Page 63 of Conner

First it was just Detective Owen and another officer who followed her in. “Take a good look and let me know if anything is missing or out of place.”

As she walked into her apartment, it was a surreal feeling. She looked around the kitchen and the living room. Next, she went into the bedroom and her closet, it was the same as before. She didn't notice anything out of place or missing, but there was still that feeling she had when she came to get her things.

“Notice anything?” the detective asked.

“No, but I have the feeling that I had last time I was here, like nothing has been touched but yet everything has been touched. I'm sure that doesn't make sense.”

“No, that’s a very common feeling in these situations. Your feelings are totally normal.”

That wasn't what she was expecting to hear, but it was reassuring. She made her way into the bathroom and looked at the shower curtain. The plastic liner had been ripped off the last three hooks.

“That wasn't like that last time I was here.”

“You're sure?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“And who else has been in your apartment since you moved in. We want to be able to rule out fingerprints,” he said, taking notes.

“Just Conner McPhee and Cash Hawthorn.”

“Have they been over often?”

“Conner’s been here a couple times. Cash only once and very briefly.”

“And that's it?” He asked without looking up from his notebook.

"That's it."

“Okay, I am going to have a team of people come in and take fingerprints and find the camera. We know one was in your bedroom, but that is the only one you were messaged with, correct?”

She nodded.

“I think we are good to go here, Thank you for your time Ms. Maloof. I’m sorry you’re going through this, but hopefully we will catch him soon,” he said with a kind smile. “If you would head down to the station for further questioning.”

Once again, she just nodded and made it out to see Conner in an intense looking conversation with one of the officers outside of her apartment. When he spotted her coming out of the apartment, he gave her a small smile but turned back to the officer he was speaking with a small glare before turning back and making his way over to Sasha.

“How are you?” he asked, his eyes tight with concern.

“I’m okay,” she said again but this time she meant it just a little more. “What was that about?” she said, gesturing to the officers.

“Nothing to worry about,” he said as he opened her car door. “Are we going to the station?”

“Yeah,” she said with a sigh, and he pulled out of the parking lot.

34

Conner

Conner had been on edge ever since the meeting in the conference room. He hated that Sasha was going through this. The fact that she was so upset she was sick on the way home had all of his hero vibes kicking in full strength. The fact that the woman he was developing major feelings for was in this situation had him ready to march into battle, but there was absolutely nothing he could do. Being helpless wasn't a feeling Conner McPhee knew how to tolerate.

When the officer made the comment at the door, Conner kept himself in check, but it was a struggle. He was ready argue and go into her apartment with her. She said it would be okay, so begrudgingly he went back down to the parking lot.

Close to the door was a group of officers who were standing around joking with each other. They didn't think Conner was listening, but he heard every word.

When one of them said, “Did you check out her Instagram pics?” his ears perked up and his fist tightened.

“Yeah, I'd hide cameras in her room too,” one of them joked.

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