Examining the Dead Got Me Branded a Cheater Chapter 07

Examining the Dead Got Me Branded a Cheater Chapter 07

This was a huge honor. On an HQ task force, every member was either a genius or someone who simply outworked everyone else.

There weren’t many government-sanctioned task forces, and Tyler’s was the best in the country. With them on a case, nothing remained unsolved.

The other members laughed and chimed in, “Professor Robinson hardly ever reaches out like that. We’ve all heard about your earlier situation.”

“To us, the deceased aren’t about gender. You did nothing wrong.”

“Now isn’t the time. Once the case is closed, we’ll report Chief Langford and Captain Sutton to HQ for disciplinary action.”

I was genuinely moved and rose to thank everyone. “Thanks for believing in me. I’d like some time to consider joining the task force. Let’s deal with the case at hand first.

“I’ll complete the remaining autopsies tonight and submit a thorough report. I hope we can break this case soon.”

I’d just finished the report and was about to drop it off at Tyler’s office when Claire showed up.” Once this case wraps and the task force clears out, I want you to apologize to Jules.

“What happened yesterday really hurt his pride. You deliberately put him in a humiliating spot and forced him to apologize to you. He felt terrible.”

She dropped the remark like a handout, all hard-edged. “As long as you do what I say, I can keep your spot at the department, and… I might even remarry you.”

When she said “remarry”, something awkward flickered across her face. Afraid I’d catch it, she looked away in a hurry. That little tell only made it more obvious.

I scoffed, totally unimpressed. “You think I came back to remarry you?”

Her eyes went wide, and she shot back like she already knew the answer. “What else? Chief Langford called you a bunch, and you ignored him. I called once, and you picked up.

“Isn’t that you waiting for me to make up with you? Anyway, I’ve given you the chance, so stop putting on airs. You only get one shot. If I change my mind, you’re out.”

Her tone was so unnervingly matter-of-fact that anyone would think I was the one to blame in the marriage, that I should be the one pleading with her to reconcile.

I stared straight at her. “Claire, there’s something I really don’t understand.”

“What?”

“Do you really think I’m so pathetic that I’d still be into you? Since you like a conceited idiot like

Julian, quit pretending you can’t bear to lose me. I don’t need it.”

She yanked my arm. “What do you mean? You’re not into me anymore? Are you kidding me, Evan Mercer? Cut it out! You’re just wearing down our relationship by saying things like that! Do you actually want me to walk away?”

I ripped my arm out of her grip, my voice utterly cold. “Yeah. I don’t need a woman who’s hung up on another man.”

With that, I shook her off, walked into Tyler’s office, and turned in the report.

The department rolled out the arrests fast, but three days passed without a single lead. They ended up grabbing someone who fit the sketch, but it turned out to be the wrong call.

Harry couldn’t unload on the task force, so he came to me and cursed me out.