Page 81 of Cross & Crown

fingers together.

“You okay, bud?” Kelly asked him.

JD gave them a weak attempt at a smile. “I know more

about this than I do about myself.”

“You do know a lot more about this than most,” Kelly

agreed. “At least you can remember it; that’s a good sign.”

Nick raised his head as an idea hit him. “Do they

fingerprint college professors?” he asked Hagan.

Hagan pursed his lips. “Not to my knowledge. Some

universities are starting to, but only for new hires.”

“School’s out, right? What if he’s a professor at a local

college? If he lived alone, no one might know he was gone

until classes start back.”

“No missing persons report would be filed yet,” Hagan

said with a nod.

“Send his photo out to every institution in a fifty mile

radius. See if we can get a hit.”

“On it,” Hagan said, and he lurched out of his chair.

81

“College professor, huh?” JD said quietly. “Not

international treasure thief. You’re awfully optimistic,

Detective.”

“That’s what we love about him,” Kelly said, and when

Nick raised his head, Kelly’s eyes were on him, a gentle smile

gracing his lips. Nick squeezed his knee, keeping his hand

there.

“What’s the next move?” JD asked. If he was

uncomfortable with Nick and Kelly’s small shows of affection,

he didn’t let on.

“After you work with the sketch artist, we’ll get you

---