Josh pulled Maya aside. “Before we get busy doing everything we need to do, there’s something I need from you.”
“What’s that?” Maya said.
Josh leaned over and gave her a kiss. Maya wrapped her arms around him, returning the kiss, not wanting to let go. Her body warmed even though they were outside, and Maya let herself go.
Finally parting, she stared at Josh. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
* * *
Maya and Rory helped Agent Kessler with the scene, doing everything from taping it off to calling Lucas to come help. Ian was given medical treatment for Juniper’s bite. Laura was fine after Juniper had knocked her down. Maya was happy to see Laura in handcuffs knowing the next stop for her was jail booking. Agent Kessler had agreed to let Maya drive Josh back to the sheriff’s office to turn himself in and be cleared of his charges. None of them could be transported together or with Elena or Bianca, so Maya was relieved Lucas could come help too. Pops had called her and said with Ian and Laura arriving, the cells were full. There would be no transport tonight due to the weather. He also filled Maya in about the conversation with Arianna, the gang member.
“I think we still have a killer to catch,” Maya told him, telling him what Josh and Elena had said about Laura claiming she didn’t kill Sydney. “They believe her, but she won’t talk.”
“Yeah, I heard she wanted her lawyer. In fact, she asked Spencer to represent her, but he said no, obviously. I guess we’ll get her transported when the weather clears and she can figure out her lawyer situation later. I’m having Deputy Wilson and Rory pick up Dale and Miles and bring them in for questioning. I want to see if they’ll talk.”
“I’ll come as soon as I can,” Maya said. “I’m just doing what Agent Kessler needs me to, but mostly he’s just muttering about what a nightmare this is.”
“He’s right,” Pops said. “Talk later.”
Maya hung up and went over to where Josh was standing with Bianca, who wrapped her in a big hug. “Thank you again for saving me.”
“I’m just relieved that you’re okay,” Maya said.
They stepped apart and Bianca looked at them, shaking her head.
“What?” Josh asked.
“You two are nuts,” Bianca said.
“I agree,” Maya said with a laugh, “but why doyousay that?”
“Because you two want to do this crazy job for a living. I’ll be fine if I never see another situation like this one.”
“True,” Josh said. “But I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“Me either,” Maya said.
Elena had walked over to the group, wrapped in a blanket. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”
“You’re welcome,” Maya and Josh said in unison.
“I can’t wait to take a shower, but I was wondering. Could we go to the sheriff’s office and listen in when Lucas questions Dale and Miles Bradford?”
“I don’t see why not,” Maya said. “Let me check in with Agent Kessler. If he doesn’t need me anymore, then we can head back to the station.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
The drive to the sheriff’s office took longer than usual as Maya carefully navigated the roads that had become slick with slushy spring snow. The nice thing was that this storm would move out and then the weather would warm up again. The quick snowmelt followed by the sun always made things green. Spring would be here soon enough.
After parking, Maya glanced at Juniper, who was sound asleep and doing little barks with her legs kicking.
“Do you think law enforcement dogs dream about getting the bad guy?” Josh asked her.
Maya chuckled. “Probably. I don’t think she’s going to tear up any blankets right now. Sweet dreams, girly.”
She and Josh went in through the front entrance. The lobby was quiet, but Maya knew that in the back, it was probably a different story.
