Page 60 of Charmed Forces
“Us.Allof us.”
Lily hugged me. Well, as best she could with a coffee in one hand, and a package of cake in the other. It was more like an elbow squeeze on both sides, but I appreciated it. “I’m glad I can help. I was going to sayhappybut I’m nothappyabout it because this sucks for Daniel but I’m glad to help.”
“I’m glad you’re helping too,” I said. When my phone rang, Lily released me and took my coffee, leaving me free to answer it.
“I might have something,” said Lucas. “Can you come back to the office?”
“Sure, I’m not far away. Can you add another search too?”
“Yep. Go ahead.”
“I want to take a look at the security camera at a coffee shop called The Daily Roast on Webster Avenue. Plus, any street cameras nearby especially if they’re pointing towards the coffee shop. Say, a couple hours before the shootings yesterday?”
“No problem.”
“On my way.” I hung up and said to Lily, “We need to head back to the agency.”
“Let’s go,” she said as she returned my coffee.
We turned the corner, heading towards Lily’s bar when I saw Captain Brandt. He locked eyes with me and strode towards us purposefully, motioning for another man to follow. My stomach tied in a knot as I wondered if he were looking for me, or following me. Neither idea was a good prospect.
“Well, if it isn’t this city’s finest PI,” he said, deadpan.
“Captain Brandt,” I said, giving him a polite nod.
“I think you’ve met Detective Crump already,” he said, nodding to the man next to him. Crump was a big guy at over six feet with dirty blonde hair and I felt fairly certain he was wearing the same blue suit last time I saw him.
“We’ve met,” I said as Detective Crump stared at me stonily.
Captain Brandt looked over to Lily “And you are?” he asked.
“Lily Shuler-Graves,” said Detective Crump. “We meet again.”
“Have we met?” asked Lily, obliviously. I glanced at her, wondering if she were joking. When Crump turned to look past us on the street, she winked and I had to bite back a smile.
“Captain Brandt is heading the squad to find out what happened at the safe house where Daniel and his colleagues were attacked,” I told her.
“Right. You sent police officers to our house. My husband, Detective Jord Graves, told me,” said Lily, appearing entirely unfazed by the two men squaring up in front of us.
“Of course he did,” said Captain Brandt. “What are you two doing?”
“Buying coffee and cake,” said Lily.
“Just strolling around town, buying coffee and cake? Like nothing happened?” snorted Detective Crump.
“That’s what I said,” said Lily.
“Is there something you want, Captain?” I asked, directing my question to the senior officer.
Captain Brandt shrugged. “Anything you want to tell me?” he asked.
“Yeah,” said Detective Crump. “Anything at all?”
I glanced at Lily. She shrugged and so did I. “Nope,” I said.
“Have you heard from Detective Graves?” asked Captain Brandt.
“Which one?” I asked.