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Joe’s eyes widened with admiration. “That’s brilliant, Elly. I’m sure you’re right about that. I bet he anticipated we’d come together to interview them.”
Her cheeks grew warm at his praise. She silently prayed he wouldn’t notice. Seriously, she needed to get a grip. He’d been oblivious to her secret crush for months now, and she needed it to stay that way.
“One more minute.” Joe glanced at his watch. “I’m going to step out first. You’re going to stay directly behind me, okay?”
She wanted to protest but knew it would be useless. She stood behind him, waiting for him to open the door.
The seconds ticked by slowly. He abruptly opened the door and moved across the threshold. She couldn’t see much beyond the breadth of his shoulders. “Stay close,” he repeated as he took another step.
She gripped the back of his leather jacket and followed him away from the safety of the building. They only took five steps before reaching the SUV. Joe opened the back seat for her, so she quickly climbed in.
Soon they were back on the highway. She frowned when she noticed they were heading in the wrong direction. The City Central Hotel was near the courthouse, which was east of the precinct. Not west.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“You mentioned food,” Joe reminded her. “We’re going to circle around the city to get something before returning to the hotel.”
“Oh yeah.” She wasn’t hungry anymore but held her tongue. Nothing like being used for target practice to ruin a girl’s appetite.
Yet to her surprise, when they picked up their meal, the scent of french fries made her mouth water. Okay, maybe she was getting better at bouncing back after facing adversity.
The roundabout trip to the hotel didn’t take as long as she anticipated. Steele dropped them off near a side entrance, and Joe protected her with his body as they entered the building, leaving Steele to drive around to the front to park.
In the suite, she ditched her coat and began pulling off the vest.
“Don’t,” Joe said sharply. “You need to keep that on.”
“Even in here?” She glanced around the suite.
“Yes, always.” His tone was firm. “I’m not taking another chance with your life.”
“Joe.” She reached out to touch his arm. “You’re doing everything possible, and I appreciate that. But you must know I’m not afraid to die. I mean, I don’t want to, but if that’s God’s plan, then so be it. I know I’ll be home with the Lord.”
He stared at her in horror. “Don’t talk like that,” he choked.
She dropped her hand and turned away. She had been telling the truth.
Yet it bothered her that Joe didn’t share her faith in God’s plan.
* * *
She wasn’tafraid to die.The words echoed through Joe’s mind, sending a chill down his spine. This wasn’t right. Elly shouldn’t be in this situation. None of this was her fault.
Yet all the wishes in the world wouldn’t change the facts. Elly was in danger. This shooter had targeted her.
No way was he letting this guy get that close to hurting her again.
“Have faith, Joe,” she said quietly.
He wanted to have faith that God was watching over them. That they’d find this guy before he hurt anyone else. But Joe believed more in hard work than divine intervention.
But he nodded, then headed to the door to let Steele in.
“We should eat before it gets cold,” Steele said, dropping the bag of food on the table. “Besides, I’m hungry.”
“That’s fine.” He pulled another chair over to the small table as Steele pulled their sandwiches and fries from the bag.
“I’d like to say grace,” Elly said, taking the seat next to him.
