Now wasn’t the time to deal with Bryant Naylor. But she would have to deal with him eventually. She thought about that as she entered the TSP lobby.
Then she forced herself to shove him out of her head and focus on what she had to do now.
She could see the teenager standing right there at the receptionist’s desk, next to the security check point. K.J. studied her for a moment.
The teenager was taller, but she wasn’t any older than fifteen or so. Maybe even close to K.J.’s own five-six. She had that coltish look that a lot of girls her age had that said she just was not quite in control of her body yet. She'd fill out a little as she aged and would be a beautiful woman someday.
But there was fear in her face now. Like the girl was facing the entire world alone. Well, K.J. understood exactly what that felt like.
"Hello. I understand you came to see me?"
The girl, and K.J. could not remember her name, stepped closer. She just looked at K.J. from the most haunting blue eyes she had ever seen. The girl’s name popped into her head. “Riely, right?”
She nodded slowly. "I need to talk to someone. About a murder."
Well, that was not something K.J. had anticipated. "You can talk to me. I do work with the homicide division."
“You said I could come to you.”
"I did. And I meant it. Who was murdered, Riely?"
"His name was Ricky. His name was Ricky Ahumada. And he was my boyfriend. And…and I know who hurt him. It was all because ofme.” The little girl stood there and cried.
“Okay, Riely. I am familiar with Ricky’s case. We are going to sit down and talk. You can tell me what you know, so I can help.”
She led her into the bullpen. She had one target in mind. And he was right there now.
Miguel Rodriguez was at a desk in the far center of the bullpen, his entire posture sayingsomethingwas happening. He was such a beautiful man, and one she loved looking at.
“Commander Rodriguez,” K.J. said quietly. He looked up at her. He…wow. The power of those eyes. Talk about intense. If she ever did decide to get involved with a man she worked with, she’d want him to be like this one in front of her. He was a good man. She’d bet her last five paychecks on that. She didn’t care what a man looked like—it was how a man acted that mattered. “If you have a moment, I have someone here who needs to talk to you about Ricky Ahumada.”
Miguel stood, and looked at the teenager. “Hello. I’m the head of the homicide division. I’ve been working on Ricky’s case personally. Would you like to sit down? We can go into my office if you feel more comfortable.”
The little girl—despite her height, she was only thirteen or fourteen, she was still achild—shot a fearful look around. Then she paled and her eyes widened.
As she looked at the men who had just walked into the bullpen now. Dom Acardi stood there—with Melvin Stillman.
Riely looked like she was going to run away. Like she was trapped. K.J. reached out, took her hand. “You are safe here. I promise. Miguel and I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“I-I-I don’t wanthimto see me. Please.” Her whisper was heartbreaking. But it was too late.
Stillman had already seen her. He stopped right where he was. “Riely, what are you doing here? Are you okay? Are you hurt, sweetheart?”
He almost sounded like he cared. And heknewthis girl.
K.J. slipped between the girl and the man K.J. had always found smarmy and disgusting. “Riely is here to talk to me, Major Stillman. If you’ll excuse us?”
“Of course. Riely, it is okay, child. It will all be okay. I promise. I’m here…” He turned to Miguel and Dom. “I am here to tell you all whatIknow. About her grandfather.”
“Who is her grandfather?” Miguel asked. He was big, and strong and people were terrified of him. He’d stepped in front of the child as soon as K.J. had.
“He is the man you have been looking for, for a long time.”
“Come in here. We’re going to talk,” Miguel said to Stillman. He looked at K.J. “You do not let her out of your sight, until I come for her myself. Understood?”
“Absolutely. I’m not going anywhere. Riely, if you’ll come with me. We’re going to go into an office over here and wait for Miguel, okay?” K.J. wrapped her hand around the teenager’s again. It was the fear that stuck out the most. What about Melvin Stillman scared her so much?
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