“You don’t need charm, Hollywood. You’ve got the badge. And the gun. Which gets you the respect. And if not that, fear’ll work.”
He wrapped up what was left of his sandwich and stuffed it in the take-out bag. “Never heard you attract more bees with honey than vinegar?”
“I’m not interested in bees. It’s bad guys I’m after.”
He laughed, shifted into gear, and eased away from the curb. “That’s my Micki.”
“Excuse me? My Micki?”
“Think about it, we’re a classic combo. Good cop, bad cop. Easy-going charmer and badass skull-crusher.”
“I resent that.”
He looked at her, surprised. “Really?”
“How come you get to be the charming, good guy?”
“Because I am.”
“You’re so arrogant.”
“Wait, I’m confused. You don’t want to be the badass?”
“It’s not that I don’t like being a tough cop, I do. It’s your faith in your own charm that aggravates the hell out of me.”
He shrugged. “I know who I am.”
“Aggravating.” She stuffed the last of her sandwich into the bag. “What’s your agenda, Hollywood?”
“My immediate agenda’s the Tulane Courtyard Lodge.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. What are you in this for?”
“The Sixers? To use my gifts for good. Make a difference in the world.”
This time it was she who laughed. “We both know that’s bullshit. There’s not an altruistic bone in your body; it’s all about you and what all that charm’ll get you.”
“How about you, Mad Dog? Why’re you in it?”
She answered as glibly as he had. “Bust some skulls.”
“Like I said, skull-crusher.”
She indicated the intersection ahead. “That’s Tulane Avenue. Take a right at the light.”
He did, and within a couple minutes they’d found the lodge—in actuality, a tired motel on a tired stretch of central city—parked, and started for the building’s entrance.
“I’ve got this,” he said, glancing at her. “If that’s cool?”
“Asking permission? Wow, be still my frickin’ heart.”
If sarcasm was marshmallow, he’d be sticky and drippy right now. Unfortunately, he seemed to enjoy it.
“Wouldn’t Major Nichols be proud?”
“Whatever.” She swung the door open and motioned him through. “It’s all yours.”
The front desk lay ahead to their left. The guy manning the desk was young and scruffy looking.
Zach smiled. “Hey, dude. How’re you today?”
“Chillin’.” He swept his gaze over them. “What’s up?”
“Detective Harris. My partner, Detective Dare. We’re looking for one of your guests. Angel Gomez.”
He rubbed his stubbled chin. “She in some sort of trouble?”
“Is there a reason she should be?”
“You’re looking for her.” He lifted a shoulder. “That’s reason enough for me.”
“I understand she rents one of your rooms.”
“Did. She checked out.”
“Checked out?”
Micki heard the surprise in Zach’s voice. He had not been expecting that. But neither had she.
“Yeah. Came in, got her stuff and paid her bill.”
“You saw her. In person?”
“Yeah.” He frowned. “Shouldn’t I have?”
“We talked to one of her friends. She called and was told a different story. Said you hadn’t seen her.”
“Yeah, chick talked to me. At the time, I hadn’t seen Angel. A couple hours later, here she comes and checks out. I told her that her friend was looking for her.”
“Was she alone?”
“As far as I could tell.”
Micki stepped in. “Was she behaving strangely?”
He shifted his gaze to her. “Depends on your definition of strange. We’re talking about Angel here.”
“Did she seem agitated or uncomfortable? Or like she was in some sort of duress?”
He narrowed his eyes in thought. “Now that you mention it, she did seem a little nervous. She kept glancing over her shoulder. Like she was watching for someone.”
Bingo, Micki thought, flicking a look at Zach. He was frowning.
“Any idea where she was going?”
“None. Didn’t ask, didn’t care.”
“Could we take a look around her room?” Zach asked.
“It’s already rented to somebody else. Sorry.”
“Thanks for your time.” Micki slid one of her cards across the desk. “If she comes back in, give us a call.”
He looked at the card, then at Zach. “How about you, you have a card, too?”
“I’m new, no card yet.”
“Detective Harris, right?”
“Right. Zach.” He held out his hand. “And thanks, dude. I appreciate your help.”
The clerk looked surprised at the offer of a handshake but took his hand. “No problem. If she comes back I’ll let you know, Detective Harris.”
Micki watched Zach’s hand curve around the kid’s, then shifted her gaze to her partner’s face. Intent. Totally focused. And the clerk? He didn’t have a clue he was being mind-fucked.
“Appreciate it,” Zach said, letting go.
As they stepped outside moments later, he looked at her and grinned. “I told you I was the popular one.”
She rolled here eyes. “You were just using your mojo on him.”