Page 93 of Mistletoe and Malice
“Then I guess goodbye is all that’s left.”
He stood there and stared at her. His jaw flexed, his eyes traced her face. Would he change his mind? Jump in and trust God to grow them together?
She held her breath. But he shook his head and turned away.
“Goodbye, Riley.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Colton picked up his guest badge at the HPD Central Patrol Division and stood to the side instead of taking a seat, waiting for his escort to the Detectives Unit.
He hid a yawn behind his hand. Sleeping in his own bed under his own roof last night for the first time in months hadn’t gone as expected. Every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was the devastation on Riley’s face yesterday morning.
When he left her.
Shaking off the memory and self-recrimination, he stepped up as John Stapleton emerged from the restricted hall into the lobby.
He offered his hand. “John. Thanks for seeing me on such short notice.”
The detective accepted his handshake with narrowed eyes. “Blankenship. Something I can do for you?”
“I’m hoping it’s more what we can do together. Two heads and all that.”
John crossed his arms. “Go on.”
“Say hello to your new partner.”
One eyebrow rose. “You got a badge over the weekend I’m not aware of?”
“Look.” Colton sighed and splayed his hands on his hips. “I may no longer be on Riley’s detail, but I’m not walking away from this. Petersen Security works alongside law enforcement all the time. I could get my boss to call your boss and blah, blah, blah, but you and I have already established a good working relationship. Let’s put our heads together and solve this thing. For Riley.”
“Riley. Speaking of?—”
“Don’t start. I’ve already had a barrage of texts from the girls. Including your beloved.” His fault for letting Riley give them his number a few weeks ago in case they needed him or had information for him. “Let’s just say I made a decision that was best for Riley.”
“Best for Riley. To leave her detail.”
“Trust me. Nowell’s a top-notch lead man. He’ll do right by her.”
“Better than you, I hope.”
A gut punch would’ve been preferred. He’d recover more quickly. It wasn’t news to him he’d let Riley down. That he said things, did things, had her believing things, he couldn’t follow through on.
“I deserve that. Nobody knows better than I how I blew it.”
With a sigh, John stuck his hands in his pockets. “That was out of line. I apologize. Your reasons are your reasons, and I trust they were truly in her best interest.”
Colton answered with a nod. “Now, do you think we can work together to get this thing done?”
“You think I haven’t been trying?”
“I have no doubt. There’s simply not a lot to go on so far. But, like I said, maybe two heads can bring this thing into the light.”
John stared at him, then, apparently giving in, gestured for Colton to follow him. Without a word, they took the stairs to the third floor and entered a large room where a dozen or more officers sat at their desks, either on the phone, staring at their laptop screens, or studying case files. Ringing phones punctuated the steady hum of conversation, and the aroma of strong black coffee wafted from a counter sitting inside the door.
John motioned to the pots lining the wall. “Help yourself.”
“Think I will. Thanks.” Colton poured himself a cup of the steaming brew, then joined John at his desk, planting himself in the chair next to it.
