Page 6 of I Want You
No case file had magically appeared on my desk while we were out. I sorted and organized the documents that had become collateral damage in my quest to find the Karrigan file, straightening my desk and keeping my space tidy. The single department stapler was on Matt’s desk. When I reached for it, the corner of a manilla folder caught my eye. I shifted the papers that were atop it away.
The Karrigan case file was sitting right there.
2
Scarlett
After three days of watching Luke grumble, groan, and stomp around, I was finally seeing him smile again. Well, not smile exactly, but the sparkle in his eye told me he was happy, at least for the moment.
Ryan Redmond, accused murderer of Alana Karrigan, was arrested and being held in the district’s county jail.
All of the officers were huddled around his desk, although I wasn’t one to talk. I was standing around him too, basking in his glory right along with everyone else.
“The case is a slam dunk. We have literally every piece of evidence on this kid. There is no way he is walking away from this,” Luke told his sea of admirers.
Okay, that may have been a little dramatic. But I was certainly an admirer of his. Not just because of this case, although it helped to know that he was instrumental in keeping our community safe, protecting us from dangers. I had been an admirer of Luke Wilder’s for far longer than this case. Far too long, in fact.
“Back to work, everyone. Neves, you’re supposed to be outon patrol. Get out there,” Captain Langston said, breaking up the party around Luke’s desk. “Great work, Wilder. This is a big deal. You and Monroe kicked ass. Now, let’s make sure those charges stick.” The captain’s beefy hand clamped down on Luke’s shoulder before he turned and walked away.
The station was quiet now that everyone had gone back to work or left for their shift. I shifted the headset I wore so it sat behind my ear and returned to my desk. I had three screens in front of me for our call system and dispatching software, but everything had been quiet today, except for the obvious excitement over Ryan’s arrest.
My cell lit up with a message notification from the dating app I was on. Eddie Paisley and I had been talking for over a week through the app’s messaging system, and we had finally made plans to meet in person. I swiped to read the message.
PatsFan55: I can’t wait to see you later. Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up? I don’t mind.
We hadn’t even exchanged our actual phone numbers yet. I certainly wasn’t about to tell this guy where I lived. Calla Bay was quiet and safe, and maybe it was the years of service in my role at the police department, but even in this town, it wasn’t worth the risk. Not after what happened to Alana.
RedsMyFavoriteColor: Yeah. I’m sure. I’m excited to meet you in person finally :)
“What you got there, Letty?” Luke leaned his back against the front of my desk, his eyes on my phone. “Is that a dating app?”
“Yeah. I’m talking to this guy, Eddie,” I said.
“You didn’t tell me you were on a dating app,” Luke huffed.
I shrugged. “I figured I would give the whole dating app thing a try since nothing else seems to have worked.”
“Who is this guy? What do we know about him?”
Laughter crept up my throat. “His name is Eddie Paisley…”
“Or so he says.”
“He’s twenty-nine…”
“Or so he says.”
My foot connected with Luke’s ankle, but it didn’t stop me from chuckling. “Stop that. I’m not running a background check on the guy. He’s a mortgage broker from Braintree.”
“Have you met him?”
“Not yet. We’re meeting tonight. He’s coming down here and taking me to Benson’s Steak House for our first date.”
Luke’s lip curled. “Is he picking you up?”
“No. I told him I would meet him there. I didn’t want to give him my address until I met him.”
“Good girl. He’s probably a fucking creep. What’s his handle?” Luke jutted his chin to my phone, his head trying to sneak a peek at my messages. I rolled my eyes and handed him my phone.
