Page 37 of Jina

“Yes, sir!” all five tactical officers responded in unison.

Before Rhy could leave, Gary came outside, a resigned look on his face. “I have some video, but it’s not helpful. I think this guy painted black stuff on his face because I don’t have a single camera angle with a good image of his facial features.”

“Figures,” Flynn muttered.

“You’d think some guy walking around with black on his face would raise someone’s suspicions,” Cassidy said with a frown.

“You can take a look for yourself,” Gary offered.

“Let’s do it.” Jina led the way inside the lobby.

Setting his laptop computer on the counter so they could all see, Gary showed them the various frames in which the shooter’s image was captured. His face was covered with black, and the ball cap was pulled low on his forehead.

Not one offered anything remotely useful.

“I guess we’re back at square one.” Jina sounded defeated.

“Hey, don’t give up,” Zeke said. “We may get a match on the slugs pulled out of my truck. Maybe his weapon has been used in other crimes.”

“I’m sorry about your truck, Zeke,” Jina murmured.

“Don’t sweat it.” Zeke awkwardly patted her shoulder. “It’s not the first time it’s been shot up by a perp.”

“It’s not?” Cole stared at him. “Seriously?”

Zeke shrugged. “What can I say? Our team tends to be a magnet for trouble.”

“No lie,” Cassidy said with a grimace. “It’s as if there’s a black cloud hanging over us.”

After a few more minutes, Rhy broke the silence. “Time to hit the road. There’s nothing more we can do about this tonight. We’ll regroup tomorrow.”

It was an order, not a suggestion. On cue, the team dispersed. Jina glanced at Cole. “I guess we need to get out of here.”

He was glad she was being reasonable about this. “Yes. We can find another place to stay for what’s left of the night.”

Outside, the officers were still inspecting the scene, which was centered around Zeke’s truck. Imagining Jina huddled there as bullets whizzed by made his blood run cold. Using his key card, he accessed his room, with Jina following close behind.

“Did you get anything interesting from Bradley Crow’s parents?” she asked as he packed up the laptop.

He was shocked by how badly he wanted to share the details of the interview with her. But that wasn’t an option since she was a suspect too. “I did.”

When he didn’t elaborate, she sighed. “You won’t tell me because I’m involved.”

He straightened from the table, then took a step toward her. “I’ve already compromised this case by spending so much time with you.”

She looked chagrined. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He was the one who should have insisted she find a teammate to stay with rather than nominating himself for the job. “I’m so glad you weren’t hurt. If anything had happened to you...” He didn’t finish.

“I knew you’d blame yourself. But it was my idea. And I admit, he caught me off guard.” Her gaze clung to his for a long moment. “There was one regret that nagged at me while I was waiting for my backup to arrive.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“This.” She reached up to draw his head down and kissed him.

CHAPTER NINE

Jina wasn’t sure why she’d thrown caution to the wind to impulsively kiss Cole. Yet the moment their mouths fused, all logical thought fled from her brain. Losing herself in Cole’s embrace wasn’t smart. But as the bullets were pinging off Zeke’s truck, she’d told herself if she survived, she would kiss Cole.

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