Page 229 of Cross & Crown

marina in one piece. “From now on, you do the driving.”

Nick nodded. He was gripping the handle above his head

so tight his knuckles were white. “Deal.”

Kelly helped him ease out of the car. It was a long walk

down the docks to theFiddler’s Green, and Kelly could have kissed the boat when he finally saw it. Nick was shucking his

229

hospital gown and jeans before they’d even closed the doors

to the salon behind them.

“Shower. Bed,” Nick grunted.

He disappeared down the steps, and Kelly trailed along in

his path, picking up the things he’d discarded. A badge here,

a gun there. He was on his way to the steps when he noticed

a card on the galley counter that certainly hadn’t been there

when he and JD had left the boat the day before.

He picked it up, frowning at the precise handwriting.

“Detective O’Flaherty and Doc Abbott.”

“What the fuck?” Kelly glanced around the yacht out

of habit. He didn’t feel anything out of place, didn’t have

that sense that someone was with him or that he was being

watched. The envelope wasn’t sealed, so Kelly pulled the card

out and cocked his head at it. It was a simple sheet of creamy

white stationery, and the only things written on it were an

international phone number and the letter J.

“What are you doing?” Nick asked. He had poked his

head above the railing and was scowling at Kelly.

Kelly held the letter up. “He wasn’t kidding. He left us a

‘get out of jail free’ card.”

Nick stared at the card with Julian’s number on it, then

nodded. “Save that shit for the next time Grady calls us,” he

drawled. “Come help me shower.”

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