“Bonnie?” Jules asked, obviously playing dumb.
He chortled and squeezed her shoulder. “Right, Bonnie.” He aimed a finger under the bed.
“No.” Jules shook her head and pushed back to her feet. “I’m not keeping her. I’m not in the market for a pet, especially right now.” She paused and sent him a meaningful look. “Or a relationship. I have too much going on in my life.”
“I don’t think Joy cares. I think she’s chosen you.”And so have I.
Jules shook her head again, but this time when she protested, she sounded less sure of herself. Her kiss certainly said yes, no matter what she claimed.
While she hung the damp towel up to dry, Cal loaded the empty cage back in his Jeep. Before they left the motel, she set up the litter box and food and water bowls she’d bought earlier, in anticipation of trapping Joy.
As he drove her back to the gift shop, Cal cleared his throat. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Did it hurt?” she asked, clearly trying to reestablish the snarky repartee that she’d been using as a shield.
He acknowledged her quip with a quick grin. “Throbbed.” He let the word hang between them a beat, before adding, “All Wyatt asked today was that we back off and not risk blowing what the drug task force is putting in place. He didn’t say we can’t still go after Hamilton for stalking. Even if they reduce or drop charges for drug possession or sales or whatever he’s into, if we collect evidence related to stalking, we could still make sure those charges stick when the time comes.”
“But Sylvia, at Abby’s hospital, said when Chase realized she was calling family for approval for him to visit, he fled fast. And the police presence near the Rogers’ home spooked Chase. He hasn’t followed Zoey in the last few days.”
“As far as we know. But…we don’t know the extent of what he may have done before he backed off.” Cal twisted his mouth from side to side and clicked his tongue as he drove, his mind working out details of their next steps.
When he pulled in at the gift shop, she popped open her door and was climbing out even before the Jeep had come to a full stop.
Cal followed, catching her at the back door. “Jules, wait. I have an idea. What do you say we visit Zoey Rogers and her parents again and talk with them? We may be missing something useful.”
Jules’s fists balled at her sides. Her hands had to be hurting after the abuse she’d wreaked on them at the warehouse. He wanted to take those hands in his and kiss her scraped palms.
She cocked her head, hope and curiosity flickering in her green eyes. “What have we missed?”
Damn it, she was doing it again! Already! How did she trust a man,kiss a man, who just two hours ago had capitulated to Wyatt and betrayed his promise to her? When would she learn?
Cal hesitated, and her frustration bubbled over.
“You don’t have anything, do you?” she growled, aiming a trembling finger at him and hearing her voice crack. “Donotstring me along, Sheriff Colton. I swear, I amsickof being lied to and ignored and strung along!”
Not with the case and not in our relationship, she wanted to yell. But she’d told him they had no relationship, and she sure as hell didn’t want him to think they might yet.
He caught her finger in his hand and tugged her close. “On my life, I swear to you, I’m on your side, and wewillget Hamilton, one way or another. I may not know now what we’ll find, but let’stalk to Zoey and her family. We’ll keep watching Hamilton. We’ll pursue any lead that even hints of value.”
When he tugged her even closer, she wanted to resist, but she was tired. So tired, and her traitorous body went willingly into his arms. With both hands, he dried her cheeks and stroked the hair away from her face. Then, cradling her cheeks in his palms, he ducked his head to kiss her temple.
“I’m on your side, Jules. And I’m not going anywhere until we get Chase Hamilton off the street.”
Chapter 20
“Has something else happened? Is Zoey in danger?” Mrs. Rogers asked, perched on the edge of her chair.
“Well…” Jules began, and Cal placed his hand on her knee, silently reminding her she’d agreed to let him do the talking if she accompanied him to the Rogers’ home.
“I believe Zoey is safe as long as you all continue to use best practices and caution. The police patrols will continue for as long as necessary, and they seem to have spooked Mr. Hamilton away. We just want to be sure we didn’t overlook something that might help us get Mr. Hamilton off the street. We need something actionable.”
“Like what?” Mr. Rogers asked.
Cal turned to face Zoey. “Since we last talked, has he contacted you, either in person or through social media? A note on your windshield or text message?”
Zoey’s eyes rounded, and she chewed her bottom lip before shaking her head. “No.”
Cal rubbed his chin, thinking. “Have you noticed anything amiss in the house or your cars? Your yard?”
