Page 61 of Night Call

“Andyoucould have warned me before sending a swimming pool’s worth of sludge over our heads.”

“Stop being dramatic. It wasn’t that much.”

“Tell that to my coat. Even the dry cleaner’s not going to get these stains out.”

“Boss said we’ve gotta seize your clothes.” Taylor cut in from the front of the van. “Cross contamination or some shit.”

Blake scoffed and shook his head. “That horse has already fucking bolted.”

“It’s just what the boss said.” Johnny shrugged.

Pember stifled a cough, finding it difficult to feel too annoyed about the whole thing with Blake sitting next to him. “We found the victim’s phone, didn’t we? Any idea how long it’s going to take the digital people to look at it?”

Blake cracked his knuckles, chucking the filthy wipe into a plastic bag hanging over the seat. “Digital Forensics. The phone’s being taken to headquarters, they’ll have it plugged in within the hour. The control room supervisor is searching the system for any dropped 999 calls.”

Pember nodded, the thought of the victim’s last words being immortalised by the BT operator making him shiver. This was real. People were dying—beingkilled.Yet, all he could think about was the way Blake’s knee bumped into his every time they rounded a corner. How the man’s broad shoulders were so tense, Pember just wanted to press his fingers into the muscle and squeeze.

If the last few days had proven anything, it was that he was a stupid, silly boy with a stupid, silly crush on the boy next door. Except, Blake wasn’tjustthe boy next door. He was the detective sergeant of the bloody murder squad, who had an ex-wife, a heart condition and the softest bloody lips he’d ever felt.

Pember remained silent for the rest of the journey, and when they arrived back at the police station he kept his head down, trying not to look at Blake.

The underground changing room with its rows upon rows of red metal lockers absolutely stank of sweat and unwashed clothing. The cleaner had made a valiant attempt to improve the smell, but even the pungent scent of lemon and pine floor cleaner was barely able to cut through the stench.

Cutting through the locker room, Pember bolted for the omega changing room to the left of the double doors. Thankfully, the smell was a little better, and it contained a cupboard with emergency clothing. And snacks, for some reason.

Shoving open the door, he pulled out a set of clothes—nothing fancy, just a plain grey tracksuit—folded them and placed them on the bench. He pulled off the waders and unzipped the filthy scene suit, but groaned when he remembered he needed an evidence bag for the clothes. Grumbling, he kept his head down and padded back into the main locker room, which was when he almost collided with Blake.

“Shit, sorry,” Pember said, quickly shuffling around him.

“Looking for this?” Blake said, holding out a brown paper bag.

Pember nodded sheepishly, taking it and clutching it to his chest. “Thanks.” He turned back towards the changing rooms, but a hand squeezed his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Blake said, his voice smooth and even. “After everything we’ve seen today?”

Was he okay? Certainly, seeing the body had been harrowing, almost as much as the first. But something about it being in the open airalmosttook the sting out of it. Like, having the killing not take place in the alpha’s own home, in the place where he was meant to feel safe, made it easier to stomach.

His eyes turned glassy as he pressed a hand to the doorframe.

“Yeah. I’m fine,” he said, eyes drawing back into focus. “Weirdly fine. Like, my brain just switches off and I go into work mode. Is that strange?”

Blake gave a soft smile. “No. Compartmentalisation is an essential skill of the job. Just don’t do it with every aspect of your life.”

Glancing at the tiled floor, Pember ran his tongue over his teeth. “I hope you follow your own advice, DS Smith,” he said, tilting his head to look up at the alpha.

Blake studied his face before dropping his gaze. “I won’t be home tonight. Will you save some dessert for me?”

Pember leant forwards and gently poked Blake’s chest. “Contrary to what you might think, I don’t have puddingeverynight.”

Blake’s mouth tipped into a grin. “Cheese and biscuits?”

Sighing, Pember rubbed the back of his neck. “Sure, but I won’t be home tomorrow. I have a social thing.”

Blake sighed. “Like ships in the night, then. Going anywhere nice?”

“Just out with Maya and some other omegas.”

“Is that a good idea? With everything that’s happened?”

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