Page 77 of D for Dead

A gift

Until we meet again

He shook his head grimly and tore off the glove. ‘I need to call this in.’

24

Amy had just poured herself a glass of wine when the buzzer sounded, making her jump. She wasn’t a daytime drinker, but the package had shaken her and she needed something to calm her nerves.

She glanced at Boaz, already on his way to the door, checking the peephole before letting Sullivan and Rivers in. They’d arrived sooner than she’d expected.

She hadn’t seen Sullivan since Saturday night and it had crossed her mind he was avoiding her. Stupid, she’d told herself. He was working a murder case and had more important things to do than checking in on her. His interest in her was purely professional.

He’d held her. That hadn’t felt professional. It had felt personal. And it was still messing with her head a little.

She glanced at him now and he briefly made eye contact, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention back to the package.

What the hell do you expect, Amy? It’s what he should be focusing on. There’s a killer on the loose, people are dying and you’re acting like a lovesick teenager. Get over yourself.

She stayed in the kitchen, sipping her wine, as Boaz showed them the pendant, the bloodstained book and the note; talked them through what had happened.

In his bed, Huckleberry thumped his tail and whined a little, disappointed at the lack of attention.

Sullivan read the card, his expression tightening.

Rivers took out his notebook and started scribbling.

‘This puts a new spin on things,’ she heard him mutter to Sullivan.

They took photos, bagged all three items. Amy watched them, anxiously, until eventually their focus shifted to her.

‘Do you have any idea who sent this?’ Rivers asked patronisingly.

‘No, I honestly don’t know.’

‘Well it’s someone who knows you.’

‘I see that from the card, but I don’t know who it is.’ She took another sip of her wine, noted Rivers’ disapproving glance and set the glass on the counter, feeling guilty.

‘I need you to think, Miss Gallaty. People are dying around you; you need to try a little harder to help us here. Focus and take some responsibility.’

His words stung. Was she responsible?

‘I don’t know,’ she repeated, heat creeping into her tone.

‘Ease up, Rivers,’ Sullivan warned, a scowl on his face.

‘Yeah,’ Boaz agreed. ‘I was with her. She had no idea who sent the package.’

Amy smiled gratefully at him, thankful for the support.

Rivers glared at Sullivan and Boaz. ‘You two need to stop going soft on the lady. It’s time she gave us something to work with. She’s responsible for a lot of deaths here.’

‘And I told you, you need to ease up,’ Sullivan repeated, tone mildly threatening. ‘I know you carry that fancy FBI badge, but it doesn’t mean jack shit to me if you don’t have the experience or integrity to back it up.’

Rivers spluttered. ‘You can’t talk to me that way.’

When Sullivan merely hooked a brow in response, Rivers looked to Boaz to back him up.