Rausch & Donlon - Can Be Murder 01 - Headaches Can Be Murder by Marilyn Rausch, Mary Donlon Page A

like this. So … so weepy.” She crinkled her nose. “So girly.”
    “Your secret is safe with me. You’ve been through a big shock today. I’m glad I was here. Now get some sleep. That’s an order, Special Agent Schwann.” She smiled at his light teasing and saluted him.
    He watched her walk back to her room. Running a hand through his hair, he let out the breath he’d been holding. He whistled softly. “Caddy, here girl. Let’s get some sleep too.”
     
     
    When Jo stumbled out of bed the next morning, she was surprised by the smell of coffee. She wandered into the kitchen and grabbed a cup for herself. Taking a cautious sip, she closed her eyes in gratitude. The bitterness of the coffee was just what she needed to get going this morning.
    She felt well rested, considering she’d only slept five hours. Actually, it was the best night’s sleep she had had in quite some time.
    A note was propped up next to the coffee maker. In neatly printed block letters, it read: Doing a few laps at the pool. Join me? J.
    Jo smiled. Carrying the coffee cup with her, she walked into the living room. Pulling her legs up under her she turned on the television remote. She flipped through the channels until she found a local news program.
    There was Detective Frisco, giving a summary of the basic facts, looking red-faced and angry. He closed his speech, “This crime was carried out by cowards.” He pointed at the camera. “We’re gonna find you. Make no mistake about that.” Cameras flashed as he walked away from the podium. Glad he’s on my side. The more she worked with Detective Frisco, the more she respected him. He would work as hard as she in bringing Sid’s killers to justice.
    Jo clicked off the television. She returned her coffee cup to the kitchen sink and leaned into the cabinet, thinking. Her thoughts kept straying to the smear of Sid’s blood she had seen on the floor of his lab. Jo shook her head, clearing away the image. “I have to focus. Can’t help Sid if I can’t get his killers.”
    Sitting down at the kitchen table, she pulled a tablet of paper to her and began making notes. Jo possessed an organized mind and it helped to map out a course of action in writing. Starting with the end result of putting those responsible in jail, she backed into every step she would need to take in order to get them there.
    After sketching out the process and rearranging the sequence of events, she was satisfied that she had put together an actionable plan. She snatched her cell phone off the counter and called into the Bureau’s offices in Minneapolis.
     
     
    An hour later, Jo turned her head when she heard the key card in the door. John walked in, a t-shirt clinging to his torso and a towel wrapped around his waist. Caddy padded behind him. Jo blushed as she noticed his broad shoulders and flat stomach through the damp shirt. Memories of being held against him last night came rushing back, and she felt a heat rise up in her belly.
    “For God’s sake, it can’t be more than ten degrees outside. What on earth … ?” She couldn’t seem to form any more words.
    “Wonderful morning for a swim. The hotel’s got a great pool. I put in a few laps and then jumped into the hot tub afterwards. Warmed me up enough to run back to the condo. Caddy’s been keeping me company.” He reached down to pet the top of her head. She barked once and thumped her wet tail against Jo’s leg.
    Jo raised an eyebrow. “So yesterday you couldn’t warm up, and today you’re traipsing around the snow like a winter hare. Go figure.”
    He grinned broadly. “I adapt to my surroundings. Hey, let’s go grab some breakfast. I’m starving.”
    “Are you always this annoyingly perky in the morning?”
    “Once I’ve had my morning swim, oh, yeah.” He turned on his heel and strode into his bedroom. She heard the shower running.
    Jo looked down at Caddy, who had stayed for a morning ear scratch. “Caddy? Tell me the truth, am I in