Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

the same info about Monroe and Cissy. Since Redstone’s investigating Chad’s murder, we think this woman must work for Redstone. Which means we need to find Monroe fast, before he takes off and disappears on us.”

“And we don’t need to tell you that if Redstone is helping his friend evade a murder, then that makes him an accessory,” said Winkler.

“Let’s not jump the gun,” said Rem. “Maybe you should talk first and assume later. Making out with someone, even though the timing’s lousy, doesn’t make them a killer.”

Winkler frowned and Bevins smirked. “You’re friends with Redstone,” said Bevins. “You trying to protect him and his cocky partner?”

Rem straightened. “Cocky or not, he and Redstone still deserve a fair shake.” He paused. “And not a rush to judgement.”

“Our judgement is based on the facts, and they’re adding up fast,” said Bevins. “And if you weren’t friends with this guy, you’d be all over his ass for this.”

“Maybe, but I’d be checking all the facts, not just the ones I like,” said Rem.

Bevins curled his lip. “Sounds like you’re a friend first and a detective second. Maybe you need to question your own judgement before they embarrass you when we arrest them.”

Winkler took Bevins’ arm. “Take it easy, Bevins.”

Rem held Bevins’ look. “The only judgement I’m questioning is yours. Just because somebody says ‘boo’ doesn’t make them a ghost.”

“Ghost, huh?” asked Bevins. “Sounds fitting, coming from you. Redstone’s a kook. Maybe you are, too?” He grinned. “’Cause I’ve heard a few things.”

Daniels stood, his back rigid. “I think you’ve said enough, Bevins.” He faced Winkler, his face stony. “You need anything else? Because I think we’re done here.”

Winkler tugged on Bevins. “Come on, partner. Relax. We’re all on the same side, right?”

Bevins and Rem glared until Bevins finally looked away. “Yeah,” said Bevins. “Sure we are.”

“You two have a nice day,” said Daniels, his expression unchanged.

“You let us know if you hear from Redstone,” said Winkler, guiding Bevins out of the squad room.

“You’ll be the first,” said Rem, holding his stare.

Bevins glanced back before he and Winkler walked out.

Daniels sat. “Anybody ever tell you that you have a horrible bedside manner?”

“Lots of people,” said Rem, picking up his phone.

Daniels nodded. “Makes sense.”

Rem pulled up Mikey’s number. “I don’t like that guy.”

“Really? I thought you two were hitting it off,” said Daniels. He sighed. “Let me guess. You calling Mikey, our imposter?”

“Damn straight. I’m going to kill her.” He punched the button and listened. “Do me a favor. Pull out a five.”

“Five?” Dollar bill? What for?”

“Humor me.”

Daniels hesitated, then shrugged, and pulled out his wallet. He shuffled through some bills. “Don’t tell me. You want a milkshake from the─” His face dropped, and he pulled out a small piece of white paper. “It’s the receipt.”

“Told you,” said Rem.

**

Trick surveyed the house as Valerie pulled up into the driveway. He opened the door, but stopped when his cell rang. Grabbing it, he hesitated when he saw it was Mikey. “I need to take this.”

Valerie waited while he walked to the end of the driveway and answered. “Mikey?”

“Hey, Trick.”

“Don’t tell me. Mason is pissed I haven’t picked up my stuff.”

“On the contrary. He wants to talk to you.”

Trick watched Valerie as she stood with her arms crossed and leaned against the car. “Then why didn’t he call me instead of you?”

“Because he’s on his way to Serita Avery’s.”

“Serita who?”

“A client with a ghost in her house. He asked me to call, and see if you could come by tonight to talk.”

Trick rubbed his forehead. “Uh, yeah. Of course.” He paused. “Is he still pissed? Is he going to have the authorities waiting for me when I get there?”

“Guess you’re going to have swing by to find out.”

“Lucky me.”

“Would you rather face them, or Mason’s wrath?”

“I’ll have to think about that one.” Valerie pointed at her watch. “Listen. I’m about to talk to Lydia’s mom. I’ll call when I’m on my way to Mason’s.”

“Michelle? We were planning on talking to her when Mason came back.”

“Well, hold off for now.”

“We spoke with Bradley this afternoon. He definitely has a vibe we don’t like.”

“Then I’ll hold off on him. We’ll compare notes this evening, unless I’m hauled off in handcuffs.”

“We won’t call the cops until we talk about the case. Then they can haul you off.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“See you later.”

“See you.” He hung up, and putting his cell in his pocket, walked up the driveway. “You ready?” he asked Valerie.

“You’re the one taking your calls and making me wait.”

“Sorry about that. Some calls need to be answered.”

They stepped up to the porch, and Trick knocked on Michelle’s door.

**

Mikey hung up with Trick and walked to the counter. She ordered a scoop of chocolate in a cup, and went back to the table and sat, still thinking about the case. Mason would be gone for at least an hour, and she debated what she could do during that time, but Mason had basically forbidden her from completing anything useful. Since Trick was talking to Michelle, that was no longer on the table, so she and Mason would have to discuss what to do next, which would likely be talking to Shay. Mikey hoped Trick could get some solid information from Michelle and looked forward to their evening when maybe, between the three of them, they might discover some plot within the Stanford family.

She took a bite of her ice cream and almost called Rem. They were supposed to go to the movies that weekend, but she figured he’d be busy, and didn’t want to bug him at work. He wouldn’t be pleased when he learned about her helping Mason interrogate Bradley. Sighing, she took another bite, thinking she might keep that to herself, but then changed her mind, relishing again in the memory of Bradley’s questioning. These protective men in her life would just have to get over it. Her next self-defense class was in two days, and she looked forward to confronting marshmallow man again.

Her cell rang and