Page 82 of State of Alert

“The texts with Zoe are on top, followed by the GPS location that puts him at a residence in Arlington from about two p.m. on yesterday. Her phone also supports that timing, and Jada’s phone shows she was in West Virginia and Maryland for most of the day yesterday.”

All that info matched what Zoe, Jada and Zeke had reported to her.

“Thanks for the quick work, Archie.” To Freddie, she said, “Send Zeke home with Officer Keeney.”

Archie handed Freddie an evidence bag that contained Zeke’s phone.

“You got a second?” Archie asked after Freddie walked away.

Sam waved him in.

As he closed the door and took a seat, Sam noticed he seemed tense. “What’s up?”

“I’ve been seeing someone.”

“Okay…” Sam was surprised he’d mention that to her since they had hookup history from before she’d reconnected with Nick.

“I really like her.”

“That’s great, Archie. I’m happy for you.” His odd expression confused her. “This is a good thing, right?”

“I’m not sure. She’s secretive.”

“How so?”

“I feel like she only gives me bits and pieces, enough to keep me on the hook but not the full story.”

“Do I need to remind you that you’re a detective?”

“I’m resisting that avenue. It feels sneaky to me.”

Sam sat back in her chair as she studied him closely. “But you know something’s not right.”

“Yeah, I guess. The thing is, when we’re together, everything is just right. It’s the rest of the time that concerns me.”

“And you won’t investigate her.”

“I don’t think I should.” He gave her a tentative look. “But you could.”

Sam wondered if she’d heard him correctly. “Um…what?”

“I think it’s different if a friend casually looks into the woman I’m seeing as a way to protect me versus me doing it, which could be seen as an act of aggression.”

“Archie… Are you listening to yourself? You don’t trust her.”

“It’s not that…”

“Isn’t it, though? We joke about our Spidey senses as cops, but we’ve learned to take them seriously. Your gut is telling you something is wrong. Why don’t you ask her what you want to know rather than investigating her or having me do it?”

The face he made told her what he thought of that idea.

“Let me tell you something, pal. You know what makes Nick Cappuano different from every other guy I ever dated? Present company excluded, of course.”

“Of course. We didn’t technically date.”

Sam snorted out a laugh. “True. What makes him different is that I don’t ever, ever,everhave to wonder what he’s thinking, what he’s doing, who he’s doing it with, where he is—especially now. There’s no bullshit, Archie. Do you see what I’m saying?”

“I do. I don’t like it, but I get it.”

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