Harlequin Intrigue April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Carol Ericson (beginner reading books for adults .txt) 📗

“I invited you and you’re welcome back anytime.” As Quinn struggled out of his chair, Kyra jumped off the arm and cupped his elbow to give him a boost.

“You don’t have to get up for me.” Jake slung one strap of his holster over one shoulder. “I appreciate the offer. I think you can provide us with some valuable insight into this case even if it’s not The Player back in action.”

“I usher you into my house—” Quinn took a step forward, shrugging off Kyra’s hand “—I usher you out of my house. Just don’t be like this one, showing up unannounced and uninvited to harass me.”

Kyra squeezed Quinn’s arm. “You wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Thanks for the dinner. I’ll pay you back or buy you a lunch at the station sometime.”

Jake sure knew how to charm a girl.

She tossed back her ponytail. “Save it. I’m good. I just ask that you keep me in the loop. Use my services. I’m no novice at this, and I’m not going to do an end run behind your back.”

Jake’s eyebrows shot up to a single lock of dark hair that curled onto his forehead.

Did he really think she didn’t know why he didn’t trust her? She’d been there.

“Yeah, no problem about that sandwich.” He reached past her and shook Quinn’s hand. “Sir, good to meet you.”

When he stepped onto the porch, Kyra slammed the door after him. “What an insufferable...jerk. Did you hear that comment about the sandwich? He’d rather buy me lunch than keep me informed.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Sounded like he respected you. Sure seemed to be something between the two of you.”

“Something between us?” Her mouth dropped open.

“I don’t know.” Quinn made a beeline for his chair. “Electricity. Excitement. Something like that. You’re not immune to his charms.”

“Charms?” Kyra blew out a breath as she got Quinn settled in his recliner. “You’ve been married too long if you think that man is charming.”

Quinn’s laugh exploded from his chest in a short burst. “Okay, now sit down and tell me what you really think about these murders. You’re sure you’re doing all right?”

“I’m fine, fascinated, really.” She took the side of the love seat that Jake had occupied earlier, and his scent enveloped her—a spicy smell from his deodorant or body wash, activated by the heat, and a not unpleasant odor that she could only describe as pure masculinity.

“Did Jake mention that the second victim was missing some jewelry? It might be a second trophy, in addition to the finger.”

“That would be—”

A pounding on the door stopped Quinn in midsentence.

“Quinn, Kyra, it’s Jake. I just got some news.”

Kyra jumped up, her heart racing, and dashed for the front door. When she swung it open, Jake charged past her, his cell phone in his hand.

“What is it?” Kyra hugged herself, her fingers digging into her arms. “Did they catch him?”

Jake came to an abrupt halt next to Quinn’s chair and tapped his cell phone. “Didn’t catch him, but he just made a big mistake.”

“Someone saw him? He left prints?” Kyra stood at the door, her eyes wide.

“He just called us to give us the location of another body.”

CHAPTER SIX

Kyra gasped and brought her hand to her throat. “Another body? That’s three now.”

Jake took half a step toward her. Likely sensing his movement, Kyra straightened her spine, making it obvious that she didn’t play the damsel in distress.

Quinn scratched his chin with the edge of his cane. “Why would he give you this location and not the others? Is it because nobody else found this body?”

“That’s part of it. He may have been content to wait, but the fire forced his hand.”

Kyra’s fingers clawed against the pale skin of her neck. “He’s afraid the fire is going to destroy the body and he won’t get credit.”

“Exactly.” Now Jake knew why his first instinct after receiving the call was to return to this room, to these two people who seemed to get it.

“What the hell are you waiting for?” Quinn pounded his cane on the floor. “You two need to get out there.”

Kyra brushed past Jake and dropped a kiss on Quinn’s cheek. “Take care. We’ll keep you posted.”

When they stepped outside, Jake’s nose twitched at the faint smell of smoke. “The wind must’ve shifted. I didn’t even smell the fire before.”

“Should I follow you over?”

“No point in taking two cars. I have my unmarked vehicle parked on the red. I didn’t mean to leave it there that long.”

“This is LAPD territory—I’m sure they ran your plate. But if you’re offering, I’ll tag along with you.”

When they made it to the car and slid inside, Jake peeled away from the curb and glanced at Kyra. “I interrupted you and Quinn again.”

“Believe me, I appreciated the interruption.” She gathered her hair in one hand and dragged it over her shoulder. She loosened it from its regular ponytail, and it shimmered in the dark of the car. “I suppose there’s a trace going out on the phone as we speak.”

“Yeah, but if it’s a burner phone, we’ll be out of luck.” He accelerated onto the freeway, which had shed half the traffic from rush hour.

She tilted her head at him. “When you walked into Quinn’s, you said the killer had made a big mistake. If he used an untraceable phone, how is that a problem for him?”

“Because he made contact.” Jake flexed his fingers on the steering wheel. “We have his voice, we have his attention. We know he’s following the case. It’s not much, but it’s more than we had before. Quinn will tell you every piece of information helps.”

“Can’t hurt, anyway.” She tapped on the windshield. “You can see the glow to the west. So, he dumped two bodies in the Griffith Park area and one in Malibu Canyon. Do you think this one came before or after Marissa?”

“Probably his first. That’s why he dumped Marissa and Kelsey in a more visible area. He realized