Up in Smoke (Crossing the Line, #2)(41)

Derek ignored everything but her first sentence. “Did you say you found out how May got out of Cook?”

“Everyone doubts a blonde.” She refused to look at Connor, even though his gaze burned into her thighs, her face. “Okay, my ass-essment would be that May had help. The kind you buy with lots of crispy bills.”

“We already thought that might be the case.”

“Yes, but did you know May cut through three separate fences with a pair of bolt cutters?” She leaned back on the file cabinet, supporting herself with both palms. “It’s not easy to come by tools like that inside unless you have a serious connection. He hadn’t been there long enough to make friends like that without a little help. The kind of help that cuts electricity to the entire prison exactly when you’re making a break for it.”

“Power outage?” Derek narrowed his eyes. “So he went through perimeter fencing without it being caught on the security feed. Why didn’t the guards on watch sound the alarm?”

“They were a little occupied preventing a riot. Anytime the routine is thrown into jeopardy, all hell breaks loose.” She noticed Polly’s subtle nod, before the brunette went back to casting censure at Austin. “Cell doors were left open, rooms full of prisoners were in the dark with no supervision. There was panic. May had about a twenty-minute window to cut through the fence.” Erin shrugged. “My source didn’t know how May came by the bolt cutters, but it would have been easy for a guard to leave them by ‘accident.’”

Derek tipped up his chin. “Speaking of sources, who was yours?”

“I didn’t get his name, but I stole his wallet.” She reached into her tattered canvas bag, closed her hand around the leather billfold, and tossed it to the captain. “There’s probably some ID inside.”

“You got close enough to put your hand in his pocket?” Connor’s voice was deceptively quiet. “Left that part out, didn’t you?”

Bowen whistled quietly through his teeth. “Suddenly feeling pretty good about Sera working in an office.”

“At least someone let me touch him.” Erin swung her legs off the file cabinet and stomped to her feet. “Boyfriends are bullshit. Can I go now?”

“No.” Derek didn’t lift his head as he riffled through the burly sap’s wallet. “I’m going to need to bring him in to confirm the story. Be sure he wasn’t just making it up to impress you.”

Austin finally lifted his head. “You know, we’re all failing to recognize the real tragedy here. If I could disguise myself as a hot girl, we’d have this case solved by tea time.”

“Don’t call her hot.” Connor leaned forward. “Don’t even look.”

Austin rolled his eyes and went back to holding his skull intact.

Derek eyeballed what looked to be a driver’s license. “Where did you meet the source?”

“Hanover’s. It’s a dive around the corner from the prison, so bring Purell.” She picked up her purse, not sparing Connor a glance when he stood. “Oh. I called the three closest fencing companies near Cook. The last one, Windy City Fences, confirmed that they sent out a technician to repair the fence the day after May escaped. Just in case he denies the story.”

The captain looked impressed for the first time since she’d met him. “Nice work.”

She scowled at the warmth she encountered at the unexpected praise. Too many feelings were being leveled in her direction, and she needed a break until she learned how to handle them all. Pretending not to see Sera’s smile and Bowen’s thumbs-up, she turned on her booted heel and ran up the stairs.

Before she could clear the exit, Connor was blocking her path. “Hey. Wait just a damn minute.”

“No, you wait.” She shoved him, but he didn’t move an inch. “I know I have a problem. Believe me, I’m aware. But f*ck you for punishing me with it.”

His eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about?”

Erin laughed without humor. “You can’t touch me, so I can’t touch you either?” She was furious at the pressure behind her eyes. “I can’t believe you turned this into a game.”

The color drained from his face. “No. That wasn’t my intention.”

“Get out of my way. I need to move.”

“Listen to me first. You’ll kill me if you walk away crying.”

“I’m not crying.”

“Okay.” His throat worked. Erin wanted to slap him for looking so devastated. It would be so much easier to block everything out and be mad as hell for a while if he didn’t look like he wanted to sweep her up into his arms. “It feels good to be in control of something, Erin. Even if it hurts. I’m not used to having no plan. No power. It keeps me sane.” He dragged in a breath. “It’s a need I have and I found a way channel it, since I can’t touch you the way I need. Yet. Hurting you didn’t enter the equation. It never would.”

She had the crazy urge to jump into his arms and see if she could stand it. The fact that she could be this mad and still crave the feel of him disgusted her. Another emotion to add to the Molotov cocktail exploding inside her. “Dammit. I’m not having an easy time with any of this.”

“I know. I know.” He dropped his head so he could speak at her ear. His breath on her neck sent a shiver racing down her back. It sounded shallow, urgent. “Come home with me now. We’ll make each other feel so good, sweetheart. If you want to cuff me to the bed, I swear I’ll f*cking let you. Torture me any way you want, just don’t cry.”