AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It makes sense considering you’re living with it on a non-stop basis. That puts you light years ahead on the journey of acceptance. Give them time to catch up,” I urge her. “Them seeing how you’re handling it will help.” She blinks, and I pretend not to notice the couple tears that escape when she does so. “Have you seen the car since you got here?” I know sending her here was a risk, but I was relying heavily on the driver, if they were in fact following her, not wanting to get anywhere near law enforcement.
“Only as it drove past.” Shoulders falling, Rae states, “It was probably nothing and I made it something. Or tried to. I appreciate you not making fun of me for jumping at shadows.”
“First, I would never do that. Second, you’re caught in a situation with unknown factors that are, and understandably so, going to have you jumping at shadows.” She looks at me, taking in what I’m saying. “Not to mention, the person you saw commit the crime is, to you, essentially a shadow because you can’t recall their features. That’s scary, Rae. Admitting that doesn’t make you weak. It makes you smart.”
I let her think that over, not rushing her as she takes in what I said. When she asks if I need to go inside, I debate that. I should check in with Shivers, as well as my partner, Nelson Mathers. But I decide against it since the captain and I already had a conversation regarding possible necessary steps.
When I questioned Shivers about her not being moved to a safe house, he’d cursed. “The chief wouldn’t approve the protection detail I requested. Said she isn’t a credible witness.”
“Through no fault of her own,” I’d reminded him, earning a raised brow at the vehemence in my tone.
“I know that,” he’d said, “but they feel she’s not at a high enough risk to warrant the bodies I’d need.” Meaning the pay required to utilize them.
“That’s bullshit. Bet he suggested using her as bait to draw the guy out.” When no denial was forthcoming, my fists clenched with the anger I wished I could unleash. “No,” I’d told him, rejecting the idea without any input from him or Rae. “You’d think, with a reelection year coming up, they’d be bending over backwards to show the citizens how much they care.”
Shivers had tipped his chin, a silent confirmation letting me know he agreed with me, but our hands were tied. Well, his were. Mine weren’t. A perk of not being the one tasked with cutting through the red tape.
Which is when I suggested, and got the approval, to stick to her like glue. The plan b Shivers and I came up with was to take her to my house. We’d let a loose-lipped cop leak the information, to a reporter not known for their discretion, that a witness had come forth and worked with a sketch artist on a composite.
A uniform with a passing resemblance to Rae would pretend to be her, camping out in her place, hoping the killer would act on the opportunity to remove the witness.
“You’ve got perishables that need to be put away, right?”
“I do,” she confirms.
“I will for a bit,” I answer her earlier question. “Grab your purse and hop in,” I tell her. “I’ll get the groceries.”
“Why can’t they stay in my car?”
“It’s remaining here. Someone will take it to your house later.” Namely, the fake Rae.
“Can’t we just take it since we’re going there?”
“I’ll explain on the way, okay?” When she doesn’t immediately agree, I ask, “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” That makes me happier than I have the time to explore right now. Later, though, I definitely will.
Exiting my vehicle, I open her door and indicate for her to get in mine. Purse in hand, she does, putting on her seatbelt as she watches me. Grabbing her bags, I set them in the back, cautiously so in case any contain fragile items.
Once that’s done, I extend my hand, palm up, for her keys. I can see that she has questions, but she doesn’t voice to them. Her gaze, however, promises it’s a temporary reprieve.
“Lock yourself in. I’ll just be a moment.” I jog inside, give the desk sergeant Rae’s keys, and the instructions on what to do with them. Having been read in on the plan, he nods despite it happening sooner than we’d anticipated.
Hurrying back to Rae, her gaze following me as I wait at her window, utter, “Sunshine,” then circle the rear of my sedan and get inside.
“Explain.” And her patience ran out while I was gone.
I tell her, reassuring her the cop pretending to be her is trained for this and skilled in defense. Facts that ease the worry she was already letting show.
For a stranger.
This woman amazes me.
I’ve seen the worst one can do to another, but that’s not Rae’s way.
Is it any wonder I call her Sunshine?
Chapter Four
