no sleep, because if he lost focus, even for a tenth of a second, he might miss his opportunity.
No, Eden wouldn’t look at him. And if she did, she certainly wouldn’t look twice. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t look his fill of her. Somehow he imagined that just being in her presence would be like standing under the warm rays of the sun. He’d find out soon enough.
He could dream. No law against that. But he was pragmatic enough to know that for guys like him, dreams were an exercise in futility and inevitably led to disappointment.
CHAPTER 6
EDEN dragged a hand wearily through her hair, wondering if she’d be bald before this was all over with. She patiently explained, for the third time, the events that had transpired when she, David and Micah had exited the building after her photo shoot.
Micah and David had given their own statements, identical to hers.
“I simply don’t know anything more, Detective Gibbs,” she said tiredly. “It all happened so fast. The glass shattered behind us and I was shoved to the ground. It was all a giant blur. I was scared. And then the car roared up and they shoved me inside and we drove here, to the hotel.”
The detective exchanged a frustrated look with his partner, both with notepads in their hands taking down what they likely thought was perfectly useless information.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help,” Eden added, uncomfortable with the sudden silence. “Have you made an arrest?”
And then another thought occurred to her, shaming her because she hadn’t considered it until now.
She caught her breath and glanced urgently at the two detectives. “Was anyone hurt? Was anyone shot?”
Gibbs shook his head. “There were a few minor injuries from the flying glass. A twisted ankle from tripping as someone ran from the scene. But no one was shot.”
“Thank God,” Eden breathed.
An urgent knock sounded at the door followed by a distinctive bellow. “Eden! It’s Dad.”
Relief surged through her veins and she bolted from the sofa only to be restrained by Micah.
“David will answer. You stay put.”
Eden simmered with frustration as David went to the door. As soon as her father and brothers entered, she shoved Micah away and flew across the room and into her father’s arms.
“Eden, thank God you’re all right,” her father whispered against her ear.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” she said fervently. “I’m so glad y’all are here.”
She was passed then to Raid, who swallowed her up in a bear hug, and then to Ryker, who held her every bit as tightly.
“You scared us, honey,” Raid said when Ryker finally let her go.
Eddie looked past Eden to the two detectives and scowled. “What’s going on here?”
Eden took his hand and dragged him toward the waiting detectives.
“Daddy, this is Detective Gibbs and his partner, Detective Barnes. They’re questioning me about the shooting.”
“Have you made an arrest? What the hell happened today?” Eddie barked.
“We’re still in the preliminary stage of the investigation, sir,” Gibbs said in a steady voice. “We’re interviewing eyewitnesses, trying to put the pieces together.”
“Do you know anything at this point?” Raid asked.
“You the cop?” Barnes asked.
Raid nodded.
“All we know is that the shots were fired at a downward trajectory, not street level. We dug one of the bullets out of the concrete and the angle puts it in the eight- to nine-story level, so we’re checking the hotel across the street and doing a sweep of floors five to eleven. So far nothing has turned up, but we’re reviewing the hotel records of all persons staying on those floors,” Barnes supplied.
“Sniper?” Ryker asked.
“Looks to be,” Gibbs said grimly. “There’s evidence that only four shots were fired, but we can’t be certain. We’ve done a thorough search of all the rooms that faced the street and found no casings, so it’s likely the shooter cleaned up after himself. We’re dusting for fingerprints but unless we get lucky, this will likely take some time.”
“Are you through with my daughter?” Eddie demanded. “She looks exhausted. Have you been questioning her all damn afternoon?”
Color scoured Barnes’s cheeks. “It’s procedure, sir.”
“I’m all right, Daddy,” Eden said in a low voice.
“No, you’re not,” Raid denied.
“They’ve been here several hours,” Micah said. “I’d say they’re done.”
Gibbs sighed. “We’ve got all we can get for now.”
“Is she free to go?” Eddie asked.
Barnes lifted an eyebrow. “You in a hurry?”
Eddie shot him a glare that would shrivel most men. It was a look Eden didn’t often see, but it would certainly intimidate