Page 17 of Nocere

"Walsh told me about the work you did on the sleeper cell case. He agrees that the gang activity afterward indicates something more. We're not sure of what just yet," she said, folding her hands between her knees. "Keep it up and I might have to recommend a salary increase."

"Thank you for saying that." I leaned back against the table, and closed one of the folders where a few disturbing images lay on top.

"You're welcome." Sadie's eyes flickered to the folder then back to me. "It does bother you."

"What?"

"Seeing those photos. Reading about it."

"I can box up what I need to in order to push through. Stay focused on the data," I confessed, pushing myself up to sit on the vacant spot on the table.

"Facts and numbers never let us down, do they?"

"No, ma'am. Not once." Her assertion brought a smirk to my lips because she shared my sentiment. "They're easy to count on."

"They're not the only thing, though, Bryant. Remember that." Sadie stood from her spot and knocked on the door jamb on her way out.

Sometimes I really wanted facts and numbers to be the only thing. I slid from the table and turned back toward my work. Life would be much easier to navigate.

I returned home and had a quick shower before Alex arrived. As promised, she brought with her two pizzas and a ton of beer.

"I love your hair," was the first thing she said as soon as I opened the door.

I laughed, shaking my head at the new greeting that'd been bestowed upon me recently. "Thank you."

"Thanks to you too, Rosie," she said when I took everything from her so she could carry her overnight bag. "For letting me stay."

"What's with Brandon and his ragers?"

"He has a new boyfriend who is really strange and drinks way too much," she said, dropping her bag by the sofa. "I needed a break."

"Why don't you ask Jordan to crash above the salon for a bit?" I brought two plates to the table and a bottle opener. Neither of us hesitated to dive in.

"I was thinking that too. At least temporarily. I was going to stay with Frankie, but you know how that ended."

"I do."

Alex smirked then took a swig of beer.

"Can I ask you something honestly?" I dropped my gaze to focus on the food in my plate.

"Of course."

"Are you really here because of your roommate or did Ainsley send you?"

"Ainsley?" Her brow furrowed. "Why would she send me?"

"Never mind then."

"No way. You can't just drop that information and then never mind me." She wiggled her fingers in my face to get my attention, and I shoved them away. "What happened?"

"I felt like she and Jordan set me up last week."

"Set you up how?"

"With a girl—a woman, named Samirah. Stupidly, I agreed to go on a hike with them and Samirah starts calling me cute."

"Well, you are cute. What's the big deal? Was she pretty?"

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