‘So.’ Simon’s eyes open, languid. ‘It’s time for us to begin.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Emma raises a fist to cover her mouth, takes it away again, staring at Travis’s scrap of paper on the desk. She picks it up carefully, like it might burst into flames. ‘This is my therapist’s number?’
‘Yeah.’ Travis lifts his chin at the scrap. ‘Apparently, she’s doing fine. When you get a chance, you should talk with her. Tonight, even.’
Emma’s expression transforms: shock, relief, gratitude, all skimming across her features so fast it makes his breath catch. Finally, she seems to settle on happiness, and her whole face glows. She smiles, presses her lips for restraint. Her mouth opens and closes a few times before she can get words out.
‘I appreciate this.’ The control in her is fierce, but her eyes are glistening. ‘Thank you, Travis. I mean it.’
Why, Travis thinks,why why why would anyone find any pleasure in seeing women hurt, when it’s a billion times more pleasurable to see them happy?He doesn’t have the answer to that question.
‘No problem.’ He clears his throat, drags his gaze away. Takes a gulp of coffee. ‘MaybeIshould talk to her. Maybe she can make the psychology of perps like the one in this case make sense to me.’
Emma scrubs her eyes quickly with the back of her hand, squints at him. ‘I mean, you can talk to her, if you want.’
‘Nah, I’m just kidding,’ he demurs.
‘No, really.’ Paper scrap clutched tight, Emma reaches to squeeze his forearm with her other hand. ‘But look – the reason you don’t understand Peter Kirke isn’t just because what he does is outside your experience. It’s because you’re you.’ Her cheeks color, but she’s staunch. ‘It’s because you’re a good person, Travis.’
He’s not sure what’s more compelling: the words she’s saying, the depth in her eyes, or the gentle pressure of their contact through his shirtsleeve. He swallows hard, shakes his head.
‘Doesn’t make me a very good law enforcement officer, though. I need to understand to investigate.’ He rubs a hand across his lips. ‘And I’ve had a lot of trouble compartmentalizing stuff during this case. I can’t seem to keep things … neat.’
‘Maybe it’s just not neat.’
‘No, I mean …’ He tries to phrase it correctly. ‘I can’t seem to keep the stuff I see separate from my emotions. From my daily life. It makes it really hard to do the job.’
‘You’re worried about it,’ Emma prompts.
He feels bleak. ‘Law enforcement’s the only path I’ve ever had.’
‘Well, you shouldn’t quit it yet – this case is different.’ When he makes a noncommittal noise, her hand slides down to find his own. ‘Hey, hear me out. Maybe it’s hard to compartmentalize because it’smycase. Because you know me.’
‘Maybe,’ he admits. Her hand is very soft and warm in his.
Animation and color have given Emma’s stern face a kind of radiance. ‘Travis, you’re as close to me as anyone. That might makeit tough to detach. Maybe you’re not doing anything wrong. Maybe this case is tough because … it’s personal for you.’
You’re as close to me as anyone.She doesn’t just mean proximity – they’re emotionally close, and it’s been this way since they first met in June. The one bright spark for him in this whole mess has always been Emma.
‘Yeah,’ he whispers. ‘Maybe it’s personal.’
Emma’s breathing seems high in her collarbones. She wets her lips. ‘Travis—’
The phone rings on Kowalski’s desk.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Kristin sits up straight in the wooden chair and gives her small report to her brother.
‘The police and the FBI have gone to capture the man they believe is the College Killer. His name is Peter Kirke – they found out through vital records, just as we knew they would. Mr Carter took a hostage negotiator with them to Crafton. Travis and Emma are still at headquarters.’
Simon slowly moves a hand. Touches a single finger to his bottom lip. ‘Crafton, you say.’
‘Mm-hmm.’ Kristin feels a little shiver go through her. ‘I don’t think that’s the right place, though.’
She hears her brother’s breath stall. In one smooth, graceful motion, he pushes the book away and rolls to sit up. His white hair is tousled, but his eyes are alert.
