The day before the party—a Friday—Selene sat at her desk in the police station, frowning at a pile of reports, when an urgent request from her bladder reminded her of the coffee she'd been drinking all day. Rising, she passed by the chief's office on the way to the bathroom and stuck her head in the door.
“Knock, knock,” she said, attracting Brady's attention away from his computer.
“What's up, Johansen?” he barked gruffly.
Remember, don't take it personally, she told herself for the thousandth time. It's just the way he talks, he does it to everyone, and it honestly doesn't mean a thing. “Um, I can't be on call this weekend,” she said. “I hope that's okay.”
“No problem.” He returned his attention to his work.
Puzzled, she made her way to the restroom, deep in thought. They always cal
