“Ah,” Shaun said. “You don’t want to go to Virginia?”
“Not really. A field agent is who I am.”
The drinks came, and Aidan took a sip from his lager.
“What about you? Do you have someone?”
“I’ve dated a few times over the years. But for the most part, I remain single. The women I meet seem to be afraid of me.”
“Maybe it’s not you they’re afraid of,” Aidan pointed out. “When Cheyenne and I first met, she didn’t want anything to do with me. She knew I was FBI. She thought about how dangerous it was and didn’t want to spend her life worrying.”
“How did you convince her?”
Aidan lifted the corner of his mouth in a lopsided smile. “By dating her sister.”
“Really?” Shaun laughed. “That’s classic.”
Aidan took another sip of his beer. “It didn’t last long, Laura and me. She’s always been the flighty type. Plus, I had a major crush on Cheyenne and she knew it. Laura told me I was destined to be a part of her family. So, she convinced Cheyenne to go on one date. That was all it took.”
“Some guys have it.” Shaun raised his glass to Aidan.
“Just the luck of the Irish, I guess.”
Shaun chuckled. “Why don't you send some of that Irish luck my way?”
Their banter subsided as the food came, and then the conversation shifted to favorite movies, things they liked to do on days off and the places they’d traveled.
It was nine o’clock when they decided to finally pay for the meal and go their separate ways.
Aidan told Shaun he would see him the next day when they received the call from the retired agent. Because he knew Aidan had promised Cheyenne he’d take at least one day off, Shaun offered to speak with agent himself, but Aidan declined the offer.
Shaun agreed and told him he’d meet him at Laura’s house in the afternoon.
18
AIDAN woke EARLY Sunday to the rain pattering against the roof. Every so often, the sound of thunder would rumble, and the sky would flash with lightning. He remained under the covers, his arm draped across Cheyenne’s body. Her calm breathing made him not want to get out of bed, so he continued to lay there.
Listening to the rain.
Feeling her breath rise and fall in slow, steady motions.
Although Aidan was planning to take most of the day off, he couldn’t help but think about the case. He had promised himself he would give Cheyenne and Laura his undivided attention, but his mind never ceased to drift to the search for the offender.
They already found so many things in such a small amount of time, it almost appeared planned.
Jordan Blake happened to be at the Maya Gibson scene, although there were other reporters there as well.
He’d been in Michigan, where The Carnations Killer murdered three women five years ago, along with Keisha Moffett and Jamal Foster. Evidence still didn’t point to their murders being connected with The Carnations Killer, but it seemed too coincidental.
Jordan also knew The Carnations Killer had killed Maya, and the text that hinted the fact mysteriously disappeared without so much of a trace.
And he’d also lied about knowing Maya Gibson.
Aidan rolled to his back and stared at the ceiling. He couldn’t help but wonder if The Carnations Killer was playing games with Jordan’s life. If he was, then he was doing an excellent job. Although they didn’t find evidence in his personal belongings that may implicate him, it didn’t mean they couldn’t find some way to charge him.
We’ve prosecuted people on less, Aidan thought grimly.
He hoped Agent Byers, the former agent in charge five years ago, would shed some light on the matter. Maybe there was information he’d failed to put in the report. Maybe there was a reason he was dead set on believing Jamal had killed Keisha and took off.
“Hmm.”
Aidan turned his head to see Cheyenne turn slowly toward him. She kept her eyes closed, but smiled and muttered “good morning.”
He caressed her face with his finger.
“Morning.”
“You’re off today.” It wasn’t posed as a question.
“I am,” Aidan told her. “Sort of. I have a call coming in later this afternoon. An agent that was in charge of an investigation a few years ago.”
She groaned and sighed. “Aidan, you promised you wouldn’t be working today.”
He rolled over so he could put his arm across her chest and propped up with his other arm to gaze at her. “I know I did, but this is something I need to do. It’s the only time he’s able to talk to us. I promise after the call, I'm all yours.”
“Guess I’ll just have to take what I can get.”
Aidan leaned in to kiss her.
She parted her lips, welcoming his advances. He felt her hands run through his hair, and Aidan delved deeper in the moment, thankful he had even a minute’s worth of thinking of someone other than the offender.
Aidan lifted her nightgown over her head, tossing it to the floor while trailing kisses along her neck. He slowly worked his way south.
“Mmm. You know what I want you to do for me?” she whispered as he tracked his kisses across to her stomach.
“Tell me.” His voice grew huskier as he tasted her.
“Make me breakfast.”
Aidan stopped what he was doing to look at her.
She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling.
He pretended to scowl. “You’re a tease.”
“Maybe, but I realized you haven’t given me breakfast in bed in years.”
“Well, guess I’d better change that,” he
