Page 206 of Cross & Crown

JD met Nick’s eyes one last time as he moved away. “I’m

sorry. I’ll turn myself in after, I promise!” he called, and then he bolted into the crowd.

206

Chapter 9

elly loitered near the park ranger’s office, listening as

KNick gave a report to someone on the phone. From

the tone of his voice, he wasn’t enjoying the conversation.

When he was done, he emerged from the office and gave

everyone a grim smile.

“How’d it go?” Julian asked.

Nick laughed bitterly. “Well. I brought a suspect to a

public place while I was supposed to be on guard duty, lost

control of my department-issued sidearm, and then allowed

the suspect to abscond with it into a crowd. Oh, and fire it.

Apparently it hit a goose downriver.”

They all stared at him, wide-eyed and waiting for him to

continue. “Let’s just say it didn’t go too well.”

“Have you been shelved?” Kelly asked.

“No. I’ve been given forty-eight hours to fix it.”

Alex had been keeping her distance, but she was edging

closer. “You know the only way to find where he’s going is to

find the treasure, right?”

Nick narrowed his eyes at her. “Thank you for at least

being transparent in your motives.”

Alex shrugged. “What do you say, Detective? You want to

work together in this?”

“No,” Nick growled. He headed for the door, and Kelly

fell into step beside him.

207

They reached the door, and Kelly glanced back to find

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