Page 15 of Black Bird

Her heels clacked against the white tile floors of the hallway as she passed room after room, glancing inside each one and not seeing the girl that Kane was having so much trouble getting his mind off of. A nurse peered over at her from the desk, and she stepped up to it, sighing sharply and smiling.

“Who ya looking for, detective?” The nurse asked, chuckling.

“Sarah St. James?” The name tasted sour as it left her tongue. Jealousy was an evil little bitch. She didn’t even know this poor girl, and it wasn’t the victim’s fault that she was wrecked to within an inch of her life by … by her partner.

“Three doors down on the right. Need me to clear out the visitors?”

“No, no. Leave that to me. They might be useful. Thanks, Jenn.” The nurse gave her a confused look, but peered down at her name tag and smiled at Rhaena when she winked and made her way past the nurse’s station. Muffled voices stirred in the room as she approached and she stilled when she heard the male’s voice. Her hand raised to knock on the open door. “Excuse me? I’m looking for Miss St. James?” Three faces turned to meet hers.

“Seek and you shall find. I seem to be a lot more popular these days,” the beauty sitting cross-legged on the hospital bed met Rhaena’s eyes and she finally understood what was so haunting about her. Striking seemed like the wrong word. Her silky black hair was knotted into a messy bun on top of her head, two earfuls of piercings peeked through on the sides. Her unblemished pale skin was heavily decorated in ink beneath her loose band t-shirt and leggings and if Athan Kane had been a female, this is how she imagined he’d look. “You’re not a reporter, are you?”

Rhaena smiled sweetly and stepped to the end of the bed, trying not to stare at the bandage along the side of Sarah’s neck. “No, ma’am. I’mDetective Northwood. If it’s okay, I’d like to ask you a few questions.” She reached a hand toward her, and Sarah took it, looking at her warily while she softly shook it. Rhaena could have sworn she caught a flash of disappointment in her lovely eyes.

“Northwood?” Brent Stratford drew her attention—as well as everyone else’s as he furrowed his brows and studied Rhaena’s face. “Don’t I know you?” The redhead on the other side of Sarah’s bed raised her brows.

“Yes, sir. I worked security detail a few times for your father’s public addresses when I was a uniform. I’m surprised you remember that.”

“Kinda hard to forget. He spoke about you a lot. So, you’re on this case, too?” He placed a hand on his hip, ignoring the glare that Sarah was giving him beneath her thick lashes.

“That’s correct.”

“Where’s Detective Kane?” Sarah piped up, earning a soft nasal chuckle from her friend when Brent’s jaw tightened in irritation. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one with a jealousy issue.

“He’s off duty, currently. Why? Is there something wrong?” she asked carefully, studying Sarah’s face.

“No, no. Not at all. I just—I didn’t get a chance to thank him.”

Oh, bless her.

“Thank him? May I ask what for?” Rhaena pushed gently.

“I had a little … problem. He came to ask questions and I blacked out. Nurse said he carried me back in here and was the only reason I don’t have a busted face. Are you two … umm …?” Sarah gestured with her fingers in a swirling motion, and it took Rhaena a moment to realize what she meant.

“Oh!” She threw her palms up, “No. Absolutely not. We’re just partners.”

Sarah smirked as if she knew damned well it was a lie. “Well … will I be seeing him again?” Brent cleared his throat, crossing his arms and trying earnestly not to look like he gave a shit as he stared down at the floor.

“You might. I suppose it depends on if I get everything I need from you. If that’s the case, we may not have to bother you again. Hopefully, we can solve this quickly so that you can put it behind you.” Rhaena forced a smile.

“I appreciate that. Tell him—tell him thank you, would you?” Her bottom lip tugged behind her white teeth.

“Is he single?” the redhead asked, wagging her brows. Sarah smacked her in the arm, the faintest hint of pink staining her cheeks. Rhaena noticed that, too.

“Do not answer that.” Sarah laughed softly.

“Why don’t we let her do her job?” Brent finally said, his face almost pissy when he raised it to look at the girls. “We can’t figure out who did this if the two of you can’t stop swooning after the hot cop.”

“Oh, fuck off, Brent. Like you weren’t just doing the same damn thing in front of her?” The redhead spat, leaning against the edge of the window that looked out over the hallway. Rhaena decided that was enough.

“Okay.” She stretched her arms out between all of them. “Why don’t I question Miss St. James alone? Do you guys mind? I think that would be best for everyone. If I need any information from either of you, then I’ll have you come up to the station. Agreed?”

Brent didn’t say another word to anyone, grabbing his jacket and storming out of the room. Sarah’s friend nodded and winked at her before shouldering her bag and following him out. Rhaena stepped over to the chair at Sarah’s bedside.

“Mind if I sit?” she asked. Sarah nodded, staring off at the doorway where her friends had just left. “Can I ask … how long have you been in a relationship with Brent Stratford?” Her bright hazel eyes shot toward her as if she couldn’t understand why she’d asked.

“What does that have to do with my attack?”

“Probably nothing. Maybe everything.” Rhaena shrugged, earning Sarah’s full attention. She adjusted her entire body to face her, then.

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