The Heat Is On Read Online Free Page A

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3
    B Y THE TIME B ELLA finished talking to Ethan at the police station, it was nearly two, which was when her shift ended. She checked in with Willow, who told her that there was still yellow crime scene tape blocking off the shop, so she’d never opened for the day, disappointing their customers.
    All those delicious pastries and cakes, going stale…
    Ethan drove Bella home from the station. Home was, temporarily at least, one of the two small apartments above Edible Bliss.
    â€œYou’re new to town,” Ethan said lightly, idling at the curb while Bella unhooked her seat belt.
    They’d been over this, but she nodded. “Yes.”
    â€œYou planning on sticking?”
    â€œI don’t tend to stick, I never intended to stick.”
    â€œAre you…unsticking anytime soon?”
    â€œNot this week.”
    â€œGood enough,” he said. “Thanks for cooperating this morning.”
    She’d been raised right enough that she automatically thanked him in return, even though she had no idea what she was thanking him for. Asking intrusive questions? Plying her with bad cop coffee until she was so jittery she was in danger of leaping out of her own skin? He seemed like a good cop and a decent man, but she was on overload now, facing an adrenaline crash. “How long until we can go back inside?”
    â€œAnother couple of hours, tops. Just long enough to let CSI finish. You’ll call me if you think of anything else you can tell me?”
    â€œYes,” she said, then asked him the question she’d been wondering all day. “Are you Jacob’s partner?”
    â€œWe work together sometimes, but not on this case.”
    Something in his voice had her taking a second look at him.
    â€œConflict of interest,” he clarified.
    She hesitated, knowing that they both knew she was the conflict of interest. “Is he in trouble?”
    He started to say something and then stopped.
    â€œIs he?”
    â€œFor being with you? No. For not being able to keep his nose out once he’s feeling protective about someone he cares about? Not yet, but give him a day or two.”
    â€œWe’re not together. It was…just a one-night thing.You need to make sure your commander, or whatever he’s called, knows that. I don’t want Jacob to be in trouble over me.”
    â€œI’ll be in touch.”
    She nodded, ignoring the unease in the center of her gut, and got out of the car. She looked at the front door to the shop. Edible Bliss, the cute little paisley sign read. The interior was just as unique. Done up like a sixties coffeehouse, the colors bold and happy.
    And just a little psychedelic.
    She loved it here.
    But at the moment, she also hated it.
    There was still yellow crime tape blocking the front door. Willow was sitting on the steps. She was forty, tiny, with a dark cap of spiky hair tipped in purple this week. Her eyebrow piercing glinted in the sun as she watched Bella approach with a worried tilt to her mouth.
    It’d been a while since Bella had stayed anyplace long enough to make friends, been a long time since she’d wanted to, but Santa Rey had snagged her by the heartstrings.
    So had Willow. They’d spent only a month together, but it felt like more. She sank to the step at Willow’s side. “I’m so sorry.”
    â€œNot your fault.” Willow had sweet, warm eyes and a smile to match, and she hugged Bella tight. “We don’t see a lot of murder in Santa Rey,” she murmured. “They asked me a bunch of questions andI didn’t get to ask any of my own. Do you suppose they have any leads?”
    â€œAt the moment, I might be their only one.”
    Willow pulled back, clearly shocked. “They suspect you? ”
    â€œI think it’s standard procedure to suspect everyone.”
    Willow was quiet a moment. “It’s probably not appropriate to ask, given what’s happened, but I