"Not like any I've ever seen. But why else would she be hanging out with them?"
Thank God. He couldn't quite imagine Gaby in flaunt mode. "What'd she have on?"
"Sloppy clothes. Loose sandals. Oh, and a choker necklace."
Luther's heart pounded hard. Would Gaby still be wearing his gift? "Describe it."
With a shrug, the man said, "Black leather, I think. With a little silver cross in the middle."
"Ann!"
At Luther's shout, the man jumped a foot and Ann came running. She looked worried. "What?"
"Finish with this guy, will you?"
"Sure, but why?"
Like he had time to explain! "I'm going out."
"All right, fine, but… Luther! Slow down."
"No time."
"You can answer a single question, damn it." Ann caught his arm and pulled him to the side. "Now, what's going on? Are you okay? Where are you going?"
He tucked his wallet away, straightened his tie. "That's three questions, Ann."
"Answer one of them, damn you!"
"I'm fine." A smile broke over his face. "I'm going to get someone who got away."
"A suspect?"
"No. She's not… that." Gaby was too smart to stay in the area if she thought he'd have any reason at all to arrest her. Either she was innocent, or she knew he couldn't pin anything on her. At the moment, either suited him just fine.
Ann didn't appreciate his rush. "This is insane. Do you need backup?"
He actually grinned, his first real grin in a long while. "No, but she might when I get my hands on her." On impulse, whether Mort liked it or not, he pulled Ann in close and gave her a sound smacker right on her mulish mouth. "Hold down the fort, sweetheart. I'll be back when I can."
On his way out the door, Luther vowed, "You won't escape me again, Gabrielle Cody. Not a second time."