Jensen scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “So, what? You want to reopen a closed case and cause hysteria because a criminal’s confession doesn’t sit right with you? Over a hunch? The blowback the department would face alone is enough reason to deny a request like that.”

Micah found himself subconsciously mirroring Jensen’s defensive stance. “It’s not a hunch,” he disagreed. “There’s evidence to back the theory up. And the blowback would be much worse if the department doesn’t reopen the case and it turns out the Hooker Hunter is still out there, posing a threat to society – killing people. You’re just biased because you’re the one who pulled the confession from Normandy.”

Micah knew it was the wrong thing to say even before he said it, but his control over his mouth wasn’t great at the best of times.

Jensen closed his eyes and pinched his nose, clearly holding back his frustration with Micah, and for a second, Micah was so strongly reminded of Damon that the dormant butterflies in his stomach came to life and fluttered. But then Jensen opened his mouth, and all thoughts of Damon fled. “I’m sorry, Micah, but I’m going to have to pull you from Nico’s case.”

Micah’s entire body went cold. And then a flash of heat. “What?” he demanded hotly, knowing he was being loud, but hardly caring. “You can’t do that. This is my case. You assigned me lead detective.”

“That was back when Nico was merely a missing person. This is a homicide investigation now. You don’t have the experience to take the lead on a case like this, and you’re obviously too close to it.” He pointedly eyed the wet spot on his shirt where Mrs. Sanchez had been sobbing against him.

“That has nothing to do with anything. You’re just pissed that I might be right about the Hooker Hunter.”

Jensen took Micah by the arm and crowded him against the wall. “Keep it down, would you?” he said, glancing around. “Look, if I thought for a second that your theory might be right, I would be the first in line to reopen that investigation.” He released Micah’s arm. “As it stands, your opinion on the matter is no longer consequential. We’re done here.”

Micah had never liked Jensen, but he’d always at least thought the man was decent at his job – refusing to give Micah any interesting cases aside. Which is why for the first time, Micah contemplated doing something he never wanted to do, something he swore to himself he would never do when he got this job.

“If you try to pull me from Nico’s case, I’ll go to the captain.”

Use his relationship with his father as a threat.

Jensen stiffened. “Excuse me?”