Page 40 of Crossing Paths
Crossing her arms across her chest in a Charlie-like move, Molly demanded, “What business of that is yours?”
Rather than look offended, Mill got that focused gleam in his eye as if he thought he’d cornered them. “I’m investigating a crime. It’s parked on my crime scene.”
“It belongs to my boyfriend,” Norah blurted out, worried that stonewalling Mill would just make him more likely to run the plates. If he saw Dash’s name on the registration, then their whole story would collapse.
Mill’s eyebrows leapt to his forehead. “Youhave a boyfriend? Since when?”
“Her private life doesn’t have anything to do with your crime scene,” Molly said, her voice as cold as frost.
“Where is he?” Mill didn’t seem put off by Molly’s ice-cold warning tone. “Maybe he saw something next door.”
“He’s not here.” Norah’s brain spun as she tried to keep her expression relaxed. This was why she didn’t usually do fieldwork. She was so bad at improv. “I had some errands to do, so he’s letting me use his SUV while he’s at work.”
“What’s his name?”
“That’s none—” Molly started, but Norah cut her off.
“Davies.” The name of Dash’s employee burst out of her. He was the first guy she could think of who wasn’t a felon or a skip. At least she didn’tthinkhe was a skip.
“That his last name?” At her uncertain nod, he asked, “What’s his first name?”
“He goes by…” She only paused for a microsecond, but it felt like a yawning pit of silence to her. “Bruiser.” The name came out in a rush of relief, quickly followed by the realization that no one named Bruiser Davies existed. “That’s his nickname.”
“Bruiser?” Mill repeated the name like it tasted bad.
“Yes.” Norah set her jaw, even as she ignored her sisters’ eyes. Knowing them, they were fighting laughter. She held Mill’s skeptical gaze instead. “He’s an MMA fighter. So he…you know,bruisespeople. Just in fights though,” she hurried to add. “None of it is illegal bruising. It’s all…um…consensual.” She fought the surge of heat that wanted to surge up her neck into her cheeks.
“MMA fighter, huh?” From Mill’s tone, he didn’t believe a word of it. “Where’s he working?”
“Porter Sports.” There was no way she could think of a different gym name on the spot. Thinking up “Bruiser” while Mill glared at her had already melted her brain.
Immediately, his brows bunched together. “Porter Sports? As in Dashiell Porter?”
“Yes, that’s Bruiser’s boss?” Her voice rose, turning her statement into a question, but she couldn’t help it. It was a wonder she was still able to make words at this point.
“Isn’t that a coincidence,” Mill muttered, scratching his cheek as he continued to study her.
She tried her best to look innocent and not like she’d just beaten up a guy who’d jumped out of a closet at her.
“You’re a member there?”
“Yes.” She waited a beat, but the detective seemed to expect something more. “That’s how I met Bruiser.” Saying his name was getting more comfortable, as if she was settling into her imaginary relationship with Bruiser Davies.
“How well do you know Porter?”
Her heartbeat sped up again. “Uh…not well?” She knew that didn’t sound convincing at all, so she tried again. “He’s very…gruff. And intimidating.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. He was indeed gruff, and although she didn’t find him intimidating, she knew others did—including Mill, if the way he tightened his lips as he gave the faintest of nods was any indication.
“You expect me to believe that it’s just a coincidence that Porter—who you’re already acquainted with—was inyourneighborhood at exactly the right time to stop a burglary?”
Molly cleared her throat, and Norah could tell her sister was swallowing the last bits of laughter at the whole “Bruiser” thing. When she spoke, her voice was impressively grave. “This is Langston, Detective, not Denver. Everyone pretty much knows everyone here.”
“Unless…” Cara didn’t do as good of a job as Molly in hiding her amusement. “Maybe Dashiell Porter has a thing for you, Norah. Could he be running by our house, hoping to catch a glimpse?”
“Oh no.” Norah shot a glare at her smirking sister. “We barely know each other. Besides, I’m datingBruiser.”
“Still, he sees you at the gym. Maybe he has a crush.” Cara was barely holding back her laughter, and even Molly was obviously trying not to grin. “And the fact that you’re dating his employee… Well, some guys want what they can’t have.”
“I’m sure Mr. Porter wouldn’t do that to Bruiser.”
