“Not the point,” Decker said, clearly growing impatient. “I don’t want any complaints or bad press. And that means I need the all clear on this from the human resources review board before I’m willing to pair you two up on any more cases. That’s how it has to be for now.”
Jessie was about to object. Maybe she hadn’t been clear that this was a consulting gig and that she was only willing to do it on terms she found acceptable. But before she could say anything, Ryan touched her hand. She looked over to see him giving her what could best be described as a “don’t poke the bear” look. She closed her mouth and nodded. After all, this wasn’t just a gig for him. He was a full-time LAPD employee and he could only push so hard.
“Was that all, Captain?” he asked, starting to stand up.
“Actually, I’d like to speak to Hunt privately for a moment.”
Jessie and Ryan exchanged a look of trepidation before she responded.
“Sure.”
“Please close the door on your way out, Hernandez,” Decker said.
Once they were alone, Decker fixed his eagle eyes on Jessie.
“I’d like you to consider coming back to HSS full-time,” he said bluntly.
“What?” she asked, stunned that he would make such a request after what he’d just told them.
“I’m going to be straight with you,” he said. “I know Garland Moses was your mentor. He was a good friend of mine too. His murder has left a big hole in both our lives. But it has also left a professional hole in the department. He was the best criminal profiler the LAPD had for the last two decades. You’re the only one who has even come close to him. But you only show up when I call you, desperate for your help on a major case.”
“Garland was a consultant too,” Jessie noted.
“Technically, yes,” Decker acknowledged. “But he showed up here every day. He had an office. We had a special arrangement with him but he was available. And with him gone and you off educating future generations, when it comes to profilers, we’re often left with what I’ll generously call the ‘B’ team. It’s not sustainable.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Captain,” Jessie said sincerely. “But I enjoy educating those future generations. I had my first seminar in weeks yesterday and being in that lecture hall, I realized how much I’d missed it. Those kids hung on my every word.”
“They sound more like groupies than students,” he pointed out.
“Some of them probably are, which I don’t love,” she admitted. “But still, I feel like I’m making a difference.”
“You make a real difference here too, Hunt, every time you solve a murder, every time you give a family some measure of closure.”
“That matters to me too, Captain, but I’m just not sure I’m willing to open myself up to that darkness every day, especially with a kid in the house.”
She recalled the constant sense of dread that came from dealing with worst that humanity had to offer each day. She remembered how it weighed on her and cast a shadow over her home life. Most important, she couldn’t forget how her daily work often put those she loved at risk. On more than one occasion, Hannah had become a target because of what her sister did for a living.
“A kid—doesn’t Hannah graduate in a few months?” Decker asked, knowing full well that she did.
“Yes,” she conceded. “But I still need to be there for her. Besides, I’m also not sure how interested I would be if I can’t work with Ryan. We make a good team. You know that.”
“Just think about it,” he said as his phone rang. “In the meantime, I’ll let you get out there so you can discuss wedding reception centerpieces and whatnot.”
“Thanks, Captain,” she said, rolling her eyes as she got up.
“Go ahead,” he said to the person on the line.
As she walked to the door, she could hear the urgency in his voice as he asked questions. She wasn’t surprised when, before she stepped out, he called out to her.
“Hold on a second there, Hunt—I think I may have a case for you.”
CHAPTER THREE
“Who do you want?” he asked her after he’d finished up his call.
“What do you mean?” Jessie said.
“Your fiancé is off limits for now,” Decker told her. “So you can work this case with Bray, Nettles, or Valentine. Who do you prefer?”
“Why me?’ she asked. “Why don’t you assign the case to Ryan?”
“Because he’s here every day and I’m not sure about the next time I’ll get you. You’ve made it clear that with your class schedule, your availability is limited. But you’re here now so I’m taking advantage. So who’s it going to be? Maybe break in the newbie?”
Jessie looked out at the bullpen where Ryan was chatting with the other detectives. Susannah Valentine tossed her thick, lustrous, black hair back as she laughed at something funny he said.
“Can you give me the basics?” she asked. “That might help me decide who would be the best fit.”
“I don’t know a ton yet. The victim’s name is Addison Rutherford, twenty-four years old. She’s a model, influencer, and aspiring actress. She was just found bludgeoned to death in a suite at the Buckingham Sunset Hotel in West Hollywood.”
Jessie knew immediately who the right person to work the case was and she wouldn’t have to fudge it. Karen Bray had worked at the Hollywood station for years before joining HSS and knew adjoining West Hollywood well, along with the entertainment industry milieu.
Jim Nettles had been a downtown beat cop for fifteen years before getting his detective shield. If this was a case involving gangs or political corruption, he’d be the perfect choice. Susannah Valentine had also worked downtown patrol for half a decade, and then joined the Santa Barbara detective bureau for two years, before coming back to L.A. last month. Jessie figured that if the case involved flirting with surfers, she would be the ideal selection. But for a show business case, Karen was the pick. So it was only with a mild amount of self-satisfied petulance that she gave her answer.
“This sound like it’s right up Detective Bray’s alley,” she told him.
“Then grab her and head out,” Decker said.
*
Navigating the Sunset Strip on a Friday morning was a challenge. As they inched west on Sunset Boulevard toward the Buckingham Hotel, which was actually just off the Strip on San Vicente Boulevard, Jessie was glad that Karen had agreed to drive.
“You still have all your industry contacts?” Jessie asked Karen.
“Some,” Karen said. “I guess we’ll find out if they’re enough. Is that why we’re working this case together?”
“Karen, you insult me. We’re working this case together because I missed our time together solving the murders of over-the-hill actresses, busting pedophile billionaires, and learning what breakfast food your son would accidentally spill on your top.”
Karen looked down at her shirt apprehensively.
“I’m just talking generally,” Jessie added quickly. “I don’t see any stains this morning.”