Page 54 of Sinful Sorrow

I narrow my eyes to dangerous slits. “It’s not for sport. We both know that. And no, some things are better left unsaid. How long do we have left on our clock?”

She pauses for a beat, as though to check the time. “About seventeen minutes. You want help tracking the knife? Why can’t the cops do it?”

“They can. And they possibly are. I don’t know. But I have spare time, and a desire to expand my knowledge. Since the detectives are busy right now?—”

“You’ve decided to come to me. A different kind of detective. Listen, Mayet.” She takes another bite and chews noisily. “The things I do and know are not necessarily something that can be taught. I mean… it can. I’ve taught coding to this kid who has a natural ability. But that’s kind of a career direction thing. Not a ‘medical examiner has five minutes to spare’ thing. And since we’re not really talking about teaching, that means you’re asking me to be your PI. Seems the Malones are making a habit of that, though I tell you,” she laughs, “I have no clue where they got the balls for it. I’m not for hire.”

“Mostly I was looking for direction. I can do my own legwork.”

She exhales a sigh. Exhaustion tweaking a small part of my heart to feel sympathy for her. But then I hear her sit forward and tap at her keyboard. “There are different ways of doing things. Some are easily obtained simply by entering someone else’s database. Most are dangerously under secured, so it’s a matter of walking in the front door and looking around.”

“But that’s something taught to someone with a natural ability.”

“Correct. Which, and I say this as kindly as I can muster, I don’t think you have that ability. And to teach you would take thousands of hours.”

“We don’t have that.”

“Exactly. But there’s another way to gather information. It’s a tactic I use when there is no tangible data to be collected. It’s something I utilize when information must be secured in person, and not through the internet. This method was one I employed that led to us meeting.”

“That’s the direction I was leaning.” I drag my bottom lip between my teeth and wait. “Detective Asa. I gave you the information you asked for because of the badge you held.”

“So now you’re asking for a badge,” she teases. “I am not a cop, Mayet. But I have documentation that says I am, and the confidence to back up what I’m saying. If you wanna find who bought that knife, you need someone to slide in through firewalls and collect the information, or you need a badge and the cojones to demand it.”

“And to get the fake badge, I need someone to do the firewall thing. They’re gonna make sure I’m legit before they send information over, no?”

“They sure will. Use mine for now, then I’ll get you set up with your own when Griffin gives me the green light to get back to work.” She recites numbers. A full name. Details. “Act like you know what you’re saying. And definitely don’t use your office phone to make the call. That’s a surefire way to get your ass fired and your entire work history laid out for a judge to peruse. Use your cell. I’ll make it so the call is untraceable.”

“And you’re just… you can do that?”

“I can do anything I want. Give me four minutes from when we hang up to have your lines folded over to mine. Then you’re free to call whoever, and say whatever. Untraceable.”

“Except by you, right? You can trace that stuff.”

She snorts. “I already have you on my watchlist. There’s nothing you say or do that isn’t already logged in my files for later dissection. If you send Archer a titty pic, I’m gonna see it. But don’t worry,” she adds quickly. “No one else here sees anything unless I intentionally show them. If you wanna send that guy a picture of your rack, go for it. I’ll see, but I won’t judge.”

“I think I’d rather simply not send nude pictures if that’s alright with you.”

Surprised, Aubree’s brows shoot high on her forehead.

Meanwhile, Sophia sniggers. “A pair of melons is a pair of melons. Seen one set, you’ve seen them all. But while we’re discussing badges, you have a shiny legit one that makes you chief M.E. of your own building. Since we’re all about sharing now, you won’t mind if I?—”

“I definitely mind,” I cut in with a snarl. “Don’t touch.”

She laughs. “It’s a one-way deal, I see. Is that all you need, then?”

“Uh… yeah. I guess.” I look down at the notepad with scribbled information in black ink. “Archer’s gonna be pissed if he finds out I’m doing this.”

“Personally,” she audibly shrugs, “I enjoy my day more when I annoy the men. We good now?”

“How’s Michelle?” I tempt fate and piss the almighty and powerful Sophia off by asking about someone she protects like no other. Then I grin, because her breath stops and her temper alights. “She good?”

“She’s fine. Living pretty and completely safe. You don’t ask about her, and I won’t use your badge or ask about that other stuff you haven’t told your best friend.”

“Deal. Four minutes?”

She breathes out a soft, exasperated laugh. “Four minutes. Then you’re clear.”

“Alright. Good talk.” I drag the phone from my ear and hang up, setting it face-down on top of the badge number I plan to use shortly. “She’s a bit scary. And yet, completely malleable. I think she enjoys helping people, but only if she gets to complain about it first.”

---