Page 70 of Southernmost Murder

“Aubrey!”

I shook my head and blinked. “What? Police—yes!” I fumbled for my phone and used the hand not throbbing to call 911. All the while, Josh swore obscenities at me and Jun, The Man, God, his mother—and the onlookers clapped like we were a group of street performers.

“LET MEsee.” Jun cradled my chin and tilted my head up as I removed the ice pack a cop had offered for my face.

The police had come to Mallory Square and picked up Josh, who was belligerent and still trying to fight even after they got him handcuffed. We ended up at the local station too, which ruined any semblance of a romantic—or at least normal—evening, especially after Jun had been adamant that we were stepping away from this hot mess. But we needed to give statements, and Jun felt it necessary that Tillman knew about Josh.

Jun’s eyes narrowed slightly, that one tiny change in his expression speaking volumes more than any angry words he could have spewed.

“Did it bruise?” I asked.

“Yes.” He had me put the ice pack back and then crouched. He picked up my right hand and removed the second ice pack. “Can you move your fingers?”

“Yeah, it’s okay,” I said as I wiggled them all. “I didn’t keep my wrist straight. I’ve usually got a mean right hook, you know.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Jun pressed my puffy hand in between his own briefly before letting go.

“How’syourface?”

“Fine.”

“That was a pretty awesome takedown you made,” I said. “Will he be booked for assaulting a federal agent?”

“I wasn’t technically on the job,” Jun replied as he stood back up.

“Mr. Grant and Agent Tanaka. Again.”

We both turned to see Tillman coming in through the front door, shaking his head.

“Detective,” Jun greeted.

“I’m considering having you put on payroll at this point, Agent,” Tillman said wryly.

Jun’s mouth did that little quirk thing. “Sorry to bother you. I’m sure you’d like to go home at some point.”

Tillman just pushed his suit coat back and put his hands on his hips, doing that cop pose again. “The arresting officers brought me up to speed. Will you be pressing charges, Aubrey?”

“Hell yes, I’m pressing charges!” I retorted. I lowered the ice pack on my face. “He fucking punched me! I’ll have to pancake foundation on to hide this.”

“I spoke with Mr. Moore after the two of you left my office earlier. He didn’t have an alibi for his whereabouts last night,” Tillman said after a beat.

“Home alone watching television,” Jun muttered.

“Basically,” Tillman agreed.

“Did you tell him about me? He claimed I sent the cops after him.” I pressed the pack against my jaw again. “He said he was going to rip my heart out. The guy’s a few fries short of a Happy Meal.”

“Of course I didn’t,” Tillman said sternly. “But you can rest easy knowing he won’t be going anywhere outside of jail soon.”

“Do you think he killed Cassidy?” I tried. “He’s hammered. Maybe it’s killer’s remorse?”

Jun and Tillman looked at each other and spoke telepathically. When did they suddenly become so buddy-buddy? Cops, man. Seriously….

“What?” I asked, looking back and forth.

“I’ll keep you apprised,” Tillman stated, shaking Jun’s hand.

“Thank you. Have a good night, Detective.” Jun nudged my shoulder, and I stood awkwardly to follow.