Page 109 of Gideon

She leaned her head onto his shoulder, then stiffened. Why was it so natural for her to respond to him like there was more between them than there was? They’d been through a lot, but she was making assumptions.

“Nikki?”

“Sorry, I’m tired. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“No, it’s—I don’t know how to say this, and maybe I shouldn’t while I’m tired, but it needs to be said.”

“Okay.”

“I like you. A lot. More than I wanted to or should. Fairfax saw it even if we tried to ignore it. But I have to go.”

“I know. You never meant to stay long. I never expected you to.”

“But you hoped?”

“I’ve hoped for a lot of things over the years. There is a lot that’s happened over the past few weeks that has fulfilled those hopes. I’m grateful for that.”

“I’ve got unfinished business that I always intended to return to.”

“You don’t have to explain.”

“I do. You deserve an explanation.”

“Gideon. I don’t want you to go, but you never made any promises to me.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but all that came out was a sigh. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’m trying to be obedient to God. Wherever He calls me and no matter what it costs.”

“I know.” She nodded. “And that’s exactly what you’ve been doing. It’s what I want for you the most. It’s what I want for both of us.”

He turned to her and took her hands. “I’ll really miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

He pulled her toward him and kissed her lightly on the cheek. It wasn’t enough, but it was all they could afford to give each other.

The elevator nearby dinged, then opened, and three men stepped off. Two wore police uniforms, and the other must have been a detective.

“Gideon Stone?” the one in plain clothes said.

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“I’m Detective Parker. I know you’ve had a long night, but it’s important we get as many details down as we can.”

“I understand. Nikki can help with the information you need as well, and there are others you’ll want to speak to.” Gideon handed him the piece of paper that Fairfax had written on. “Andrew Fairfax wrote this before he…shot himself.” The detective got an evidence bag and put it inside. “And you’ll want this, I imagine?” Gideon held out his phone.

“That has the recording you mentioned?”

“Yeah.”

Another evidence bag.

“If you come with me, we’ve organized a room to use.”

Gideon went with the detective while Nikki spokewith the officers to give them all the names and details she could for their investigation.

When Gideon turned the corner, it felt like it would be the last time they’d see each other.

Chapter 28

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