Any person needed to ask. “Why the change?”

Even Raksa and Alvarez, lounging on the open carpet previous the sofas, checked out her as in the event that they agreed with everybody else that she was bizarre. However what was truly bizarre was how nobody ever questioned Phoenix. About something. Nobody puzzled the place she disappeared to for weeks at a time. Or why she was so secretive and mysterious. Did anybody know something about her? She may very well be a felony or one thing for all they knew.

Phoenix waited a couple of moments—very lengthy, painful moments—earlier than answering. “You’re probably the most acquainted with the truthful. Try to be on obligation when the offender could also be trying to arrange his or her subsequent transfer.”

Jazz tried to cover her shock. Hadn’t anticipated that reply. It was virtually complimentary. Like Phoenix thought Jazz would have the ability to stop extra sabotage or catch the felony behind it.

“I need you to point out me the areas the place all three incidents occurred.”

All sense of confidence flew out the window, chased away by Jazz’s dashing pulse. “You’re going to be there?”

“Sure.”

Jazz’s throat dried to sandpaper. Simply what was Phoenix actually doing? Did she hope to catch Jazz failing at safety element? Or possibly she needed to get Jazz alone to inform her she was fired.

And what about Hawthorne? He was most likely going again to the morning shift in the present day. She wouldn’t see him. Perhaps she may name or textual content him. She’d should take Greatest Life’s earlier tour she’d seen listed on their web site as an alternative of the night one she’d instructed him she was going to attend.

Ought to she trace that Hawthorne may very well be useful within the investigation, too? He’d already helped her out with what he’d discovered within the safety footage. “We may loop Hawthorne in to assist.”

“Hawthorne?” Sof quirked a darkish eyebrow.

“Hawthorne Emerson. The writer of the Carson Steele novels?”

Clean stares met Jazz’s clarification. Effectively, besides Phoenix’s stare that by no means modified.

“Oh, I take pleasure in these novels.” And apart from Cora. She smiled at Jazz. “I perceive he’s with safety on the truthful.”

Now that she thought of it, nobody however Jazz and Nev ought to know Hawthorne labored on the truthful. She didn’t assume Sof had gotten his title when she’d seen him by the Ferris wheel. So who had instructed Cora? Jazz glanced at Nev, who gave her a shoulder shrug.

“I’ve been reviewing the obligation rosters.”

Jazz let loose a gradual breath, releasing her vise grip on the deal with of her mug. So Nev wasn’t spreading rumors about Jazz having a crush or one thing like that. Good. However she wouldn’t have to start out any rumors if Jazz didn’t cease performing bizarre about him. She steadied her ideas. “We’ve been chatting, since I’m a fan of his novels, and he’s been performing some investigating himself.”

Sof and Bris exchanged a glance that despatched a jolt of panic up Jazz’s neck. They wouldn’t begin teasing her about liking Hawthorne, would they?

Jazz hurried to say extra earlier than they may. “He has some nice concepts. Perhaps we will carry him in to assist us.” She checked out Phoenix.

The boss had introduced in males to help earlier than. She’d even invited Branson into headquarters to assist discover the individual attempting to kill Nev.

“We don’t want exterior help.” Phoenix stared straight at Jazz as she spoke. Her tone was as passionless as regular, however Jazz couldn’t assist feeling the phrases have been supposed to place her in her place.

Jazz hadn’t meant to insinuate the PK-9 staff wanted assist. Phoenix most likely solely objected to Hawthorne as a result of he was Jazz’s suggestion. The man she was enthusiastic about. If one of many different women had instructed he be looped in, the boss would’ve agreed to do it. She had let all their husbands and fiancés assist, even within the subject.

“So if Jazz is with you tonight, I suppose she doesn’t should name for check-ins throughout that point?” Nev requested the query in a standard, relaxed tone. As if she hadn’t seen how Phoenix had simply shut Jazz down with no clarification.

“No. Verify-ins usually are not wanted at any level. Jazz has confirmed she will be able to maintain herself.”

The statement from the boss herself ought to’ve despatched Jazz over the moon. Phoenix lastly acknowledged her abilities. This was as near a praise as Phoenix ever received.

However it was overshadowed by what Phoenix had additionally stated, disguised as reward. The boss had simply acknowledged her cause for not defending Jazz from hazard. And declared that Jazz wanted to proceed fending for herself.

Twenty-Two

“I’m so drained proper now.”

Hawthorne smiled as Rebekah plopped onto his couch, flinging an arm dramatically out to 1 aspect as the opposite hand coated her eyes.

“Not a morning individual?”

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