A knock sounded on the door, and Ashton stepped back, dropping his hold.
Well, no one, until now.
“You expecting someone?” he asked.
She shook her head.
He slid a gun from beneath his shirt and peeked out the peephole before concealing the weapon again. He pulled the door open.
Two cops were standing on the stoop holding banker boxes labeled, “Property of Clayton Police Department.” Both looked agitated to be used as delivery guys.
“Special Agent Bennett?”
He nodded and opened the door farther. The cops stepped inside. The short, stubby officer’s gaze met Stella’s and he cleared his throat. She remembered him. He’d been one of the officers to respond when she’d called the police to report the break-in. “Ma’am.”
“Please come in,” she said, stepping out of the way.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt, but Detective Morrison asked we drop these off.”
“Thanks for bringing those.” Ashton moved to her side and rested his arm around her shoulder.
8
Ashton
One cop had been undressing her with his eyes. The thoughts in the other cop’s head had been on whether he’d get off the clock in time to watch the baseball game.
I thanked them and showed them to the door. I was used to hearing thoughts, even those that didn’t jive with my own beliefs, but this was the first time I’d turned jealous.
Their laughter carried through the shut door.
“I’m going to get a shower, if you care to join me,” Stella said with her hand on the banister, heading up the stairs.
There was nothing I wanted more, even though she was forbidden fruit. My gaze dropped to the boxes on the table, and I still hadn’t checked the rest of the entry points. “You go on ahead. The case first.”
“Right,” she said, jogging up the stairs.
The sway of her butt in those jeans had me second-guessing my choice and confirming the fact that the only shower in my future was a cold one.
I started on the bottom floor windows and door locks and worked my way up to higher ground until I hit the third floor, which she was only using for art supply storage.
I jogged down the steps and had lifted the lid on the first evidence box when my phone vibrated. I glanced at the Caller ID and closed my eyes as I answered.
“Yes, Clara?”
“Not even a hello for your sister? Mom taught you better manners than that.”
“Hey, sis, how are you? Is that better?”
My sister was gifted just like the rest of my siblings. Even more so. She knew things before they happened. She had an uncanny knowing.
“Much better.” She chuckled.
“Is there something you wanted?” I prodded when she went quiet.
“You’ve seen the painting,” she said as a statement instead of a question.
“I’ve seen several. You need to be more specific.” I dropped the lid back onto the box and moved to the window.
