TAMED | FREENBECKY

15

By the time they reached the row of police vehicles parked near an alley not even a block from Becca's apartment, the euphoria of Freen's declaration of love had all but faded, leaving Becca unsettled about what this crime scene would bring. Though she'd seen some terrible things over the course of her career—especially while hunting the serial murderer Charlie Wang—Becca had never experienced trepidation like this when faced with the prospect of examining a body. Quite the opposite, in fact. Usually, she felt a sense of purpose, Even excitement that she might be able to help bring a killer to justice. Tonight, all that gripped her was disquiet.

Why dump a body so close to her apartment, on a well-traveled residential street? Was it merely chance? Or had the killer done it on purpose? If he was the man who attacked her in the park, he had her wallet. That meant he knew where she lived. Was he sending a message? Threatening her? But if he wanted to hurt her, why not just come after her instead? Was it because she hadn't been home? If she hadn't been at Freen's place tonight, would Dasha be standing over Becca's dead body now?

"Everything will be okay." Parking near the curb, Freen put a hand on Becca's knee. "You and Dasha will catch this guy. I know it."

Becca nodded resolutely. "Hopefully before he kills another one." What she didn't say out loud was Like me.

"You don't know that this was the same guy." Freen was obviously reaching, desperate to assuage Becca's anxiety. "You don't know that he chose this location on purpose."

"You're right." Taking a deep breath, Becca exhaled, centering herself. "Time to go find out."

Freen stopped her with a hand on Becca's wrist. "Should I wait for you?"

Technically, Dasha could drive her to work. But Becca liked the idea of having Freen close, especially when she suspected that this would be a difficult crime scene. "How about you give me a few minutes until I know what we're dealing with here. If it looks like it'll take a long time, I'll let you know."

"I can wait as long as it takes." Freen gave her a brave nod. "Don't worry about me."

Becca kissed Freen soundly, then she pulled back with a small, forced laugh. "Wish me luck."

"I'm pretty sure you don't need it, but good luck." Freen waved her away. "Go be a super-smart crime solver, will you?"

"Yes, ma'am." Becca opened the passenger door and stepped out, meeting Dasha's gaze instantly. Dasha stood on the sidewalk with her arms folded over her chest, a very unsubtle glare on her face. She shifted her focus to Freen and scowled harder. Irritated, Becca closed the car door and strode over to Dasha with her shoulders thrown back, pretending to project confidence, at least. "Get up on the wrong side of the bed?"

Dasha's sober expression didn't waver. "Freen. What a surprise."

"Get over it."

"You two spending every night together now?" Dasha glanced over Becca's shoulder, shooting an icy-cold stare in the direction of Freen's car.

Stepping close to Dasha, Becca lowered her voice so none of the cops around them would hear. "This is the last time I'm going to say this, so listen well. Back the hell off. You want to be my friend? I'll give you a tip. Treating Freen like some kind of animal who's pissing on your turf is not the way to do it."

"That's not my problem with her."

"Oh, really?" Becca folded her arms over her chest. "Enlighten me, then. What has Freen done to offend you, besides fucking me?"