Page 11 of Shadows of Before

He couldn’t believe she stood him up. But she didn’t, really. She was mad at him and told him not to come. Hmm. Striding back to the vehicle, he got in. The engine roared to life. He backed out.

And was walking into Al’s bar by 10:15. No sign of her in the front. He ambled to the back and there she was, in a corner. With another guy! Well, hell.

He stalked over. “Hey, honey, I’m sorry I’m late. I had to get the kids settled.”

“You got kids?” the guy asked.

“I—”

“Would you mind?” he said, gesturing to the chair. “Me and the little woman don’t get out much.”

Shaking his head, the guy stood. “Sorry, I didn’t know she was married.”

The man left and Will sat down. Stared at her. Her face was a mask of indifference when she looked up. “I told you no, Kirkland.”

“I realize that. But I want to know if it’snofor tonight, or forever?”

He could see the struggle on her face. She mumbled something. “What was that?”

“I said tonight.”

“How about tomorrow?”

“I’m on nights.”

“The next morning?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

He stood abruptly. Then leaned over and got in her face. “And don’t even think about sleeping with the guy who was here or any of these jerks. I don’t like to share.”

It wasn’t till he got outside that he realized she might do just that because he told her not to.

* * *

The next night, the minutes ticked by slowly on the big round clock behind the desk. Kate would rather be out on patrol than enduring this mind-numbing boredom. She was comparing two documents to see if they were exactly the same and the work was tedious.

Thinking about tomorrow morning, aren’t you?

No.

You want to see him.

Not necessarily.

Don’t lie to me. I’m you.

Oh, all right, she wanted to see him. But that was precisely why she shouldn’t. It was dangerous to want something or someone. There were too many pitfalls. It was better to be coldand unaffected. She could be cold, easily. But she’d forgotten she had vulnerabilities, deeply buried inside.

Grateful when the night shift ended, she got her stuff and walked out of the precinct. She tugged the tie from her hair and a warm June breeze ruffled it. She left it down.

When she reached her car, she thought about going to the lake, but she needed sleep. Maybe she’d go up there after…she opened her car door.

A big dead bird laid on the front seat.

* * *

Will pushed Katie’s doorbell. Would she be here this time? Why washehere? Because this was just sex. A way to pass the time until he heard the results of the Secret Service’s investigation. And to feel better physically. He was in a constant pitch of emotion these days, so different from his legendary cool.

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