can do to help.” He went back to the laptop.