Page 26 of Last Chance Christmas
But who wanted to take that much time off?
Her mom would be there all the time, and it was so awkward. Nicola did not know how to take care of a sick person. She’d only been so attentive last night because she’d wanted information about Izan and who they were to each other.
As if there was anything to tell.
Sure, they’d held hands in the hospital and told each other things they never told anyone else. She had, anyway.
But what did that make them now?
He hadn’t asked her out again.
“Let’s fill coffee cups before we go.” Junior headed for the break room.
She followed because he couldn’t carry more than one with his arm in a sling.
The drive to the address Basuto had given them only took fifteen minutes. She pulled up to the curb in front, badge on her belt. Gun holstered in her duffel, ready to be slid onto her belt. Junior had a backup weapon since his main police-issued sidearm had been taken by the man who’d shot him.
“Doesn’t look like anyone is home.” She climbed out of the car, setting her gun in the spot she liked it. Being in plain clothes wasn’t usual for her unless she was undercover, but she appreciated not being in uniform all the time. “You gonna go for detective one day? I’m thinking about it.”
Junior glanced over. “Because this town needs another blonde police detective?”
She smirked. “We’re going for a trio.”
He snorted. “I haven’t thought about it.”
Too busy thinking about Ainsley, most likely. “Let’s knock.”
Junior used his good hand, but there was no answer. “Back door?”
Olivia nodded. She checked the front window as they wandered around the house, but couldn’t see inside with the blinds closed. As she reached the corner, the neighbor came out.
“You lookin’ for Ted?” The guy had no hair on his head and wore a T-shirt stained with engine grease. His fingers on the screen door were black around his nails.
“Have you seen him?”
The man shrugged. “Why do the cops wanna know?”
“We’re just checking on him, that’s all. When was the last time you saw him?”
“Coupla days, maybe? But I heard gunshots in there last night when I was comin’ in. Figured he had the TV on too loud.”
Olivia went back to the front door, lifted her foot, and kicked it in.
Junior went in first, gun ready in his off hand.
She followed him inside and wrinkled her nose immediately. “Yep.”
“We need CSU here to collect evidence.”
Sweat beaded on her forehead. “He turned up the heat before he left.” Doing that ensured the timeline the medical examiner came up with on when the murder had occurred would be off, because the temperature in here had fluctuated above normal.
“Found him.”
“I’ll clear the rest of the house, you call it in.”
“Be careful.”
She quickly worked her way through the house and made sure no one was lurking. It was clear except for the neighbor still standing in the doorway when she got back to the front hall.
