Page 74 of Ruthless Cross

"You were a little loopy. As crimes go, it wasn't all that bad. Although, I'm curious who Rick was."

She flushed at that. "I told you about Rick? Wow, that's embarrassing. What did I say?"

"Actually, you didn't tell me, but if it was embarrassing, I'm now curious."

"Rick and I went to the prom my junior year. I thought he was going to be my boyfriend, but it turns out he had his eyes on another girl. My friend Kim and I went to the fast-food restaurant to see if he was cheating on me. And he was. He and this cheerleader were practically devouring each other. I got so angry I couldn’t see straight."

"And you backed into a pole."

"I felt like an idiot."

"We've all been there."

"You've had someone cheat on you?"

"Not exactly. Or if they did, I didn't know about it. But I did some stupid, reckless things when I was a teen. I'm probably lucky to have made it through those years. I became especially careless after my father left. I think deep down I wanted him to see that his leaving had really screwed me up. Of course, he didn't see, because he wasn't around. I eventually realized I was only hurting myself."

"At least you figured it out before you did hurt yourself." She paused. "Did Olivia have a good influence on you?"

"She did."

"What was she like?"

"She was…calming. She had a very chill personality. She didn't worry about much. I'm not sure if that came from growing up in a world that was pretty damn good to her. She had everything she wanted and needed. She was secure in her family. She had a lot of friends. She was smart and pretty. She never faced any real adversity. I tell myself that's a good thing, because her life was so short. At least she was happy for the time that she had."

"I thought you said she and Arthur got into it sometimes."

"Occasionally, yes. They argued because he was controlling, and she rebelled by hiding things in her room, like tickets to concerts where he'd told her she couldn't go. But it was just kid stuff. As much as she felt her father had too much power over her, she really looked up to him, as did I. But I don't think he was ever as good as we thought he was."

"Maybe he was good. He might not have gotten involved in stolen art until recently. It could have been just one bad, reckless mistake."

"A mistake that cost him his life."

"But not one that should erase all the good things he did. Until you really know the extent of his crimes, maybe give him the benefit of the doubt."

"If I wasn't investigating his murder, I could do that, but I can't let my feelings for him cloud my judgment or obscure the truth."

As she shivered, he frowned and got up to grab a blanket from the back of the recliner. He came back to the couch and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Thanks," she said. "I suddenly got a chill."

"What else can I get you?"

"Maybe some coffee."

"I don't have any decaf."

"Good, because I was thinking some caffeine might clear my mind."

"No way. You need to sleep tonight. The doctor said rest is important."

"I just slept in the car."

He smiled at her beautiful defiance. "You're very stubborn. But we're following doctor's orders. You are taking it easy, and I'm going to make you some herbal tea."

"You have herbal tea? Isn't that kind of for sissies?"

He laughed. "Make fun of me all you want. Green tea is good for you. It builds the immune system."

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