The cop in him, however, knew stopping the killer and bringing him to justice was the only way Riley—or any other future victims—would ever truly be safe.
“They have three bodies to our one, Eric.” Her worried eyes found his. “You know how pissed off we’d be if the situation was reversed?”
“Doesn’t matter.” He was certain of that. “Cap doesn’t give a shit who he pisses off. All he cares about is finding justice for the victims.”
She covered his hand with hers. “I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am.”
Just as he’d hoped, the teasing comment left a smile tugging at her lips.
Eric pulled his hand free, instantly missing her touch as he turned into the secure parking area for employees only.
Choosing the first available spot, he stopped the car and turned off the ignition. He released his seatbelt, but before getting out, he turned to her.
“Listen, about the conversation we had last night.”
“Yeah?”
The uncertainty in her eyes irked him. Did she honestly think he’d changed his mind about what he wanted with her?
Not a chance, sweetheart.
“We’re going to have to tell Cap. About us.”
“I know.” She sighed. “But can’t it wait until after this case? I don’t want to give him any reason to think we can’t handle it, and I...I need this one, Eric. I need to be the one to catch this guy.”
Not only did he understand, but he also agreed. As long as she was safe, Eric would back her up on this one hundred percent.
“Afterward, then.” He sent her a genuine smile.
“You know he’ll probably split us up.”
“Yeah.” Eric opened his door. “Which sucks, but...if that’s what it takes for us to start building a future, I’m willing to risk it.”
Something flashed across her face, but Riley turned and climbed out of the car before he could make out what it was.
The muscles in his chest tightened.
Wasshesecond-guessing things? Did Riley not want to risk their partnership on the job for what they had outside of work? What theycouldhave?
As they walked into the precinct, Eric pushed the unsettling questions aside and brought his mind to where it needed to be, for now.
Because one thing was certain. If Captain Vogel questioned Eric’s ability to do the job with Riley by his side—no matter what the cause—he’d split them up, anyway.
And if they were going head-on with a fucking serial killer, he was damn sure going to be the one watching out for her.
Minutes later, they’d entered yet another secured area...the one leading to the area designated for the Special Crimes Unit. A few of the unit’s other detectives were at their desks, their eyes following every step he and Riley made as they approached their boss’s office at the back.
Vogel’s door was closed, which typically only happened when he had someone else in the room with him.
“Who’s with Cap?” Eric asked Lucas Murphy, the detective whose desk was closest to them.
“Hey, man.” Luke gave him a tip of his chin. “Dr. Cartwright and some Fed showed up to meet with Cap. They’ve been in there about fifteen minutes.”
“Maggie’s here with an FBI agent?” Riley’s eyes flew to his. “Damn it. He’s handing it over to the Feds.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions—” Eric started to say.
