Page 63 of Trigger

“Allset?” Thorsen asked me, shoving the cup of coffee into my hand.

Inodded and brought the delicious-smelling beverage to my mouth.

“Becareful, it’s hot,” he warned me, caressing my arm. “Blow on it first.”

Helooked as bad as I felt. His hair seemed tangled, and his eyes were bloodshotblue. Didn’t we talk about his eyes last night? Everything was such a blur.

Oncein the car, he held my coffee as I put on my seatbelt. He went to buy us a fewbottles of water and donuts because “you look pale and shit.” After that, hemade me drink the water because “it will make you feel better, babe.”

Mypoint being, Tye Thorsen was a good guy. An annoying guy, but a good guy. Icouldn’t remember much from last night since I drank myself into oblivion, butI knew that. He made me laugh, and I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed.He also made me talk about certain things, and it felt as if a weight had been liftedoff my chest. And last, but not least, he taught me how to dance. I couldn’tremember much of the embarrassing ordeal, but it was a useful skill to have, soI appreciated his help.

“I couldbe your best man,” Thorsen said, bringing me back to reality. “If you and Vicever get hitched.”

Icouldn't help but laugh. “Yeah, no way that's going to happen.”

“BecauseVicky doesn’t like me?” he guessed, keeping his eyes on the road.

Ilooked at him, trying to keep a blank face.

“Whydo you think she doesn’t like you?”

He chuckled.“Oh, come on, Dom. I’m a detective, remember?”

“Howcould I forget? But yeah, you’re right. She doesn’t like you very much.”

“Haveyou ever wondered why?”

Ishrugged. “Dunno. I guess not.”

“Maybeyou should,” he said, looking a bit flustered, and it made me laugh.

“What’sthe matter, Thorsen? Is it so improbable for someone not to like you?”

“Actually,it is. Everyone likes me. Even you.”

“Idon’t like you,” I said, looking out the window.

“Yes,you dooo,” he teased me, grinning. “You were cuddling with me all nightlooong.”

“Fuckoff. I was asleep.”

“Itwon’t make it go away, partner. That’s all I’m saying.”

Whenwe came to the station, Bruce gave us the rundown of what had happened in thelast few days.

“Mostreports are in, but they don't help us much. There’s no evidence that wouldpoint to Sophie Malik’s killer. No hair, no prints, and no DNA.”

“Everyonemakes mistakes,” I mused. “There’s no crime without a motive or suspects. Wejust have to keep on digging.”

“Speakingof suspects, Bob Bryson is a dead end,” Thorsen added. “His alibi cleared.”

“Whatabout that character…?” Chief Bibb snapped his fingers impatiently.

“Luz?”I guessed. “We haven’t identified him yet, but he’s the last person who sawSophie Malik alive. It’s imperative we find him as soon as possible.”

ChiefBibb pressed his fingers to his wrist to check his pulse. “You sound as if youhave something in mind.”

Inodded. “I think we should visit that gay club, Nirvana. The server we talkedto in Allure suggested Luz would hang out there. It’s worth a shot.”

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