Page 51 of Silent Prayer

Finn's arm tightened around her. "You can do this.Wecan do this. Together." He paused, then continued, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you, Sheila. Not just the perfect, put-together detective, but all of you. The strong parts, the vulnerable parts, all of it."

It wasn't the first time Sheila had heard him say those words, but they were still potent nonetheless. A pleasant feeling spread over her like a warm blanket on a winter's night.

She turned to face him, their faces inches apart. "Finn, I..." Overwhelmed by emotion, she closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, then deepened, conveying everything she couldn't put into words. When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Sheila felt a newfound strength coursing through her.

"Thank you," she whispered, resting her forehead against his. "For everything."

Finn smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Always. Now, how about we both get some rest? We've got a killer to catch, and I need my brilliant partner at her best."

Sheila closed her eyes, promising herself that when she woke up, she'd face her mistakes and get back on track. The Coldwater Confessor was still out there, and hungover or not, she had a job to do.

Assuming you're the right person to do it,a voice whispered in the back of her head.

Sheila's eyes snapped open, the thought hitting her like a bucket of ice water.Wasshe the right person? After her lapse, after all the dead ends and missed opportunities, could she really trust herself to lead this investigation?

She tried to sit up straighter, ignoring the pounding in her head. The room spun for a moment before settling.

"Easy," Finn said. "Just rest, okay? You're exhausted."

"I…" Sheila fell silent as she caught her own reflection in the mirror across the room. The woman looking back at her seemed like a stranger: eyes bloodshot, hair disheveled, a shadow of the confident person she'd once been.

You're falling apart,the voice continued.How can you catch a killer when you can't even stay sober?

Sheila shook her head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. But they clung to her like a shroud, whispering doubts and fears. She thought of the victims: Laura, Sophie, Rachel, Emily. They deserved justice. They deserved a detective who was at the top of her game, not someone drowning in self-doubt and guilt.

And then there was Natalie. Her sister's face swam before her eyes, both the vibrant woman she'd been and the broken creature Sheila had found that fateful day. The failure of not being able to save her own sister had pressed down on her for months, and now she felt its full weight in a way she hadn't since discovering her sister's body.

"What is it?" Finn murmured. "What are you thinking about?"

Sheila took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Finn's in the dim light of her bedroom. "I...I don't know if I can do this anymore," she said.

Finn's brow furrowed with concern. "What do you mean?"

"This case, being a detective...all of it," Sheila said, the words tumbling out. "I keep second-guessing myself, blaming myself for not being good enough. For Natalie, for these victims...I'm not sure I have what it takes anymore."

Finn shifted closer, taking her hand in his. "Sheila, listen to me," he said. "You are one of the best detectives I've ever known. Your instincts, your dedication, your heart—that's what makes you great at what you do."

Sheila shook her head, tears threatening to spill. "But I keep failing. Natalie, these women...I couldn't save them."

"You can't save everyone," Finn said softly. "But you can fight for justice for them. And that's exactly what you're doing." He paused, squeezing her hand. "You know, when I first met you, I was in awe of your determination. You never gave up, no matter how tough things got. That fire is still in you, Sheila. I see it every day."

Sheila looked up at him, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "You really think so?"

Finn nodded, a small smile on his face. "I know so. You're stronger than you realize, Sheila Stone. And you're not alone in this fight. I'm here every step of the way."

His words washed over her, carrying away some of the darkness that had been clouding her mind. Sheila leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For believing in me, even when I don't believe in myself."

Finn wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "Always," he said. "Now, what do you say we get some rest, and tomorrow we hit this case with everything we've got?"

As they settled back onto the bed, Finn's arms around her, a sense of peace came over Sheila. The doubts and guilt weren't gone, but they no longer seemed insurmountable. With Finn byher side and a renewed sense of purpose, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The Coldwater Confessor was still out there, but Sheila Stone was back in the game. And this time, she wasn't facing her demons alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

The office was already bustling with activity when Sheila and Fin arrived, officers and detectives working overtime on the Coldwater Confessor case. The air was thick with tension and the smell of stale coffee.

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