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“That’s good.” Cody was pleased to hear it. “You know, Kim also would have nothing to gain from lying.”

Again, a touch of careless earnestness earned her a pointed look in reply.

“Don’t let personal feelings get in the way of professional sense and cloud your judgment,” Quinn warned. “It won’t help the case, and it could get you hurt.”

“Come on, Lieutenant,” Cody finally protested. “You know me better than that.”

“Mm. I do know you.” Quinn kept her eyes on her. “You’re a solid cop, Miller. You have good instincts.”

“Thanks,” Cody grunted.

Quinn surprised her again with a personal reflection of her own.

“I just remember what it was like for me and Lia. Neither one of us wanted a serious relationship. I did my best to fight the growing attraction between us. Avoided running into her at all cost.” She grinned. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Not being with Lia was like being deprived of oxygen. Next thing I know, we’re getting married in Mexico.”

Cody had seen the lieutenant and her wife together a few times, either at one of Demi’s parties or a barbecue on the beach. The two women positively sizzled. She flashed her a quick grin.

“I’m not there yet, and possibly never. But I’ll let you know if I plan to elope.”

Quinn answered with an ironic chuckle. “If it comes to that, Miller, don’t plan and don’t tell me.”

“Got it. Um, Lieutenant?”

“What?”

“Permission to continue working on this case?”

Quinn stopped at the door and turned back to fix her with a cool, assessing glance. Cody returned it, just as unflappable, even though her heart was beating fast.

“For now,” Quinn granted. “Keep me posted.”

“Will do, Boss.”

“And Miller?”

“Yes?”

Quinn’s eyes flashed. “Be careful.”

???

“It sucks being a kid.”

Cody eyed the little blond girl in front of her as they shared a leisurely ice cream at the Ben & Jerry’s in old Lewiston. It was Sunday afternoon, and she was off duty. Anna Brockmann was the daughter of one of her former colleagues, Frank Brockmann, a Lewiston P.D. patrolman who tragically lost his life when he stopped to help a driver with a flat tire on the side of the road. Another vehicle, driven by a man who was later found out to be more than twice over the legal drink limit and on his phone, to make it even worse, plowed into him while he stood talking to the stranded driver. At first out of a sense of duty, then because she really liked the kid, and Anna liked her back, Cody started to take her out a few times a month. For a bike ride, to the movies, for a swim at the beach, or a round of ice cream, like today. The girl’s aunt, Jackie, had taken her in since her brother happened to be a single dad. She worked full-time as a nurse supervisor at Lewiston General and, with no other family available in town, was grateful for the help. It was no hardship for Cody. Over time, she had come to really look forward to her outings with Anna.

“You mean it sucks right now?” she queried.

She also knew better than to assume what was on the girl’s mind or take it lightly. It was still less than eight months sinceher father’s death. Though she was doing well, Cody knew from her aunt that she had nightmares at night. Sometimes, even seemingly innocent comments were loaded with a few layers of unspoken, unconscious grief. There was also the fact that even though she was only nine, the kid often sounded and behaved more like a wise thirty-year-old with an attitude. It paid to take her seriously.

“Not rightthis minute,”Anna let her know with a typical roll of the eyes. “But in general. It’s boring.”

“Oh yeah? Generally?”

“Yeah. It’s like, Exis-ten-tial.”

Cody suppressed a smile at the way she said it. “Where did you learn that word?”

“I read,” the girl shrugged. “I learn.”