Justice(42)
“No! I simply stated a fact.”
“Okay, people,” Harry says, “excitement’s over. It’s just a jacket. Get back to work.”
The crowd disperses, mumbling to each other about my gift. The gossip mill has already started weaving its tale. By tonight Justice and I will be involved in a torrid affair or I’ll be his secret sidekick. Good thing I’m the new and improved Joanna or I’d be inclined to kick his superhero butt from here to the ocean even though he gave me a bitchin’ coat.
“What’s that old saying?” Cam asks. “First comes coat, then comes marriage?”
I point my finger at him. “I will kick your ass.”
“Play nice you two,” Harry says. “Did the lab finish with the newspapers?”
“Yeah. Just Ryder’s fingerprints and those of five of the six guards. The ones he burnt are gone forever. The lab couldn’t pull anything useful.”
“Another dead end,” I say.
“The autopsies are done too. Nothing we didn’t already know.”
“Forensic accountants?” Harry asks me.
“Should be done by tomorrow morning.”
“We are too good at our jobs,” Cam says. “Anything we can do, we’ve done. What now, boss? Want us to run down more tips?”
“No. We’ve got people already on it.” Harry sighs. “Alright. There’s no point in you two being here with nothing to do. I want you to finish up your reports for the day and go home. Sleep, see your family, whatever. Just keep your cells on in case you’re needed. I want you both here at eight in the morning tomorrow.”
“Yes, boss,” Cam says with a huge grin.
Harry walks back to his office. Cam looks at me, and I shrug. “I’m not going to complain.” I put on my jacket and toss the box on the floor.
“You want to come over for dinner?” Cam asks.
“You think I’m going to forgive you for what happened at the hospital with the promise of pork chops, Judas?”
“Worth a shot. So, when are you going to forgive me?”
I sit back down. “Cam, I’m Irish. We hold grudges even after we’re dead.”
“So what are you going to do with your free night?”
“Well, because of you, I have to go buy a new dress for the party tomorrow night.”
“Can’t you just wear an old one?”
“These people give you shit if you show up with your old face, never mind a dress. I’ll just stop by the consignment shop near my place.”
“Something funeral black, maybe?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.
My phone rings. “No, I’m saving that for the wedding,” I say with a sneer. I pick it up. “Det. Joanna Fallon.”
“Jo?” Justin asks.
“Hey,” I say.
“I haven’t heard from you since yesterday. Just wanted to touch base and see how things are. Still hard at work?”
“Always. I did, however, have time to have lunch with your better half today which I am sure you’ve heard all about by now.”
“Yeah, she told me. I’m glad. She said you’ll be at the party tomorrow.”
“That is the plan.”
“I had Shannon send you a few dresses and shoes from our new line. I know how much you hate shopping.”
I smile to myself and lean back in the chair. He knows me so well it’s scary. “What is it about men sending me clothes today? One more person does it, and I’m gonna start taking offense.”
“Who else sent you clothes?” Justin asks.
“The great Justice sent me a Kevlar coat.”
“Really? That was nice of him. Why did he do that?”
“Who knows, who cares?”
“Is it nice?”
“Very. Hey, maybe he’s gay!”
Cam narrows his eyes and shakes his head at me. “No way,” he mouths.
“Yeah it’s…possible,” Justin says. “I have no idea.”
“Anyway, quit your worrying. Unless something big comes up, I promise I’ll be there tomorrow. With a surprise even.”
“A surprise? Should I be worried?”
“No. You’ll like this one. At least, I’m pretty sure you will.”
“Can’t wait.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” I pause. “Say hi to the family. Send them my love. Bye.” I hang up the phone.
“What’s the surprise?” Cam asks.
“None of your business. Quit eavesdropping and finish your work. I want to get out of here before Harry changes his mind.”
It takes an hour and a half to leaf through the clippings and compose a one-page report about absolutely nothing. There’s no rhyme or reason to the articles that I can tell. He just cut out everything he could on the man for his own reasons. Know thy enemy, I guess.