to reply in kind. “I mean, we obviously know you were there. We’ve already spoken to people who attended about your…proclivities. We’re pulling footage from the dozens of cameras on the property that will verify how you spent your time. And yet, you seem intent on alienating the very people who will determine how aggressively to pursue you as a person of interest. That seems like a dicey way to go. You want to take one more shot at it? Amid all the activities you partook in last night, did you see Millicent Estrada at any point?”
She knew she was taking a risk. No one they’d spoken to had specifically mentioned Jensen doing anything illegal and she doubted they’d get any incriminating footage. But unless he was confident that he’d been a good boy, she figured she could instill a little doubt in him.
Rance Jensen looked at each of them separately, then, very casually, undid the belt of his robe so that it fell open, revealing that he was wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
“I’m in my home,” he said slowly. “This is harassment. Talk to my lawyer.”
He slammed the door shut. Jessie and Karen shared stunned looks.
“I’d say we should arrest him for public indecency,” Karen said, half-chuckling. “But I think there needs to be more visual evidence than he provided to justify the charge.”
Jessie shrugged, trying to hold back her own laughter.
“At least we know he’s not armed,” she said.
That broke open the dam. As they walked back to their cars, they erupted into a fit of giggling. When they finally recovered, Karen spoke.
“As much as I’d like to take him in for general assholery, I think we’re stuck for now. Maybe we’ll get lucky with some footage, but he seems to know we’re hamstrung.”
“Let’s not give up just yet. If anyone can find something, it’s Jamil,” Jessie said as her phone rang. “Maybe that’s him now.”
She looked at the screen. It was Hannah.
“What’s up?” she asked when she picked up.
“You have to get back here now,” her sister said breathlessly. “Ryan fell.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I’m fine,” Ryan said for the third time.
It was no more convincing than the first two.
He didn’t look hurt. And he was alert and responsive. Despite that, Jessie could see that Hannah was extremely upset. Jessie told her to wait for her outside as she settled Ryan back into bed.
She could feel a vise of guilt and worry wrapping around her and fought it off, knowing that she couldn’t show weakness in front of him. He needed her strong right now. She’d deal with her own culpability later.
“What were you thinking?” she demanded, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.
“Rehab,” he said after much effort.
Jessie made sure her voice was composed when she replied.
“We have someone coming in for that tomorrow, Ryan,” she insisted. “I know you want to get back to normal as soon as you can. But it’s your first day here. You were in the hospital this morning. Be at least a little patient, please.”
He nodded, though she could tell he wasn’t convinced.
“What?” she asked. “I can tell you’re holding back.”
He stared at her. His eyes were blazing but his lips were pursed with the effort of trying to speak.
“Burden,” he finally managed to blurt out.
She sighed and sat down next to him on the bed.
“You’re not a burden,” she insisted. “I love you. What did you think—that your girlfriend was just going to take a hard pass on caring for you while you get better? That’s insulting. Besides, the department is paying for your medical and rehab bills, so that’s not an issue. I want you here. So does Hannah. And this house is perfect for your recovery. It’s like it was meant to be.”
He shook his head, unconvinced. She tried again.
“I know you’re frustrated, babe. You like to charge hard, all the time. But you have to cut yourself some slack. Did you think you were going to be back on the streets this week, chasing down criminals? It’s going to be slower than you like. But we’ll get there if you don’t delay the process by getting injured while pushing too hard, too fast.”
She looked at him, hoping she could will him to feel her love and support. He opened his mouth and, after a few seconds of struggle, managed to get out another word.
“Useless,” he said, his voice choked with frustration.
Her shoulders slumped involuntarily.
“Okay,” she said gently. “I’m going to go prep some soup and a smoothie for