Page 67 of Forever Dead

Selena lowered her voice. "I was hoping someone else was on shift. Cheryl, please don't tell Connor I was here."

Cheryl leaned back in her chair. "I don't want to be involved."

"That's fine."

"I mean it."

"I'm only saying hello."

Cheryl gave her a doubtful stare, then returned to the paperwork.

Selena glanced toward the hallway. "Who's in the briefing room?"

"Arnold."

Selena nodded. "I'll say hi."

Cheryl muttered, "Of course you will."

Selena headed down the corridor before the conversation could become less friendly.

Arnold sat at the computer when she entered the briefing room. Files were spread across the table, and the murder board had grown since Selena last saw copies of the case material.

Arnold turned.

His whole posture changed.

"What are you doing here?"

Selena shut the door behind her. "Relax. I'm just dropping by to say hi."

"You shouldn't be here."

"You would've made a terrible spy."

Arnold lowered his voice. "Selena."

"You're panicking because I walked through a door."

"Connor will skin me."

"He isn't here. I just thought I’d drop in and see how things are going."

"That doesn't make me feel better."

Selena crossed toward the table, using the cane more heavily than she wanted.

"You might as well give me an update. But first, give me a chair."

Arnold pushed one toward her.

Selena lowered herself slowly. Pain pulsed through the knee once she stopped moving.

Arnold noticed.

“You okay?”

“I’ve been on it too long tonight.”