Where's Ellen? (Mystery) (MPP A JOE MCFARLAND / GINNY HARRIS MYSTERY Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

them photocopies of the BOLO, the photograph Joe had taken of Ellen’s contact lists and the meager notes they’d written so far.
    “Thanks for all your cooperation. We’ll keep you informed,” muttered Martin as he and Florio headed for the door and were gone as suddenly as they appeared.
    “So much for cooperating and keeping us in the loop,” muttered Joe. “What a pile of crap! Why do we have to put up with this shit?” The chief and Ginny both merely nodded.
    The chief concluded, “I know how much you two are dying to continue digging into this, especially given the FBI’s interest, and especially so early in the case. But don’t! They’ll be watching us closely and I don’t need any more headaches with city hall. And, believe me, you two don’t need any more headaches with me.”

CHAPTER 6
    A bout one hour before the normal end of their shift, Joe and Ginny decided to take a drive back to the Sanders’ house to check in on the fire department’s search. Nodding to each other, Ginny left first. Carrying her pocketbook as if she were going to the restroom, after checking to make sure that no one was watching, she made a quick right turn into the stairwell and walked downstairs. A minute later, Joe grabbed his coffee cup and headed for what looked like a coffee refill, only to similarly jog right and head down the stairs. A quick walk across the parking lot to their car and they were headed back to the Sanders’ house, with Joe, as usual, behind the steering wheel. In their line of work, Joe and Ginny were constantly in and out of PD headquarters; they didn’t need any approval to leave. But they wanted to avoid the chief seeing them this time and casually asking them where they were going. They didn’t want to have to lie to the chief, but they sure didn’t want to tell him that they were following up on the Ellen Sanders case. Better to just avoid him.
    “Joe, you know that the chief told us to back off this case. He was loud and clear.”
    “Yeah, I know. But if we only did what he told us to do, we’d never get anything accomplished. Besides, we’re not doing anything on the case. Our tour is about over. We’re merely two concerned citizens trying to see what’s going on with the search for Mrs. Sanders.”
    “Yeah, and if you believe that, I have a bridge over the Ohio River I’d like to sell to you.”
    “Very funny,” responded Joe. “This whole thing with the FBI really pisses me off. Who the hell do they think they are? God’s gift to humanity?”
    “Yeah, their sudden involvement, especially this early, seems weird. But I don’t get your reaction. It upsets me.”
    “Whaddaya mean?”
    “Joe, I would hope by now you realize that I care about you. And I don’t like to see you this upset. I really care about you. And more than just as a partner on the job.”
    “And I do about you, Ginny. You’re the best friend I’ve got.” Joe glanced over at Ginny who was looking right up into his face. He quickly refocused his eyes back on the road. Joe couldn’t believe that he had blurted this out. He knew that his feelings for Ginny had been growing for the past year or so, but he had been sure that he was able to control them. Now he couldn’t even control his mouth. Up until this discussion, the most personal thing he had said to Ginny during the past six months had been “nice shirt.” A quick look in the rear view mirror, and Joe confirmed the pink glow of his cheeks; he couldn’t remember the last time that he had blushed — probably in high school.
    Seeing Joe’s discomfort with the turn this discussion had taken, Ginny tried to lighten it up. As she had done several times in the past when she recognized Joe’s discomfort or frustration level rising, Ginny hoped that her playing verbal sparring partner would feel like friendship to Joe. Close friendship. “Who are you kidding, Joe? I’m the only friend you have.”
    “Well, yeah, there’s that, too,” responded