He applied a small dressing and peeled off the gloves.“I heard you’ve put a search out for Marlene Schmidt.”
Connor nodded.“That’s right.”
Blethan opened a drawer and took out a packet of painkillers.“Can’t see her as the murdering type.”
“Look what she did to Selena,” Connor said.
Blethan handed Selena the packet.“The last time we spoke, during the Pruitt case, I can’t say I didn’t feel like doing the same.”
Selena took the painkillers.“The feeling’s mutual.”
For a second, Blethan stared at her.Then one corner of his mouth moved toward a smile.He looked at Connor and gave him a wink.
“She has spirit, I’ll give the lass that.”
“I’m right here,” Selena said.
“Aye, and still talking.That’s my point.”Blethan moved to the sink.“If you need me for anything else, you know where I am.”
“Thank you,” Selena said.
“Try not to get hit with any more furniture.”
“I’ll make a note.”
Blethan left them alone in the exam room.
Connor waited until his footsteps faded.“I can give you a lift back to the motel to rest.”
“No.We’ve got work to do.”
“I figured.”
“I want to help with the search for Marlene,” Selena said.
“I’d argue, but I know how stubborn you are.”
Connor stepped closer.For a moment, he looked like he might say something professional.Instead, he lifted one hand and cupped her cheek with a tenderness that caught her unprepared.
“I’m just glad you’re okay,” he said.“I should’ve had your back.”
Selena felt the warmth of his palm and the pull of memory with such force that she forgot, for half a second, to move.
Then she placed her fingers around his wrist and guided his hand away.
“It’s okay.”
“It isn’t.”
Connor looked at their hands, then let his fall.
Selena slid off the couch, slower than she wanted.“Do you have any idea where she might go?”
His face hardened, and the sheriff returned.
“No,” Connor said.“But I won’t rest until we catch her.”
Selena picked up her jacket from the chair and checked that her gun was still secure.
