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Hell, Zane had lived it before

"Does it matter?"

Zane lowered his fork and looked across the table, eyes focusing on so over Ty’s shoulder "I didn’t use to think so," he admitted

Ty watched him with one expressive eyebrow raised "And?" he invited with a wave of his hand

Dark eyes refocused and zeroed in on Ty’s face "The threat of castration, unes," Zane supplied

"Yeah, well, hang out with hookers and you get into soht face

The corners of Zane’s htly "Everyone has their hobbies," he replied sed dis lost interest in the conversation

Zane went back to finishing his dinner Ty wasn’t just good at figuring out ga to keep up with his banter, but it was also almost fun Zane was reminded that this

"partnership" , and now he couldn’t decide if he felt aht possibility that they could have been a formidable team But it was clear that Ty’s obvious disdain wouldn’t allow that to happen

They ate in silence for a while, and as soon as he was done with his dinner, Ty wiped his hands on the linen napkin and nodded at Zane "So, tell ent’s brain snapped back to its gathered data without further pro to tie theether No pattern of victim choice, cause of death, time of death, or other establishable MO Just the tokens left at the scenes, none of the his empty plate away

Ty closed his eyes and nodded i any bells?" he asked pointedly

Zane slowly stirred his tea, eyes distant as he reviewed lists and lists of details in his head "I don’t have anything concrete, but the state of the victi creative That’s unusual"

"Aside fro me," Ty returned with a nod "I feel like I should knohy he did it Why dye a natural blonde jet-black, then take her dark-haired roo to switch them before he killed theive it so now, genius," Ty huffed

"No, right now I’ the details requires more concentration and less distraction" Zane looked at hinificantly

Ty rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair "You wanted to work together," he reminded

"When did I say that?" Zane asked quietly

"It’s in the silent pleading in your eyes," Ty answered sarcastically

"What’s it going to be, Grady?" Zane asked, feeling very tired

"Decide now, so we can get to work Together or not?"

Ty looked at hihtfully and then s you so far," he answered

Zane studied that s his chair back "Ready to go?"

Ty reached for the eht and tucked the at the concealed beer, Zane stood and flipped a large bill froht would be interesting Ty was enjoying him so far Well, whoop-dee-doo

As soon as they hit the street, Ty extracted the beer and reached out and took hold of Zane’s elbow, pulling him to a halt The taller man stopped and looked back at him, eyebrow raised in question Ty raised the full bottle and sloshed the beer around, the scent wafting on the cool night breeze

Zane blinked, and then he raised his chin sharply "Hell, no"

"You do it or I will," Ty told hiether firer There was no doubt in his h "Asshole," hethe bottle from Ty’s hand He knehy Ty wanted this; if they looked like cops they wouldn’t get close enough to ask a question But that didn’tthe beer messily out into his left hand, he smeared the liquid on his shirt and throat, and up under his chin, like where a drunk would have dregs trailing Wiping his hand off on his jeans, he stalked over to the nearest bin and threw the bottle into it so hard it shattered as it hit bottoo"

Ty would never let the man know it, but the sacrifice earned him just a little bit of respect He nodded and fell in beside Zane, beginning to whistle as he walked As they got closer to the working girls, he began to sing softly, the words slightly slurred and off-key as he swung his empty beer bottle happily at his side

After the fifth street corner, Zane and Ty found a girl who knew the second victiet her to talk in the alley where she usually worked, and they ca out that the victim had been from Oklahoma and had run from her abusive husband

"Any reason she’d have solanced around nervously

"She ain’t irl answered as she kicked her platforainst the pavement "She ain’t nearly

Ty just nodded and looked her over carefully She looked back at hi her up on her services after all Instead, he reached into his back pocket and took out three more bills and handed therunted as he turned around and beganhis way back down the alleyway

Zane turned silently away as the girl stared at the arette and pulled the collar up on his jacket as the wind picked up It justthe stale smell of the beer off his shirt into his face