“Colin, I know you cared about him,” Norm said, one hand pressing down on Colin’s shoulder. “We all did. But don’t blame yourself for this. The people who killed Hannibal are the ones responsible. Don’t lose sight of that.”
Colin opened his mouth to speak, then thought better of it and slumped in his chair. Next to him, Joshua hissed out a disgusted breath.
“Norm’s right, Colin,” Esther said. “This is on whoever shot and killed Hannibal Barrett.”
Joshua stood, bracing a hand on Colin’s shoulder. “Esther, the question of blame is beside the point. Let’s stay on track here. Someone has threatened to kill my husband. That is the only thing that matters.”
Colin gently pulled him back into his chair. “Easy, Josh. It’s going to be OK. No one’s trying to kill me yet.”
Joshua shot him a look. “No one’s trying to kill youyet? That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“Josh,” Esther said, her tone measured, “this office will do everything in its power to keep both of you safe.
Joshua’s gaze fell. He drew in a breath, let it out, and then met Esther’s eyes. “I know you will, Esther.” His voice was steady. “I just hope that keeping us safe won’t mean giving up everything that matters most to us.”
Esther nodded. “I’m afraid, at this point, you may be right. This thing is going to play havoc with all of our lives. At least until we get it settled.” She turned to Colin. “We’ll inquire about Hannibal’s family or dependents, if any. See what we can do to help.”
Colin nodded. “Thanks, Esther.” He gripped Joshua’s arm and turned him until they were face-to-face. “We’ll get through this,” he said, voice low and insistent. “I promise you. We will.”
Joshua’s eyes locked on Colin’s, his gaze unflinching, and when he spoke, his voice shook–not with fear, but with barely contained rage.
“Don’t. Don’t make promises you already know you can’t keep.”
Colin’s eyes fell.
“That doesn’t comfort me, Colin,” Joshua went on, softer but no less fierce. “If anything, it tells me you understandexactlyhow bad this could get.”
Colin reached for his hand. “Josh…”
There was a soft knock at the door.
“Come,” Esther called.
An attractive policewoman entered the office, and Colin sprang to his feet. “Sarah!”
“Well, damn.” Her grin spread as she crossed the room. “Look who crawled out of his courtroom and remembered the little people.”
Colin broke into the kind of broad, unguarded smile that Joshua rarely saw outside their home. Colin broke into the kind of broad, unguarded smile that Joshua rarely saw outside their home “Aw, quit your bitching, woman!” he said with a grin, holding his arms wide.
She walked straight into his hug, their embrace rough and familiar. “Still got your elbows out like a damn linebacker,” she muttered into his shoulder. “Missed you, Campbell.”
“You too,” Colin said quietly, pulling back just far enough to search her face, like he needed to see it with his own eyes. “God, it’s good to see you, Sar.”
Sarah gave him a mock salute and a wink. “Great to see you too, Sarge.”
Colin rolled his eyes and brushed off the salute like swatting away an old inside joke. “Josh,” he said, turning back, “come meet a good friend of mine—and one of the best cops I’ve ever known.”
He led Joshua to where Sarah stood. “This is Lieutenant Sarah Mitchell of the Charlottesville Police Department. We’ve worked together many times. Sarah, this is Josh, my husband.”
“Nice to meet you,” Joshua murmured, managing a small smile as he shook her hand, his other hand clutching Colin’s arm.
“Lieutenant Mitchell will head your security detail,” Esther explained. “And you two,” she said, indicating Colin and Joshua, “… are to follow her instructions to the letter.”
Joshua shot her a disbelieving glower but remained silent.
“Lieutenant Mitchell, I’ll expect to see nightly reports, and if anyone gives you any grief…”
“Ma’am, Sergeant Campbell and I know each other way too well for that. He understands how these things work. I’m not concerned.” She turned to face Colin and Joshua. “Colin, I need your house keys. I have to have a set made for the team.”
