Page 19 of Critical Doubt

She couldn't help wondering if the odd pattern of skid marks simply revealed Todd's indecision. He could have been speeding, then braked in a panic, then decided to end it all and put his foot back on the gas. But that didn't explain where he was now. She took another long drink. "This is all so wrong, Colin. They're both too young to be dead. They survived war. How do they die in Dobbs, Georgia, four days apart, from freak accidents?"

"When you figure that out, let me know. Do you want to take this beer to your friend?"

"Ryker isn't my friend," she said defensively.

"Oh, sorry. It seemed like you two knew each other."

"We met once years ago, but we're not friends." She knew she was over-explaining, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.

"Well, he seems like a good guy. He went into the river to save his friend."

"It was very heroic," she admitted. "And I will take him that beer."

"Good."

"I haven't had a chance to ask how you are. Are you still dating that nurse in Ridgeview?"

"No, that ended several months ago."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. The spark wasn't there. What about you? Any lucky guys in your life?"

"I don't think any of the guys who have been in my life have actually considered themselves lucky."

"Don't be self-deprecating. You know how pretty you are."

"Maybe I have some good features, but that doesn't make me great at relationships. Anyway, I'm single, and I'm fine with it. I have the kind of job that takes me away for weeks at a time."

"I never ever thought you'd end up in law enforcement. When we were in high school, you were a troublemaker. If you saw a rule, you just had to break it."

"I have grown up, Colin."

He smiled. "I suspect you still break a few rules."

"Only the stupid ones," she returned with a grin, then she headed upstairs.

She found Ryker and Abby in the master bedroom. His pant leg was pushed up over his knee and Abby was applying a large gauze bandage to his new scrapes, but it couldn't hide the fact that there was a patchwork of deep scars running down his shin and around his calf.

"That's good," he said, as Abby finished, quickly shoving down his pants leg.

"I hope so," Abby said. "You might need a tetanus shot."

"I'm up to date. Don't worry about me."

As Abby stood up and took her first-aid kit into the bathroom, Savannah handed him a beer.

"Thanks." He took a swig, and then got to his feet.

"I'd like to offer you some dry clothes," Abby said, returning to the room. "Unless it would feel weird to wear something of Paul's. But he still has clothes in the closet. I kept thinking he'd come back for them…"

"It's not weird, but I'm fine. I'm dry now," Ryker returned.

"If you're sure." Abby paused. "I'm going to take a minute up here, so I'll see y'all downstairs."

"Do you want me to stay with you?" she asked, worried about the strain in her friend's eyes.

"Honestly, Savannah, I just need a little quiet, a few minutes."

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