Page 35 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Twenty-three

When Kayti entered the bar for the second time that night, her pool partner’s face lit up. She approached. “Wanna play some more, maybe make a few bucks?”

Kayti could see this girl had been through the ringer more than a few times. Her appearance and her attitude made it plain her hard exterior covered a battered heart that wore a very thick shell.

Not wanting to seem like a chick playing games, she shook her head and tried to look sorry. “Can’t, I’m here with a friend.” She pointed at Murphy.

“Got it! Asshole beats you at the tables and gets you as the prize.” Kayti didn’t like the sneering comment, not at all, but she had no choice but to let it pass. Deciding to smear some salt in the girl’s obvious wound, she grinned nastily. “He isn’t only a pro at pool; the dude has a lot more going for him.”

Her bitchy pool-partner glanced over to where Murphy leaned against the bar, waiting for their beers. The man reeked with sexy vibes. Feeling their eyes on him, he glanced their way and winked cheeky-like at Kayti whose heart flipped over and had her stuttering a quick goodbye.

Glancing over at Alex who sat at a high table alone with a bottle of beer in front of him, his eyes glued to the door, she went to Murphy’s side.

When his arm went around her waist to pull her in close to the stool he now occupied and snuggle her between his open knees, she thought her legs would give out.

Her bladder tried to rear its ugly head, but she was determined to ignore the need.Sweet Lord, not now.

Instead, she burrowed in and caught a faint scent of the soap he used. It was nice, not stinky. Putting her hand on his knee to stop from landing on her butt, she closed her eyes to memorize the intense moment.

“You okay?” His voice sounded in her ear, his breath fanning through the wisps of her hair, making her shiver.

“Ummm. Fine. Good. Perfect.”

His deep chuckle broke the silence. “Tell me something about yourself.”

Kayti looked up at him and saw his eyes passing over the room, checking each person there. Thankfully, because it was late, most people had either left, were too drunk to do much but sit and nurse their drinks or were swaying to the music… if one could call clinging to each other, hands groping and kisses getting wilder, dancing.

“What do you want to know?”

“Do you have a big family?”

“Just my mom. She passed a couple years ago. My father was never in the picture. And I have an aunt I recently just found out about.”

“Excuse me? How did that happen?”

“Mom was a bit of a recluse, didn’t like to share. I’m still upset with her decision.”

“Ye-ah. I’d be pissed too.”

“No. You don’t understand. I’m not so angry as I am hurt. I thought she only wanted the best for me. She encouraged me to go to the academy, to become an agent. Yet all my life she let me miss out on the attention and affection from another family member.”

Murphy’s hand stroked her hair, smoothing it as if sharing her sorrow. She didn’t dare to look at him, afraid he’d see the adoration building. She had to force her knees together even harder.

Suddenly, he leaned closer. “Alex is agitated. He’s seen someone.”

Both her and Murphy scanned the room and other than a black-haired guy, sporting a scruffy beard and dark-rimmed glasses who just entered the bar, nothing had changed. This man wasn’t Draper, they both knew that for sure.

Kayti questioned, “You think this guy was at the bar the night before, and Alex recognizes him?”

“Don’t know.” Murphy opened his mic and spoke. “What’s up, Alex?”

Faintly, she heard him reply, “Nothing. Going to the men’s room. Be right back.”

Kayti thought about heading in that direction herself, but it would take a lot for her to leave the comfort of Murphy’s body. Unfortunately, she sensed a problem and looked to see where the newest customer was and missed him. “Where’s the new guy?”

Murphy moved quickly, heading for the bathroom, Kayti trailing him. Then Frank showed up behind her, a sign that something had spooked him.

They both rushed for the room only to have Murphy turn around, push past them and head to the back door. Once he’d moved out of their way, they saw the body, the knife still embedded in Alex’s neck, blood beginning to seep everywhere.

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