Storm Season Read Online Free Page B

two things: somebody had fucked-up big or something had gone big-time bad.
    “What’s happening?” she asked, heading to dress.
    “Storm preparation. This one’s gonna be a monster.”

9:10 a.m.
    THE CITY BIGWIGS WERE preparing for the worst case scenario. Two feet of snow. Blizzard-force winds. The downed trees, power lines and traffic nightmares that went along with both.
    Assets were being moved into the most at-risk areas. Power trucks. Plows. Once roads were impassable, it could prove impossible to get them where needed for days. An emergency operations center had been set up. All sworn officers were being activated, including detectives.
    “It’s going to be grueling, people,” Sal said. “Storm’s E.T.A. is twenty-four hours from now. Make ‘em count. Dismissed.”
    The moment M.C. exited the meeting, she tried Erik again. When it again went straight to voicemail, she tried Kids in Crisis. They hadn’t heard from him but promised to have him return her call when they did.
    Kitt frowned. “What’s wrong?”
    M.C. forced a shrug. “Nothing.”
    “Try that with somebody else, partner . Not me.”
    “Erik and I had a difference of opinion.”
    “About?”
    M.C. just looked at her.
    “Two days in a row? Wow, that’s rough.”
    M.C. stiffened at the amusement in Kitt’s tone. “Glad my misery could lighten your day, partner.”
    “Look, the man’s crazy in love with you. He’s a great guy, handsome and rich. You’ll work this out.”
    “It might be over, Kitt. He said so." The words came out thick.
    “You’ve had this discussion before.”
    “This time was different. He wanted me to quit--” she spread her fingers, “--this. Suggested he and I just leave it all behind. Go away together.”
    “Do it,” Kitt said simply. “Go.”
    M.C. couldn’t believe Kitt would say that. Of all people, her partner should understand. She told her so.
    “I understand, all right. I lost Joe twice. The job’s not worth it.”
    M.C. shook her head. “I can’t do it. It’s not me.”
    “I used to say that.”
    “And you’re still here, aren’t you?" The words came out sharper than she intended. Sharper than was fair.
    “Our situation was different, M.C. We lost Sadie and I lost my focus. It’s about balance. It’s about knowing, to the very center of your being, what’s important. With what I know now, I’d choose him. Hands down.”
    “He needs something I can’t give him.”
    “Or won’t?”
    M.C. heard the challenge in Kitt’s voice. From anyone else, even one of her brothers, she’d get her back up. The famous Riggio temper would flare. And she would push back. Hard.
    But Kitt, she owed her life.
    “When it comes to love, I’m a frickin’ Typhoid Mary. Every relationship. And Dan . . . I couldn’t live through it." She shook her head. “Not again.”
    She paused, then put voice to the words that had terrified her most. “He said he didn’t know if he could be with me anymore.”
    Kitt’s expression softened with understanding. “He was in a bad place, right? Hurting. He didn’t mean it.”
    “I think he did. The look in his eyes--  and this morning, he was gone. And his phone goes straight to voicemail.”
    “He needs time alone. To think. To grieve. Give him some space, M.C. Erik’s not the type to go off half-cocked.”
    M.C. opened her mouth to reply; she shut it as Kitt’s cell went off. “Lundgren." She paused, obviously listening. “Interesting. Thanks.”
    She re-holstered the cell. “That was Frances.”
    “He’s completed the autopsy already?”
    “No. Just the initial inspection of the body. He found something he wants us to take a look at. A bruise.”
    “Where?”
    “Middle of Bello’s back.”

10:30 a.m.
    THE MORGUE WAS LOCATED in the Public Safety Building, the same as the police department. Convenient, one-stop shopping. The autopsy room was cold. The body that had been Whitney Bello was laid out on the table. Frances’ assistant stood waiting;