“I promise. Okay, better get to work.” Evan gave her a quick wink and his shy smile, then straightened up and became serious again.
Mckenna watched him walk to his office while Mocha leaned against her leg and gave a little whine. She scratched his ears and whispered, “You like him too, boy, don’t you?”
She’d just booted up her computer and was organizing her day when someone strode in, and her door clicked shut. Cassidy stood glaring at Mckenna, hands on her hips.
“Why didn’t you call?” she demanded. “Oh, wait, I think I know why.”
Mckenna sighed and rubbed her forehead. This was not what she needed right now. It was time to see about a job opening somewhere other than Colorado or in a field office on the other side of the state. “Well? Why?”
Cassidy grabbed a chair, put her elbows on the desk and leaned toward Mckenna. “You spent the night with him, didn’t you?”
The blunt truth seemed the best. “Yes.”
“I heard that someone broke into your house and threatened you.”
“Yes,” Mckenna said.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Cassidy sat back and crossed her arms with a hurt expression.
Mckenna instantly felt bad. Cassidy wasn’t that upset about her staying with Evan, it was more the hurt of her little sister no longer asking for her or needing Cassidy’s help. It had to be hard to be an older sibling and feel protective. Growing up, they were close, and Cassidy often took the blame when her mischievous little sister got into trouble. Mckenna suspected their mother knew the truth. But once she was kidnapped, everything changed. Mckenna realized now that maybe Cassidy blamed herself for what happened.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you,” Mckenna said. “I know you’re working hard on the serial bomber case and it’s not going well. How’s Cooper doing?”
“Yeah, that’s one way to put it when it comes to this case. But Cooper is doing well. He’s been great at locating odors. Muchbetter than that mutt,” Cassidy said with an affectionate glance toward Mocha. Mocha opened an eye, gave a squeaky yawn and then went back to sleep.
“Look, Cass, I appreciate your love and how much you want to be there for me and to help me overcome my own fears, but at some point, I have to live my life. Working this kidnapping case has brought back so many memories and emotions. It’s been tough. There’s a good side to Evan. He’s been there for me. Helped me. Listened to me. He’s a good guy and he was there for me last night.”
“I’m sure he was probably there for you in more ways than one,” Cassidy said with her arms still crossed. Her fingers dug into her upper arm, leaving white marks.
Mckenna’s face flushed. “Yes, in more ways than one. I’ve always been honest with you. You’re my sister and I’ll be honest now. I like Evan. A lot. I know you’re worried about him, but this is my deal. If he breaks my heart, then he does, but I want to take this chance. I think he does too. You can’t always be there to protect me. You have your own life to live too.”
“Okay, but I’m hearing rumors that Agent Knox, sorry, Evan, is investigating the possibility that your kidnapping is connected to this recent one. You really believe that’s true?”
Mckenna stayed quiet. Her sister had never believed her when she said she thought the wrong person was in prison, but considering the recent kidnappings happened when Toby got out, that could mean the right person was in prison all these years. “I do believe they’re connected. Lily’s story was almost exactly like mine.”
“Then I’ll help find Toby Hanson and haul his ass back to prison.”
“That’s the thing, Cass. I’m not sure it was him.”
“Then who?”
Mckenna thought about the Jeep following her. She suspected Evan knew who it was. Something else he was keeping from her? Was she desperate to have someone love her for herself and was overlooking things like the fact Evan hadn’t been exactly forthcoming? “I don’t know.”
Uncrossing her arms, Cassidy reached out and took Mckenna’s hand. “I’m sorry. I wish I’d gone with you to that party. I wish I hadn’t covered for you when you snuck out of the house. I wish I could change the past.”
“Don’t we all?” Mckenna said. She saw Evan leaving his office in a hurry and wondered what was up. His face appeared strained, and he was typing something on his phone. Her cell phone pinged, and she saw the message that came through.
Promise me you’ll stay in the office today. Don’t go anywhere without me or Cassidy.
Why? Mckenna texted back.
A precaution, that’s all. Just playing it safe.
“I can’t go back in time and change all my wishes, but I can tell you that while Evan will probably do a great job solving this case and keeping you safe, which I appreciate, he’s also not telling you everything. And if he does that, what else is he keeping from you?” Cassidy asked.
Mckenna wanted to fire back a strong response, but Cassidy did have a point.
“I’ll see if I can find out what’s going on,” Cassidy said.