She rolled her head from side to side. Be nice. Make nice. Remember the real goal. “Sure. Fine. Understood.” She was not sure how much value she was going to add, but she could not let this investigation go. She needed to prove to herself that she still had value as some type of investigator. If she could not be a cop, she could be totally lost.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Thursday, April 22

9:00 a.m.

Spencer needed only a glance to see Detective Poe was nervous. She was quiet, her face tense, and her gaze directed ahead. She wanted this to work so badly he could feel her urgency. But wanting was not enough. Bringing her along was going to stir unnecessary questions and distract from the case.

And yet here they were.

In the older neighborhood, he spotted the flash of cop car lights. At first, they did not register on Jordan’s radar, but as they rolled closer and the tension in his body increased, she shifted forward in her seat.

“Who’s on scene?” she asked.

“Four marked cars and the forensic van. Also looks like Captain Lee’s vehicle is here.”

“He won’t be thrilled to see me.”

“No, he will not.”

“Don’t sound so tense. I’ll be as quiet as a church mouse.”

He snorted, knowing she did not believe that statement any more than he did. “Sure you will.”

“You better start trusting me. We’re partnered for the duration of this case.”

“We’re not partners.”

“I’m good at what I do, Spencer. I have an instinct for the work.”

“And you’re visually impaired.” He dealt with the facts presented to him, not with the ones he wanted.

“Well, you’re direct, and obvious.”

“Do you want me to put on the kid gloves, Detective Poe? You don’t strike me as the type who wants to be treated like a child.”

“No, I do not. Being a cop is not for the faint of heart. Neither is losing your vision. If you ever do patronize me, I’ll know it, and I’ll be pissed.”

“Good, because I don’t know how to soft-pedal.”

He parked behind a deputy’s patrol car. Shutting off the engine, he handed her gloves and got out. She slid on the gloves and hovered close to the vehicle, appearing to listen to the sounds of the officers’ voices, car engines, and the rattle of the forensic team tent currently being set up.

He came around and offered her his arm, and this time she took it instinctively. As they moved toward the house, Captain Lee spotted him and then Jordan. The older man’s face soured, and he was mumbling as he strode toward them.

“Detective Poe, this is a surprise,” Captain Lee said.

“Is it?” she asked. “I know Ranger Spencer forwarded Emma Powers’s call to you.”