Page 26 of Shadows of Before

“You demoted her.”

His eyes widened and she realized her cockiness. But he said, “Fair enough.” He was about to leave when he saw the list in front of her. “What’s that?”

Tired of concealing everything, she said, “Kirkland is missing. I was thinking about where he could have gone.”

“Missing or not wanting to see you.”

“Hah. He’d want to see me.”

The chief frowned. “Did you call Rodriguez?”

“Yes. He hasn’t seen Will either.”

“Does he have any other friends? Women friends?”

“I don’t know that he does. But we can’t rule that out.”

Chief Thomas’ face softened. “Why don’t you run a check on his credit cards. See if they’ve been used. If not, we’ll worry.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” Katie got to work in the government database. It didn’t take her long. “Hey Smith,” she said to the officer who came into the reception area. “Could you watch the desk for me for a few minutes?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

She went to the chief’s office. His door was open.

From the doorway, she said, “His card was used at the Lyle Avenue Motel.”

“On the outside of town. Sorry to tell you Donovan, but this looks like he may have a girl. Other than you.”

“I guess he can be with whoever he wants.”

She went back to the desk and finished her shift on automatic pilot. Afterward, she went to the locker room and changed into jeans, a shirt and sneakers and left the precinct. She drove directly to the Lyle Avenue Motel. His car stood out in the lot. And there was one next to his, which probably meant he did havea girl,as Thomas had said. She stood staring at the place.

Something niggled at her. She remembered when Will found her flirting with some guy at Al’s after that first time with him.And don’t even think about sleeping with the guy who was here or any of these jerks. I don’t like to share.Later, he promised the same.

Damn it, she wasn’t going to second guess herself now.

Exiting the car, she yanked the tie out of her hair, and ran her fingers though it as she walked up to the door. She knocked.

Nothing.

She knocked again. And again. She took out her phone and dialed his. She heard it ring inside. Let it ring. He didn’t answer. She knocked hard. Harder. She was thinking about kicking in the door when it opened.

Will stood before her. Dressed only in shorts and a T-shirt, he reeked of booze. “Hell, Will.”

His sleepy eyes raked her lasciviously. “Ready for just sex, baby?”

“Not when you’re like this.” She pushed passed him and he slammed the door shut. She saw a couple of empty bottles.

“You’re drunk and a mess. Go take a shower.”

“I don’t want to…”

“Shut up.” She literally dragged him to the bathroom. He had trouble with his shirt, so she ripped it off him. Unbuckled his belt and pushed his jeans down. “Get in.”

He saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

She turned the water on.

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