“No,” she stops me. “I need you covering the other side. We have to work together. And that means, I’m here, you’re there, bing, bang, boom. The end.”
“Fine. But before I go,” I start.
She smiles then kisses me. I briefly forget what I was trying to tell her, but she’s headed to her post on the ravine side of the property by the time I remember.
Shit.
The endless afternoon stretches.
I eat a cookie.
I stare at the small house in the middle of ten acres.
I eat another cookie.
I practice breathing exercises.
I realize I’m out of cookies and drink some water.
I think about what will happen when we catch Jeffrey Rose. When Cat and I go back to our respective jobs.
She’ll be back in Washington. I’ll be in Flamingo Cove.
I don’t have to stay there, but it’s the first time in years I love my job. I’m needed. I’m respected again. And it’s nice not to be on my own.
But I’d give that up in a heartbeat for more time with Cat.
If she doesn’t run away when I tell her the rest of my story.
The sun is setting when a car turns into the driveway next to me and races up the path toward the house. I squint as I watch a curvy blonde woman jump out of the car and run up the steps into the building.
My phone vibrates with a text.
Kitten: That’s Premy
Me: Eyes on Rose?
Kitten: Negative. Going in for closer look.
Me: WAIT. Do not engage.
Kitten: (…)
Me: I say again: Do not engage.
Cat doesn’t answer because she’s sneaking toward the house. I can see her plain as day, but then again, I know what I’m looking for.
I’m out of the car and slinking through the woods.
Damn it. This woman will get killed before I tell her I love her.
I freeze.What the fuck?
Gunfire erupts from the house, the shooting aimed at Cat’s last location.
Shit.
That spurs me into action. But, I got out of the car so fast that I didn’t grab any weapons. All I have on me is my knife.
