Page 276 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“I know. And I never should’ve left you.” He reached for her, but she walked away and grabbed a tissue from the box on the coffee table.

“We can’t change the past.” She sighed. “Why does your friend feel like he owes you?”

“Because I saved his life, but that’s a story for another time. It’s what happens in war. You have each other’s backs.”

“Now I feel like I owe you. You used up your IOU on me,” she said.

“Don’t you worry.” He grinned. “I intend to collect it from you one of these days.” Maybe when she and Austin broke up. It wasn’t a kind thought, but he couldn’t picture her and Austin together forever. They hardly even acknowledged each other when he was around. He’d wait until she was single and use his IOU to convince her to go on a date with him.

CHAPTER NINE

Emily was writing a teenager a warning for speeding through the park when a news van passed by. There was no question in her mind where they were going. Boulder Field. She finished her task and hopped into her SUV hoping to stop them before they disturbed anything. In her limited experience, reporters didn’t show enough respect for law-enforcement boundaries.

Part of her wondered if the media knew anything Wade hadn’t shared with her. It had been over a week since he’d had his friend install the alarm system at her house, and she hadn’t heard from him. An update would’ve been nice. If she were being honest, her reasons for wanting to hear from Wade had little to do with the case and a great deal to do with the way his voice turned her insides to jelly.

She leaned against her SUV and watched as the news crew set up their equipment. The reporter fluffed her hair and touched up her lipstick.

The prerecorded segment didn’t take long, and when the reporter wrapped up, she noticed Emily and approached with her entourage following behind at a respectful distance. “Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?”

“I guess not.”

“Great.” The reporter turned to face her cameraman. “Billy, start recording again.”

“This is Candi Callahan with NewsAlert 10. I’m here with…” She held the microphone out to Emily.

“Emily Davis.”

“Ranger Davis, you were the one who found the first body. Is that right?”

“I merely found the skull; the state police and their crime-scene investigators uncovered the rest of her remains.”

“What are your thoughts about the person who committed such heinous acts against these women?”

“He must be one sick, twisted individual, and I know the state police won’t rest until he is brought to justice.”

“Do you know for certain it’s a man butchering these women?”

“No, but statistically speaking most serial killers are men.”

“There is a rumor going around you’re involved with another park ranger who works with you. Is there any truth to that?”

“No. There isn’t.” She choked out a tight laugh. “Not that my love life has anything to do with the case.”

“You heard it here first. Ranger Emily Davis vows that law-enforcement will find justice for the victims of the Butcher of Boulder Field.”

As the manperused his Facebook timeline, he noticed a news story titled Butcher of Boulder Field. Clicking on it he watched as Emily Davis vowed to bring him to justice.

Torn between irritation and amusement, he watched the video again. If she wanted to play games, he’d be more than happy to oblige. Game on.

Wade was standing nearbywhen Emily pulled up at the country club. A valet opened her door and took her keys. Wade sauntered over to greet her.

She searched his eyes for any hint he’d seen the viral video from the local news station, but his expression gave nothing away.

“Hi.” His gaze ran up and down her length taking in the pink satin gown she wore. Self-consciously, she adjusted one of the rose quartz earrings dangling from her earlobes. Wade offered her his elbow, and she tucked her hand into it allowing him to escort her inside. His spicy male scent made her want to lean closer, but she controlled herself.

“Thanks for waiting for me.”

“Of course.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t know many people, so I thought you might not mind my company.”

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