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When he drew near, she focused on Jason, then reached out and gently stroked his hair.
“Tell him goodbye for me,” she whispered.
“Of course,” Trey said, his voice hoarse.
Kelly cleared her throat. “As soon as the insurance money comes through, I’ll get your SUV back to the island.”
“Please keep it,” Trey said. “I can transfer the title.”
Another half smile curved her lips. “Still trying to buy me off, Mr. Billionaire?”
Trey wanted to hug her close, but shrugged instead. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“You know I can’t accept it,” she said.
“Yeah,” he said. “I know.”
He stared into her lovely but unhappy face, trying to memorize it. Did he even have any photos of her? He hated that his visit, this final goodbye, had made her sad, and his resolve wavered.
She rose on her toes and lightly kissed his cheek. He turned her head to capture her mouth with his, but she was gone too fast.
“Stay well, Trey,” she whispered.
“You, too,” he said, and walked out her door.
“Papa is on the move,” Scott barked into the mike at his mouth as he moved ahead of Trey down the hallway.
Before entering the waiting elevator, Trey looked back.
In her doorway, Kelly raised a hand and waved. She didn’t smile. Trey nodded and stepped into the car, wishing again that he could leave this city. Instead, he’d be trapped in his walled estate longing for a woman who was so close and yet totally out of his reach.
* * *
A WEEK LATER, in full uniform except for her cap, Kelly stood at attention before Lieutenant Marshall’s desk.
“As you were, Officer Jenkins.”
Kelly moved her feet apart, clasped her hands behind her back, gaze straight ahead. Marshall had summoned her into his office. Why?
Was he finally going to fire her?
“Internal Affairs has cleared you,” he said. “Congratulations.”
She released a breath and closed her eyes. Thank God.
“Plus it appears you are no longer of interest to the media,” Marshall continued.
Kelly cut her gaze to his. Eyes narrowed, Marshall scrutinized her, waiting for her reaction.
“Are you ready to go back on patrol?”
“Yes, sir.”
Marshall opened a drawer, withdrew her badge and service weapon and placed them on his desk. “Report to your sergeant for roll call. He’s expecting you.”
Kelly grabbed her badge and holstered her gun. “Thank you, sir.”
Marshall leaned back in his chair. “I expected a smile at least.”
Kelly swallowed. “Sorry, sir,”
“I know the suspension seemed harsh, but you needed to stay off the streets for your own protection.”
“I understand, sir.” But she didn’t. Why was everyone, Trey Wentworth included, trying to protect her? She raised her chin. She didn’t need anyone to take care of her.
“You did a good thing rescuing that Wentworth kid,” Marshall continued. “You did the department proud at a time when we needed a little positive press.” He sighed. “Make that a lot of positive press.”
Kelly nodded. He was talking about the corruption allegations. She’d seen the headlines, read the stories. Hell, she’d even been part of the story for a while. Fortunately, things had died down on that front. Just as with her brief flirtation with celebrity, hungry journalists had moved on to newer, more sensational stories.
“I’m proud of you, Officer Jenkins. You should be proud of yourself.”
Kelly forced a smile. Proud of herself? She wished she’d skipped her run that fateful morning. If she had, she would have never met Trey Wentworth.
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re dismissed,” Marshall barked, as if uncomfortable about his uncharacteristic praise. “Be safe out there.”
Kelly saluted and marched out of the lieutenant’s office. She was pleased, of course she was. Resuming patrol was what she’d wanted, had prayed for, but lately she couldn’t muster much enthusiasm for anything. Not even eating. She’d lost the weight she’d gained from Greta’s gourmet meals, and maybe a couple pounds more.
She ought to be elated about her career, on that proverbial cloud nine. Instead she felt as if she trudged around inside a dark rain cloud.
