Page 16 of Wicked Sin

I learned to stash cash, just in case.

And lo and behold, now just in case has happened…

Pulse thumping, I grab my passport.

Just in case.

7

Luke

Taylor emergesfrom her closet different than when she went in. On guard.

In her hand is a roll of money and her passport. She doesn’t try to hide it from me, which is good.

“This is the last of what I need,” she says quietly.

I nod. “All right. Let’s go. We need to go to the station next.”

The wariness spikes. “Why?”

“Because that’s where I solve crimes.”

“If this is all an elaborate ruse to get me to confess to some crime, it’s not going to work.”

I ignore her jab. “My captain is working on getting you a safe house, but until then, you can rack out on the couch in our break room.”

“The chances of me falling asleep in a police station are slim to none.”

I know this isn’t a great plan, that it’s been a long fucking day for her, but I need to get on my computer. “I get that. I’m sorry about everything you’ve been through today, Ms. Reid. I truly am. But the sooner we figure out what the hell is going on and who might want to hurt you, the sooner you can get back to your life here.”

Her face crumples. “I guess I can’t go to work, either?”

I shake my head. “Afraid not.”

“I need to call my boss.”

“You can do that from the station.”

She scowls. “You’re serious about the no electronics thing, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

With a sigh, she closes up her suitcase and carries it into the living room. She looks at her purse, dumps it out, and sighs again. Then she picks up her wallet from the pile. A lip-gloss. And nothing else. “I’m good to go.”

Captain Woods meetsus by the elevators, accompanied by someone from Victim Services and warmly introduces them both to Taylor.

“Ms. Reid, I’m the commanding officer here, and I’d like to thank you for your patience. You’ve been through a lot today. Yumi here is going to sit with you while Detective Vasquez has a meeting with his team and writes his report. Then we’ll get you off to a safe house for the night.”

Taylor nods. Understanding, calm—at least on the outside. She doesn’t give me a second glance as they head down the hall.

I watch her until she’s out of sight.

“Everything okay, Detective?” the Captain asks.

I turn my attention to her, fully. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Was she cooperative?”

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