Page 39 of Cross & Crown

nodded for JD to continue talking as he wrote.

“I think . . . I felt like I wasn’t in the right place, you know?

Like I knew I wasn’t supposed to be there. I couldn’t get away

though.”

Nick made an asterisk and wrote out the possibility that

JD had been forced to accompany someone to the robbery.

He glanced up to find JD rocking faster. It was a habit he was

familiar with, and it usually signified it was time to switch

topics. “Okay. Tell you what, bud, why don’t you try to get

some rest tonight. Monday morning I’m hoping I’ll have

some pictures to show you; we’ll see if they jog anything else

loose.”

JD nodded.

“I’ve also got someone running down your prints, going

through missing persons reports. By morning, those results

should be back.”

JD tensed, glancing up to meet Nick’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“What if they come in and tell you I’m someone horrible?”

39

A pang of sympathy hit a little too close to home. It was

one thing to struggle with your humanity. It must have been

torturous to do so without the benefit of past actions or even

past thoughts to back up your conclusions.

“I can’t imagine it will,” he offered gently. He leaned

forward and patted JD on the knee. “Try to get some rest,

okay? I’m going to call Hagan back in and—”

“You can’t stay, can you?” JD blurted. When Nick raised

an eyebrow at him, he paled, looking shocked that he’d spoken

at al . “I mean . . . he’s nice and al , but you’re the only person I’ve felt comfortable with. I . . .”

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