ELEVEN
Brittany couldn’t lie to him anymore. Deep in her heart she knew he hadn’t murdered Hillary Banks. Just because he’d had dealings with her, didn’t make him the criminal. In her mind, he was off her suspects’ list. Kurt would hate her, but she had to go with her gut feeling, and right now, it was telling her to trust Austin.
She took his hand and led him to the park bench, sitting down first with him next to her. The unease in his gaze worried her. He’d be upset, but she hoped he would understand—and forgive her.
“Austin, I think we need to talk about something that’s really important.” She stroked her hand slowly across his chest, loving the way his muscles flexed. As she prepared her thoughts carefully, her cell buzzed.
Inwardly, she groaned. It was probably work. For once she’d like to have an evening all to herself—or to be on a date without having it ruined.
She pulled out her cell and read the text from Kurt.The autopsy report just came in. Meet me there in fifteen.
Frowning, she slid the phone back into the pocket of her jeans. Hillary Banks’ autopsy report was important. This would show the detectives exactly what was used to kill the woman. Unfortunately, her talk with Austin must be postponed.
“Bad news?” he asked after a few moments of silence.
“Yes, and no.” She released a heavy breath and managed a sympathetic smile. “It kills me that I need to end our date, but I do.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. She wanted to do more, but if their mouths met together in a passionate kiss now, she’d never meet Kurt on time. “Can I get a raincheck?”
Austin nodded. “Anytime you want.” He stood and took her hand. “I’ll walk you back to your car.”
“Ah, my hero.” She winked.
He laughed and wrapped one arm around her shoulders as they headed back to her car. “Tomorrow, I’m going to be at the Sheridan Hotel most of the day, but if you want to come by to see me, and let me show you around, please drop by and surprise me.”
She nodded. “I think I will.”
“Do you know where it is?”
“If I remember correctly, isn’t it downtown?”
“Yes, it is.” He kissed her forehead.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist as they walked. Being with him was so cozy like this. She never wanted it to end. But back in the dark recesses of her mind, she also knew this wasn’t a fairy tale, even if she wanted Austin to be her Prince Charming.
When they stopped at her car, he cupped her face to give her another kiss, but she kept it short and sweet. Because of the way her whole body melted whenever they were together, she knew if she participated fully in the kiss, she would want to stay in his arms all night.
“I’ll call you…or drop by the hotel tomorrow,” she said as she climbed into her car.
He stood and watched her drive away. His energetic smile would be etched in her memory forever.
When she reached the crime lab, Kurt was just climbing out of his vehicle. He waited until she was parked before he opened the door for her.
“Hi,” he said in a tight voice.
“Hi,” she replied. “Thanks for texting me and letting me know. I’m anxious to hear what Conover has found.”
Kurt nodded. “Conover has been very precise in a lot of his findings. He’s turning out to be a great asset to the precinct. I thought I’d really miss Douglas, but Conover is proving to be just as good.”
“I agree.” She hurried up the stairs and into the building with Kurt following.
She hoped he wouldn’t ask about her evening. She didn’t want to lie to him. They still hadn’t talked about their kiss or their confessions the other night. But more than that, she wanted to discuss the reasoning behind his thoughts to why Austin should still be considered a suspect, especially, when she thought completely opposite. Maybe she’d try to get him to talk to her tonight about everything. He didn’t smell as if he’d consumed a whole barrel of beer this time.
They walked into the medical examiner’s room, and Conover stood over the body. Captain Martinez was here, along with Tyrone, but the others were absent.
Conover moved to the body and withdrew the sheet. Brittany hated to see dead bodies that had been opened up to examine. Out of everything, this was the thing she hated most.
“The victim died by a fierce blow to the head.” Conover pointed to the injury. “When I examined the skull, however, I found this, embedded inside.” He held up a ziplock bag with a sharp object that was made of steel.
Martinez and Tyrone examined it and then handed it to her and Kurt. “Do you know where the piece could have come from?” the captain asked.
