Page 13 of Murder Notes

“On what grounds?”

Seconds tick by, his eyes glinting with a mixture of hate and lust that, while familiar, never becomes tolerable.

“On what grounds, Sergeant Rivera?” I repeat.

“Conflict of interest.”

“What conflict of interest?” I press.

“Mendez.”

“There is no conflict of interest with Mendez.”

“We both know that’s a lie. I want you off my case.”

I think of Murphy’s urgency to get me here. “And when the FBI claims jurisdiction?”

“Even if they do, you won’t be the agent in charge. I’ll make sure of it. I told you. I want you off my case.”

I narrow my gaze on him, and my first thought is that this situation isn’t what it seems. Rivera’s over-the-top reaction reads as being as manufactured as my confronting Officer Rogers to avoid Kane Mendez.

“Did you hear me?” he demands. “I want you off my case. When your director finds out you fucked Mendez—”

“I heard you,” I say. “You want me off your case.” Maybe a little too much, I think, before adding, “We’ll leave it to the powers that be to decide.”

I turn and start walking, but I’m not going anywhere. Kane’s right. I do belong here, at least for now and until I figure out what this all has to do with me, before someone else does first.

I climb into my rental and dial Director Murphy, who answers the call this time. “What do you have to report, Agent Love?”

“Same MO, different state.” I don’t give him time to ask for details. “How did you know I needed to be here tonight? How did you predict a murder?”

“That was a surprise.”

“But you wanted me here tonight, earlier rather than later.”

“Coincidental politics. Nothing more. Nothing I’m going to involve you in.”

“But I am involved. I’m the one who’s here.”

“And well equipped to do a quick, thorough investigation.”

“I have a history with Kane Mendez.”

“Which makes you the perfect candidate to get into his head.”

“Why do I need to be in Kane’s head?”

“He’s connected to this. Tonight makes that clear.”

“I didn’t tell you that. How do you know he’s connected?”

“I looked up the crime scene address. I know he owns the property.”

“But that doesn’t make him responsible for the murder.”

“That’s true, but anyone else working this case would assume he is because of who he is, and I don’t like the obvious as an answer to anything.”

“Are you protecting Kane Mendez? Is he a part of the politics you keep mentioning?”