Fossen Delores - Veiled Intentions стр 5.

The fire in those baby greens dwindled a fraction. She pulled back her shoulders as if preparing to defend herself and met him eye-to-eye. In those heels, she could almost manage it, even though he was just over six feet tall.

Because the bride and groom met through the Perfect Match Agency, the same matchmaking service that Gail and her fiancé used, she explained. They both also had the same florist. I thought there might be a connection so I contacted the minister here at the church

You told him about this possible connection?

No. Of course not. Theres only been one shooting, and I have no proof that therell be another one. I didnt want the couple to bring a possible lawsuit against the department for disrupting their wedding, so I simply reminded the minister of some recent robberies in the area and offered my services as a temporary security guard. He agreed, and we came up with the idea of using the guest registry as my cover.

So shed done her homework. He liked that. But this wasnt a time when Brownie points counted. The florist and Perfect Match could be a coincidence. There are other possible angles.

Yes. Gails fiancé was Hispanic, so the shooting could have been racially motivated. Or maybe their deaths are linked to some other aspect of their personal lives. She paused. But I dont believe that, and apparently neither do you, or you wouldnt have come here today.

Touché.

Joe fought back an urge to smile. Under different circumstances, he might have enjoyed this verbal sparring, but these werent different circumstances. Katelyn OMalley would be in his way, because despite her denial, this case was personal for her. In his experience, when it got personal, people made mistakes.

That wasnt going to happen on his watch.

I came here to follow up on one particular theory. One theory of several, he assured her.

Joe checked the entryway. No new guests, and the others had already moved into the church. He could hear the organ start to play, an indication that the bride and groom were about to make their entrance.

Hopefully, it wouldnt be their last.

Katelyn huffed. I know those theories as well as you

Caucasian male is approaching the church, the backup officer said through Joes communicator.

That, and the sound of hurried footsteps, interrupted whatever else she was about to say. Frantic footsteps that sent them both reaching for their guns. In the same motion, she stepped into the hallway beside him. However, the threat for which theyd braced themselves didnt materialize.

Judging from the strong family resemblance, the man who came into sight was Sergeant Garrett OMalley. His gun was already drawn, but he held it discreetly by his side so it wouldnt easily be seen.

Katelyn, whats going on? her brother demanded.

Because Joe was standing arm-to-arm with her, he felt her muscles relax.

False alarm, she let him know. Once again, she reholstered her gun. This is Sergeant Joe Rico. Homicide. This is my brother, Sergeant Garrett OMalley, Special Investigations.

Unlike Katelyn, Garrett didnt appear to relax. Just the opposite. It was obvious he had issues, and Joe didnt have to guess who or what those issues were.

Rico, Garrett repeated in the same tone that he no doubt reserved for profanity. According to the rumor mill, the chief sent you in to investigate our brother, Brayden. And possibly Katelyn and me, too.

The chief did what? Katelyn asked. Mouth gaping, she stepped in front of Joe and pinned her gaze to his.

This obviously wasnt the way to win friends and influence people. But that didnt matter. He had a job to do, and hed do it, with or without the OMalleys approval.

Since it appears you can answer your sisters questions, Joe said to Garrett, Ill leave you to it and see whats happening in

the church. Id prefer that people didnt die while were standing around chitchatting.

It was a good exit line. The only thing missing was, well, the good exit. Katelyn didnt get out of his way so he could leave, and the hallway was too narrow to go around her. He really didnt want to play bump and grind just so he could get past her.

Really.

Even if there were various parts of him that thought it might be fun.

Her hands went to her hips. I dont know what your agenda is

To do my job, Joe insisted.

That earned him a scowl. My brothers are good cops. Dont judge either of them by the fact that I came here today. This undercover investigation was my idea and mine alone.

Since it was clear this argument wouldnt be resolved in the next couple of minutes, Joe put his gun back into his holster, firmly caught her shoulders and moved her out of his path. Ill see you both back at headquarters when Im finished here.

Joe turned to leave. But he still didnt manage that exit. A few steps was as far as he got. The sound stopped him in his tracks. Because it was the last thing he wanted to hear. A sound hed anticipated, and dreaded.

A shot blasted through the church.

THE EMOTION of her argument with Sergeant Rico evaporated instantly, and in its place, Katelyn felt the barrage of instinct and adrenaline.