Fractured by Wendy Byrne

course. Kinda like a sleepover.”
    She laughed. “Yeah, that’s you, Landry, a regular boy scout. But I think I’ll check into a hotel. I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Besides, a girl’s gotta keep some secrets. Your place is much too small to do that.”
    â€œBrings up a good point. Why’d you go to Stateville?” He might as well press her for some answers. Some people might believe he was a glutton for punishment. But sooner or later he kept hoping she might let him in. Even a little would be a victory of sorts.
    â€œHow—” She didn’t bother to finish the question.
    â€œA friend of my cousin works there. It’s big news when a detective from Chicago shows up.” He chuckled in an effort to keep things light. “They don’t get much action there with only murderers and serial killers for amusement.”
    â€œGeez, you Taylors should go into the spy business. You have moles everywhere.” She blew out a breath. “Any news about Lou?” Not too surprisingly, she changed the subject.
    Some things never changed. “I’m just getting to the station now. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œAre you sure you don’t want to spend the night?” For some reason, he didn’t want her out of his sight. Maybe he was still reeling from the shock of finding her in that alley. Maybe it was the simple fact that now that she was back in his life, he didn’t want to let go. Maybe just like her, he was a bit of a control freak.
    â€œI couldn’t stand to see you scrunched up on the couch again. You looked like a big giant pretzel.”
    â€œIf you’re feeling that bad, I guess we could share the bed. I promise to stay on my side.” It was hard to keep the smile off his face as he walked into the station to start his evening.
    â€œYeah, right. I’ve heard that one before. And then before I know it, your hands or other parts of your anatomy would wander over to my side.”
    â€œMe? Never. I’m a boy scout, remember.” With the phone at his ear, he checked for messages in his mailbox. There was a note from Lieutenant Thomas asking him to stop by. Opening up his locker he threw it inside and pulled out his uniform.
    She hesitated for a few seconds. Knowing her, he imagined she was chewing on her bottom lip contemplating the options. “I guess it will be easier if I come by your place.”
    â€œI knew you were a slave to my charms.”
    â€œDon’t get cocky.”
    â€œAround you? Not a chance.” He opted not to tell her about the note from the lieutenant. No sense getting her nervous for nothing. “See you later, roomie.”
    â€œIn your dreams.”
    Landry had time before his shift so he changed into his uniform before he went into the lieutenant’s office. He knocked on the door then pushed it open. While he figured there’d be some follow-up questions from last night, he wasn’t too nervous about the prospect. At least until he saw the visitor sitting across the desk from the lieutenant.
    â€œHave a seat, Taylor. Agent Malone and I were just talking about you.” Lieutenant Thomas motioned toward a vacant chair while a sinking sensation set up in Landry’s gut.
    This couldn’t be good.
    * * *
    Out of leads and more confused than ever, Isabella had to get back to basics, and finding Lou was a good place to start. Besides, keeping her mind occupied would help her avoid thinking too long about that snippet of a memory that had surfaced a few moments ago.
    Who were some of Lou’s friends? He didn’t have any that she’d seen except for …what was that guy’s name?
    Sergio.
    She closed her eyes to bring up the image of the man she’d seen once. He’d been at the apartment a week or so ago. Mid-twenties, curly hair pulled back into a ponytail. While he avoided looking her in the eyes, the