Page 69 of Clumsy in Love

Cole plowed a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Heads are gonna roll over that stupid plan.” He sighed. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Uniformed officers arrived by the dozen and moved around them to secure the scene. Cole escorted her away from the dead body—the second she’d seen this month.

“I should probably stop coming to New York. I’m two for two on someone dying when I do.”

He huffed out a laugh. “How long are you in town?”

“Till the day after tomorrow.”

“Well, the detectives will want a statement from you about what just happened. I think it’s safe to say you won’t need to meet with the DA anymore. Cruz isn’t going anywhere.”

“You’re not going to be in trouble, are you?” Killing someone—no matter how evil he was—probably came with some headaches.

“Shouldn’t. It was self-defense. Paperwork will be a hassle, but I don’t think I’ll get jammed up over it.”

The detectives arrived, and Cole went toe-to-toe with Flanigan. “Give me one good reason not to punch you in the mouth right now.”

“I’m sorry, dude. This wasn’t my op,” Flanigan said, backing away with his hands up. “I mean, it was my idea, but not my implementation. You were right. It was stupid to assume Holly would be fine.”

“You know what this means,” Cole said, narrowing his eyes. “The only question is, is it you?”

“I’m no rat,” Flanigan said defensively. “But I will find out who is.”

Holly wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but from the context, it sounded like Cole thought the PD had a mole. Which made sense. How else would Cruz know where to find her? Did that mean she was still in danger?

Another pair of detectives came and took Holly’s statement. Cole had to step away to give his own but remained within eyesight. She watched him hand over his gun to an officer, who sealed it in a plastic bag. As soon as he finished, he returned to her side.

“You can’t stay here,” he said. “Just in case.”

“In case what?” Her voice involuntarily raised an octave.

“Just to be safe,” he rephrased. “This should be over. Cruz’s gang has nothing to gain by coming after you now. But no sense taking chances. Where’s your bag?”

“I hid it on the fifth floor.”

“Let’s get it and get out of here.”

She led him up the stairs and down the hall. They grabbed her suitcase and returned to the lobby.

“Where are you going?” Detective Flanigan asked.

“Are you kidding me?” Cole shot him a dirty look. “You fix the hole in your squad. I’ll take care of Holly.”

Flanigan nodded. “Copy that. I’m sorry, man. We’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise.”

Outside the hotel, Cole hailed a cab and gave an address. They rode in silence for a few minutes, Cole silently fuming next to her.

“You think a police officer gave Cruz my location?” she said, assuming that’s what had him upset.

He gave a curt nod. “There’s no other explanation.”

“I’m sorry.”

He did a double-take. “For what?”

“That one of your coworkers is crooked.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, well. I’m sorry too.”

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