A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason

ready to let me out of here?”
    â€œWith instructions to go home and rest.”
    â€œSure.” Agreeable innocence all the way. She ignored Sam’s snort of disbelief and Jamie’s giggle. Noah just rolled his eyes and shook his head.
    The doctor took it all in, then eyed her, one side of his mouth lifting. “Right, I can see you’re going to do exactly as ordered.”
    She couldn’t lie. “Well, maybe not exactly as ordered, but I do promise to take it a little easier than normal.”
    He sighed and nodded. “Fine. You’re not the first cop to cross my medical path.”
    â€œAny limitations on her job duties?” This from Noah.
    Kit glared at him with a how-is-this-your-business look. He met her stare for stare. She finally looked away as she silently conceded he had a right to be concerned. She’d been hurt. If they got into a situation where she didn’t have his back, he could be killed.
    The doc shrugged. “Not really. She can do what she feels like doing.” He looked at Kit. “The bullet just grazed you, really. There was a bit of blood loss, but you’ve recovered nicely in the few hours you’ve been here. By tomorrow you should be good to go.”
    â€œWhy did she pass out?”
    â€œNoah . . .”
    â€œCome on, Kit, you can’t go back to work if you’re not really ready.”
    She snapped her mouth shut and looked at the doctor. He said, “Probably from a combination of shock and pain—and maybe some sleepless nights?” A pointed look.
    â€œMaybe,” she mumbled at his direct, questioning stare.
    â€œI would recommend staying here tonight. Tomorrow, you can do whatever. I promise I’ll let you go without argument—as long as you don’t develop any complications overnight.”
    Kit groaned and Noah nodded. Sam and Jamie stared her down, arms crossed, expressions stern. The sudden swell of tears took her by surprise. The cocoon of their caring and concern surrounded her, and the fight went out of her.
    Closing her eyes to hide her rocky emotions, she leaned her head back and said, “Okay.”
    A soft hand covered hers and she felt stable enough to look up. Jamie stood there, a small smile dimpling her cheek. It was like looking into a mirror. An exact replica of herself. She still wasn’t used to it. “Rest, Kit.”
    â€œRight.”
    Noah patted her shoulder and the innocent touch made her tingle to her toes. “Connor’s going with me to the Marlowe house. We want to see if we can pick him up for questioning.”
    She felt her lower lip push out and wanted to whine, “But I want to go.” Instead, she pressed her lips together and nodded like the adult she was. “Okay, I guess I’m in no shape to do anything today.” The aggravating throb in her arm pulsed in agreement. “Just keep me updated, will you?”
    â€œYou bet.”
    Noah left, and Kit felt two pairs of eyes boring holes into her. She lifted a brow. “What?”
    Jamie flushed and Samantha shrugged. “Why are you being so stubborn?”
    Kit set her jaw. “It’s my case and I . . .” Why was she being so stubborn? “I don’t really know. I just feel like I need to be the one . . .” She trailed off once more, looked away from her sisters’ prying gazes, and stared out the window.
    Why was she so antsy? So ready to push herself when she silently admitted her arm was killing her? Why wouldn’t she just take the little pill and drift off into oblivion?
    Because she was embarrassed? A little. But she’d had no more control over that bullet than she had Brian pulling that trigger at the hostage situation. But that wasn’t all, she slowly realized.
    It was also because, for the first time in her law enforcement career, she felt like she had to prove to her partner that she was good enough simply because of