Page 291 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Then why are you holding my hand?”

“For the same reason I took you out Thursday night.”

“I haven’t had a serious relationship since senior year.”

He shook his head. “Why not?”

“I didn’t want to risk the heartbreak. I remember all too well how much it hurt to watch you walk out my door. How am I supposed to forget what happened?”

“Neither one of us will forget our past, but if you’ve truly forgiven me, we can move forward.”

“How?”

They reached the yard and unclipped the dog, who ran toward the sliding glass doors. Gavin let him in.

Wade wiped a stray hair away from Emily’s eyes, so he could see her clearly. “Give us a chance, Em. We were kids back then, but we’re not anymore.”

“Won’t that make the pain all the more unbearable if the relationship doesn’t work out?”

“What if it does?” His eyes searched hers. “Aren’t we worth the risk?”

She didn’t respond, so he stalked inside. They both needed to get ready for work.

Wade mulledover Emily’s silent response as he drove to the courthouse. If she believed he was worth the risk, she would’ve said so. So, in not answering his question, she’d shown him where he stood. He would be a fool to continue to pursue her. If God was in it, Emily would come around without any prodding from him, and if He wasn’t, Wade needed to let her go.

He parked and pushed open the car door. It was time to focus on the job. After he passed through screening at the courthouse, he made his way to Judge Dunn’s office.

The judge’s frazzled law clerk saw him coming and leaned back on his heels while clutching a handful of legal books to his chest. “Can I help you, officer?”

“It’s Sergeant.” Wade smiled. “I hope you can. Judge Dunn isn’t returning my calls, and I need to know who the security guard on duty was the night Judge Britton disappeared?”

“I believe he mentioned that it was the senator’s son. He’s in court now, but I’ll have him call you to confirm. I can’t think of his name off the top of my head. Different last name then his mother. He didn’t work here long.”

“Thank you. I’ll be seeing you.”

Upon receiving confirmation that Pete Cunningham was there that night, Wade headed to the park hoping to find him. When he arrived at the office, Austin was the only one around.

“What can I do for you, Sergeant Brunner?”

“Call me Wade.”

“Will do, Wade.”

“Is Pete Cunningham working today?”

Austin nodded. “He’ll be here in about an hour.”

“In that case, I have time for a lunch break.”

“Emily’s out at the picnic tables by the lake having her lunch if you want to join her.”

“Thanks, Austin. You’re not half bad now that I know you two aren’t an item.”

Austin laughed. “That girl is far too complicated for me. We tried dating once, but we’re better off friends.”

“Glad to hear it.” Wade grinned. There was no time to grab a hoagie if he was going to catch up with Emily. He found her right where Austin said she’d be. He waved at Gavin who was lounging against a tree nearby. Emily was drinking a bottle of water and staring out over the lake. She looked up as he approached. Was it his imagination or did her eyes light up?

“Hey. Have business at the park today?”

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