Page 50 of D for Dead

‘Well guess what? Gavin quit his job a couple of weeks back. I then spoke with his landlord and he’s given up the lease on his apartment, said he was heading back to Oregon to take care of some business.’

All eyes were now on Rivers, who was loving the attention.

‘And this is the best bit. You want to know when he left Chicago?’ The smug grin widened as he gave a dramatic pause. ‘Exactly one week before the first murders.’

17

Victor Boaz was beginning to think he had landed on his feet with this babysitting gig. He got to sit around all day, keeping an eye on a pretty lady and, to top it off, Hickok had let him lose the uniform. He still had to carry his gun, badge and cuffs, but that wasn’t a problem. He usually kept them close to impress the ladies. Going plainclothes was a bonus as his work pants were getting a little snug around the waist. His own clothes were better.

Amy had made him a bagel with crispy bacon and cream cheese when he’d arrived, and set him up with a fresh pot of coffee and the TV remote, before disappearing into her bedroom, laptop under her arm.

Vic guessed she wanted to be alone for a bit and didn’t mind. He appreciated a lady who knew how to look after a man. Besides, she had looked stressed when he’d shown up to relieve Sullivan and he figured she’d probably spent most of the night trying to fight him off from getting in her pants. Sullivan had been in a bad mood, a scowl already on his face when he’d opened the door, but that was nothing new. He must have been unlucky in his quest and was still unhappy about Vic watching over Amy.

What a coup it would be if he could get Amy in the sack. That would sure give Sullivan something to be pissed about. Vic figured he would let her have her time alone and when she was ready for a little company he would lay on some of the Boaz moves. At forty-four he was a decade older than Sullivan. In Vic’s book that gave him a decade’s more experience; he still had his looks and knew how to the charm the ladies. Sure the middle-age spread was catching up with him and he could do with putting a little more time in at the gym, but he was sure if he put his mind to it he could win Amy over.

His mind was half on the cartoon he was watching, half on how he was going to make his move when the buzzer sounded. All thoughts of seducing Amy vanished the moment he laid his eyes on her best friend, Heidi Pearce.

Where Amy was pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way, Heidi was supermodel stunning: all legs, hair and cheekbones. Vic figured he might have died and gone to heaven.

‘So when were you planning on updating us?’ Heidi was demanding of Amy, hands on hips, looking pissed off.

He liked a woman with fire, liked the way Heidi’s cornflower eyes lit up with anger. Just a little anger, mind; not like Rebecca Angell who always tended to take it too far. Feisty was good, but women needed to know when to stop.

‘I was going to tell you,’ Amy protested. ‘I was waiting for the right opportunity. You’ve been so busy with work and I know Gage and Fran have stuff going on. I didn’t want to worry you.’

‘You think this doesn’t worry me?’ Heidi waved a hand in the direction of Vic.

He immediately stood, clumsily knocking the TV remote and his empty coffee cup to the floor.

Way to go, Vic. Make a good first impression.

Hurriedly picking the cup and remote up and setting them on the coffee table, he crossed the room, hand held out. ‘Officer Boaz, ma’am, nice to meet you. I can promise you I am doing everything possible to keep Amy, uh, Miss Gallaty, safe from harm.’

Heidi gave him an appraising look before shaking his hand. ‘You better do.’

Vic imagined her lying on her back, legs spread, and grinned. ‘You have my word I will protect her, ma’am.’ He turned the grin up a notch, made a show of pulling up his shirt to reveal his sidearm, as he knew women were turned on by that shit. ‘And of course, while you’re in her company, I will keep you safe too.’ He winked at her before returning to the couch, leaving the girls to talk.

Well, mainly it was Heidi doing the talking, still mad at Amy.

Vic tuned most of it out. He tended to lose focus when women whined about stuff. He watched his cartoons, casting the occasional glance at Heidi, smiling whenever their eyes made contact, until he heard Amy call him.

‘Officer Boaz, we’re gonna go out for a bit. I need some fresh air.’

Immediately he was back on his feet. ‘You know you can’t leave the apartment unless I come with you. Those are the rules.’ He sounded defensive, which he guessed is why she smiled.

‘I know. I meant you come with us.’

Vic relaxed, feeling stupid when the two girls exchanged a look. ‘Uh, okay. Where do you want to go?’

‘The coast would be good. We can take Huckleberry for a walk on the beach.’

Vic was dubious about having the dog in his car. He spent a lot of time polishing his Camaro and didn’t want dog hairs, mud and saliva on the back seat. He weighed it up against a walk on the beach with two pretty girls and figured it was worth the sacrifice.

‘Okay,’ he agreed, puffing out his chest. ‘I need to go out first, make sure the coast is clear and secure the route down to the garage. You ladies follow when I tell you it’s safe.’

He waited for Amy to get her things together and leash Huckleberry before taking out his sidearm and signalling for them to get in line behind him.

‘Is this necessary?’ Heidi complained. ‘We’re only going from the apartment to the garage.’