beer bottles on the floor, fighting some inner battle he won’t tell me about.
I gotta get rid of him. It’s the only way I’ll be able to check things out.
“Go home, and take a nap, Colton. I'll stay and call if anything comes up,” I say, casually sipping my coffee.
He looks around, taking in the scene, so I press on. “Come on, when was the last time you slept? Either you go take a nap in your toasty apartment or you’ll pass out in the back seat out here in the freezing cold.” I give him a small smile and adjust the wool winter cap Mrs. N knitted for me.
His forehead creases as he examines me. “I don’t know, Harper. Are you sure?” He’s hesitant to go, but I know he’s dead tired. His suit lapel is raised up in a weak attempt to cover his frozen ears, along with his tensed, bunched up shoulders.
“I’m sure.” I tip my coffee cup his way. “I got my caffeine fix. I’ll text Nelson and Ryan to see if they can give us a hand. Besides, we’ll be at this for a long while. I’ll call you if I need you.”
He’s still not moving; uncertainty evident in his demeanor.
“Come on, you’re freezing.” I hand him my coffee, and for some inexplicable reason, I remove my cap and put it on his head, adjusting the sides so they cover his ears. Perhaps it’s my way to reassure him that I’ll be okay. “No hurry. Take a nap, I’ll be right here.” I grab my hot coffee from him and slowly take a sip.
After pondering, he looks around once again, down at his clothes, and makes a decision.
“All right, call me if something comes up. I just need a quick shower and a change of clothes, and I’ll head right back.” He rubs his head, enjoying the warmth my cap provides. The sight of his large masculine frame in an Armani suit and a homemade wool cap entices a small grin from my lips. I say my goodbyes.
I’m walking away to join the uniformed officers gathered by the side of the road, when Tommy’s voice stops me.
“ Li -Harper?”
I turn to him and find his gaze locked on me, his handsome face filled with anguish and a hint of worry.
“I...we need to talk.”
I know we do, and I’m glad he’s ready to come clean with whatever is going on inside his head. “I know. We've almost got him. We'll grab a drink after, okay?”
He nods. I’ve never been good at staying mad at him for long.
He hesitates before speaking again. “Are we okay?” His brow wrinkles in worry, his tired eyes narrowing in question.
I know exactly what he's asking, and there’s only one way to answer.
“Always.” And I truly mean it.
I smile at him, and his weary face transforms, his dull green eyes glinting with a renewed sparkle. His mouth stretches from ear to ear, revealing his signature drop-dead smile. He seems re-energized, the anguish and worry fading, leaving him looking like a boy who just kissed his date on her doorstep. Walking to his car with a spring in his step, he jumps in and then he’s gone.
قلب
After texting Nelson and Ryan, I’m standing by the side of the road, still waiting on the canine unit. ERT is processing the scene, but nothing has turned up so far and forensics is just getting started.
The tall grass sways, whispering my name. The golden specks of sunlight illuminate the entire field, beckoning me, welcoming me in. The humming that was tickling my feet has worked its way to my spine. Whatever this is, I’m but a piece of metal being pulled by a magnet.
I have to go in.
I decide to go ahead and investigate on my own. Maybe he walked all the way to the other side, had another vehicle waiting.
I work my way to the edge of the road, and I let the grass swallow me completely as I head into the field.
Chapter 8
Tommy
I thought I screwed the pooch for good, but she just said we're okay.
I fucked up so bad last night, lost my head on that dance floor. I am in deep shit—the kind of shit that used to get me in trouble back in the Army. Act then think. I had my
I gotta get rid of him. It’s the only way I’ll be able to check things out.
“Go home, and take a nap, Colton. I'll stay and call if anything comes up,” I say, casually sipping my coffee.
He looks around, taking in the scene, so I press on. “Come on, when was the last time you slept? Either you go take a nap in your toasty apartment or you’ll pass out in the back seat out here in the freezing cold.” I give him a small smile and adjust the wool winter cap Mrs. N knitted for me.
His forehead creases as he examines me. “I don’t know, Harper. Are you sure?” He’s hesitant to go, but I know he’s dead tired. His suit lapel is raised up in a weak attempt to cover his frozen ears, along with his tensed, bunched up shoulders.
“I’m sure.” I tip my coffee cup his way. “I got my caffeine fix. I’ll text Nelson and Ryan to see if they can give us a hand. Besides, we’ll be at this for a long while. I’ll call you if I need you.”
He’s still not moving; uncertainty evident in his demeanor.
“Come on, you’re freezing.” I hand him my coffee, and for some inexplicable reason, I remove my cap and put it on his head, adjusting the sides so they cover his ears. Perhaps it’s my way to reassure him that I’ll be okay. “No hurry. Take a nap, I’ll be right here.” I grab my hot coffee from him and slowly take a sip.
After pondering, he looks around once again, down at his clothes, and makes a decision.
“All right, call me if something comes up. I just need a quick shower and a change of clothes, and I’ll head right back.” He rubs his head, enjoying the warmth my cap provides. The sight of his large masculine frame in an Armani suit and a homemade wool cap entices a small grin from my lips. I say my goodbyes.
I’m walking away to join the uniformed officers gathered by the side of the road, when Tommy’s voice stops me.
“ Li -Harper?”
I turn to him and find his gaze locked on me, his handsome face filled with anguish and a hint of worry.
“I...we need to talk.”
I know we do, and I’m glad he’s ready to come clean with whatever is going on inside his head. “I know. We've almost got him. We'll grab a drink after, okay?”
He nods. I’ve never been good at staying mad at him for long.
He hesitates before speaking again. “Are we okay?” His brow wrinkles in worry, his tired eyes narrowing in question.
I know exactly what he's asking, and there’s only one way to answer.
“Always.” And I truly mean it.
I smile at him, and his weary face transforms, his dull green eyes glinting with a renewed sparkle. His mouth stretches from ear to ear, revealing his signature drop-dead smile. He seems re-energized, the anguish and worry fading, leaving him looking like a boy who just kissed his date on her doorstep. Walking to his car with a spring in his step, he jumps in and then he’s gone.
قلب
After texting Nelson and Ryan, I’m standing by the side of the road, still waiting on the canine unit. ERT is processing the scene, but nothing has turned up so far and forensics is just getting started.
The tall grass sways, whispering my name. The golden specks of sunlight illuminate the entire field, beckoning me, welcoming me in. The humming that was tickling my feet has worked its way to my spine. Whatever this is, I’m but a piece of metal being pulled by a magnet.
I have to go in.
I decide to go ahead and investigate on my own. Maybe he walked all the way to the other side, had another vehicle waiting.
I work my way to the edge of the road, and I let the grass swallow me completely as I head into the field.
Chapter 8
Tommy
I thought I screwed the pooch for good, but she just said we're okay.
I fucked up so bad last night, lost my head on that dance floor. I am in deep shit—the kind of shit that used to get me in trouble back in the Army. Act then think. I had my
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