tment, he didn’t like to get involved with them if the situation didn’t call for it. He knew if he stu

in the mafia. They were just there to write tickets and follow orders. A step above them was Detective Alvarado. His job was to gather information to solve crimes, which meant he was the primary guy who talked to witnesses and informants and

dn’t mess with her because she had a reputation for being rough with anyone who messed with her. When she wasn’t making grown men p*ss themselves, she oversaw and

too much and shared too much information about himself. Unfortunately, he was good at his job, and he was a goo

made you want to be friends with him. That’s what made him perfect for the role. He was a simple guy who liked m

elaware River. Detective Alvarado brought a slim stack of papers with Leena Morris’ informatio

ot to do with you?” De

d something she shouldn’t have witnessed, and I just want to see

er his chest, looking displeased.

air. “I never do, Detective. I’ll be in tou

wasn’t much to see anyway. There were only twenty-seven pages in her file– one for every year she lived. Lots

n invasion of privacy had he not told her that he was going to do this, an

cial media, but her activity was sparse. She only posted a few pictures over the last two years. There was one that stood out to him though. It seemed to be the most re

to himself. “W

she had. He thought she was cute, and he was a little surprised to find that such a brave and fiery woman didn’t seem to have mu

k and forth in front of the metal door. He’d been gone just a couple of hours, but Manny

“That bi—” he stopped when Ransom raised

ldn’t help

y asked, clearly feeling like he got kicked out of the sandbo

h her knees tucked up and her arms draped loosely around them. Behind her, the ch

e,” Ransom said, w

he first time she’d given him that look.

om thought. “Sorry to kee

n, he didn’t want to let her go. It was the middle of the night, almost two o’clock. Tha

he noticed a faint bruise around her wr

time?” he asked, r

m before he touched her. “D*mn

and bringing a brightness back into her eyes. This woman. He was already in awe of her. “I see that. T

ferent from before. She didn’t seem quite as sure of hers

ired. “You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?” he said. She peeke