Page 93 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Pike smirked. “You expect us to believe that?”

“Of course. Don’t we look like we tell the truth and nothing but the truth?” Day asked.

Vega ignored him. “Are you investigating Xander Vale’s case or pursuing his attackers?”

“No,” they all said.

The young lawyer smiled.

“Look,” Vega said, tone hardening. “As a professional courtesy, I’m going to release your detectives into your custody. Your captain vouched for you, and no one at that restaurant is interested in pressing charges. The man they were chasing is in the wind.”

“All’s well that ends well.” Day smiled politely.

Vega didn’t seem to agree, “Your detectives never identified themselves as police officers. They pursued a civilian, who’d committed no crime, through a restaurant and onto a public street, putting innocent people in harm’s way. A waiter has a sprained wrist, and I’ve got three damaged vehicles blocking Vesper Lane because your detectives…wanted a star map.”

Vega’s gaze hardened on God. “If I find out you are policing in my city, I will bring you up on charges and hold you liable for any damages.”

Day watched his husband’s profile, the sharp line of his jaw, and the way his eyes narrowed. He’d never liked being threatened. He especially didn’t like being threatened by men who’d failed to stop two attempts on a man’s life.

“Understood,” God muttered and turned towards the door.

Vega stood. “I won’t warn you twice, Lieutenant. Leave the detective work to us.”

“I’ve never had a case go cold, and I don’t plan on it. I’ve also never needed a partner, because I’m that good.” Pike removed his fancy shades from where they’d been hooked on his collar and slid them onto his face. “I’m gonna find whoever’s harassing Xander Vale and make ’em pay.”

God stopped with his hand on the door handle, and Day knew the professional diplomacy was over.

God glanced over his shoulder. “Well, if Xander Vale’s life depends on you finding the threat before it finds him again, then you better hope me and my team inadvertently break this case before your ego gets that boy killed.”

The room turned to ice.

Day stood before anyone could respond. “That’s our cue.”

Free popped up cheerfully. “Excellent meeting. Great chairs by the way.”

Tech gave Vega a polite nod. “Captain.”

Steele pushed off the table and followed without a word.

God opened the door.

Day passed close enough to brush his hand against the small of God’s back, a touch too light for anyone else to read and clear enough for God to understand.

We’ve overstayed our welcome.

They were escorted through the precinct by Sergeant Benoit who looked as though he’d aged a year during the meeting.

Day dropped into a chair in the lobby and crossed one ankle over his knee.

God stood in front of him, arms folded, a dark aura of irritation circling him.

“You told them we were on vacation.”

“What? We are in California.”

God stared at him and Day gave him his most charming smile.

Free leaned against the wall beside Tech, thumbs moving over his tablet. “For what it’s worth, Pike and Salazar have three active threat boards on Xander. It’s not leading to anything useful, but they’re not completely asleep.”