“I'm fine,” Rachel assured her. “Just got home.”
“Joseph came home and told me what he heard from some of the detectives.” Shiloh's voice was tight with worry. “That's crazy! And so dangerous! It makes me scared for when Alex and Rebecca become teenagers!”
Rachel couldn't help but smile at her aunt's dramatics. “Shiloh, they're in elementary school. You've got a few years before you need to worry about them being offered illegal steroids.”
“Still!” Shiloh wasn't mollified. “This is Baytown. Things like this aren't supposed to happen here.”
Rachel leaned against the counter, the warmth of the kitchen soothing after the stress of the day. “I know. But it did happen. And now it's being handled. The kids are safe. Jack and Mark are working hard to finish the investigation. It will be okay.”
“I hope so.” Shiloh paused. “Are you and Jack okay?”
“We're good,” Rachel said softly. “Really good, actually. This whole thing brought us closer, I think. He's been amazing through all of it.”
“Good. You deserve someone amazing.” Shiloh's voice warmed. “When can you come to dinner?”
“How about this weekend? I could come over, hang out with the kids, and have dinner with you and Joseph.”
“Perfect. Come Saturday. I'll make that chicken dish you like. And bring Jack.”
“Deal.” Rachel smiled, feeling some of the tension finally ease from her shoulders. “I should go. I need to eat something, and then Jack's probably going to come over after he's done at the station.”
“Okay. Love you, Rachel.”
“Love you too.”
Rachel hung up and made a hot cup of tea before pulling her leftovers from the microwave. She was halfway through eating when there was a knock on her door. She glanced at the clock. 6:15. Jack must have finished up earlier than expected.
She set down her fork and walked toward the door, smiling. But just as she reached for the handle, her phone buzzed with a text message. Rachel glanced down at the screen as she pulled the door open.
I'll be late. Still at the station. Will try to be there by 8.
Rachel's head jerked up as she opened the door, her body freezing in place in surprise. Her fingers spasmed around her phone as she stared up at the angry face staring back at her.
“David?”
He pushed past her, entering her apartment. “I need to talk to you. You and that detective boyfriend of yours. You’ve ruined everything!”
33
Rachel's heart hammered as she stared at the man pushing his way inside. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but her apartment was small, and there was nowhere to hide. No back exit.
“David.” Her voice shook, barely getting his name out.
He stood on the small landing just inside her living room. He looked terrible. His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot and wild. He swayed slightly on his feet. The smell of alcohol hit her immediately.
“David,” she said, forcing her voice to stay steady even though her entire body trembled.
He laughed, harsh and bitter as he walked farther into the apartment before she could stop him. Her stomach turned, but she kept her expression neutral, as her mind raced. Then she heard the faint sound of Jack's voice coming from her phone. “Rachel? Rachel, are you there?”
Relief flooded through her so intensely she almost staggered. She’d inadvertently hit the call button after reading Jack’s text. She needed to make sure he knew where she was and what was happening.
“David,” Rachel said, speaking clearly and deliberately, “what are you doing at my house?”
David's eyes narrowed with suspicion, but before he could respond, she continued, “David, you need to leave my house.”
“No.” David turned on her, his face twisted with fury. “I don’t know where to go. I had everything. My team was going to take state again! I had a college job just waiting on that win! And then you had to start asking questions. Had to stick your nose where it didn't belong.”
“You gave the kids something dangerous,” Rachel said, keeping her voice loud enough for the phone to pick up. She needed to keep him talking, needed to keep him here until Jack arrived.
