Page 13 of Ride the Lightning
Deal. Smooches,Kendall replied.
Avery still wasn’t back, and Jonah didn’t want to think about why, so he forced his brain to think about Earl Ison’s situation instead.
Why were Morrisey and Milton, along with the district attorney and police chief, so eager to close Earl’s case and call it a day without taking any steps to corroborate Bo Cahill’s story? Bigotry? Laziness? Or something more sinister?
He couldn’t accuse them of neglecting the DNA evidence, because it wasn’t a widespread practice back then like it was today. Even if they had sent Cahill’s DNA off for comparisons, the results would’ve come back months, maybe years, after the correctional department electrocuted Bo Cahill. Maybe they could exonerate him for Earl’s murder now. If the panties were stored correctly, the DNA analysis could tell them a lot. They’d need to obtain a sample from one of Cahill’s living relatives for comparison if his DNA wasn’t already on file.
Jonah opened a blank document on his computer and began typing what he knew so far, the reasons why they should reopen the case, and how he wanted to proceed. Sure, Malcolm might decide to kick the investigation to a different agent since Jonah didn’t work in the field, but he sincerely hoped not. He couldn’t risk someone tossing the file to the side and ignoring it since both men were already dead. Jonah would be the only one to investigate it with any vigor and urgency, so he had to convince Malcolm he was the right guy for the job.
A knock sounded on his door. Jonah jerked his head up and wished like hell he’d yelled “go away” when he saw Avery’s gleaming eyes, flushed cheeks, and puffy lips.Don’t say anything. Don’t say anything.“Wow,” Jonah said, ignoring his directive. “That must’ve been some lunch.”
Avery’s face turned pinker. Unfortunately, he stepped farther into the room instead of shutting the door and leaving Jonah alone. “Wow,” Avery said, mimicking Jonah. “Your lunch must’ve been horrible because you’re in a darker mood than you were before I left. You did eat, right?”
“Yes,” Jonah said tersely. “I don’t need you to mother me.”
“Smother you?” Avery asked. “Did I hear you correctly? The thought has never crossed my mind. Not once since…an hour ago.”
Ignoring him, Jonah returned his attention to the screen and resumed typing. He wasn’t ready to put in writing his feelings about the shoddy investigation because law enforcement officers stuck together, even sometimes when they shouldn’t. Malcolm might let him reopen the case, but he’d have to attack it from a different angle such as focusing on the differences between the DNA testing capabilities now compared to back then, or even the reporting systems and ease of use now.
“Um, hello,” Avery said, not taking the hint. He shut the door, crossed the room, and dropped in the chair across from Jonah. His large desk might have separated them, but Avery still felt too close for Jonah’s comfort.
“What?” Jonah asked, not bothering to hide his exasperation.
“You were going to tell me what’s bothering you before Frick and Frack interrupted us in the men’s room,” Avery said.
Jonah snorted. Frick and Frack was perfect for Paxton and Meyers. “I was going to do no such thing.” Jonah met Avery’s gaze. “It would seem like you were worried about your blind date for nothing.” He was Avery’s supervisor, so he had to refrain from commenting on Avery’s lunchtime activities.
“You’re looking at me like you want to kill me?” Avery said softly. “What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jonah said, shaking his head. “I’m just working on something I need to pitch to Deputy Director Malcolm.”
“Is it something I’m familiar with?”
Jonah shook his head. “It was something a friend mentioned to me last night. I looked into it over lunch, and her hunch was right.” He glanced at the clock and noticed he had five minutes to get to Malcolm’s office, so he printed what he’d typed before crossing the room to pull it off the printer. “I need to meet with Malcolm, but it shouldn’t take long. We can begin working on our next phase of cybercrime detection and prevention when I get back. Trexler really had a stick up his ass over it yesterday.”
“You’re going to meet the director wearing a coffee-stained shirt?” Avery asked.
Jonah had forgotten all about it and was glad Avery had said something. Rather than stare at the printer while it spat out his documents, he crossed to his closet. Jonah could feel Avery’s eyes on him as he started unbuttoning his shirt, but it didn’t stop him or even slow him down until he heard Avery suck in a sharp breath when he got an eyeful of the tattoo inked across his back. Jonah regretted his hasty action and quickly tossed the soiled shirt into the closet and pulled on a clean one. He’d nearly fitted all the buttons through the holes before Avery spoke again.
“Wow.” Jonah imagined Avery’s breath ghosting over his skin while he took a closer look, running a finger over the intricately inked design or traced the dark lines with his tongue. A shiver of arousal snaked through Jonah’s body, which only made him angrier. “That is one magnificent beast,” Avery continued, completely unaware of the storm gathering inside Jonah. “What is it? Something mythic?”
“No,” Jonah said curtly. “It’s deeply personal, and I don’t wish to talk about it.”
“Oh,” Avery said sadly. “I’m sorry. I won’t bring it up again.”
He knew his intern would resemble a kicked puppy if he looked at him, so Jonah kept his back turned to Avery. He tucked in his shirt as best he could without unbuckling his belt and unzipping his pants. He wrenched open the door and left without another word. Jonah stopped short when he saw the vase of colorful flowers sitting on the corner of Avery’s desk. He had the strongest urge to pick it up and launch it across the room. What the fuck? This wasn’t the set of one of the reality housewife shows Kendall loved so much. He didn’t throw things in a fit of rage.
Jonah needed to get laid. His hand wasn’t getting thejobdone, and it was making him jealous of anyone getting action. He felt downright mean, and it wasn’t cool. Desiree’s eyes widened when she saw him coming, so he got a grip on his emotions and forced a smile.
“Is he back?” Jonah asked, aiming for a friendly tone.
Desiree visibly relaxed. “Yes, and he’s expecting you.”
“Thanks, Desiree.” Jonah handed her the cookies he bought from the café.
“You’re so sweet. Can I get you some coffee or something?”
With his luck, Jonah would end up wearing another cup, and he was down to his last spare shirt at the office. “No, thanks.” Then Jonah realized he’d left without grabbing the document from his printer. He briefly debated going back to get it but nixed the idea. He had the main details memorized, and he could always email additional information if Malcolm wanted more.