Page 98 of Five

We’re not far from the hospital on Stock Island, outside of a building that was once used for ambulance services.

“We’re done, guys,” he says. “This is pointless. I don’t know why we bothered.”

Remi closes his eyes. “Because it was a good idea, that’s why. Just because we haven’t found anything doesn’t negate that. It simply means we haven’t looked in the right place yet.”

“We’re wasting time. Time that could be spent—”

Cope’s expression is incredulous, the normally easy going man on the brink of getting equally riled. “Doing what, man? What else would we be doing? At least we’re doing something, for fuck’s sake. And we’ve eliminated plenty of places. That’s worth something.”

“Guys.” Everyone stops at the sound of Oliver’s voice. “Come here and take a look.”

We crowd around the door he’s standing by at the side of the building. At first, I don’t know what has him so intent. Then, I see it—faint gouges on the lock’s metal.

“We may have just caught our first break.”

Twenty-Six

Oscar

Idigoutmyphone to call Neve. Last night was amazing, but with everything going on it feels like we’re all just snatching stolen moments here and there. I want more for us than that, but it won’t happen until we can wrap this case up, so I’m determined to work twice as hard to make that happen.

“Hey, angel face. Sorry I had to leave you so early this morning.”

There’s a muted hum and whoosh in the background, and I can hear the sound of the guys chatting. That in itself is not unusual, but I swear I can hear traffic.

“That’s okay.” Neve’s voice distracts me from those thoughts. “I know you’re busy. I’m just glad I got to see you last night.”

Her voice has dropped to a husky murmur, laced with innuendo, which makes me wish I was back on the island and there weren’t all these external circumstances impacting on us.

“Me, too, because I’m not going to make it back for dinner, either.”

“Oh, uh, that’s a shame.” There’s an odd tone in her voice that I can’t put my finger on, and I don’t have time to figure it out. Maybe she’s just disappointed.

“Anyway, you just take care and enjoy your evening.”

Yes, um…Of course. Well, see you later.”

She blows kissy noises down the receiver as I say goodbye. Then she’s gone, and I’m standing there feeling like I’ve missed something.

I stare at the phone in my hand, thinking back not to what Neve said, but what she didn’t say.

To the background noise.

Then it hits me. They aren’t home.

What the hell are they playing at?

I can confirm my suspicions easily enough. My finger hovers over the icon for the location app. Since Neve has a phone on my plan it would be easy enough to find out exactly where she is.

“Fucking hell!” I bite out the expletive, drawing a couple of shocked glances from people around me as I stuff my phone back into my pocket.

As much as I want to, I can’t cross that line. I’m not a damn stalker, and Neve is free to come and go as she pleases.

Besides, the guys are with her. How much trouble can they possibly get into?

I try not to think about all the trouble they got into yesterday as I get out of my car to deal with the immediate issue at hand. Even though evening is falling and it’s way past time for me to be heading out for the day, Oberman called me to the scene of possible evidence.

“Stan,” I call, seeing a familiar face deep in a heated discussion with a clearly irate couple. Oberman turns around with a look of relief on his face and raises his hands to the squabbling couple to stop their tirade. The way he rolls his eyes while he’s got his back to them alerts me that this isn’t going to be one of those nice, easy jobs which comes with grateful members of the public.