Kate noticed Nick's steps slowing as they were nearing the crime scene.
When they finally stood in front of the bodies, Nick had his fists clenched at his sides, his posture stiff and lips pressed together in a thin line.
If he was a detective, he shouldn't be this uncomfortable around dead bodies. That might have sounded harsh, but Kate didn't have time to babysit some dude that looked and acted like he was fresh out of the academy.
He had to be lying about his age.
Nick angled his body away from the bloody mess on the grass, then glanced at Kate.
She couldn't quite decipher the expression on his face.
It was serious, but also.. accepting, like he had just confirmed his suspicions, whatever they were.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
Nick shrugged. "Any suspects?"
He was obviously avoiding the question.
Fine, don't tell me, Kate thought. It shouldn't annoy her this much some guy she'd just met didn't tell her his every thought, but for some reason, it did.
When Nick continued staring at her, she remembered she hadn't answered him yet and awkwardly cleared her throat.
"They were lawyers, so, naturally, they had a lot of enemies. They were just in the middle of working on a major case. It's likely whoever did this wanted them to stay away from it, keep them from uncovering something."
Nick seemed less anxious as he processed the new information she'd given him, his features softening while his mind was working. Kate found himself checking him out and immediately looked away.
Nope, so not going down that road.
"I'm assuming you haven't talked to the suspects yet," Nick said distractedly.
She shook her head. "I've been on this case for less than a day."
He nodded. "Let's get going then."
"Obviously." Kate narrowed her eyes at him. She was the one giving orders here, she was the leading detective. Before she could explain that to him, however, he was already across the lawn.
"Smart ass," she murmured as she followed him.
She could've sworn she saw Nick hesitate for a moment, like he'd heard what she'd said.
No way, though, there was too much distance between them right now.
They arrived at the car at the same time.
To her surprise, he held the door open for her.
For a few long seconds, they stood there, Nick holding open the passenger side door of his car and Kate, not moving a muscle.
"Well, get in, will you?"
She scoffed. "I am not your girlfriend. Though I appreciate the gesture, I can open my own doors."
Nick's eyebrows shot up, but he said nothing as he closed the door again and stepped aside.
"Also, I have my own car, thank you very much."
With that, she turned around and left Nick standing there.
"Smartass," he whispered under his breath when she was far enough away, the sides of his mouth twitching upward.
...
"For four years, nothing could get you out in the field again and now you're back?"
Hugo stepped back from the hug. "What made you change your mind?"
Nick caught himself looking at the ground as he so often did when he was lying, a habit of which Hugo, his best friend, was aware.
"Oh, I don't know, it's just something about this case."
When he looked up at Hugo again, his friend's smile slipped a bit as he was contemplating asking Nick about the real reason.
Hugo was used to Nick being distant and secretive. They had helped each other through a lot of tough times growing up, however, and Hugo didn't want Nick to lose his only friend.
"Okay, buddy. I'm happy for you. So, did you question the suspects yet?"
"Mhm."
"Any leads?"
"I don't know. Kate is suspicious of this one guy we interrogated, but... I don't know. He didn't-"
'I don't think he's a werewolf', but Nick couldn't very well tell Hugo that.
"Something just didn't click for me."
"Yeah, I know the feeling. Wait a minute, did you say Kate? You're working with Kate? Nice, dude!"
His best friend's smile widened into a grin.
Before Nick could stop it, he was slapped on the back encouragingly.
Hugo was strong and big, like a human bear, and his slap on the back almost knocked Nick across the room, which made the wolf in him stir a little, which, in turn, irritated Nick, which made the wolf even more agitated.
Sighing under his breath, Nick ignored the animal and only rolled his eyes at Hugo's comment.
"I care about how good she is at her job, Hu. Nothing else," he told him evenly, staring at the ground once again.
Sure, he found Kate attractive. He could never be with her, though, because nobody could want a werewolf for a boyfriend.
Especially not Kate.
****
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Do you like Hugo?
Nick should cheer up a little, don't you think?