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But today she didn’t want to talk to anyone but Patrice, who was addicted to popular culture and celebrity gossip, a habit Kelly often teased her about. Kelly intended to pump her friend for info about Trey Wentworth. If anyone knew the scoop, Trice would.
After alerting dispatch she was on break, Kelly entered the quiet diner. To get in and out within thirty minutes, they deliberately took lunch around two, long after the noon rush.
She spotted Patrice in their favorite corner booth, sitting across from Lana Lettino, another rookie from their class. Kelly heaved a sigh of relief at the sight of her friends, both of whom already knew about her encounter with Jason.
Finally a return to reality. People who understood her life.
Trice waved her over, and the waitress arrived immediately with three glasses of water.
“Roast beef and Swiss on rye,” Lana ordered.
“The usual,” Patrice said.
“One veggie burger,” the waitress confirmed. “And you, Officer Jenkins?”
“Just a small house salad and coffee.”
“What’s up with that?” Lana asked when the server had moved away.
Kelly shrugged. “I’m not hungry.”
“You look awful,” Patrice said. “And the fact that you’re not hungry has got me seriously worried.”
“Funny,” Kelly said. “But you wouldn’t believe the amount of food I’ve eaten in the last twenty-four hours at Wentworth Villa. I’ve probably gained five pounds.”
Lana laughed. “Come on. You don’t like the good life on Collins Island?”
“You have no idea.”
“We need details,” Trice said.
Kelly filled her friends in on the morning’s events. “So now I don’t even have a vehicle.”
Dark eyes wide, Lana sat back in the booth. “A bomb? No way.”
Kelly shrugged. “No good deed goes unpunished.”
“So this kidnapper knows where you live and remains at large gunning for you?” Lana asked.
“Until the Bureau can apprehend him. I spent an hour on the computer looking at mug shots before I went on patrol.”
Patrice cursed. “Then it’s a good thing you’re moving to Collins Island. No way the scumbag can get to you there.”
Kelly sipped her water. Trice had a point. She would be far safer at Wentworth’s mansion than in her own apartment. And maybe a limo back and forth to the station wouldn’t be such a rotten idea after all. Although she should let Wentworth know about the threat.
Was it fair to put Wentworth’s driver in the middle of the danger? She wouldn’t even be having this conversation if she hadn’t noticed Adam watching her. She couldn’t be on her guard 24/7. Sooner or later she’d make a mistake.
“I guess you didn’t spot either of the perps in the mug shots,” Trice said.
“No such luck,” Kelly muttered.
“Are you worried?” Lana asked.
“A little,” Kelly admitted. “But I figure that goes with the job. It’s what we signed on for.”
“I don’t know about you,” Patrice said, “but I sure didn’t sign up for any bombs in my car. Is the department going to do anything for you? Like give you a rental?”
“I doubt it.”
When the food arrived, since they only had fifteen minutes left, Patrice and Lana dug in.
“Any chatter around the station about me being in trouble?” Kelly asked, pushing the lettuce around on her plate.
Patrice narrowed her hazel eyes on Kelly. “Trouble about what?”
“For missing yesterday.”
Patrice shook her head. “Seriously? Come on, girl. You’re a heroine. You saved a little boy’s life.”
“There’s even talk about a commendation.” Lana grinned. “I’d be jealous if it weren’t for the bomb and all.”
“You’re sure Rudy isn’t pissed?” Kelly asked. The squad had already gone out on patrol by the time Lieutenant Marshall delivered her to the station, so she hadn’t been able to talk to her sergeant.
“He did mention he wants to chat with you before you check out this afternoon,” Trice said.
So she was in trouble. “You don’t know what about?”
