Page 35 of Haunted By Sin

“Are you saying—”

“No, I don’t believe the unsub is working with someone.” Brook used her fork to divide one of the wings into smaller bites. “I spoke with Agent Tirelli, and he has interviews lined up with Reggie Hollins’ family members. The scope of this investigation is wide. By the way, you’ve done an excellent job merging the information. I know it isn’t easy with intel coming at us from multiple agencies, but I don’t want them to have access to our software.”

“It was simple really,” Bit said after wiping his fingers. With each bite of his burger, he used his napkin. He was following her lead, and should something take place this evening, he would have her back. “I’ve created separate portals for each agency, and all they have to do is upload their files. The software then compresses each—”

“How is Zoey?”

“Zoey?”

“Zoey,” Brook reiterated before sticking the tongs of her fork into a steak fry. She then shot him a curious sideways glance. “Your girlfriend? The one whose parents you are meeting when we get back home?”

“She’s good.” Bit cleared his throat. “I met her mother. Sort of. It was an accident really. Zoey and I were on a video call when there was a knock on her door. Her mother showed up unexpectedly. I was going to disconnect, but Mrs. Collins must have a sixth sense or something.”

“All mothers have that sixth sense, Bit.” Brook shook her head in what he assumed was amusement as she chose another fry. “Especially when it comes to their daughters.”

“Yeah, well, Mrs. Collins made a beeline straight for Zoey’s computer. She started peppering me with questions, and then she kept going on and on about how much she liked my taste in furniture. She then asked where I bought the beautiful antique table behind me.”

Brook’s fork hovered midair as she waited for his reply. When he couldn’t bring himself to finish his story, he took a huge bite of his burger.

“You didn’t, Bit.” Brook lowered the utensil until it rested on the paper of the plastic basket that held her food. “Tell me you did not lie to Zoey’s mother.”

“I panicked,” Bit exclaimed around a mouthful of food. He chewed for a moment, not expecting Brook to laugh. When he first met her, she never even cracked a smile. “I told her that I found it at a yard sale, which she took to mean that I love those kinds of things. One thing led to another, and the next thing I know—are you still laughing? This isn’t funny, Boss. What am I going to do? I can’t spend an entire weekend walking around looking at junk.”

By this time, Brook had set her fork down completely in exchange for her napkin, which she was using to dab the corners of her eyes. He had been serious about his question.

“Can I get you a refill?”

Seeing as Brook wasn’t going to answer the waitress, Bit nodded his reply followed by asking for more ketchup. He would have swiped a bottle from another table, but the place was packed. There wasn’t one table available.

“I would advise you to tell Zoey’s mother the truth, but I don’t think you’ll take that recommendation.” Brook still had a grin on her face as she reached for her fork. “Bit, you never cease to amaze me.”

He waited for her to continue, because it was obvious from her expression that she was going to say more on the subject. Yet there was a subtle shift in her body language that had him turning his focus toward Mary Jane.

Only it hadn’t been Mary Jane who had captured Brook’s attention.

“How were the chicken tenders and double order of loaded fries you had for lunch?”

“Fantastic,” Bit replied to the waitress who worked at the Crestlake Bar & Grill. He remembered her name was Mindy and that she had been the one to hand him his lunch. “I noticed that you threw in some extra barbeque sauce. I appreciate that.”

“No problem.” Mindy flashed a smile toward Brook, who simply nodded her greeting in response. Mindy peered over her shoulder toward Mary Jane. “Has there been any progress on the case?”

“Yes.”

Mindy quickly turned back to meet Brook’s gaze.

“Really?”

Brook remained silent, and Bit shifted awkwardly in his seat when the two women continued to stare at one another. Mindy began to alter her position with discomfort, as well.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Mindy said after a moment of strained silence. “I hope you catch the guy. I, um, I was just going to the restroom.”

Brook monitored Mindy’s progression to the small hallway near the back, not removing any scrutiny until the restroom door closed behind the woman. Bit waited for any instructions in silence.

“Who is Mindy here with tonight?” Brook asked Bit before their waitress returned with their drinks. It wasn’t until after she had returned to the bar that Brook continued her line of questioning and the reason behind it. “Do you recognize anyone from the Crestlake Bar & Grill? Mindy walked through the front door and directly toward the restroom as she scanned the faces of those inside.”

The fact that Brook would even ask him those questions meant that she hadn’t recognized anyone present whom they had already met at the pier. He was confident that Brook had already memorized every face in the joint.

“I don’t see anyone,” Bit replied after he glanced around the establishment. He then pushed away what remained of his food. He had pretty much polished off his burger, anyway. “I’ll know for sure when I get back to the van.”