Page 61 of Abandoned

“I didn’t, but even if I had, I washed my hands. That was stupid of me.”

Doug said, “If you had scratched him, you might have thought not to. Don’t worry about it.”

Zara set her mug down. “For being so hot in here, he was covered head to toe anyway. There was nowhere to scratch.”

Another tech came over. “Ramirez. We examined the door. Based on the scratch marks on the lock, looks like it was picked.”

“Thank you.” Doug turned back to Zara. “We will figure this out. Do you still believe this was Ernie Nelson?”

“I have no reason to believe it was anyone else. This guy’s build matches Ernie’s. The voice was familiar.” Another shudder rocked her body.

Doug asked a few more questions, then stood. “Hang in there, Zara. We’ll find whoever did this, Ernie or not. But you can guarantee I’m going to have a little talk with our buddy Ernie.”

Doug and CSU left.

Becca scooted her chair closer. “Zara, do you have a place to stay? I really don’t think it’s safe to stay here.”

Zara shrugged.

Becca said, “You are more than welcome to stay with us if you need a place, but our house isn’t huge.”

AJ put her hand on Zara’s. “Mi casa es tu casa.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. I may not be a cop, but Harry puts a mean hole in a paper target.”

Zara chuckled. “Thank you.”

AJ squeezed her hand. “Get some rest. I’ll clean up some. Make sure CSU got everything. Come over whenever.” AJ stood and Becca went with her.

Zara curled into Will, whose arms tightened around her.

“Are you doing okay?”

“Better. Please just hold me.”

“Absolutely. You’re safe. I got you.”

She laid her head on Will’s chest and thanked God for the people she didn’t deserve. Within a few minutes, she drifted off into much-needed sleep.

Chapter Seventeen

Zara wished her hand was free, so she could slip it in Will’s as he walked her up the stairs to AJ’s apartment, but both of their hands were full of Zara’s stuff. She’d avoided packing up everything in her entire apartment, though at this point she never wanted to step foot in there again.

He stopped in front of the door and set a bag down and knocked.

“Coming.” AJ’s voice nearly sang from the other side. The door opened. “Hey, guys. Come on in.” She reached for one of Zara’s bags.

She handed AJ a bag full of kitchen items and stepped into the little apartment.

Will followed but only took a few steps in and set Zara’s stuff down. “Did we get everything from the truck?”

Zara turned to him with a questioning look. He’d double-checked before they closed the tailgate.

He was uncomfortable in AJ’s apartment.

Zara set her bag down and closed the distance to him. Sliding her arms around his neck, she pulled him close.