Badge of Honor by Carol Steward

living here, especially by herself. And I don’t feel comfortable with you living here with her, either.”
    Nick looked at her with his soft gray eyes, and for a minute she felt something more than the brotherhood of the badge between them. Then he glanced away, and she realized it was dangerous to even imagine a romance with her training officer. She had to get Nick Matthews out of her head. She had to get her mind back on the subject.
    â€œShe won’t even let me suggest that this might be someone she knew, let alone convince her that she needs to make changes to her life. I’m surprised that she listened to you.”
    â€œYou and Beth will both have to talk to the detectives, Sarah. They have to consider all of this if we’re going to catch him.”
    There was a long pause. “She works mainly with the girls in the abstinence group,” Sarah murmured at last. “Maybe it’s one of their boyfriends.”
    â€œThat’s warped, but I’ve heard of worse. You can’t fly under the radar on this. It’s dangerous for you, for Beth and for your career.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his blue T-shirt clinging to his body. Sarah reminded herself that he shouldn’t even be here.
    She heard Joel and Beth moving around upstairs, then turned and walked to the kitchen. She glanced outside for the first time since the crime scene had been cleared. “Not to mention your career, right?”
    â€œDon’t make this about me,” Nick said, leaning against the doorjamb. “I know how difficult it is to leave this to someone else when you have the experience to handle the case. It’s a fine line to walk. A dangerous line. You can think you’re in control, and in one moment of distraction, it’s all gone.”
    Sarah glanced up the stairs. “Is that what happened to you?”
    â€œI didn’t professionally interfere with the investigation, but I was definitely keeping my nose in the details and keeping an eye out for my sister’s safety. I was working a drug investigation at the same time. I left myself wide-open when I asked the two officers to tag some evidence instead of doing it myself.”
    â€œLive and learn,” Sarah said softly.
    â€œI’d rather you not learn that same lesson the hard way. Would your sister listen to someone else? Like my sister, maybe? After her incident, Kira is volunteering with the county victim’s advocacy network. I hear she’s doing a great job helping out there.”
    Sarah took a few steps toward the stairs and shook her head. “I don’t know what would reach Beth right now, but I know she’s going to blame herself for her neighbor’s assault. You got through to her without even telling her that. Maybe Kira could, too. I just know that I have to find something that will make her understand how serious this is.”

TWELVE
    T he next day, Nick met Sarah at the police station to finish their reports. “How’s your sister doing?”
    â€œConsidering my parents won’t stop asking her questions, she’s hanging in there. I haven’t told her about the neighbor yet. But I think she’s finally willing to talk to someone.”
    â€œAnd you? How’re you holding up?”
    â€œThe same. It’s a small apartment for four people.” She printed off the last report and started reading it for accuracy, then handed it to Nick. “They’re out looking for a more secure, bigger place for us to share.” Sarah took a deep breath and let it out slowly, as if she was counting to ten.
    Nick glanced at the report, then peered up at her. “And how is that settling with you and Beth?”
    She shrugged. “It’s fine, I guess. I just wish it were something we had a little more control over. Dad isn’t going to leave till he’s moved us both. Either that, or until we consent to go to Montana with him and Mom and never