Page 2 of Bazooka
“I would say you didn’t have to, but it looks delicious,” I admitted. “Thanks, Dot.”
Wagner looked up from his phone, which was always in his hand.
“Was that Devon?” he asked me as I took a mouthful of cake.
“Mm-hmm.”
“I told you he’s one of the clingy ones.” Wagner expressed his humble opinion. “He probably fell for you. They all do.”
I waved my hand dismissively. “We went on two dates and fucked once. And it has beenmonths.”
“Don’t you believe in love at first sight?” Alain said with a teasing smile, as Dakotah gave him a “don’t go there” look.
“I don’t believe in love, period,” I stated.
Wagner smirked.
“Something funny?” I asked him, not appreciating his amused expression.
“You tell me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You want me to say it? Fine, I’ll say it. No, I have never been in love. No, I’m not in love. I hope I never fall in love. Not at first sight or otherwise. Happy now?”
Wagner shrugged. “Not my circus, not my monkeys.”
“I believe you, Luz,” Dotty said, jabbing Alain in the ribs. “You believe him, too, don’t you, Al?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Alain mumbled, placing his fingers on his wrist to check his pulse. “One hundred percent.”
I bit my nail, angry at myself for letting them drag me into that stupid conversation. And that red-haired, toothless rugby prick was still staring at me! I dipped my finger into a chocolate cream and made a show of licking my finger clean, pretending itwas a nice, big dick. The asshole turned red in the face, looking as if he was about to strangle me. Or fuck me, but I doubted he was that self-aware.
When my phone rang and I saw the caller ID, I grinned.
“Aww, you care after all,” I said into the phone. “That’s so sweet.”
“Happy birthday, Luz,” Detective Tye Thorsen said. “Are you celebrating or stirring up trouble?”
“Both, actually. Where’s your handsome hubby?”
“Carter is in the shower. He wishes you all the best.”
I was somewhat surprised that Tye called, but then again, he owed me. In fact, the entire SPD owed me after I helped them catch the Butcher of Smitsville, risking my neck in the process. How did I become entangled with the most notorious serial killer this area has ever known? Simple—I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, as per usual.
“How was your honeymoon, Detective?” I said, sipping my mojito. “I bet Italy was awesome.”
“It was. We didn’t want to come back, but our transfer to Grangetown softened the blow.”
“That’s right, you two are not in the Loser’s Division anymore.”
Thanks to me, I almost added. After all, it was the Butcher of Smitsville case that got them out of the unpopular precinct.
“No, we’re not,” Tye said. “Furthermore, Carter’s parents moved to Africa and left him the farm. It’s near Grangetown, which makes things even more convenient.”
“From detectives to farmers.” I mused. “Who would have thought?”
“Not yet, but hopefully one day. It’s not as if we want to solve crime and hunt slime for the rest of our life.”
“For sure,” I agreed, clearing my throat. “By the way, can you text me Bazooka’s new phone number? I forgot to add it to my contacts.”
