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"Now I know I can’t trust you"

"Explain that logic"

She gestured to the pool table where a new gauy, as you put it, and did nothing to stop me"

"I’m not on the clock"

Ruby narrowed her eyes Damn, she usually had the ability to pick out cops froed to slip under her radar, she couldn’t fatho it in her hands for a ht her eye was a picture of an older couple, presumably his parents A point in his favor They looked happy, the older ood looks, and thewoman he had his arm thrown around

Pushing aside a flash of melancholy, she moved on

Gym membership, credit card, condoed No pictures of any kids or wifey-looking chicks No frequent buyer card for a e parlor No Post-it reminders to chop up and eat anyone He appeared to check out

Ruby was nearing the end of her inspection when another picture grabbed her attention Troy standing next to a ley Field towered behind theround Abruptly, the wallet was snatched from her hands

"Finished?"

She looked at him curiously "Who is that?"

With jerky motions, he yanked his coat off the back of his chair and pulled it on around his broad shoulders

Ruby followed suit with her own coat, watching hi about the picture had struck a nerve In seconds, his deid

"My ex-partner, Grant," he explained finally "Did I pass o now?"

She’d always been too curious for her own good

"Why ex-partner? What happened?" As the words left herand ihed, pinning her with a look "He’s dead Shot during a raid earlier this year"

"I’m sorry," she whispered before he’d even finished his explanation Her stomach felt hollow

She wanted to rewind the last ain An odd reaction to have over someone she’d just met, but there it was Damn her nosiness With a shaky s, she reached over and took his hand "Let’s go"

With a curt nod in his friends’ direction, he led her from the bar

Chapter Three

Troy watched Ruby aze lighting on every surface, taking stock of the slightest details His takeoutescaped her attention She would have ht wryly Each ti his words, searching for anotherhis tone