Page 12 of Deep Tide

“I’d like to go,” Nicole said.

Well, like was an exaggeration. But she wanted to be there.

“If it’s okay with you,” she added, looking at Emmet.

“Have at it.”

“Ask him about track marks on the body and any signs of drug use,” Brady told her. “I want to know more about her lifestyle. We’ll get a tox screen, too, but those always take a while.”

Nicole nodded. “All right.”

“Also, we need whatever he can tell us about the weapon we’re looking for, based on the stab wound.”

“I’ll ask him.”

Brady looked from Nicole to Emmet. “Any other questions?”

“Yeah,” Emmet said. “What’s going on with Owen?”

The chief seemed to be expecting this question. “I told him to sit this one out because his sister is involved. He understands.”

Nicole traded skeptical looks with Emmet. She had passed Owen on her way in here and he didn’t look “understanding” of anything. He looked extremely pissed off.

“And, Nicole, you’re the lead on this one.”

She glanced at Brady. “You want me to—”

“Yes.”

She wouldn’t have been more shocked if he’d asked her to step in for him as chief of police. She was the youngest detective on staff. And she’d only worked a handful of homicide cases since earning her detective’s shield.

Emmet looked as shocked as she was.

“I want you to brief the team when we convene in a few minutes,” Brady told her. “Go through everything we just covered, and I’ll delegate jobs. We clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Be in the conference room in ten.”

Emmet got up and didn’t even look at her as he left the room. Great. Now she had two colleagues pissed at her.

She darted one last look at Brady, in case he suddenly changed his mind, but he was already on his phone.

You’re the lead on this one.

She tried not to show her panic as she walked out.

•••

Leyla trudged up the creaky wooden stairs to her apartment. She was utterly tapped and even her arms felt heavy as she fumbled with her keys and unlocked the door. Stepping inside, she closed her eyes and leaned against the wall.

Quiet. Finally. The sudden lack of sound and motion made her feel dizzy, the way she used to feel as a girl after spending all day playing in the waves.

She dropped her keys and purse on the armchair just as her phone chimed. Sighing, she checked the screen. Owen. She’d ducked two calls from him already, so she picked up.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hi. How’s it going?”

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