Page 83 of Night Watch
“That doesn’t sound good.” Finley frowned, looking very much like a younger version of Kennedy. “You’re not going to question me again, are you?”
Kennedy sat. “No. Just want to catch up.”
“Okay, then.” Finley’s frown turned into a hesitant smile as she dropped into a chair.
“See you later.” Erik resisted squeezing Kennedy’s shoulder with his free hand.
For the last two hours as they’d worked side-by-side, he’d had the most overwhelming urge to touch her. He’d contained it, but he kicked up his speed to get out into the hallway, where he took a deep breath before heading toward Drake’s condo, Pong at his side.
His phone rang, and he flipped it over on his computer to see an unknown number. Could be related to the investigation. He answered.
“Mr. Byrd, it’s Nora.” Her tone was frantic and curt.
“What is it?”
“I need your help. Please. I just got home. Walked from the bus stop. There’s someone in my house. I see a flashlight moving inside. I’m so afraid.” Her voice broke with a sob.
“Don’t go inside.” He used his best former officer voice to gain her cooperation. “Move away from the house to a safe location and call 911.”
“But you’ll come too, right?”
No chance he wouldn’t go. “I’m on my way, but a patrol officer will be able to respond faster than I can get there.”
“Hurry. Please hurry!” Her high-pitched request pulled at his protective streak. “And come alone. I don’t want Kennedy to find out about this.”
21
Nora told Erik to come alone, but he wouldn’t do so, even if the police would be on scene when he arrived. So he grabbed Drake and they took off, the drive made in silence. By the time Erik pulled up to the house, the sun had dropped behind the horizon, and he had to squint to see a patrolman haul a male outside through her front door. No sign of Nora in the shadowed darkness, but lightbars on two patrol cars twirled, the orbs casting red and blue light and disturbing the calm neighborhood.
Erik shifted into park and kept his focus on the action. “Maybe this’s the guy who broke into Wanda’s place too.”
“Let’s find out.” Drake reached for his door handle.
“No. You stay here,” Erik said. “Nora wanted me to come alone, and I don’t want to spook her.”
Drake was quiet for a moment. “If I see any threat, I’ll be joining you.”
“Thanks, man.” As the guy in cuffs was hauled closer, Erik could see that he fit the intruder’s description, from the crooked nose all the way down to the combat boots.Oh, yeah!Maybe their suspect had been arrested.
Erik waited for the officer to put the man in the car before he got out of the SUV. He approached slowly until he could get a good look at the officer’s face.
Excellent.Erik knew the veteran officer who was now staring at him.
“Smitty!” Erik called out. “It’s me. Erik Byrd.”
“Birdbrain.” He lifted a fist to pound Erik’s hand with a hard punch. “What are you doing here?”
Erik grinned at the old nickname. “I believe this guy is related to an investigation we’re working on. Your department is investigating too and being handled on your side by Frank Johnson.”
Smitty’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me about it.”
Erik gave a brief overview of the investigation.
“This is really odd.” Smitty looked around, maybe checking to see where the other responding officer had gone, then stepped closer. “We found the guy stealing a denture plate.”
“Denture?”
“Yeah, not a full set, but an upper plate.”
