Page 12 of Cross & Crown

remember anything.”

Nick shrugged. “Anything. Anything you’ve noticed.

Your feelings, your thoughts, tattoos or scars, your shoe size, do you have contacts, are you wearing underwear? Anything.”

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JD laughed and reached for Nick’s notepad. “Okay.”

Nick smiled and left him there, hoping the exercise would

at least keep JD’s mind off his troubles while Nick tried to

find somewhere to stick him for the night.

It took him nearly half an hour to arrange for a hotel and

an officer for the door. He and Hagan played a quick three

out of five roshambo to decide who had to stay with him,

and Nick won. Which was good, because he had plans this

weekend.

When he returned to the interview room, Captain

Branson was standing at the window, watching JD.

“Sir,” Nick said as he approached.

The captain turned. “You’re good with him, O’Flaherty.

That’s the most he’s responded all night.”

“He’s just scared, sir. Anyone would be.”

“Stay on him. Babysit him. Play the good cop. He’s the

biggest break we have in this case right now. If he’s comfortable, he’s more likely to remember. And if he’s faking, you’re more

likely to figure it out.”

Nick cleared his throat and nodded. “Does that mean you

want me to stick with him at the safe house?” he asked, unable

to conceal the dread in his voice.

Branson smirked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t

your boyfriend coming to town tonight?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Even I’m not that cruel. Take the weekend. Let Hagan

bad cop him for a few days. After that, it’s O’Flaherty to the

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