Page 44 of Crossroads of Innocence
Jude swallowed hard. Her situation was scary enough when it started, but finding out how dangerous the people were who were after her made it even more terrifying—and seemingly impossible that she’d be the one who could stop such a powerful family. “Just tell me what you need to know.”
For the next thirty minutes, Detective Hocking shuffled through papers, photos and questions until Jude had unloaded every detail she could recall. Jude’s throat was dry, and her nerves stretched tighter with each passing second.
Wade stayed quiet, soaking in everything, then picked up a glossy photo. “So this is the nephew? The guy who killed the man in Mill Harbor?”
Detective Hocking nodded. “One and the same. Jude’s statement puts him at the crime scene. Her photos are evidence. I have officers searching for him now so we can bring him into the station.”
“What do you mean searching for him?” Jude asked, frowning.
“He’s been undetectable since all this went down. But I’m positive we’ll find him soon. We know all his usual haunts. It won’t be long before we catch him.”
“And what about Benji Blitz?” Wade asked.
“We haven’t found him yet,” Cruz cut in. “We have all patrol officers—local and state—on the lookout for him and the car he was in.”
Jude squirmed in the leather chair, and its wheels creaked with the motion. She glanced up and caught Wade’s eye, and even though their relationship was a bit strained at the moment, it was clear their minds were in the same spot. No matter where she was or how much information she gave the police, she wouldn’t be safe until Benji was found.
Detective Hocking rearranged her papers and replaced them in the manila file. “I plan to stay in town for a few more hours then head back home. There’s not much more I can do down here. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call. But until this is all over, I’d stay put. Sounds like you’ve landed in the best place to keep you safe with the best people for the job.”
Cruz’s phone rang, and he pulled it from his pocket. “This is Lincoln. I need to take it.”
Jude drummed her thumb along the table, lost in thought. She’d hoped the butterflies constantly swarming in her stomach would dissipate after speaking with the detective, but they’d only multiplied. Maybe she could take that tour of the retreat Brooke had offered and find something to keep her busy.
Wade stroked his fingers through the scruff along his jawline.
A flash of a memory crashed into her mind. Wade’s long, strong fingers taking her to heights of pleasure she’d never known, his soft lips and whispered words causing flames to erupt inside her. Last night had certainly erased her problems for a little while. Maybe…
No. Only more problems and a strain on their tenuous relationship came from last night’s activities. She’d have to figure out something else.
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Detective Hocking and I will meet you at the scene.” Cruz’s agitated voice snapped her back to the moment.
“What’s wrong? What scene?” Jude asked, bouncing her attention between Cruz and Detective Hocking.
Sighing Cruz squeezed the back of his neck. “Well, Benji Blitz was found. He’s dead.”
* * *
“This must bewhat limbo feels like,” Wade said, staring at the door after Cruz and the detective left. He struggled to absorb the bomb that had been thrown.
Jude’s skin had paled impossibly further, her blue eyes wide and filled with alarm. “Does that mean this is over?”
Wade shrugged, wishing he had an answer. “Cruz said he’d call us when he had more details. Benji’s car crash was probably an accident with all the injuries from last night. With him out of the picture, and once the nephew up north gets arrested, you’ll be in the clear.”
Sadness swept through him, followed quickly by guilt. Jude being safe was the only thing that mattered. This slap of despair was the last thing he should be feeling. Jude wasn’t his anymore, she wasn’t slipping through his fingers, she would just move on to the next phase of her life. With or without him.
Hell, she’d been gone for twelve years. So why did the idea of spending one day without her threaten to bring him to his knees?
Because he still loved her.
Swallowing past the realization, he made a decision. Now that the danger in Jude’s present was clearing up, he wanted to focus on her future—and the role he longed to play.
Jude blew out a shaky breath and rubbed her palms up and down the thighs of her jeans. “Every day I think there’s no way I’ll be more nervous than I was the day before. And every day I find out that’s not true. I swear I’m going to jump out of my skin.”
He hopped to his feet and wiggled his fingers in a come-here motion. “Let’s go.”
The V between her eyebrows deepened. “Where?”
“I want you to trust me right now. Can you do that?” He tried to keep the lines of his face passive so she couldn’t see how worried he was to hear her answer.
