now she just wanted her cat back. No. That wasn’t true.
She wanted Beth to be alive.
She wanted her sister to be alive.
She wanted to believe it wasn’t Beth’s father doing such horrible things to frighten her, but a random act of violence that would stop as suddenly as it had started. “I’d believe he was dangerous and that he needed to be stopped, but whether I’d think he was a monster? I’m trained to see beyond a person’s actions. To not judge a person for his actions alone.”
“Then you obviously need new training.”
She sighed. “So it’s begun already. I guess I wasn’t as much comfort to you as you thought I’d be.”
“You’re still wearing your clothes. That might be why.” He said the words stiffly, but she saw them for what they were. Another attempt to lighten the tension between them. She appreciated his effort, even if it didn’t quite work.
“You said you’d leave when I asked you to. I think it’s time.”
“Is that really what you want? Because I don’t want to leave. And you didn’t really ask me to.”
“My mistake. I’m asking now.”
He seemed to struggle with himself, and she wondered if he would really fight her on leaving. And what she’d do if he did.
But he nodded. “Fine. Lock the door behind me.”
She followed him to the door, but before he opened it, he turned. “I’m sorry but I can’t leave without one more thing.”
“What?”
“This.” He kissed her. Gently. Thoroughly. As if the kiss could blast through their differences and everything that stood between them. When he pulled away, they were both breathing hard and he rested his forehead against hers.
“You managed to do it anyway, you know.”
“Do what?”
“Comfort me.”
This time, she was the one to smooth her palms across his arms. He was big, roped with muscle, and for a second he felt so good, so safe, that she wanted to say she’d changed her mind and beg him to stay. Instead, she simply said, “If that’s true, then I’m glad.”
“I’m not. Because you were right.”
“Right?”
“It’s just going to be harder to do without it when you’re gone.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE NEXT MORNING, SIMON was back at Nina’s house, standing on her porch with coffee, bagels and a friend. Nina recognized the other man immediately.
“Detective DeMarco. How nice to see you again.”
DeMarco smiled and tipped his head in a gentlemanly gesture. “Nice to see you, as well, Nina.”
“I was expecting to meet Simon at SIG but—” She closed her eyes. “Oh, right. I forgot I left my car...” She smiled brightly rather than let her thoughts linger on why the police had impounded her car and taken Six’s body, as well. She’d have to make arrangements to have her cremated... “Are you going to be joining us today?” Even as she asked the question, she noted that Simon, just like yesterday, was wearing standard detective garb—slacks, a button-down shirt and a jacket. DeMarco, on the other hand, was wearing a casual shirt and jeans.
“Actually, it’s my day off. Simon here asked me to shore up your security seeing as you don’t really have any and he couldn’t do it himself today. If I can’t fix your current system, I’ll install a new one. It’ll be basic but reliable. Is that okay with you?”
Her startled gaze jerked first to Simon, then back to DeMarco. “He needn’t have bothered you. After—after what happened yesterday...” She paused, assuming Simon had filled DeMarco in.
DeMarco nodded.
“After what happened,” she explained, “I scheduled an appointment with a security company for this Thursday.”
“Well, I’m already here. No sense having them come all the way over when I can get the job done today. Assuming you’re okay with that, of course.”
She sighed. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m not a fool. Someone’s threatening me. I need better security.” Now she looked at Simon. “I just wish Detective Granger had seen fit to talk to me before he bothered you.”
“It’s no bother. Simon and I are friends, not just coworkers.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate it. Please let me know how much I owe you. And—” she interrupted his automatic denial “—I’m afraid I can’t let you continue unless you’re willing to bill me for both your expenses and time.”
DeMarco grinned. “No problem.”
She looked between them suspiciously. It had been a little too easy to get his acquiescence.
“We need to stop by SIG on our way out,” Simon said. “I want you to look at the video surveillance we have. It’s grainy, but you might be able to catch