Page 39 of Heat of Justice

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The sun was rising when Cody came back to confirm that they were looking at murder in the first. This was not even remotely surprising to Kim.

“I don’t suppose you can share any of the details with me at this stage,” she prompted.

“No, I can’t.”

“You need to look at the husband again, Cody.”

“Listen, I’m not able to talk about this now. I’d like to drive you home if that’s okay.”

Kim knew what she was not saying.Until I am 100% sure, this topic is off the table.She pursed her lips with a quick flash of anger, soon tempered by the obvious realization that Cody was doing her job. And extremely well, to be said, judging from her response to her call for assistance earlier, the way she directed her team at the scene, and now her gentle but firm refusal to compromise the investigative process.

“Sorry,” she sighed. “You’re right.”

“I’m going to find who did this to her, Kim, I promise. Now please, can I drive you home?”

“My car’s here.”

“I’ll have an officer take it back for you. Please?”

Under regular circumstances, Kim would never allow this to happen. She could take care of herself. Didn’t need some cop, no matter how kind or attractive, to babysit her. Not even if she said please, in that respectful way Cody had about her, but now, Kim handed her keys to the uniform in question, managed a grateful smile, and followed Cody to her own vehicle without a backward glance. She wanted, needed, to go with her. Neither of them said a word until the bridge was no longer visible in the distance. Cody was the first to break the silence.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Tired. Empty.” It was bone-deep as well, the sort of fatigue Kim did not experience often. Catching the exit sign for Silver Beach coming up in the distance, she touched Cody’s arm. “Turn off here, please.”

“Okay.”

Cody did not ask why. She just took the turn and drove to the edge of the sandy beach. Kim got out, kicked her shoes off, and walked briskly across the open space.Breathe…Back at the bridge, a penetrating darkness had clung to her like a shroud. Death permeated the air, a sense of terror and dread. Here, now, facing east, she no longer felt that. The sand was already warm under her feet, and she squinted in the sunshine as she stepped toward the glittering ocean. She kept going when she reached the water, driven by an instinctive need for purification. It was cold, a lovely contrast. Going in up to her waist, Kim inhaled deeply, then allowed her knees to fold. She dropped below the surface. Eyes open wide in the silence, weightless, she watched the strong rays of light pierce through to the white sand onthe bottom.Cassie...She thought of her. Called to her from the heart. And watched another flash of sunlight ripple through like a burst of laughter. Kim clearly heard the woman’s voice inside her head.

‘Thank you for finding me! I can go now. I’ll be okay! Thank you! Thank you…’

Again, Cody was waiting when she returned, booted feet planted on the beach, hands on her hips, a serious and watchful expression on her handsome face.

“I needed to cleanse,” Kim explained.

“Okay. Are you aware that you’ve got tears running down your face?”

“Ah… No.” Kim wiped them off and smiled. “It’s just from release. I feel a lot better.”

“You look gorg—” Cody’s eyelids fluttered, and she shifted. Corrected. “I mean, you look much better now, yes.”

Kim stared intently into her eyes.

“Cody. I am not a murderer.”

“I do believe you, Kim.”

“Good.” Kim fixed her harder, urgently. “And I’m not crazy either, even though I’m going to do something a little crazy now. If you don’t mind...”

On these words, she stepped into her, laid one hand on each side of her face, and pressed her mouth firmly to her lips.

???

Demi spotted her as soon as Lia walked into her old office at the police station.

“Heyyyy!” She hurried to greet her, a beaming smile on her face. “Hello, stranger!”

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