LITMIR.BIZ

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stupid mind games.” He rolled up the napkin and stuffed it in his pocket. “He loves those mind games.”

      “And fingers.”

      “Is Ty going to be okay?”

      “He’ll get over it. Like you said, I think he’s beginning to realize he’s lucky to be alive.”

      “And he’s beginning to realize it’s over between the two of you? Is it over?”

      “Of course. Did you think I’d feel so much sympathy for his finger I’d go back to him?”

      “I think he was hoping you would.”

      “I set him straight.”

      Sean pushed back from the table. “Unless you want to eat hospital cafeteria food, let’s get going.”

      “I’m in the parking structure below.”

      “Not a great idea, Elise.”

      “We got rid of the GPS. He’s not tracking my movements anymore.”

      “We don’t know what he’s up to.” He patted his pocket with the napkin. “He’s obviously on the hunt for a new victim.”

      “Does the task force have any idea how he finds his victims?” She dropped her cup in the trash. “Any idea how he found me?”

      “We...they’re looking into everything, Elise.” He glanced up and pointed. “That guy can tell you more than I can now.”

      Detective Curtis was barreling into the cafeteria and didn’t notice them until Sean raised his hand.

      Curtis’s eyebrows jumped. “You didn’t drop in on the vic, did you?”

      Sean placed his hand on her arm. “She did. Don’t worry—I stayed well away.”

      “Was Ty able to tell you anything, Detective Curtis?”

      “You can call me John.” He skimmed the top of his short hair with the palm of his hand. “He couldn’t tell us much. Guy came at him out of nowhere.”

      “Are you heading up the task force now?” Elise shifted from one foot to the other, brushing Sean’s arm. He seemed to be taking his removal from the task force well, but his body still seemed tight and tense.

      Curtis shot an apologetic look at Sean. “Yeah, the captain has me running the show. Hey, did you see Jacoby wandering around? I thought he was coming down to get prints on the vic. Sorry, Ty.”

      “I didn’t. Why, did you find a finger?”

      “Not yet. I hope it doesn’t wind up in the mail to you.”

      “What is this guy’s obsession with fingers, anyway?” Elise shoved her hands in her pockets.

      Sean snorted. “Who knows? Maybe he got sick of people pointing fingers at him and decided to lop them off.”

      “It’s sick and weird.”

      “And right now, it’s Curtis’s problem.” Sean grabbed her hand. “Let’s get the rest of your stuff and move it to my place.”

      Curtis coughed. “Elise is staying with you now?”

      “I told you, her friend’s place was compromised. Her friend’s in a hotel, and I think Elise would be safer with me.”

      “You know there’s going to be hell to pay when the captain figures out you tossed that GPS device into the bay?”

      “Had to do it. Do you think we would’ve gotten anything from it? The Alphabet Killer is too careful with his fingerprints, and if he’s that careful with his prints he probably knows to file off the serial number on any device he uses.”

      “You’re right, Brody. That’s why you should be heading up this case.”

      Sean smacked him on the back. “You’ll do fine, Curtis, but in the meantime Elise is coming home with me, and you can tell the captain that, too.”

      “The captain doesn’t have to know everything.” He winked and then rubbed his hands on his way to the hot-food counter.

      Elise turned to Sean in the elevator and said, “I can’t figure out if John is happy he’s got the task force or upset.”

      “Probably a little of both. It’s always good for your career to lead a task force, but he’s worked in my shadow for a long time.”

      “Do you think he resents that?”

      “John?” Sean stabbed at the elevator button for the parking garage a few more times. “He’s too good-natured for that.”

      “Still, I get the impression that you’re the superstar detective in the homicide department.”

      “I’ve solved a few big cases, but it’s all a team effort. I couldn’t do my job without all the support people.”

      “With all the little people?”

      The elevator doors trundled open on the second floor of the parking garage, and Sean wedged his shoulder against one side of the opening to hold the door open for her.

      “Is that how it sounded to you?”

      “Not at all. You sounded very modest, but I just wonder if everyone sees it that way.”

      “Curtis knows the score. He’s good at some things and I’m good at other things.”

      She clicked her remote. “Where are you parked?”

      “Out front. Give me a ride to my car and I’ll follow you back to your place.”

      “My place. I don’t even know where that is anymore.”

      * * *

      WHEN THEY’D COLLECTED her things and returned to Sean’s place, he stepped over the brownish spot on his carpet where Ty had collapsed. “I don’t think that stain will ever come out. I’ll have to get the carpet replaced or forever be reminded of Ty accusing me of hiring someone to attack him before passing out on my floor.”

      “Ty was crazy with shock and confusion. Obviously the guy planted that in his head.”

      “You know that accusation made my blood boil even though I knew there was no chance that you or anyone else would believe it. I’d fight to the bitter end to clear my name if someone unjustly accused me of a crime.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I just can’t understand why my father didn’t do the same.”

      “You just can’t know what was going through his head, Sean.”

      Elise dropped one of her bags in the corner next to the only plant in the room, making its leaves wave.

      Sean snapped out of his reverie. “Hey, watch it. That plant’s barely alive as it is.”

      She flicked her fingers at it as if to dismiss it. “Looks like it’s doing as well as the plants in my classroom. Just one more day of school.”

      “And then you’re going to take that trip down the coast?”

      “Maybe.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Do you think he’ll stop sending you messages when he knows you’re off his case?”

      “You haven’t been watching Ray Lopez. I think everyone in the city knows I’m off the case. He’s not going to care about that.”

      “I guess not, since he left you a message with the bodies last night.”

      “Exactly.”

      “Fifty-one plus fifty. Fifty-one fifty.”

      “Uh-huh.”

      “Forty-two plus fifty-eight. That can’t be a date. He’s not going to commit a murder on April second and tell us about it today.”

      “Tell us?”

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