Page 104 of Skeletons in the Closet

“We think the three people we’ve been investigating knew about his crime in 2010. They knew and helped keep his secret. Two of those three students died recently under suspicious circumstances. We think David was trying to cover his ass before the police found out what he did.”

Natalia pressed a hand to her mouth. The shimmer in her eyes intensified until tears leaked out and trickled down her cheeks.

“If we can tie your husband to these old York students, then we’ll take it to the police.”

Natalia glanced at her desk, warily back at Diem, then at her phone. “Okay. Can you meet me in the morning? In my office at seven? I don’t have class until eight. We can talk then. I… let me process. Let me talk to my daughter.”

“Seven?”

She nodded.

I didn’t push for more. “Thank you. I’ll be there.”

23

Tallus

“Can we just admit you aren’t a people person?”

The road ahead took the brunt of Diem’s animosity as his eyes narrowed. “You work in the morning. I’ll handle it.” A pause. “And we aren’t partners. Stop telling people that.”

I ignored the second half of the statement. “If I let you do this, I’ll be bailing you out of jail because of your inability to read the room and back down or go easy. Your presence made her uncomfortable. It’s not your fault, Guns. I happen to like your bulging biceps, broad chest, and six-and-a-half feet of daunting height. Even your broodiness is sexy to me, but the consensus is you’re intimidating and a tad abrasive at times. It would be safer if I went and talked to her alone. We’ll get better results.”

He wrung the steering wheel and worked his jaw in protest. “You work,” he spat, emphasizing his only argument.

“I do, but not until nine. Natalia said she teaches at eight, so that gives me plenty of time to get to headquarters before my shift.”

The bear rumbled in Diem’s chest, and I smiled to myself.

I’d won.

I said goodbye to Diem in the parking structure across the street from his office building, not wanting to go upstairs and impose on his night. He seemed disappointed I was leaving but didn’t question my decision.

If he asked me to stay, I would.

But he didn’t. This was Diem after all.

“I’ll be here by quarter after six in the morning. Deal?” I asked.

He grunted, not making eye contact, shuffling his feet. Before I headed to my car, I took his hand and squeezed it. “See you tomorrow, Guns.”

Only then did he look me in the eye.

***

I figured it was my turn to grab food. It was Friday, and I’d gotten paid, but since my budget didn’t extend to extravagant breakfasts, I went through a drive-through and grabbed croissants and coffees. Simple but effective.

Diem greeted me at the door wearing newer-looking jeans and an unbuttoned button-up shirt with a tee underneath. He was clean-shaven, wafting a fresh shower scent. Knowing he didn’t have the ability to shower at the office, I tilted my head in question. “Have you been to the gym already?”

I earned an affirmative grunt. Something told me Diem had tried to put himself together for my benefit. Typically, he wore rugged jeans and faded T-shirts, but not today. And the perpetual scruff was gone. It was the first time I’d seen his face baby-bottom smooth.

“What time were you up?”

“Early.”

“Hungry?” I held up the offering. “It’s not much. Cheese croissants.”

“Thanks.”

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