Justice(75)

“It’s fine, gentlemen,” Justice says, lowering his hands. “Good response time, but I’d post someone back here at the staircase down to the beach. If I made it undetected, so could Alkaline.”

“Yes, sir,” Geoff says.

All the men holster their guns and return to their posts, leaving us alone. “I’m sorry for startling you,” Justice says.

“It’s okay. I’m a bit jumpy tonight.”

He nods. “That’s to be expected after your ordeal. I just came by to check on you and Mr. Pendergast and to offer my condolences.”

“Thanks. He’s, uh, asleep right now, but I’ll tell him you stopped by,” I say as I step toward the house.

“I was also hoping to ask you a few questions,” he says, stopping me. I turn back around. “If you don’t mind.”

“I’m sure you’ve read my statement.” He has some supercomputer that’s linked to every law enforcement database and all the CCTVs in the city. “It’s all in there.”

“I just have a few follow-up questions.”

I shrug. “I’m a captive audience. Not supposed to leave unless I’m in a tank with the National Guard around me. Fire away.”

“I understand you’re frustrated, but the precautions are for your safety. You should not try to find a way around them.”

“If he wants me, he’s gonna get me. The more people around me, the more collateral damage. Maybe I should just let him get me. Be bait.”

“No,” he says forcefully. “We will find a way of capturing him without putting you in harm’s way. That will never be an option. If I hear you have attempted that foolhardy plan, I will kidnap you myself and really lock you away. Do you understand me, Det. Fallon? I will not stand for it.”

I have no idea what to say. He actually sounds concerned and scared. For me. My heart warms a little. Not that I’ll let him know that. “Fine, I won’t. Ask your questions.”

After we sit, I walk him through the party last night, through finding the bodies and all that we’ve uncovered today. He knew most of it, and even clued me in to some new facts. Like Ryder checked into the hotel the night of the escape under the name “Joe Fallon.” He had a credit card and driver’s license in that name. The bastard might as well have just spit in my face. It was booked a week before he checked in, and checked out at 5:37 this morning.

“Fat lot of good that does us,” I say.

“I already have my system working through the security footage for the past week. It can pinpoint him and see if he met with any accomplices.”

“If you need me to run down anyone, my schedule is cleared indefinitely.”

“I’m sorry this has caused your life such an upheaval.”

“Yeah, well it frees me up to be your Girl Friday. I mean, if you don’t already have one. Do you have one?”

“I work alone, and it will stay that way.” He stands up. “Thank you for all your help.”

I leap up. “Wait. You’re not leaving already, are you? I can help you. I need to help you, okay? I can’t just sit in this cold museum waiting, doing nothing. I’ll go nuts.”

“Your friend needs you far more than I do. What you need to do is stay here and help him through this. Be his strength. Leave the rest to me.”

“He’s angry at me and doesn’t want me to help.”

“He’ll get over it. No one can stay mad at you for too long.”

“You talk about me like you know me,” I say with a scoff.

“If I’m not mistaken, I’ve known you for ten years,” he says without sarcasm. “And he does need you, by his side. Just be there when he’s ready. He may push you away, scream at you, but never take it to heart and never give up on him. Not that I think you ever would.”

I stare at him, really wishing I could see his face. I can never get a read on him. “I don’t get you. For years I’ve been a total bitch to you. Now you’re complimenting me, even sending me presents. Why? You’re not…you know…” His head cocks to the side. Ugh. He’s going to make me say it. “I’m not going to sleep with you. Ever.”

“What? No,” he says, sounding offended. “I don’t think of you in that light, Det. Fallon. At all.” I do a double take at his vehemence. “I mean, you are aesthetically pleasing, I realize that, but—”

“Just forget I said anything,” I say, now mortified on top of everything else.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he says, “it’s a perfectly natural thought. I have momentarily entertained the notion, but your attitude toward me quickly dispelled it. No, I just…admire you. You’re tenacious, brave, and brilliant. This city, but especially your friend in there, needs you. And you need him too. You lost a friend today as well.”