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Cold case? “The fuck?”

“Criminal activity, Cuckoo. Some serious shit.”

“I need you to find out everything you can, Eagle Eye.”

“I will. It’s gonna take time,” he warned.

“I understand.” I stomped toward the door, pausing before I opened it. “Once you know, contact me. I don’t care if I’m asleep. Wake me up. I want to know right away.”

“I’ll get the info, brother.”

“Thanks.”

I left his office with more questions than answers, and that never failed to piss me off. I didn’t like being taken by surprise, and I certainly didn’t like the idea that Katrina was alone and in danger.

Fuck. I needed a stiffer drink since this would be a long night.

Chapter 2 Katrina

“What subject are you researching?” I asked, lowering to a squat as I brought my eyes level with the petite third grader who came to the library with her class for the morning.

“Um, pandas.”

“Oh, I love panda bears. Don’t you?”

The girl nodded as her long, dark brown braids slipped over her shoulders. She smiled, a bit shy but also enthusiastic.

“I can help with that. What’s your name?”

“Emaley.”

“Oh, that’s a pretty name. I’m Katrina. Would you like help finding out more about pandas?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you know they live in China?”

Her eyes widened. “That’s far away.”

“It is,” I confirmed. “Pandas are special.”

“They’re my favorite,” Emaley confided.

“Then let’s see what books we have available for you to check out.”

“Pandas poop all day.”

I turned to the boy who joined us, blurting the words before grinning at Emaley.

“No, they don’t poop all day. That’s too much,” she argued.

“They poop forty times a day! I know. I saw it on the National Geographic show.”

Emaley stuck out her tongue. “Go away, Lucas.”

“It’s true. Ask the librarian lady.”

Emaley stared up at me, reaching for my hand. “Do pandas poop that much?”