And she was becoming a big part of his.
* * *
Vince sworeas he watched the dually, king-cab truck from the Double Diamond turn down Dr. Anderson’s street.They’ve found Anderson’s body.
Not that he needed to follow them here to know that. He’d had his cousin Ralph keeping an eye on the place in case the pretty psychologist or one of her friends showed up. According to Ralph, the good doctor’s condo had been crawling with police since late in the afternoon two days ago.
Vince figured it was only a matter of time before Anderson’s sister regained her memory. What better place to do that than here in her apartment where she first saw Vince’s face?
He drove past the street, not bothering to turn in. He needed to make some quick plans, and he needed his SUV. He couldn’t do what needed to be done in Ralph’s wimpy little Nissan.
Chapter 18
After a stop at Cameron’s apartment, where Emily frequently grew emotional and determined only Cameron’s laptop and cell phone were missing, they drove to the police station.
Jake studied Emily’s face as she described her brother’s killer for the sketch artist. Grief and exhaustion lined her features, and her frustration over not being able to give a better description became evident.
He wanted to tell them she was finished so he could take her home.
Relief filled Jake when they finally came up with a basic sketch. He tried to lead her out of the police station, but she insisted on speaking to Detective McIntyre again.
“I’d like to see my brother.”
McIntyre avoided Emily’s gaze and scratched his neck. “Um... that’s not a good idea.”
Robert stepped forward; his face filled with sympathy. “Emily, I know this is difficult, but your brother has been dead for a whole week.”
Emily swayed as Robert’s meaning hit her. Jake stepped up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.
She leaned into him.
How much more can she take?
“Ma’am,” McIntyre scratched his neck again, “Considering one of the men who killed your brother is still out there, it’s not wise to hold a memorial service right now. It’ll put you in more danger.”
Emily nodded then turned away, her face stoic. “I suppose you’re right. I guess I need to make some decisions.” With that, she hobbled out the door.
After a quick stop for food, Jake hoped would put some color back into Emily’s cheeks, but she only picked at, he took her home. He asked questions about Cameron, thinking it might help to talk about him, but after several monosyllabic responses, he stopped trying. It wasn’t long before Emily fell asleep. Or pretended to be asleep.
As Emily’s subtle, feminine, strawberry-tinted scent filled the cab of the truck, memories of losing his father flooded Jake’s mind. That had been hard to accept because his dad was only fifty-eight. But he’d lived a full life, even if it ended too soon.
Cameron, on the other hand, was three years older than Jake and had his whole life ahead of him. Had he ever married or wanted a family? Had he ever considered he might not get to enjoy all the things he thought he still had plenty of time for?
Jake contemplated his own life. Would he miss out on the most important things in life, like a wife and kids, because his priorities weren’t what they should be?
Some things are worth making changes for, aren’t they?
After catching sight of a black SUV three cars back, Jake kept a close eye on traffic. Could it be the SUV Robert had been searching for? He continued to watch as it dropped back a few cars.
Anxiety knotted his stomach. They should have waited for Robert to drive back with them. But he’d stayed behind to review Emily’s father’s file, hoping to go over her father’s car.
The knot in Jake’s stomach tightened as traffic lightened and the SUV sped closer. Passing two cars, it changed lanes, pulling in behind Jake’s truck. He considered speeding up but going any faster would put them at greater risk of an accident. A quick glance at the non-existent shoulder of the road and the steep drop-off beyond the guardrail ruled out pulling over.
Jake eased off the gas.
The sun glinting off the windshield of the SUV drawing closer in his rear-view mirror, momentarily blinded him.It’s going to ram us!
The realization squeezed the air from Jake’s lungs and drove the temperature in his truck up. He spared a glance at Emily to make sure she was buckled.
