Page 79 of Rules

"They have information about a boyfriend Sophia was seeing," I explained. I raised an eyebrow, she caught my meaning, raising her own eyebrow back.

Brooklyn took the seat next to me. Eyeing me she said, "Why don't you ladies tell me everything from the beginning?"

I nodded that it was a good idea.

As the girls retold the story adding a few little details they hadn't mentioned to me, I observed Brooklyn's methodical approach. She had a gift for victim interviews, always had. Just the right balance of compassion and focus that made people open up and tell her all sorts of things. Her face when the realization that Sophia was dating Mr. Daggers almost made me laugh.

Brooklyn's pen moved rapidly across her notepad, trying to hide her shock. "And she never mentioned a name, not even a first name?"

Both women shook their heads.

"What about her phone?" I asked. "We recovered it from her apartment, but it was locked."

"Her passcode is nine-two-three-zero," Jamie offered. "It's her mother's birthday."

I made a note to pass that to forensics immediately. We spent another half hour gathering every detail they could remember about Sophia's mysterious boyfriend. There wasn't much to go on. Other than putting Sophia and Mr. Daggers together.

As they stood to leave, Jamie turned back. "You both got a look when Leah explained Sophia’s mystery boyfriend. Do you know who he is?"

"Yes, we're familiar with him."

"Well, I hope you catch him and he spends the rest of his miserable life in jail." Leah said locking eyes with me.

After Brooklyn escorted them out, I made my way back to my desk. I glanced at Holly's desk as I walked by. There was an enormous bouquet of lilies, roses, and at least a dozen sunflowers. "Special occasion?"

Holly smiled. "Anniversary. Twenty-four years today."

"Congratulations. Your husband has good taste."

"In women and flowers," she agreed with a wink. "Ruth just delivered them while you were interviewing the girls. She's so talented."

My head snapped up. "Ruth was here?" I looked around to see if she was somewhere.

"Just left. You might catch her if you hurry."

I moved to the window without thinking, just in time to see the bright pink Blossoms van pulling away from the curb. Something twisted in my chest—regret, longing, some combination of the two.

Clark's words echoed in my mind: Who cares if she's younger? Date the woman, marry her, whatever. Just have some fun.

Was he right? Was everyone right? Had I been clinging to an outdated notion of propriety while denying myself a chance at happiness? At thirteen years, the age gap wasn't even that dramatic. I'd known couples with larger differences who lived perfectly happy lives together. Of course those couples weren't in the public eye.

But I had to admit I missed her. God, I missed her, even though it had only been days. I missed her laugh, her directness, the way she challenged me. The way she felt against me. Maybe age really wasn't as important as I'd always thought it was.

"What do you think?" Brooklyn said from behind me.

"Ah, umm, what?" I turned to face her and a smiling Holly.

"What do you mean, what? The meeting we just had with the girls, that's what." She turned and addressed Holly. "What's got him so distracted?"

Giggling Holly stood and took a folder, she headed for her door. "I have no idea what would have our illustrious Sheriff so distracted. None at all. But I do know if he's smart he'll act on that distraction before someone else does." She turned and left the room.

"Is this some sort of code I should know about?" Brooklyn spun around to face me again.

"No, just Holly being Holly. Never mind, now, what do you think our next move should be?"

"I think we need to talk to Mickey again. See if he knows anything about Mr. Daggers and Sophia. And we need into that phone ASAP."

"I'll call Erin, have her team expedite it," I said, taking my phone out. "Did you find anything else at the scene?"

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