High Risk by G.K. Parks (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

his neighbors. Guess you can never take the frat out of the guy.” My partner looked pointedly at Winters. “Am I right, counselor?”

Winters snickered. “What makes you think I was a frat guy?”

“Your ties.”

I put a hand over my mouth to stifle my laugh. Fennel glanced at me and winked.

“Well, I did live in a frat house, but we weren’t the crazy, fun ones. We studied and conducted moot court trials and organized student government.”

“I didn’t realize that’s how one becomes an expert at beer pong,” Fennel mused.

Winters smiled. “Anytime you want a rematch, just let me know.” He checked his watch. “Are you about ready, Liv? Or should I set up in the conference room?”

“At this point, it feels like I may never leave.” But Lt. Winston had told us to go home. Until more evidence was collected and analyzed, there wasn’t much we could do. The rest would have to wait until tomorrow.

“She’s ready,” Fennel said, earning my patented glare. “You heard the LT. Unless we’re ready to make an arrest, whatever we’re working on has to wait until tomorrow.” Fennel turned off his computer and organized the top of his desk. “So what are you two doing tonight? Hot date? Secret rendezvous?”

“Actually, I was hoping your lovely partner would agree to dinner,” Winters said, “but you’re welcome to join us.”

“I don’t want to be a third wheel. Liv could use some TLC.”

My cheeks turned red from both anger and embarrassment. “It’s not a date,” I hissed. “It’s trial prep. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you on the roster to testify too?”

“That’s right,” Winters said. “It’d probably be easier if the three of us went over everything together. We need to go over the facts and your testimonies and make sure the defense can’t hit us with any surprises. C’mon, Brad, dinner’s on me. And if we finish early enough, I’ll let you take me at beer pong.”

“I can’t tonight,” Fennel said. “I have plans.”

“With the barista?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Carrie.”

“Oh. Just now?” I jerked my chin toward his desk phone.

“No.” Something flitted across his eyes. Normally, he and Carrie didn’t make plans ahead of time. It had always been spur of the moment booty calls. Maybe she wanted to take their “just having fun” to the next level.

“That explains why you’re dressed like that.”

“I’m telling you, Liv, this is for you.” Fennel slipped on his jacket and grabbed his keys. “Don’t keep her out too late, Winters. Unlike some people, homicide detectives have to work on Saturdays. And this case is a bitch.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Well, I would, but Liv would probably shoot me.”

“Liv might still shoot you,” I said. I watched my partner push his chair beneath his desk. Something wasn’t right. “Logan, I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes. I just need to finish some things up first with Brad.”

“Yeah, sure, no problem.” Logan looked down at his phone again. “You and me need to get something on the books before you make your court appearance. How does Monday sound, Brad?”

“Works for me,” Fennel said.

After Winters left us alone, I turned off my computer and watched my partner anxiously smooth his hair back, not that his short hair even had enough length to get unruly, but that was beside the point. “Are you okay?”

“Not really. The only thing I can figure is the robber killed Jonathan Gardner just because he was there. So unless we find evidence, video footage, or an eyewitness account that leads straight to the killer, I’m not sure we’ll get this guy.”

“Or guys. It could be a team.”

“$250 bucks is a lousy payoff for one person, let alone two or more.” He sighed. “I guess we’ll figure it out tomorrow. You don’t want to keep Logan waiting.”

“What about Carrie?” I asked. “Normally, you’d already be out the door and halfway to her place by now.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m worried.”

He held the door for me. “I promise this won’t affect any of our cases. The ME’s office isn’t going to shun us or toss us to the back of the list. It’ll be fine.”

“Are you breaking up with her?”

“Liv, don’t.”

I held up my palms. “Sorry.”

He softened and nudged me. “I’ll see you tomorrow at noon. I might be a few minutes late. Can you cover for me? Or are you planning on showing up a few minutes late too? I mean Winters is the entire package. He’s the kind of guy every mom hopes their daughter will marry.”

“Oh god, tell me you didn’t have this conversation with my mom.”

“Not yet. But I hear wedding bells.”

An officer walked past us, going up the steps, and I elbowed Fennel in the ribs. “Don’t start shit like that here. I don’t want rumors floating around.”

“Fine.” He leaned in close. “Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” And then we went out the double doors, past the front desk, and out of the precinct. By the time I turned to tell him good night, he was already gone.

“Liv,” Winters waved me over to his fancy car, “you want a ride?”

“No, I’ll follow you. Where are we going?”

“My place, if that’s okay. All of my notes are there, and I have tuna steaks marinating in the fridge. I thought I’d make us dinner.”

I was too tired to fight. “That sounds perfect.”

Twelve

“Liv?”

“Huh?” I blinked my eyes open, only to squeeze them shut a moment later. “Too bright.”

The assistant district attorney laughed. “I take it you don’t rise with the sun.”

“Not if I don’t have to.” Why did I stay the night? For the life of me, I couldn’t remember what possessed me to think this was a good idea. And now I