Free Blood Score by Jordan Dane Page A

you think the phrase ‘blind rage’ came from? And murder for hire is an equal opportunity employer. Even a guy with a handicap can hire a pro.” He heaved a sigh. “My gut tells me this had to be personal. Most pros wouldn’t use a knife like that. I’m just sayin’ we need to keep our options open. We haven’t ruled him out as a suspect yet. Or was there another reason you gave him Angel Lite?”
    “ What are you talking about?”
    “ I got the feeling that you…” Cronan fixed his intense blue eyes on her. “…that you went a little soft on him because…”
    At first Angel smiled and almost laughed off her partner’s misguided concern, but something in Cronan’s eyes made her stop. She’d seen the look before when he thought she hadn’t noticed.
    “Spit it out, Gabe.”
    “ I mean, he’s a good looking guy, and it’s been two years since Manny died. You’re entitled to…look.” He loosened his tie. “I personally don’t see him as your type, but…”
    “ Oh, here we go.” She got inside and slammed the door. When her partner slid into the driver seat, she let him have it. “I don’t want to hear your version of my type , Gabe. And I don’t need you to tell me what I’m entitled to after Manny. You’re over the line, even for you. I know you’re gonna think I’m exaggerating, but you totally suck at diplomacy.”
    Cronan started the engine with his jaw clenched. He let the air-conditioning cool things off as an awkward silence closed in.
    “You’re right.” He stared straight ahead with his hands gripping the wheel. “You don’t need a guy like me telling you anything. What you and Manny had, that was real special. But he’s gone and— Oh, hell. Forget I said anything.”
    As Cronan pulled the Crown Vic from the curb and merged into traffic, Angel wanted to stay mad at him for overstepping his bounds as a partner and a friend. But his version of an apology—‘ Forget I said anything ’—almost made her smile. She’d never seen him so unsure of himself. He had a hard time wielding the words when things got personal. Gabe showed his feelings and like most men, he never cared much for talking about ‘touchy feely’ stuff.
    That didn’t mean his message didn’t get through to her. She’d read him loud and clear. For the first time since Manny died, she had thoughts about another man and Gabe had noticed—even before she had.
    What was that all about?
    ***
    North of Downtown Chicago
     
    Normally arguing with Angel got him fired up in a good way. Cronan loved a healthy debate as much as the next guy, and a shot of adrenaline from time to time wasn’t a bad thing. Clashes were bound to happen between two headstrong people and past disagreements had always been job related. But this time he’d stomped over personal territory, and he felt lousy doing it.
    He’d won the prize for being the colossal jerk wad of the century and in his case, it wasn’t good to be King .
    “ This is it,” Angel said as she pointed to an upscale condominium project on the fringe of the suburbs. On the drive over, his partner had done her best to minimize the strain from their argument by sticking to the case.
    It looked to be working for her. Too bad he couldn’t say the same.
    “Man, I don’t know what the Department of Cultural Affairs pays an entry level promotion person, but I think daddy kicked in coin,” she said as he drove through the main gate and found a parking spot in front of the building where Olivia had lived. “Daddy D must have pulled a few strings to get his daughter a good start in life.”
    “ I’ll say,” he agreed. “Maybe a life of handouts wouldn’t have done her any favors in the long run.”
    With Olivia dead, he’d never know if his theory had substance. It could be nothing more than useless ramblings from the King of jerk wads.
    “I don’t know.” Angel shrugged. “I think it would take a lot of will power to turn down free money if it were handed to