Prepared to remind Peter who was actually in charge, Gabriel glowered at the older man until he noticed work had ceased, and forty faces gawked at him. Reining in his temper, he exhaled sharply. Brawls in the middle of the newsroom were not permitted, particularly those started by the owner. With a curt nod to Peter, Gabriel headed for the central staircase that linked the three floors. He muttered an obscenity beneath his breath.

Peter herded him into Kelly’s office. “I’m not playing referee all night. This blasted daily edition was your confounded idea. Either send the girl home or put them to work. I don’t give a fig which one you choose, but do it soon.”

“I didn’t ask her to come here.” If his voice was sulky, Gabriel paid no attention. He pointed an accusatory finger at Kelly. “You let them in.”

Stressed and exhausted, Kelly retorted, “She’s your girlfriend. What was I supposed to do?”

“Tell her no.” Gabriel folded his arms defiantly. “And she’s not my girlfriend.”

Peter rolled his eyes and Kelly released a disbelieving giggle. Looking at Peter, she pantomimed air kisses. “Oh, Gabriel. I love you. Be mine.” She spread her arms wide, and Peter caught her around her waist, lowering her into a romantic dip.

“Erin, my darling. I will sacrifice everything for you!” Peter’s bass, with its sonorous texture, rumbled over words infused with biting sarcasm. He planted a smacking kiss on Kelly’s grinning mouth. “The Ledger be damned.”

“Cut it out, you idiots.” Gabriel scowled at the duo, refusing to be amused.

Setting Kelly on her feet, Peter stopped smiling. “We’ve got three hours to finish this thing, Gabriel. I need your focus. You need her help.” Gabriel opened his mouth to protest. Peter spoke over him. “It’s her story and she has the best insight into the murderer. Plus, she’s here already. You’ve been holed up in your office since five o’clock and I still don’t have a good draft. Time’s wasting, Gabe.”

Kelly decided it was safe to chime in. “The rest of the articles are nearly set, Gabriel. If the ABC Murders is going to be our lead, we need it soon. I have it on good authority that Harmony Turner’s murder is the Chronicle’s headline tomorrow.”

Gabriel looked down at the lobby. Erin was talking to a young gofer who’d volunteered for the late shift. The proximity between the two was disturbingly intimate. Sebastian leaned negligently against the wall, covertly watching them. Gabriel recognized the protective stance and filed the information away.

Whether he liked it or not, he did need Erin. If only for tonight. Tomorrow, he decided, would take care of itself. He turned to his staff, his best friends. “You’ll have your copy in time.”