Ernest jokes with a side hug. “You look stunning by the way. I almost didn’t recognize you without your lounge clothes and crumbs stuck to your face.”
“Har. Har. Har. I do more than sleep and eat.”
“Not lately.”
I turn my fake indignation on to Trudy. “Wow. You too?”
Trudy shrugged. “Well, it’s one of the unfortunate side effects of early pregnancy.”
Brett’s eyes grow as they rake over my body. His already serious face becomes more serious.
“I understand my role better now. Quick question, if the bastard puts his hands on her, can I knock him out?”
My ‘nothing would please me more’ was overshadowed by Ernest’s ‘no.’
“The plan is to make him feel we are investigating. He needs to think we suspect that Celeste’s accident was attempted murder. He also needs to believe we have no idea who the culprit is yet, and that’s why she’s in protective custody. I have you in uniform to look official. If he tries to attack her in your presence, you follow protocol.”
Brett winks at me. “Which will entertain you more, rubber bullets or a Taser?”
“Tase the shit out of him please.”
I climb in the cruiser with Brett, and we don’t talk. Not that he isn’t approachable, I’m just nervous as hell. Ernest and Trudy went ahead of us, so they would look like regular diners and not the extra set of eyes on me. Brett will escort me in but stay a respectable distance as to not alarm the Chesterfields. My hands clutch the folder too tightly, and I’m starting to see sweat stains. I put it down and fiddle with the contents of my purse. I check all my items again. New phone, headphones, and a pen. Get in, sign, and get out.
“I have a personal question.”
I’m so happy to not focus on what’s coming; Brett can ask me what color underwear I am wearing, and I would answer honestly.
“Shoot.”
He stops at a red light and glances at me. “Is this guy the father?”
“Hell, no.”
Brett’s nod is relieved. “Thank God.”
I don’t know why, but I feel the need to explain.
“I met this super nice guy after I got out of the ocean. I’m hiding from both of them because I don’t want the bullshit with my soon-to-be-ex-husband to mess with his life.”
“Is it killing him to not be with you and his future baby?”
“He doesn’t know.”
“Please tell me you plan on telling him.”
“Yes. I will before the baby is born. I just don’t know when. It all depends on this psycho.”
“Psycho or not, any man would want the chance to protect someone as beautiful as you, especially if you’re carrying his child. I know you don’t know me, but promise me you will give him that chance.”
There’s something in his expression that makes me agree immediately.
“I will.” He gives me a strange look when I hold up my pinky. “Hey, you wanna make pacts with women, you have to do it our way.”
He pulls into a parking spot with mirth covering his face. He looks around the lot and holds up his pinky. “If you tell anyone I did this, I will deny it.”
I wrapped my pinky around his and tugged. “Oh, and we totally just became BFFs.”
His scowl is back. “Now, you’re pushing it.”
