“Hey there, Detective.” I give a little wink as I land Sprinkles to the floor. “I’m not sure where one starts with a christening.” I give his tie a firm tug.
His lids hood as he pulls me close. “I’ve got a pretty good idea.” He lands his lips to mine and makes me forget all about the homicide investigation at hand, Camila, and basically the rest of planet Earth.
Sherlock lets out a sharp bark. Close your eyes, Sprinkles. Things might get messy. Jasper hasn’t learned how to lick her face yet. I keep showing him how to do it and he keeps forgetting.
Sprinkles chirps. And here I thought Blair was the unteachable one. Go figure. Don’t worry. I won’t hold it against him.
Fish groans. Bizzy won’t listen either. The least she could do is groom his hair with a few good licks. But it’s as if she hardly cares for the poor man.
I scoff as I pull away from the dreamy kiss at hand.
“I very much care for Jasper,” I say, making a face at the furry trio. “Sorry.” I shrug up at Jasper. “There was a runaway conversation I felt I needed to butt into.”
He curls his lips on one side as he examines the furry-laden among us. “Why do I get the feeling christening my office will prove to be a challenge with six pairs of eyes on the prowl?”
“Because you’re a very good detective.”
“That’s not what Emmie thinks.”
“Emmie has questionable judgment, as evidenced by the carnival she’s running at the inn.” I run my finger down his chest. “And lucky for you, you’re married to me. I have all the faith in the world you’re going to crack this case right open. You’ve got this.”
A half-smile cinches on his cheek and gives him that lethally sexy look I fell for so hard in the beginning. I’m still falling for it.
“You made an oath out there, Mrs. Wilder, and I heard it. I plan on holding you to it. You’re right, I’ve got this. But that has nothing to do with my ego. Instead, it has everything to do with the fact I need you safe. This is a dangerous case. I’ll make sure that the harvest festival—especially that frightmare has plenty of deputies roaming the grounds.”
“Ooh. Can they dress up as zombies? I sort of have a thing for gun-toting men in tattered clothes.”
“Funny you should mention that. I happen to own a pair of holey jeans, and I like to pack heat.”
“I also find gun-toting men who vacuum and do the dishes exceptionally hot as well.” I bite down on my lower lip to keep that smile from breaking free on my face.
A dark laugh strums in his chest. “Smooth, real smooth.”
His phone chirps and his features harden on a dime. “The results came back for that blood work found on Camila’s hand.”
I suck in a quick breath. “Well?”
Jasper’s chest widens with his next breath. “It was Blair’s.”
We head out and Jasper spills the bloody beans to Camila.
“What?” Her eyes grow large. A genuine look of fright takes over her face, and if I’m not mistaken, her hands are trembling. “That’s not possible.” She rises out of her seat and makes her way around the desk.
Look out, Bizzy! Sherlock jumps between us. She’s headed your way, and she’s capable of murder. He barks up at Jasper. Don’t just stand there. Arrest the woman!
Sprinkles whines and whimpers. She killed my Blair, and now she’s coming after us all.
Sprinkles howls. We’re gonna end up in the morgue!
Oh, brother. Fish moans. Jasper has a gun. Bizzy has her wit. And I have my claws. The two of you shivering canines can relax. Nobody ends up in the morgue today.
Jasper nods my way. “I need to get over to forensics. There are a few things I need to discuss with them. I’ll try to be home early. I can bring takeout.”
“And I’ll offer up dessert.” I waggle my brows so he knows exactly which sweet treat he’ll be biting into.
He dots my lips with a kiss before tucking his lips to my ear. “Just FYI, I like my dessert naked.” He winks as he takes off and Fish yowls in his wake.
Where is he going? Fish does her best to stand up straight. Bizzy, quick, leave. We can’t be alone with this maniac. Oh goodness, we’re all going to end up in the morgue.
Camila wastes no time in gripping me by the arms and giving me a slight shake.
“You have to help, Bizzy. I can’t go away for murder one. Especially not for a murder I didn’t commit.”
My mouth falls open as I take a step back. “Unlike the one you got away with? Don’t worry. You’ve got Jasper by your side. He’ll take good care of you.” Words I never thought I’d speak to Camila Ryder.
She chokes and gags. “Are you kidding me? I don’t care if I have this entire department by my side. I don’t want any of them. I want you.” Her eyes sharpen over mine. “And I want you to make this go away as quickly as possible. I mean it, Bizzy. I’m ready to let bygones be bygones between us. I’ll do whatever it takes to clear my name.”
“Obviously.” I frown over at her. “But I wish you would have said something earlier. I gave Jasper my word.”
“Well un-word yourself. The corpse just hit the fan, and I need a seasoned pro.”
Don’t do it. Sherlock nuzzles his head against my leg. Jasper is right. This is a dangerous case.
My heart starts to race at the thought
