That was exactly what Ivy was afraid of. “This sucks.”
“It does.” Jason’s face was blank. “I mean ... Greg doesn’t even care that Sasha is dead. All he cares about is that he has the biggest brass balls on this side of the road. It’s disgusting.”
Ivy was taken aback and she took a moment to study Jason’s profile. He’d said Sasha. He hadn’t referred to the young woman by her full name, or called her “the victim.” He’d said the name in such a way that Ivy couldn’t help but be suspicious.
“Did you know her?”
“What?” Jason dragged his eyes away from where the county workers had their heads bent together. “No. I didn’t know her. I found her but that’s it.”
Ivy wasn’t convinced. “You said her name.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“But ... you did.”
“I didn’t,” he snapped, his eyes flashing. “Just let it go.”
Ivy held up her hands in defeat. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Well, let it go.” Jason scuffed his shoe against the ground. “It’s just … a tragedy. I can’t imagine dying alone in the woods like that.”
“It’s definitely a tragedy,” Ivy agreed.
“We should get back to work, though. There’s nothing we can do here.”
“Back to work. Definitely.” Ivy watched him go, suspicion bubbling up. He’d definitely said Sasha’s name as if he knew her. The question was: Why? She didn’t have time to figure it out because Greg was glaring in her direction.
“You should get back to work. I don’t care who your boyfriend is. While you’re part of my team, you will pull your own weight.”
Ivy nodded. “Of course. I’ll just work over here.”
“Great. I’ll make sure you get an award or something.”
Ivy ignored the sarcasm and focused on her work. This was so not how she saw her day going.
6
Six
Ivy busied herself with picking up garbage, filling an entire bag by herself. Her dedication fled when she noticed a marked cruiser stop on the side of the road, her heart sinking before she even saw who was driving. Honestly, she already knew.
“Well, well, well.” Greg planted his hands on his hips as Jack’s lanky frame became visible. “I guess round two is upon us.”
Ivy opened her mouth to say something — what, she had no idea — and quickly shut it when Betsy shot her a warning head shake.
“It’s not worth it,” Betsy whispered. “He can make your life hell if he wants to ... and I’m starting to think that’s what he wants above all else.”
Unfortunately for Ivy, she’d come to the same conclusion. “Yeah.” Her heart zipped a little when Jack lifted his chin. It was almost as if he was trying to scent her. Like magic, his gaze almost immediately zeroed in on his fiancée.
“You’re not allowed to interact with my charges,” Greg called out, crossing to them. “I’m in charge here and I say what goes.”
Brian put his hand on Jack’s arm before the taller detective could say something he might regret. “We’re not here to interfere with your workers,” he said.
“That’s good.” Greg’s sneer was smarmy. “I would hate to have to report you to the chief of police.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Brian said. “We’ve already notified the chief about what’s been happening here. He and the court magistrate are on their way.”
Whatever Greg was expecting, it wasn’t that. All the color drained from his face as his shoulders slumped. “Excuse me?”
Jack perked up in light of the man’s reaction. “Once an official complaint was filed on the county’s behalf, we had to go through official channels,” he explained. “That means a magistrate.”
Greg looked positively furious. “You have got to be joking.” He turned an accusatory glare in Ivy’s direction, making her wish she could find a hole to hide in. “I have a feeling I know why this is happening.” He stalked in her direction, causing Ivy to jolt.
Sensing her fear, Jack moved to intercept him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Back off!” Greg jabbed a finger in Jack’s direction, yelling loud enough to garner Deacon’s attention. “She’s under my command, and I’m pretty sure she has a phone on her.” He sneered as he regarded Ivy’s frightened features. “Once I find it, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble.”
“Don’t you touch her,” Jack hissed, moving forward with a full head of steam.
Even though Brian was a good five inches shorter than his partner, he threw himself into the middle of the melee, grabbing Jack around the waist and wrestling him back.
“Don’t get involved,” Brian growled. “You’ll regret it if you do.”
“He’s not going to touch her,” Jack insisted, struggling.
“He has every right to touch her,” Brian reminded him. “She has to put up with the indignity of a search. It’s part of the process. You know it as well as I do.”
Jack was at the end of his rope. “I don’t want him touching her.”
“And if you intervene, it’s going to blow back on Ivy,” Brian warned. “Is that what you want?”
The question caught Jack off guard. “I ... no.” His face contorted as he stopped fighting with Brian. “I just ... this isn’t fair. She hasn’t done anything.”
“She hasn’t,” Brian agreed, his heart going out to his partner. “There’s nothing we can do for her, though.”
Ivy refused to meet Jack’s steady gaze and held out her arms as Greg started barking orders at her. He gave her a thorough pat down, frowning when he couldn’t find what he was looking for.
“Where is it?” he barked so loudly Ivy jolted. “Where is your phone?”
“The information sheet we were provided with at orientation said we couldn’t bring a phone,” Ivy replied evenly. She was thankful
