Page 96 of Her Braun
The instant she said the words she knew she'd been wrong to say them.
She felt Gibson go still behind her.
The look on Jacob's face and Walker's told her that she hadn't gotten completely off the hook, but at least Gibson had remained quiet.
"So, shall we head over to the station?" Kay was trying to sound more upbeat than she felt.
Jacob looked at Walker and Detective Ashley nodded back.
Jacob smiled at her. "We can talk at your place if that's okay with you. It's closer to here than the station and if we talk to you at home you can go to sleep after we finish instead of having to drive home first."
"Thank you." She smiled at the detectives. "Both of you."
SEVENTEEN
Kay spentthe rest of Gibson's shift at the Campanelli's house. Gloria sat up with her until she fell asleep and the next morning, Gibson drove to their house, meeting Chief at the door and received a hearty clap on his shoulder by his boss.
Gibson looked through the open door before he met his boss' eyes. "How is she?"
Chief Campanelli gave him a smile. "A little restless. Gloria gave her some chamomile tea before she went to bed last night, but you know these old houses, you can hear people moving around."
Gibson nodded. He'd done his share of renovations on older homes, including a Victorian that he'd bought and renovated into apartments. There was also Kay's house. The whole structure was sound, but he could hear Kay moving around at night and she was slim, hardly somebody who would make floorboards creak or groan.
"She's in the kitchen with Gloria and they're both smiling, but I'm sure she'll be much better when she sees you, Braun."
Gibson lifted a hand to his chest and pressed the heel of his palm against his heart. "I will be, too."
The chief didn't miss the physical gesture, but instead of joking about it, he nodded, smiling. "I'm happy for you, Braun." He gestured back into the house. "Not about what happened yesterday, but... it's good to see you happy. And almost settled."
Gibson smiled back at his chief. "Very settled as far as I'm concerned."
The chief tilted his head in toward the house. "Go see Kay and if you need to call into next shift, just let me know."
"I'll let you know, Chief."
Chief Campanelli jogged down the steps of his house and climbed into his command vehicle.
Gibson cleaned the bottom of his boots off on the doormat and saw Kay's shoes just inside the door.
He stepped in and heard Gloria calling out.
"Aldo Campanelli. Don't you tell me that you're standing in that open door letting all the warm air out!"
Gibson closed the door just as she appeared in front of him. "Sorry. I walked up as the Chief was heading out."
Gloria's expression was a mix of exasperation and welcome. "Come on in!"
She leaned back. "Kay! Your honey is here!"
"Oh! Gibson's here?"
He smiled as he heard Kay walking toward the foyer. She appeared just moments later and the look on her face made him feel... invincible.
And humbled at the same moment.
Kay's steps slowed, but the look on her face brightened the whole room. "Gibson."
He couldn't hold back then.
