Page 102 of Breathe Me In

“What a fuckin’ mess,” Cap said as we looked through the small window at the two bodies that lay on the floor.

How could such a monstrous event happen? It made no sense to me. I was so twisted up inside by the entire thing that I couldn’t focus. I was usually good at separating myself from a suspect, but this was on a whole new level.

“Clearly he had demons.” Cap gave me a sad face, then rubbed his mouth as he turned to the guard who was quietly speaking with Kennedy. “Get someone in here to clear the scene.”

“Yes, sir.”

Later, after endless questions and many cups of coffee, Bree came in to gather her bag and coat.

“You need a ride home?” I turned off my laptop and tucked it into my bag. I’d been studying everything Hank had said to us for the second time. None of it made any sense, and I was dead tired. Bree pulled at the sleeve of her jacket like she, too, had something on her mind. The last forty-eight hours had been wild.

“You know what really bothers me?” She must have been mid-thought. “What were those numbers he gave us? They have to mean something.”

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “I’m just too tired to care at the moment. At this point I’m just glad a killer is off the streets, the families got closure, and the department has stopped breathing down our necks for answers. Those numbers can wait for another day.”

“I guess so. That was a long night for you. Are you going to stay in town?”

“I have to stop by my parents’ place.”

She tapped her nail on the side of her purse buckle, and I could tell something was on her mind. Her chin jutted out and her eyes formed into slits as she looked at me. “For the record”—she crossed her arms—“I’m seriously angry at you for not bringing me in on this. I really am, Brad. I feel like you didn’t trust me.”

“I know.” I went to explain but couldn’t find the words. Sheer exhaustion had a tight hold on me.

“I’m not sure why you did what you did, and we have to talk about it before we move on.” Her hurt expression brought acid to the pit of my stomach.

“I hear ya, but I had my reasons at the time.”

“Which were?” She put her hands on her hips, but I saw she fought to control her emotion. I had to give her credit. If the situation were reversed, I know I wouldn’t have handled things nearly as well.

“Maybe I was wrong. I don’t know, but I’m really sorry, Bree. I think we need to talk it out.” I reached for her and put a hand on her cheek. “Can we wait on it, though? I have to leave for Florida for another case.”

“I’m not letting this go.”

“I know.”

She studied me for a moment, then sighed. “Guess I need to find a ride home.”

“I’m going that way first. I can take you.”

We started to walk toward the door. “So, Florida?”

“Cap asked me to help a fellow detective out on a case. Their perp did some stuff here before he moved to Florida. Long story.” I paused. “I really need some coffee.”

Her lips twisted, and she made a face, then chuckled.

“What?”

“Just you.”

“Me?” I followed her out of the office.

“Yes, you. Acting like you love coffee the way I do.”

I scoffed at her. “I do like coffee.”

“Yeah, but not like I loooove coffee.”

“I do.”