Murphy’s eyebrows rose and he pushed back in the chair. “Visions?”

“Yes.” Steve stopped pacing. He saw the doubt in Murphy’s eyes but he didn’t explain further. Instead, he waited for the flurry of questions.

“Visions of what?”

“She described in detail what Amy was wearing that day.”

“And you didn’t haul her ass in?” Murphy’s eyes widened and little blotchy splotches of burgundy broke out on his cheeks.

“You said she was in New York at the time of Amy’s death,” Steve said, and started pacing again. “Believe me; I grilled her before I called you.”

“She knows who you are?” Murphy shot to his feet, flew around the side of the desk, and stepped into Steve’s pacing path. The color in Murphy’s cheeks spread to cover his entire face in an explosive plum.

Oh Shit. Steve stopped and shoved his hands in his pocket. He looked sheepishly through his bangs at Murphy and nodded. The color transitioned from plum to red and Steve swore Murphy’s head was going to explode from the pressure.

“Where is she now?”

“On her way back to her apartment.”

“Please tell me she isn’t a student at Brooksfield,” he growled.

Steve shrugged and smiled a little. “She won’t say anything, trust me.”

“You slept with her?”

Steve couldn’t help but smile. “Well?” he cringed and gulped the sudden dryness from his mouth.

“Please tell me she is at least of age,” Murphy barked. Steve nodded. “I want her brought in right now,” he ordered.

“Can’t do that,” Steve replied. “Her roommate is the fraternity president’s girlfriend.”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Murphy grabbed Steve by the shirt.

“She won’t say anything,” Steve said.

“And why not?”

“Because I’m dating her.” Steve kept eye contact, calmly meeting Murphy’s angry glare.

Murphy slowly let go. “You what?”

“We’re dating.”

Murphy blinked rapidly and sank onto the desk, the color abating a little from his face. “How long?”

“How long what?”

“How long have you been involved with someone related to this case?”

Steve’s face suddenly grew hot and he turned away, mumbling, “Three days.”

“Did you just say three days?”

He turned back and Murphy’s jaw was clenched so tight Steve could see the tendons jumping in his neck and the veins throbbing at his temple. “I grew up with her but I hadn’t seen her for ten years until three days ago. I didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect her to be so goddamn beautiful that I’d have a hard time breathing around her. I didn’t expect to see her and I certainly didn’t expect to sleep with her, but it happened okay?” The words tumbled out in a flurry trying to mitigate the explosion he knew was coming.

“Is she the other person who can see the words?” Murphy asked as one eyebrow rose in suspicion.

“Yes but…”

Murphy grabbed him by the arm and pushed him toward the back of the office. “Drug test—now!” he barked. “And until I get the results, you are not to see her, or I’ll have your badge.”

“Bullshit! I’ll gladly do the drug test, but I won’t stop seeing her. That would completely fuck up my cover and Bill Tyler will go ballistic on me again.” He pointed at his eye. “I got this because he defended her honor.”

“Drug test.” Murphy pointed toward the bathroom. “Under the sink.”

Steve found the containers and complied. He walked out a few minutes later and handed Murphy the sealed container full of urine. “Bill is your chief suspect. Do you want me close to him or not?” Steve watched Murphy slide the container into an envelope and put it in his bottom drawer. “If I’m with her, I’m with them. Jen has no idea Bill is on our radar.”

“Let me see if I get this straight,” Murphy started, “first you get yourself into the fraternity of the chief suspect, second you start dating the roommate of his girlfriend.” He paused. “That was the perfect cover.” He shook his head and paced, the anger radiating off him. “But you didn’t stop there. You put your identity at risk by blowing your cover with the girl. An entire summer of undercover work fucked up in just three days because you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants.” He stopped and glared at Steve.

Steve shrugged. “She’s not going to say anything.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck what you believe. Bring her in!” The glass on the door rattled under the volume and timber of his bellow.

Steve shook his head.

“I should take your badge right now. I’m ordering you to bring her in.”

“I can’t do that,” Steve said, knowing the ramifications for disobeying an order. “I need her and she won’t say a thing.”

“How can you be so sure?” The octaves lowered a fraction and so did the crimson shine in Murphy’s cheeks.

“Intuition,” Steve shot back. “You know damn well I don’t trust anyone off the bat. I knew this girl growing up. We were close.”

“You said you hadn’t seen her in ten years. A lot can change in ten years.” Murphy mirrored Steve’s exact words the day before.

“I know. I all but outright accused her of killing that girl last night. I didn’t take her word for it. I checked out the facts before I backed off. I risked losing the best thing that ever walked into my life because of this fucking job.” He turned his back on Murphy, his fists in tight balls, and he inhaled a deep breath, gaining control and unclenching his hands.

Silence settled on the room. “I know it’s crazy but I’m in love with her, and she’s right smack in the middle of this thing.” He faced Murphy.

“You can’t be objective anymore,” Murphy said.

“Yes I can, just don’t ask me to bring her in. She isn’t drugging me, Murph, and neither is anyone else. Maybe her visions or whatever they are can help us catch the son of a bitch faster.”

“This goes against the book, Williams.”

“I know, sir.”

Murphy looked out the window and eased down on the edge of the desk, crossing his arms. “I knew your grandfather, you know.” He brought his gaze back to Steve. “He was the best field agent the FBI ever had and up until today you were following a close second.” He gripped the desk. “God damn it, Williams!”

Steve shifted under the angry stare and his heart leapt into his throat. He’s going to fire me. Shit. Instead of pleading his case, he remained quiet and held the stare.

Strained silence filled the room and neither man spoke for the length of ten heartbeats.

Murphy inhaled, and his tight lips parted. “I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I want to meet her. Have her in the pub tomorrow at noon.”

“She has class tomorrow at noon. Can we do it Friday instead?”

Murphy glared at Steve, his lips turning into a thin white line. “I’ve got to be out of my fucking mind. Fine, but if you’re not there with her on Friday, I’m bringing you both in. Now get out of my office.”

“Thank you, sir.” Steve picked up the notebook and left before Murphy could change his mind.

He headed back to his car, glancing at the clock on the dashboard as he slid into the driver’s seat. He had close to five hours before he would see her again. He started the car and headed to the frat house.

Bill sat on the steps, his face formed in an angry scowl. He nodded acknowledgement when Steve approached.

“You hurt her and I’ll rip you to pieces,” he said, and stormed into the house, leaving Steve stunned on the front stoop.

He looked up at the Beta Theta Pi flags flying over the entry of the frat house. The eyes of the red dragons watched and waited for their next victim. Steve shivered as their glance passed over him with a ripple from the wind. He shook his head. At least it isn’t the skull and cross bones like Phi Kappa Sigma down the block.

He headed inside.

Chapter 15

Jennifer walked into the apartment smiling.

“You didn’t have to pull that on us, Jen,” Tracy called from out on the balcony.