Body Heat by Brenda Novak Read Free Book Online Page B

decade or more.
    â€œThe Mexican consulate already posted on SIRLI whatever we could supply as far as physical descriptions and came up with nothing,” she said. SIRLI was the Spanish acronym for a computer system that allowed the Mexicanconsulate to upload information that could be viewed by staff at the Mexican foreign ministry offices—not only in Mexico but throughout the world. “Unless someone comes forward to say they’re missing a brother, a father, a friend, we have little hope of determining the identity of those earlier victims.”
    â€œBut we have the shell casings this time. That should provide at least some answers.”
    â€œWe also have a fresh kill. If we can retrace this young couple’s steps, we might finally be able to gain some traction in this case.”
    â€œMaybe you have a point.” Grudgingly, she sank back into her seat. “But there’s no way my husband will let me go with you.”
    Wouldn’t you know it? The one time Sophia wouldn’t have minded Lindstrom’s company— some company, anyway. “Then I’ll go alone.”

4
    â€œY ou gonna let me in? Or are you gonna keep standing there, glaring at me?”
    Reluctantly, Roderick stepped aside. He wasn’t sure he wanted to talk to Rachel right now. It was easy to be her friend when she needed to vent. But that didn’t mean he wanted to be the one doing the talking. Examining what he felt was like probing a bruise. There was no point.
    â€œCan I get you a beer?” he asked.
    â€œNo, thanks.” She eyed the empty cans he’d thrown in the recycle bin. “Should I put on a pot of coffee?”
    â€œHell, no.” This was the best he’d felt all day, ever since he’d spoken to his father. Why ruin it?
    â€œThat call you got at the office…”
    He frowned in irritation. “What about it?”
    Helping herself to some chips he had out on the counter, she took her time answering. “You want to tell me why it has you so riled?”
    â€œIsn’t your husband waiting for you to come home?”
    She popped another Dorito into her mouth. “He knows I’m here.”
    â€œWhy didn’t he come with you?”
    â€œBecause he’s filling out a report. And I told him we needed time alone.”
    â€œWe don’t need time alone,” he said with a scowl. Although he and Rachel had once been close, they’d drifted apart since she’d married. Roderick didn’t mind. Her husband, Nate, was another operative at Department 6, one he respected, and Rod had never had romantic designs on her. But there were days he missed the camaraderie they used to share so consistently. This was one of those days. Too bad he couldn’t back up and change a relationship that had already shifted into something different from what it used to be.
    She began rinsing off the dirty dishes he’d piled in the sink. “Tell me what’s going on.”
    â€œNothing’s going on.”
    â€œIt isn’t like you to sulk, Rod.”
    â€œQuit doing my dishes,” he said. “And who the hell said I’m sulking?”
    She glanced pointedly around the room. “The TV is off. The stereo is off. The blinds are down.”
    When they weren’t talking, only the whir of the air conditioner filled the silence. He hadn’t wanted it to appear as if he was home, hadn’t wanted his busybody neighbor showing up asking if he could fix her leaky faucet. He’d been trying to give himself some downtime.
    And Rachel was making that difficult.
    â€œSo?”
    â€œSo Milt said you refused to talk to him earlier.” She put the plate she’d just rinsed in the dishwasher. “He said you left the office without telling him when you’d be back.”
    â€œToo bad for Milt.”
    â€œHe happens to be your boss.”
    â€œI’ll check in with him later.”
    â€œHe’s worried