Murders & Romance: A Psychic Detective Romantic Mystery (Isaac Taylor Mysteries Book 5) by Lashell Collins (motivational books to read txt) 📕

“I’m putting you to bed.”

He flashed that sexy double-dimple smile over his shoulder at her.

“If I’m lucky, I might be able to get to second base again.”

11

“I’m going to give Bree a call today and thank her for the amazing picnic dinner she made for us last night.”

Isaac smiled and stared at Sidney from over his coffee cup. Nearly twelve hours later and she was still gushing about how wonderful their backyard picnic had been. A sense of triumph swelled in his chest at the thought that he’d done something to please her. His idea had put a smile on her face, and that was all that mattered.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, darlin’.”

“I did enjoy it! It was such a sweet surprise. Romantic and delicious. And I’m not just talking about the food.”

Her tone turned flirtatious, and Isaac set his cup down and gave her one of those arched eyebrow looks that women seemed to love.

“Are you flirting with me, Ms. Fairchild?”

“Me? No. I’m just commenting that the kisses last night were particularly scrumptious, that’s all.”

“Oh, I see. Well, delicious kisses could be on the menu every night if you’d just marry me already.”

“I have every intention of marrying you, Detective Taylor. I’m just trying to find the right place and time.”

“Um hmm.”

“Wait. Are you implying that you’ll withhold all future kisses until we’re married?”

Isaac grinned. “Well, I would. I do like that suggestion and I think it could be an effective means of coercion to set a wedding date. However, I don’t think I personally could survive without your kisses for a single day. So…”

Sidney giggled, and he smiled at the sound as he leaned in and kissed her lips.

“On that note, I need to get out of here and get to the station.”

“I need to get moving too.”

They stood and cleared the table of their breakfast dishes.

“Hey, when you do speak to Bree, be sure and thank her again for me, would you?”

“I will.”

Isaac holstered his gun at his hip and gathered his things. Then he pulled her into his arms for another kiss, this one slow and lingering.

“You have a good day.”

“You too. Be safe out there.”

“I always am. Love you.”

“I love you back, baby.”

He gave her ass a quick squeeze and then he headed for the door.

He purposely got to the station a little early and walked the back hallways in search of someone. When he spotted him, a jolt of anxiety shot through him. He walked over to where he saw the man putting the large industrial mop away in the service closet.

“Hey, Milton. How’s it going?”

Milton George was an old confidential informant of Isaac’s. At least, he had been when he lived on the streets. But after he was witness to the same gangland shooting that Sidney had witnessed, Isaac had done what he could to help the man start over. Including arranging Milton’s job with the janitorial service that cleaned the city’s police stations and court buildings.

“Ike! Hey, man, how you doing?”

“I’m good. How are things going for you around here? Job still working out?”

Milton smiled, and Isaac thought about how great it was to see the man doing so well. It was like he was a new person.

“Oh, the job is great, Ike. It’s hard work, but I enjoy it. The way I see it, keeping this place clean and tidy is important. I do my part so that you officers can do your part to keep the peace.”

“Teamwork makes the dream work, right?”

“That’s right. You know, it feels good to have a purpose again, Ike. I’ll always be grateful you helped me find that again.”

“It was my pleasure, Milt. Hey, listen, I’ve got a question for you.” He glanced around to make sure no one else was within hearing distance.

“What’s up? Did I do something wrong?”

Milton suddenly looked worried.

“No, no. Nothing like that. I was just wondering if you might be able to give me a little information. You know… kind of like old times.”

“Oh. Sure.” Milton glanced around too, and moved in closer. “I’ll help if I can.”

“What do you know about a janitor named Savage?”

Isaac kept his voice low, and he nodded a greeting at a passing patrol officer.

Milton blanched, and his expression told Isaac that he wasn’t surprised to be asked.

“Burle Savage. That’s his name.”

“You know him?”

“Yeah. He makes me uneasy.”

Isaac knew Milton George to be a decent judge of character, so his ears perked up.

“How so?”

“Let’s just say that his name suits him well.”

“Has this guy given you any trouble?”

Milton shook his head. “No, not me. I stay out of his way. But…”

He paused and glanced around again, and Isaac could see the dread on his face.

“What is it, Milt?”

“Well… I heard him threaten our boss once.”

“What kind of threat?”

“A violent one. He threatened to beat him until he stopped breathing. He said he’d done it before, and he wasn’t afraid to do it again. I think the only reason the boss doesn’t fire him is because he’s terrified of him.”

Isaac took a deep breath and nodded. Milton’s words reinforced what his flash had already told him about Savage.

“All right. Thanks a lot, Milton. I appreciate it.”

“You won’t tell him I told you all of this?”

Isaac grinned at him. “You know me better than that, my friend.”

Milton smiled. “Yeah, I do.”

“Have a good day.”

“You too, Ike!”

Isaac hurried up to the fourth floor, taking the stairs two at a time, and scooted into the morning briefing just as Lieutenant Hayes called it to order. His attention during the briefing wasn’t worth shit. His mind was preoccupied with everything Milton George had shared with him about Savage.

He wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much. Hell, it wasn’t like he wasn’t used to having the particulars of more than one case crowding his mind at the same time. Lord knew every detective in the entire CPD homicide division had half a dozen open cases sitting on their