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“I’d rather they focus on the sketch,” Joe said. “Having an ID on this guy would be huge. Frankly, that’s the quickest way for us to find him.”
“Yeah, okay.” Just as Steele was about to make the call, his phone rang. Steele put the call on speaker. “Yeah, boss?”
“A pickup truck was found four blocks from the precinct,” Michaels said. “I want you to head out there ASAP.”
“What makes you think it was left by our shooter?” Joe asked. He knew there were witnesses at the Christmas parade who thought the guy had escaped in a dark pickup truck. But there were hundreds of them in the area.
“A witness said a guy matching the sketch got out of the vehicle, taking off on foot.” Michaels sighed. “The truck was left in an area where the citizens are not usually anxious to help the police. But I think the parade shooting was bad enough for the caller to report it. He refused to give his name or address, though. Just the general location of the vehicle.”
“I’m on my way,” Steele promised, already making his way to the door.
“Good. Keep me posted,” Michaels added.
Joe made sure to lock the hotel room door after Steele left. When he turned around, he frowned when he saw Elly had left the computer on the sofa and was gone.
Despite Steele’s warnings blinking like red neon signs in the back of his brain, he crossed over to make sure she was okay. When he heard her sniffling, he winced.
Had the video of the Christmas parade caused another flashback?
“Elly?” He rapped on the door to her suite. “Are you okay?”
She didn’t answer. Alarmed, he tried the handle. It wasn’t locked.
“Elly. I’m coming in.” He pushed the door open and saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, a tissue pressed against her eyes. “Hey, don’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made you watch the video.”
“I volunteered.” Her voice was muffled behind the tissue. She took another from the box beside her, blew her nose, and stood. “I’m okay now. For some stupid reason I was caught off guard, but I can do this.”
“You don’t have to...”
“Yes, I do.” She took one last swipe at her face and stood. “This is important. I’m not just afraid for my family but for all the other potential innocent victims still at risk.”
She came toward him, looking beautiful despite her red nose and puffy eyes. Then she slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him.
Her embrace touched a chord deep within. He pulled her close, wishing she wasn’t wearing the bulky vest. “I’ll help you review the video,” he whispered.
She pressed her face into his neck, and a wave of desire washed over him. He tried to loosen his arms, but she lifted her head, went up on her tiptoes, and kissed him.
The minute her lips touched his, Steele’s warnings evaporated into mist. They were well into the danger zone now. Yet that didn’t stop him from angling his head to deepen their kiss, wanting her in a way he hadn’t thought possible.
CHAPTEREIGHT
Joe’s kiss was far better than she’d ever imagined it would be. As his arms tightened around her, and he deepened their kiss, she reveled in the fact that he wasn’t treating her like Rhy’s baby sister now.
No, he was kissing her like a woman he wanted.
The buzzing of his phone was like an annoying wasp. Joe abruptly broke off their kiss, breathing heavily as he fumbled for the device.
“Rhy,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Of course, her brother would ruin this moment, interrupting their first—but hopefully not last—kiss. Finnegans didn’t curse, but she wanted to when Joe dropped his arms and stepped back to answer the call. He put at least three feet between them as if fearing her brother might be able to see how close they were standing.
“What’s up?” Joe asked, avoiding her gaze. His reddened cheeks made her want to smile.
“Put the call on speaker,” she said, moving closer.
“Ah, Elly wants to hear this too.” Joe looked adorably knocked off kilter as he continued backing out of the room, heading to the sofa.
“What’s this about gunfire at the precinct?” Rhy demanded. “What in the world is going on, Kingsley?”
