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them.
He didn t know how long he sat there watching Sidney sleep. He
shot up and hustled over to the window when Frank s loud bark
signaled the arrival of a visitor. Peeking through the curtains, he
sighed in relief when he recognized Michael s personal pickup parked
by the curb.
 Frank! Enough, Ryder called as he made his way down the
stairs to let his partner in the door.
Frank met him at the foot of the stairs, tail wagging, and tongue
lolling.  Good boy. He loved that silly mutt like a child.  It s just
Michael. Now, go lay down.
Frank barked softly and trotted down the hall toward Claire s
room. Ryder had to admit it made him feel better knowing the big
Great Dane would take care of his grandmother. Frank was loyal and
protective, and he doubted many were stupid enough to cross him.
He eased the door open just as Michael bounded up the steps.
 Frank, he said by way of explanation when Michael quirked an
eyebrow at him.
Michael laughed quietly and shook his head. After relocking the
door, Ryder gestured his partner toward the kitchen.  Start a pot of
coffee while I go wake up Sidney.
Michael yawned and nodded.  I brought some photographs of our
missing boys. Maybe Sidney can give us something.
Ryder shrugged but didn t respond. He hurried up the stairs to his
room and flipped the light on.  Sidney, wake up.
Pulling a pillow over his head, Sidney groaned.  What the hell,
Ry? Go back to bed and leave me alone.
Ryder bit his lip to keep from laughing. Damn, the man sounded
cute as hell, and he looked so right sleeping in Ryder s bed. He d do
anything to keep him there.
Lipstick and Handguns 77
Pushing those thoughts aside, he made his way to the mattress and
sat down heavily, bouncing several times.  Michael is in the kitchen,
and we need to talk.
 Are you running away to elope with him and have a bunch of
little detective babies?
Sidney sounded so serious, Ryder couldn t hold back his laughter
any longer.  Nope. Michael is definitely not my type.
 Then, I don t care. Go play with your friend and let me sleep.
Falling back on the bed, he rested his head on Sidney s hip as he
chuckled. Once he felt he had himself under control, he turned over
and shook Sidney s leg.  Come on, baby. It s about the case, and we
need your help.
Sidney turned until he peeked out from under the pillow.  My
help?
 Please? He tried for the doe-eyed look the man always used to
dupe him.
Rolling his eyes, Sidney grunted.  Let me get dressed, and I ll be
down in a minute. He glanced at the clock and groaned.  Really, Ry?
Three-thirty in the morning? Really?
 Such is the life of those sworn to serve and protect.
 Ugh! You are way too perky for this early in the morning. He
climbed out of bed and stumbled toward the door.  I ll be down in
five minutes. Please try to curb the happiness before I get there.
Ryder pressed his lips together and tried not to smile. He doubted
it would earn him any brownie points. God, he couldn t remember the
last time he had smiled or laughed so much. Normally, instead of
trying to contain his humor, he was forcing himself not to be a morose
bastard.
Happy felt damn good.
* * * *
78 Gabrielle Evans
Sidney placed a hand over his mouth to cover yet another yawn,
and wondered how Ryder did it. He felt exhausted. Looking over the
man sitting next to him, he decided Ryder looked a hell of a lot better
at this unholy hour than he did.
 Sid, I m going to show you some pictures. Michael interrupted
his contemplation of Ryder.  I want you to look at them and tell us if
you recognize any of these men.
Sidney yawned again and nodded. Why couldn t this wait until a
decent hour in the morning? Preferably, sometime around noon.
He studied the first picture Michael handed to him. Handsome,
young, dark hair, but Sidney didn t recognize him. Shaking his head,
he passed the photo back to the detective.
Ryder rose from his chair beside him and leaned over to whisper
in Sidney s ear,  You want some coffee, baby?
 Please. Coffee sounded like heaven.
 Okay. Just do your best. Ryder kissed the top of his head and
wandered over to the coffeepot.
Refocusing on Michael, he found the man staring at him with a
shocked expression. He quickly schooled his features, though, and
passed him another photograph.
The guy looked much like the other one, and Sidney didn t
recognize him either.  Nope. Sorry, I ve never seen him before.
Michael didn t seem deterred. He just smiled as he took the
picture back and handed him another one.
Sidney paused and studied the photo intently. Though the hair was
the wrong color and the guy looked a little thinner in the photo, he
definitely knew him.  This one. He spoke with conviction.
Michael smiled and nodded as if he d been expecting the answer.
 How do you know him?
 He came into the bar I used to work at every Friday night. I don t
know his name, but I remember he never drank anything but water.
He came in and sat at the end of the stage, drank his water, watched
the dancers, and left. Sidney shrugged.  I ve seen stranger.
Lipstick and Handguns 79
 Was he ever with anyone? Ryder asked as he set a cup of [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]