Page 46 of Only You

“You play tough.”

“Don’t forget it.”

Then she headed off to Eddie, who was standing at the mouth of the alley. Pushing aside the humor and the warm fuzzies left over from her night with Declan, she rolled her shoulders.

“So, like the other one?”

He glanced at her, then his gaze went down, taking in her clothes. With a glance in the direction from where she came, his lips curved. “Good for you, O’Reilly.”

“Cut it out. Already got shit from Ritchie, who threatened to say something to Zac and Zane.”

“Uh, you’re a woman in her thirties. Maybe they shouldn’t care.”

They wouldn’t. They knew she could handle herself. The only time they seemed to step in was with Bryan.

“But, yes, it’s like the other night. Down to the ornate handle on the knife.”

“Dark hair?”

He nodded. “Stripped of her clothes, but I bet we get no DNA, especially if there isn’t any sexual assault. She’s also not as athletic. More…too thin.”

She glanced at him. “Maybe a sex worker?”

“Maybe.”

“So, the first one was a date, which is irritating because we still don’t have a lead on that.”

“Yeah.”

That one word dripped with frustration. Eileen understood the feeling. They’d even had a uniform spend long hours reviewing security feeds from Fitzpatrick’s and the surrounding areas. The guy never showed up on those. There was someone with Irene, but it was like the guy knew where the cameras were. His back was always to the lens.

“If she was a sex worker, there’s a better chance we’ll identify her fast,” he said. She nodded.

“I’ll check in with Sharlene.”

“Go ahead. Then you can tell me about your date.”

She rolled her eyes and headed off to the alley. Eddie was worse than a teenager when it came to gossip, although she knew he kept anything they talked about close to his chest. It was why she’d jumped at the chance to pair off with him when her old partner had retired.

“Well, look at you,” Sharlene said. These people. “Second time in a month, you look like you have a life. What is going on with you?”

“People show up to scenes all the time in various stages of dress. Why is everyone so interested in the way I’m dressed?”

“Because this is you. You never show up like this. Was that a Fitzpatrick I saw dropping you off?”

“Declan.”

“Smart choice. Get the one who cooks. Although, I’ve found a lot of firehouse folks know how to cook—in more ways than in the kitchen.”

Eileen smiled, but it faded. “So, our vic?”

“She was out here for a little bit. Like the other night, rain washed away some of the evidence, but that knife… looks almost identical. Like it’s part of a set.”

“Hopefully, with just two.”

“Do you ever get that lucky?”

She shook her head. “She does look underweight.”

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