Page 17 of Lost Cause
“I heard he was agreeable. Well, agreeable as far as detectives go.” She laughed.
“Agreeable, hah! He’s pushy, methodical, and extremely skeptical.”
“Hmm.” Sam cocked her head. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
Abby blinked at her. “Who? Me?”
“Yes, you, and I’d add slow to trust, but it’s interesting how you’ve learned so much about him in just one evening.” Thinking, Sam tapped a finger on her knee. “Oh, wait! Don’t tell me he was the detective you had a problem with on your last investigation.”
Abby really didn’t want to go there. “Okay, I won’t tell you.”
“Oh my goodness!” Sam grabbed Abby’s hands. “So now you have to work with the detective who gave you a run for your money. The only guy I’ve seen you interested in.”
“No. Not going there.” Abby refused to discuss her love life tonight, especially not with Griff listening. “I’m going to be rude and ignore you so I can check in with my team.”
“But it’s after ten.”
“Like I said, we work all hours, and they need to know about the artifact.”
Sam shook her head. “And I thought we were bad with our hours.”
“Speaking of that, I might have an opportunity for you to handle the forensics for this investigation if you’d be interested. Burke and Sheriff Ryder are deciding who to use, but Burke wants someone to start tomorrow morning.”
“IfI’d be interested?” Sam’s eyes lit up. “Are you kidding me? A mystery like this? I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Umm, honey,” Griff said, “you might not be on assignment for Gage tomorrow, but I have to work, and the kids’ daycare is closed.”
She buried her face in her hands. “Right. Right.”
“That’s okay,” Abby said. “I’m also going to call Sierra at Veritas.”
“No, don’t.” She grabbed Abby’s hand. “I’m sure if Hannah’s free, she’ll watch the kids.”
Not only was Gage a great guy and boss, but his wife was super supportive of the team and their families too.
“Well, don’t call her this late. It isn’t a done deal. I’m waiting for Detective Ulrich to call. For all I know, they could decide to use the state lab.”
“He sure won’t get anyone from there first thing in the morning. I can tell you that for a fact.”
“Agreed,” Abby said. “It’s unlikely someone from Veritas could arrive so quickly either. They’d have to do the work pro bono, and the partners always meet to decide such cases.”
“I’ll still call Hannah first thing in the morning, so you know if I’m available. I’d do it pro bono, but I’d rather be paid the same amount they would pay the state. It’ll help our saving goals.”
“Sounds reasonable to me.” Abby stood. “Were you able to get a cabin for me with such late notice?”
“One of our trainee cabins is available for the rest of the week.” A flicker of irritation crossed Sam’s face as she got up. “I don’t like it though. I wish we had enough room for you to stay with us.”
“You did until you started popping out kids.” Abby laughed but was envious of their little family. “I know you’d let me stay with you if you could.”
Griff pushed out of his chair. “Think of it this way. You’re escaping the terror of two preschoolers, so I would say the cabin is a win for you.”
Sam swatted him. “Says the guy who thinks he wants four children.”
“Actually, I want enough for a baseball team, but I’ll settle for the four.” He laughed.
She glared at him, but it was in jest. “If we’re going to get this business off the ground, we can’t afford even two of them, much less a whole team.”
Abby admired their dedication to their goal. No doubt they would succeed once they met their savings goal and could get started.
