Touch of Red (Tracers #12)(38)

Sean tensed.

“Matt Jorgensen.”

Sean watched her, letting the words sink in. “I’ve heard that name before. He have a sheet?”

“No. He’s a deputy sheriff over in Burr County.”

Sean’s gut clenched. “Where’d you get this?”

“Maddie. Apparently, she’s met him and she’s not a fan.”

“She said that?”

“I think her exact words were ‘Thank God they broke up. The guy’s a prick.’?”

“Fuck,” Sean said, combing his hand through his hair.

“That was pretty much my reaction.”

Sean gritted his teeth. Why hadn’t Brooke told him? He glanced out the window and shook his head. A goddamn sheriff’s deputy. No wonder she’d balked at the idea of getting an RO. Maybe she figured she’d be better off ignoring him or handling the situation alone.

Well, she wasn’t alone now. She was getting Sean’s help with this guy whether she wanted it or not. The trick would be finding a way to help her that didn’t piss her off. It would be much easier if he could convince her to let him.

Sean glanced at his phone. He wanted to call her right this minute and see if she’d gotten those locks changed.

“Hey, Callie, thanks so much for spending part of your Sunday doing me a favor,” she quipped.

Sean glanced at her. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. And for the record, I’d be happy to help you follow up on this, whatever you plan to do. I like Brooke and I hope she shakes loose of this guy.”

Sean looked at his phone again. Then he glanced at the gym as the door opened and Bradley Mahoney stepped out.

“Heads up,” Sean said.

Mahoney wore black workout clothes, and sunlight gleamed off his shaved head. He had his phone pressed to his ear and a water bottle in his hand.

“Dang, look at the size of him,” Callie murmured. “No way he’s one-eighty.”

“I’d put him at two hundred, easy.”

Sean watched as Mahoney finished his call, then guzzled water. He tossed the bottle in a nearby can and started across the parking lot to his car.

“Where are you parked?” Sean asked.

“One row back.”

Sean turned around and spotted her SUV. “Wait until he leaves. Then tail him. I’m guessing he’s going home after this, but you never know. Maybe he has a girlfriend or something, which would be a lead.”

Callie put her hand on the door handle and waited. Mahoney got into his car and backed out of the space. He exited the lot, turning left on Fifth.

“Okay, now.”

She turned to look at him. “What about you?”

“I’m going after that water bottle.”

? ? ?

Brooke left Sunrise Donuts hungry and discouraged. She’d stopped by half a dozen times this weekend and failed to spot anyone even remotely resembling their redheaded mystery witness. Her new pal, Evan, was off today, too, so she’d had to talk to the manager, who was getting annoyed with her frequent visits. And Brooke was getting annoyed with buying doughnuts she didn’t want.

She slid into her car and tossed a water bottle on the floorboard, adding to the collection there. She’d felt compelled to at least purchase a beverage every time she went in.

Her phone chimed, and she checked the number. Sean. She tried to tell herself the warm zip of excitement was because she hadn’t talked to him all day and she needed an update on the case. It had nothing to do with her recent discovery that he was an amazing kisser.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hey there.” Just the sound of his voice made her skin flush. How did he do that with only two words?

“So, how’s your day going?” Brooke drove across the street and pulled into Dairy Queen.

“Fine. What are you doing?”

“About to get a bite of lunch. Why?”

“A little late for that, isn’t it?”

“Not really.” She got out of her car and scanned the kids clustered at picnic tables near the doors.

“How’d it go with the locksmith?”

“It didn’t.”

“What happened?”

“He moved the appointment. Now he’s meeting me over there at five.”

“Who are you using?”

“Turn Key. They had good reviews.”

“If he doesn’t show, I have a friend I can call.”

The smell of french fries made Brooke’s stomach grumble as she stepped into the restaurant. “Thanks, but I’ve got it covered. What’s up with the case today?”

“We’ve had some developments. I’ll fill you in later. Listen, I have to go. I just wanted to check on that locksmith. Let me know if you need me to contact my friend.”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”

“If it is—”

“Then I’ll let you know.”

He went quiet.

“Thanks for the offer,” she added.

“Sure. I’ll call you later, okay?”

They hung up, and Brooke stood for a moment, staring at the menu board. She wasn’t thinking about what she wanted, she was thinking about the worry in Sean’s tone.