Page 30 of Sinful Memory

“I have no fucking clue what that is,” he huffs. “But that’s why you’re the brains in our marriage.”

“Which makes you, what?” I taunt. “The sex?”

Aubree’s lips curl into a grin, though her eyes remain on Anna’s shoulder.

“I’m the brawn,” he retorts. “The connections. The gun. The sex appeal. The one who makes sure you eat.”

“Oh please,” I snigger. “I eat.”When Aubree reminds me to. “And I thinkI’mthe one with connections, if we consider my relationship with the mayor, Michelle Mancino, Sophia Solomon, and Estefan Cordoza. All the big players in a world you can’t control. But sure, handsome, you keep thinking you’re more than sex.”

“You’re sassy today,” he rumbles, his tone just low enough to make my thighs quiver. “Morning sex really gets you revving, huh?”

“I’m hanging up now.” My stomach whooshes, and the threat of Aubree overhearing Archer’s words is enough to make my heart stutter. “We’re gonna spend more time with Anna. You figure out who killed her, and save yourself from having to arrest the mayor. He won’t like it.”

“Yeah, right.” I don’t have to see Archer to know he rolls his eyes. “Easily done. Have you talked to him today?”

“Only briefly. He texted and asked me for a status update.”

“On a murder he’s suspected of committing?” Archer drawls. “I sure hope you didn’t reply.”

“I didn’t.” Then I smirk. “Via text. I called him.”

“Minka fucking Mayet! He’s near thetopof our suspect list, and climbing higher every time he refuses to take our calls! But, sure. Chit-chat with the guy and fuck up our case.”

“You and I both know he didn’t kill her. I didn’t ruin anything.”

“Married man, Minka! Her killer was probably a powerful, married man who didn’t want to be found out.”

“Lawrence was banging on her door that afternoon,” I counter, my chin high in pride, “But her killer was able to sneak in and out undetected? Why would the mayor be shouting for entry at three, but wandering through unnoticed at seven? It doesn’t make sense.”

“Ya know what else doesn’t make sense?” he growls. “The fact he won’t prove his innocence by speaking to the investigating detectives. Make him call us, Mayet!”

“I can’t make him do anything he doesn’t want to.” I turn back to the windows and nibble on the inside of my cheek. “I’m getting back to work, but I’ll keep you updated when I hear more.”

“Fine.” Cranky, he bites off the word in a tone he doesn’t often use with me.

But he wouldn’t be Archer Malone if he didn’t soften his voice again.

“Minnnka?”

My lips curl. Married, living together, cat parents under duress. And still, my stomach tingles when he says my name. “Yes?”

“I love you. Be safe. Don’t hang out with any killers today.”

“Ha.” How he expects me to get away from that, I don’t know. His words imply I shouldn’t spend time with him, either. Or Fletch. Tim. Even Cato… “I love you too. Talk soon.”

“You guys are so sweet on each other,” Aubree singsongs as I hang up. “It’s gross but so wholesome.”

“I don’t know thatwholesomecould be a word ever used to describe us.” I turn from the floor-to-ceiling windows and face my employee. My friend. My sister, if a person believed you could have those born to another mother. “But I kinda like him, so I’ll keep him around. What have you found?”

“Bruises beneath her skin.”

She goes back to studying Anna’s shoulder beneath a special blacklight. While she does that, I hit dial on the second number in my call log.

“Strangulation?” I ask her, bringing the phone to my ear and waiting while it rings. “Manual?”

“Nuh-uh.” She pokes her tongue forward as she works. “More like… support. He was holding her up. Almost like,” she sets the light down and reaches across to caress her own shoulder. “Like that.”

“Might’ve been for the second dose.”

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