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I was about to ask whether Joseph Hopkins might have taken his own life. Glad I stopped myself. Sadie doesn’t need to hear that theory. There’s also no reason he would kill himself on Bridger land.
“Cause of death?” Chance asks.
“Per the coroner, unclear,” Peterson says. “Establishing cause and manner of death in a body recovered from water is usually a challenge. She estimates it’s been three to four months since death, so if there were any substances in his system at the time of his death, toxicology won’t show it now.”
“So if he was drugged, we won’t know,” Chance says.
Peterson nods. The sounds of the pool hall circle around us. The crack of the balls. The twangy guitar music. Low voices.
“Right. But the exam didn’t show any outward signs of drug use.”
Sadie sinks farther into me, and she chokes out a sob.
“This conversation is over.” I shake my head. “You think you can have this talk somewhere besides three feet from the deceased’s sister?” I kiss the top of her head.
“She’s a detective on the case,” he counters.
“If you thought there was a conflict of interest before,” I say, “she’s up to her eyeballs in it now. I’d say she’s off the case.”
Sadie doesn’t say anything, which says a lot because she and I can argue too fucking easily.
“Baby, let’s go,” I murmur.
Sadie looks up at me, and I swear all I want to do is take her home and protect her forever from everything in the world. Peterson. This case. Even shit like Rhonda.
Damn.
“I’m okay, Miles,” she whispers.
Except she’s not okay. Her gorgeous lips are turned down into a frown, and her eyes are glistening with unshed tears.
“I’m taking you home.”
Sadie sniffles. “I’ve got my car. Jake drove himself.”
Oh yeah. Jake. He can just fucking deal.
“I’ll take you home in your car.”
Sadie fishes in her purse and then hands me her key fob.
This means I don’t have a ride back from her place, but maybe that’s what she’s intending.
I hope that’s what she’s intending, anyway. All I want to do is take care of this woman. Hold her. Run her a hot bath and wash her beautiful skin.
My God, I’ve never wanted that before. I’m not selfish and always putting my needs first, but as far as women are concerned, my MO has always been to fuck and forget.
Before now. Before Sadie.
Now it’s not just about sex—although that’s the most amazing thing—but the whole package. I care about Sadie, and seeing her hurting hurts me.
“We’re going to need to meet in my office first thing Monday morning,” Peterson says.
“Are you talking to me or to your partner?” My voice isn’t kind.
“Both of you. Chance and Sadie. You and Austin are cleared. Nine a.m. sharp, Monday.”
Chance grunts and narrows his gaze.
