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My Suburban was parked in Jack’s driveway, just like it had been every night for the last several weeks. Jack and I had been fueling the gossip millfor a while now, and if we went onto the scene with our current moods, we’d be fueling it even more.
I’d had the Suburban outfitted especially to haul bodies and my equipment. There were no backseats, just a flat bed and a hidden compartment beneath for my medical bag, camera, extra blankets, and a coverall.
Jack got in the passenger side without saying a word and I took a deep breath before I got in and started the engine. My hands gripped the wheel and I stared straight ahead, trying to get my thoughts in order. I felt Jack’s gaze after a minute or two, but I didn’t look at him.
“You know I love you,” I finally said. “And I want to marry you.”
I felt more than heard his sigh of relief. “Then what’s the problem?”
“I’m afraid you’ll eventually realize you made a mistake. And then I’ll have to kill you for breaking my heart.”
“With a promise like that, you can see why I’m crazy about you.” His hand came up and rested on the back of my neck, squeezing at the tension that was sure to bring me a headache before the end of the day.
“I can see you’re crazy period. I mean it, Jack. This thing with my parents—the mess they’ve left behind. It’s not going to go away easily or quickly. It’s something people are going to talk about until we’re old and gray. It’s something that will follow around our children and grandchildren.”
“I like the idea of having children with you. Especially the part where we make them.”
The temperature was getting very warm in the car and I flicked on the air conditioner to full blast.
“I’m serious. You have to decide if it’s really worth it. It could cost you the election.”
His hand froze on the back of my neck and I winced as his grip got tighter. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You think I give a shit about an election? You think it means more to me than you do?”
“I know you love being a cop. That you live and breathe it. I don’t want to be the reason you can’t be who you were meant to be.”
“That’s just bullshit, Jaye. I can be a cop anywhere. I’ve got enough experience to take any job I want. Believe me, I get offers all the time. And if you’re worried about our children and the whispers that might follow them around then we can say to hell with Bloody Mary and find some place else to live. We’re not tied here unless we want to be. My family will always be here when we need them, but my home will always be wherever you are.”
I felt the tears threaten to fall and blinked rapidly to hold them back. I wanted to tell him about my dad.Neededto tell him. But I couldn’t get the words past my frozen vocal cords.
“It’s okay, Jaye. Whenever you’re ready.Whatever it is we’ll deal with it.”
Jack knew me better than anyone else, and I knew he was referring to the secret I was keeping from him.I felt my muscles relax under his reassurance, and I promised myself I’d lay it all out for him soon.
I put the Suburban in reverse. “Let’s go look at a body.”
“It’s a hell of a way to start a vacation.”
CHAPTER TWO
Caledon State Park was a natural reserve along the uppermost edge of King George County. It backed up to the Potomac River and itwas a good place for camping and fishing, and for boy scouts and school children to spend time learning about nature.
Two policecars blocked the entrance to the park and I pulled to a stop so whoever had guard duty could check me out. Officer Martinez carried his flashlight in his left hand and had his right resting on his weapon as he walked up to the Suburban. I’d worked with Martinez before and knew he was a solid cop.
“Doc Graves,” Martinez said when I rolled down the window, and then he turned his gaze to Jack. “Hey, Sheriff. I thought you were on vacation?”
Martinez was only a couple inches taller than me, putting him around 5’10”. His dark hair was cut stylishly and his face was shaved smooth. He was one of Jack’s recent hires to the department, and it hadn’t taken long for the word to get out that he was single. When he smiled, a dimple peeked out on his cheek and his eyes lit up with good humor.
“I am,” Jack replied. “I’m just here to help move the body.”
“You guys are weird. If it were me on vacation I’d be soaking up the sun on some tropical island, surrounded by smokin’ hot babes in bikinis who would bring me beer and rub my back with suntan lotion.”
“Given it a lot of thought, have you?” Jack asked dryly.
Martinezgrinned unrepentantly. “It’s been a long winter, Sheriff.”
“What’ve we got?” I askedbefore things could go too off course. “Some poor camper keel over from a heart attack?”
“Nope.” Martinez shook his head. “A DB washed up on shore. Colburn is working it as homicide since the vic’s face is missing. I’ll let you see for yourself.”
