The Perfect House. Блейк Пирс

Hunt,” Decker answered, scowling slightly. “Apparently you’ve developed a bit of a reputation as the Suburbia Whisperer. I can’t go into any more now. Suffice to say, the folks upstairs want this case handled delicately. I expect you’ll keep that in mind as you proceed.”

      “Yes sir.”

      “All right. We’ll catch up later,” he said. Then he turned and walked off without another word.

      Ryan, who hadn’t spoken until then, finally did now.

      “Welcome home,” he said. “How are you doing?”

      “Not too bad,” she said, ignoring the fluttering sensation that had suddenly returned. “Just getting back into the flow of things, you know?”

      “Well, diving right back in should help,” he said. “We’ve got to head out right away.”

      “Do I have time to pick up the weapon I requisitioned before I left for Quantico?”

      “I checked on that for you earlier this morning,” he said as they began walking through the bullpen. “Unfortunately, there was some kind of bureaucratic screw-up and it hadn’t been processed yet. I resolved the paperwork issue but you probably won’t get your gun until next week. Think you can survive just using your brain as a weapon for a few days?”

      He smiled at her but she noticed something she hadn’t picked up on earlier. He had shadows under his eyes, which were a little red.

      “Sure,” she said, nodding, trying to keep up with his brisk pace. “Is everything okay?”

      “Yeah. Why?” he asked, glancing over at her.

      “You just look a little…tired.”

      “Yeah,” he said, looking straight ahead again as he talked. “I’ve had a bit of trouble sleeping lately. Shelly and I are getting separated.”

      CHAPTER NINE

      They had been in the car for several minutes before things felt normal again.

      Jessie had offered her sympathies back at the station and Ryan had thanked her. But he hadn’t been forthcoming beyond that and she didn’t think that asking any questions was appropriate. And since whatever case they were handling was too sensitive to discuss inside the station, they were reduced to awkward chitchat about her flight back and the perils of supermarket sushi. They were out of rhythm.