This was her sister, dammit!
She had a right to know what really happened. She had a right to see Shelley’s killer brought to justice.
She had a right . . .
Tears spilled past her lashes. CJ scrubbed them away. No more crying. She damned well wasn’t going to be vulnerable. She was going to see this through.
She braced her arms over her chest and surveyed the street, the homes. Most of the residents she could name, had known them her entire life. This was where she’d grown up, where she’d learned the hard way that life was what you made it.
Her sister, these people, deserved justice the same as anyone else in this damned city.
Like she’d told Braddock, she wasn’t going anywhere until this was done.
An approaching car slowed, rolled to the curb in front of her house.
Edward.
As if to defy her decision, he emerged, his gaze seeking and unerringly finding hers. He was not going to be happy about her plans.
“I was worried.” He closed the car door and made his way to the rickety gate. “I hadn’t heard from you since this morning. Are you all right?”
No, she wasn’t all right.
“I’m sorry.” She raked her fingers through her hair. “I should have called.” She motioned for him to come in. “I’m glad you’re here. We need to talk.”
He didn’t ask any questions. But he didn’t have to. She could already see the disappointment on his face.
Inside, he waited until she’d settled on the sofa before taking a seat. Always the perfect gentleman.
“Have you eaten?”
And always concerned for her well-being.
“At some point today.” She would, she just hadn’t taken the time yet. But he would worry if she told him the truth. She couldn’t tell him about last night’s break-in either. He would insist she stay at his home. She needed to be here. He wouldn’t understand, given the circumstances.
Having Edward here made her feel even guiltier about what had happened between her and Braddock. She was a grown woman andEdward wasn’t her father, but she had worked hard her entire life not to disappoint him.
“Have you made a decision about when you’re returning to Baltimore?”
She pushed aside the unsettling thoughts of last night. Her decision. It hadn’t been an easy one to make, but it was the right one. “I went to the clinic today.”
“I’m surprised the village clinic is still in operation.”
She was too. “Wednesdays and Fridays only.”
“But today is Monday.”
“The nurse practitioner was there catching up on paperwork. Juanita Lusk. We actually attended the university together.”
“Was there a reason you visited the clinic? You’re not feeling ill, are you?”
CJ leaned forward, braced her elbows on her knees. “Edward, I learned that Shelley was pregnant. About six weeks.”
Sadness settled in his features. “I’m certain that news makes this all the more difficult for you.”
She tamped down the emotions that threatened. “Very much so. But,” she went on, bracing for his disapproval, “the news only reinforces my feelings. I can’t leave until the police have done their job.” She held up a hand when he would have spoken. “If I leave now, Shelley’s case will get pushed to the back burner. She’ll be forgotten and nothing will ever get done. I can’t let that happen.”
Edward nodded thoughtfully. “And what about your residency? You must not forget your own future, CJ. I understand what you feel you need to do for your sister, but you can’t rationalize yourself out of the equation.”
