Page 16 of Rescued Faith

“It is. I’m here to see Penny, actually.”

“Of course. Why don’t I run and get some coffee going. After that, I need to run to work, if you two are okay.”

“Do what you need to do, Lib. I can take care of myself.” Penny waved her on.

Her sister nodded and then walked inside the front door.

Jude took the weekend bag out of Penny’s hands and carried it for her.

“Always the gentleman, Book.”

“Looks like you had a rough night.”

“I’ve been through worse.” She led Jude to the living room. Sounds of cabinets opening and closing and the clink of dishes came from the kitchen. “So, what’s up?”

“Denver office looped me in after I called them this morning. Emma Kemper?”

“Yeah, so much for this being a ‘follow-and-report-in case.’ And I’m glad you’re here. I was hoping I could pass off what I’ve got so far and you could take over.” She sent him a bright smile.

Jude just looked at her for a moment. “You’re done?”

“If Emma was going to keep heading west, I’d follow, but knowing whatever she has going on is right here in Last Chance, I don’t want to intrude.”

“Penny, I’m swamped. You wouldn’t be intruding. In fact, I have to leave for work for a couple days. I won’t be here, so I couldn’t take the case on my own even if I wanted to.”

“Maybe Denver could send someone else to help you.”

“Who? They’re up to their eyeballs in caseloads too. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”

She grew warm under his stare.

Why? Because the one person that was so good at blurring the lines between her professional life and personal life washere. Because she needed to be free, not tied down. Bryce was her kryptonite.

“Look, Jude, I have other cases too. I’m?—”

“Scared.”

“What? No. That’s not it. I’m busy. I have things to do.”

“I never pegged you for coward, Mitchell.” Jude smirked. He was totally egging her on.

“I’m not. I’mbusy.”

Oooh. That did sound a little defensive.

“You take your job seriously. That’s why I brought you in on the Sosa case. So what’s going on now that’s changed that? I’ve never seen you leave something undone like this.”

She didn’t have a reply.

“The governor’s office created a task force this morning to get to the bottom of a series of explosions that have happened in the last month. And then last night’s fire, we almost lost you and another firefighter. We have no witnesses. No leads. Except you. You’ve researched Emma and have more information on this case than anyone else. You can help us ID some of the players. You should stay and finish it. I have to leave for Denver tonight. I was hoping you’d take my place on the task force.”

What was she supposed to say to that? She wasn’t the kind of person who could dump a burden on someone else. Jude knew that.

But she wasn’t going to cave so easily.

“I’ll think about it. I have other work as well.” She sat down. “But maybe I can help for a day or two. That’s all I can commit to.”

“I’ll take all the help I can get.”

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