As he pulled into a parking lot, he swung a quick look in my direction. “I hear you, Reese. I won’t stop you. But I will be by your side. Every. Single. Step.”
His words offered hope, providing me with the courage I needed to get through this. After taking a deep breath, I stepped from the car, immediately noticing a woman standing near the entrance to the building.
Even before Kendrick removed the keys, he bristled.
He took his time walking around the front of the vehicle and joining me. The woman made no attempt to move, standing in the quiet twilight of the sweltering early evening studying us. “Who is she?”
“The detective who brought me the case. Jackie Abbott. While she and I have butted heads, I always believed she was on the up and up.”
“Not any longer. Right? You don’t trust her.” While he’d shared most of the conversations he’d had throughout the day, I knew him well enough to realize he was holding certain details from me. Likely to keep my stress level down.
Not possible any longer.
Not only was I a nervous wreck, but the anger had also increased. I’d asked myself the same question about how far I was willing to go. The answer had been easy, no hesitation whatsoever. I’d do anything to protect those I loved.
“There are very few people I can trust any longer. The answer is no, I don’t. However, she could have reasons beyond her control. Don’t offer any details of who we are or what we’re doing. As faras she knows, I’m a prosecutor with a desire to bring criminals to their knees.”
“But you’re planning on doing more.”
His laugh would always drive me to the point of desire. “I will do what’s necessary as I’ve told you. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“How are you going to explain my presence?”
He put his arm around me, pressing his hand against the small of my back. “I don’t plan on offering her anything other than what’s necessary. If she’s playing on the wrong team, she’ll warn them. If not, her alliance will prove helpful. I think she knows better than to ask but so many questions. We’ve worked together long enough she came to realize long ago that I’m a loner.”
“And a powerful man willing to do what it takes.”
Shrugging, he pushed us forward. There was clear recognition in her eyes. “Maybe so. Jackie. Reese Murphy.”
“Ms. Murphy. I’m very glad that you’re alright and so sorry that we met under these circumstances.”
“How was… the girl found?” My question was little more than a whisper. By God, I couldn’t bring myself to accept that the poor girl lying dead could be my sister. Plus, the pleasantries I couldn’t stomach. We certainly weren’t going to be friends.
Jackie shifted her gaze toward Kendrick. “She washed up on the shore. From the preliminary results, the medical examiner mentioned she drowned.”
“What else?” Kendrick pushed, his voice little more than a low growl.
The detective was obviously uncomfortable. “She was wearing a cocktail dress and it appears she’d been in a physical confrontation. She’s bruised and beaten. The girl put up a fight.”
“A cocktail dress. That’s entirely possible. They make certain the girls are stunning. Makeup. Hair. Clothes. All for selling purposes.” I barely recognized my voice any longer.
“Are you willing to give a statement on what you endured?” she asked.
“We’re not going there, Jackie,” Kendrick intervened. “That’s not what this is about.”
“That just means you’re not ready to come clean with me.”
I could clearly tell the detective’s push annoyed Kendrick. “As I said. That’s not what this is about.”
“I need to see her,” I insisted. “I need to know.”
Jackie hesitated, once again turning her attention to Kendrick. “I understand. Just know she’s in rough shape.”
“I don’t care!” After my outburst, I pressed my hand to my face. “I’m sorry. This is very upsetting.”
“I can imagine, Ms. Murphy, and I’d like to help you if you’ll allow me.”
“Kendrick is all the help I need.” My words clipped, I meant what I’d said.
