Tanner gave a terse nod then walked out into the hallway, still wanting to punch someone.
Finding Dr. Michalski standing right there did not diminish that feeling.
“What are you, waiting for me to come out of the principal’s office?”
“You missed our last two sessions.” The psychiatrist’s expression and tone were even. The way they always were.
But seriously, did the guy have his ear at the door?
Tanner stuffed his hands in his pockets, conspicuously aware of the lack of familiar weight his gun and badge usually placed on his waist. “Sorry, Doc. I had real police work to do. Thought that took priority over rehashing past events in my life that can’t ever be changed.”
“I understand police work, Tanner. And I would’ve thought nothing of it if you’d just rescheduled like you’re required to do. The rules apply to you, too.”
Tanner grimaced. Because damn it, the man—and his goddamned even tone—was right. But hell if he was going to admit that right now, when he’d just basically been told that while the sheriff didn’t think he was guilty, she didn’t think he was innocent enough to keep wearing the badge.
“Yeah, I’ll get around to it.”
Dr. Michalski just nodded. “Be careful. That sort of arrogance can get you killed in this line of work. We work together as a team or everything crumbles quickly.”
Tanner took his hand out of his pocket and rubbed his eyes. The thing was, he totally agreed with the doctor. Mental health was important. Just as important as physical health. The country was figuring that out the hard way.
The work he’d done with Dr. Michalski had helped him come to grips with some of what had happened in that warehouse three years ago. Tanner didn’t alwaysenjoy the company of the other man, but he had to admit their sessions had been valuable.
“Fine,” he mumbled, brushing past the doctor. He couldn’t do it right now. He just needed to get out of here.
“Make an appointment,” the doctor said in a just slightly louder but still even tone. “And keep it this time.”
CHAPTER TEN
The man couldn’t keep the smile from his face.
And why should he even try? There was something downright delightful about knowing Tanner Dempsey was on his way down.
There wasn’t enough info against him to arrest Dempsey—yet. But the seeds of doubt had been planted in the minds that counted in the most delicious way possible.
How had it felt to Dempsey to be summoned from his own home to the sheriff’s office, like the criminal that he was?
How did it feel to Mr. High and Mighty to know that people doubted him? To realize they were starting to see the crack in his veneer and would soon know him for what he really was: a fraud and a lying, judgmental bastard.
Oh, and a killer.
How did it feel when the pedestal he’d placed himself on started to show signs of rust and decay? Was he unable to sleep at night, knowing he was going to fall?
Did he worry when he realized the blood on his hands and deceit in his heart would become visible to everyone soon?
Including the woman who occupied Dempsey’s everythought. He’d had the gall to move her in with him, even knowing what he was.
But no worries. She would see the facts soon, along with everyone else. No one would be able to ignore the truth any longer. She would watch as Dempsey was finally sentenced for his sins and spent the rest of his life rotting in jail.
She would be sad, but maybe the man could step up and comfort her. That would be a beautiful full circle.
So yes, the man’s smile was huge. He had to keep his colleagues from seeing it and asking him what was going on.
Because he just might tell them.
Justice was finally about to be served.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
