“You really are turning into a frequent shopper.” The detective wasn’t from Maryland.

“It’s my own fault I got kidnapped. I was trying to help Lue get away from them.”

He laughed. “Stop playing vigilante. It might get you shot and thrown in the Potomac next time.”

It might, but for some reason that didn’t bother me. Or maybe I knew exactly why it didn’t. Because I could look after myself. “Lue?”

“We’re putting her in witness protection, sending her well away from here. We should do the same with you.”

It tempted me. “I…”

“Honestly, I’d rather see you take criminal justice and get yourself a badge.”

I blinked. Cop was certainly not a career option I’d considered. “I can’t afford college. Not going to happen. Not smart enough for a scholarship.”

“We could put you in head start.”

“Uhh…” I had visions of pre-kindergarteners.

“The internship program.”

“I…look, my grades aren’t nearly good enough. And I have career plans. But…” I was flattered, I really was.

“A trouble magnet like you…I have this feeling if we put you in protection you’d just be a headache for the new department. So, think about it.”

Oddly, I was glad to have dodged that bullet. Lue…well. I’d never see her again, and that was for the best. “Lue’s going to go right into another relationship with a loser.”

“Probably. That sort often do. Maybe she’s had enough of a scare, though.”

“Maybe she’s been put off men for life. This is enough to make me want to date women.” I froze for a moment once the words were out of my mouth. Thinking of Thea and Barry.

Want to date women. Did I?

Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t. I was very confused on that front and I resolved to try and find somebody to talk to. Maybe the school gay-straight alliance could set me…I laughed inwardly and stopped myself from even thinking the pun.

“No better.” He grinned at me. “Think about it.”

“I will.” And then he let me go. I’d missed two days of school, but the cops would cover for that. And not, I hoped, tell any of my teachers it was my own stupid fault. Or worse, any of the other students.

I didn’t want to be mocked over it. But Kanesha fell in next to me. “How did you find me?”

“Missing Jane, check the cop station.”

I laughed. “He tried to recruit me.”

“You, a cop? Nah. Too many rules. Private investigator.”

I laughed again. “Needs a degree.”

“Not really. Just needs a license. Maybe one day.”