Page 16 of Criminally Yours

The phone rang on his console. She swore he mumbled something like “thank god” before he said louder, “It’s my colleague, Bear. You know, Drew. Don’t call him that, though. I messaged him earlier.”

He pressed a button on his car to answer the call.

“Strike, what the fuck is happening?”

Bear was gruff but with London intonations. He’d continued to live with Strike’s parents after Strike disappeared into the army. They didn’t talk after Strike left. She could hardly ask Bear if Strike had joined the army without a goodbye because she was awful in bed.

“We’re heading to yours. You’re on speaker. Less swearing.”

Millie rolled her eyes, recounting the things she’d said to strangers online. She wasn’t pure and innocent anymore.

Little lines formed around his eyes as he looked between her and the road. She scowled, attempting to convince herself he wasn’t as sexy as the swirling in her gut suggested.

“I need cash and a burner,” he grunted.

“With internet,” Millie added. “For work.”

“Hey, Millie,” Bear replied.

“Is thattheMillie?” a female voice sang, setting Millie’s teeth on edge. Maybe she was Strike’s “friend” who liked sherbet lemons. “Your neighbour who you?—”

“What have I said about speakerphone and Liss?” Strike grunted, his nostrils flaring.

His neighbour who he what?

“I told you to presume Liss is always here. I can’t get away from her, not that I want to.” A giggle and a kiss echoed through the car.

A smile threatened to tickle up the corners of Millie’s mouth until Strike replied, “The police say Millie witnessed a stabbing, but I suspect they’ll pin something on her. Hugo Dankworth, the Deputy Prime Minister’s son, is involved.”

“He was a prick when you did close protection for his dad,” Bear interjected.

“They both were.”

“I didn’t stab anyone,” Millie stated sharply.

Strike glowered. “I didn’t say you did.”

She released an exasperated breath. “For fuck’s sake. Stop being such a bellend.”

Liss chuckled, “She knows Strike really well.”

“This is serious,” Strike barked.

“Yes, but I am struggling, and humour might help. And as it’s my story, I’m allowed to insult you. It used to help when we were younger, until you did what you did.”

“What did he do?” Liss whispered.

“Stuff,” Bear replied.

“Enough,” Strike roared, the sound exploding throughout the car. “Tell them what happened.”

“You’ve turned into a grumpy bastard,” Millie snapped, her shoulders hunching. “But so we don’t have to endure any more of your strops, I was on my way to a bar?—"

“To see friends or for a date?” Strike cut in.

“It’s irrelevant.”

“I need to know who else might be involved.”