Free Shadows of Deceit (A Series of Shadows) by Mell Corcoran Page B

Lou as odd. The man was immense and imposing, she barely came up to his armpit while bare footed. She should have been overwhelmed by his presence, but she wasn’t. He was very polite, articulate and to the point. He was sharp, just as Vinny had said. But what struck Lou as odd was how unimposing his presence really was. He melted into the scene despite her earlier attempt to rile him. He fit. She didn’t need to accommodate him, explain herself or alter her behavior because he was a stranger. Even the fact that he might be her new partner never entered her mind. He was just there, as if he had always been there. That is what struck Lou as really odd. She wasn’t sure if she liked that. She was going to keep that little revelation to herself for a while.
    “Alright kiddo, we gotta get outta here. Our meeting with Arcano’s people downtown is at 2 p.m. and I know I am gonna hit traffic.” Vinny gave Shevaun a kiss on her cheek then mussed Lou’s hair like she was a child. “I’ll check in with you after. Come on sport.”
    “It was really a pleasure meeting you both.” Dillon stood before Lou and her mother, slightly unaware what to do with himself. “You have a magnificent home and a really cool cat. I hope I get to see you again.” With that, Dillon turned and headed for the door, not waiting for any reply.
    Lou was legitimately struck by Dillon’s sincerity. She also appreciated him taking off and not leaving her to have to give him some sort of awkward reassurance that they would in fact be seeing each other again. She really had no idea if they would. Ultimately, it was up to Vinny who replaced him as her partner but she was sure that he would allow her to have some input in the matter. In that moment, however, as Vinny and Dillon walked out the front door, Lou actually hoped he would make the cut. That was a surprise.
    “Well, I like him.” Shevaun started with her two-cents right away. “Quite an interesting theory he’s got going, don’t you think?”
    “Definitely.” Lou turned on her heal and headed for the stairs.
    “Hello? Are we not talking? Where are you going?” Shevaun held her arms up in exasperation.
    “I want to put the Principate super computer to the test and see what I can pull up on that helicopter and Arcano.” Lou yelled as she flew up the stairs.
    “Tallulah Louelle Donovan!” Her mother yelled so loud that her words echoed through the entire house. “You are not working this case! You are on medical leave! Do you hear me young lady?!”
    “Yeah yeah, love you Momma!”
    Vinny let Dillon drive for a few reasons. First, he knew the guy was not familiar with the traffic in Los Angeles so he wanted to see how he handled it. Second, he wanted to see if Dillon could find his way around and in a hurry without killing anyone. Lastly, he needed to make sure Lou would be safe with him at the wheel. Vinny knew damn well it was a rare occasion that Lou drove in the morning. If Vinny couldn’t pick her up for some reason, she usually would catch a ride from Joe to the train station then take the metro in to Homicide Bureau. It was just so much safer for everyone that way. Vinny needed to vet Dillon in every way possible.
    “This is a good area for you to look for a house.” Vinny pointed out as they drove.
    “Oh yeah? Ya think?” Dillon looked around, careful not to lose sight of the road as he did. “Oh wow, there are horse properties here! I bet those are pricey though, huh?”
    Vinny frowned a bit. “I bet there are quite a few in foreclosure.” The state of the economy really upset him. He was grateful, in a morbid sort of way, that he had a solid degree of job security. The sad reality was that with an economy in crisis, crime rates always went up. “Vera’s sister is in real estate. I can talk to her if ya want.”
    “That would be outstanding, if you don’t mind that is.”
    “I don’t mind at all. I gotta check in with my wife anyway. I’ll have her give her the