Page 22 of Dark Terror
Gabe held up a plastic bag. “Already done.”
“I’m ready then.”
He took her overnight bag from her. “You get the dog.”
* * *
“Does Doni live here?” she asked when Gabe pulled up in front of a town house. He’d been quiet on the drive here, constantly looking in his rearview mirror. She also thought he’d taken a few detours. Since he’d seemed disinclined to talk, she’d stayed silent, lost in her own thoughts.
“No, I do.”
She glanced at him in surprise. “Oh.”
Even though she’d packed herjust-in-casesexy underwear, she hadn’t thought he’d bring her to his home. When he’d told her she wouldn’t be staying in a hotel alone, she had assumed… Well, exactly what, she wasn’t sure. That he might be staying in the room next to hers or maybe a female cop would be assigned to her.
They gathered up her overnight bag, Cricket, and his doggy supplies. As soon as they walked in the door, Gabe flipped on a light switch, dropped her overnight bag on the floor, then went to an alarm pad and punched in some numbers. While he was doing that, she glanced around, more than curious about his home. It was not at all what she would have expected.
His living room was like something right out of a decorating magazine. Cozy and warm were the first words that came to mind. A wheat-colored sofa that looked like she could nestle into it with a good book while a fire roared in the fireplace was centered in the room. Right-angled to the sofa was a love seat in the same linen material. Accent colors in shades of oranges and browns were in the throw pillows, in the rug partially covering dark wood floors, in the drapes, the decorative objects scattered around, and the large floor globe in front of one window. What sealed the deal was the bookcase that took up the entire wall behind the sofa, filled with books.
“I want this room,” she said.
He smiled as his gaze scanned the room. “I’m kind of partial to it, so I think I’ll keep it.”
“Can’t say I blame you. You have good taste.”
“Before you get too impressed, you should know it was my dad. He’s the creative one in the family.”
“Doni said he’s a chef. That’s pretty cool.”
“It is. Speaking of food, are you hungry?”
“I had dinner, thanks. Is it okay to put Cricket down?” The little dog was squirming in her arms, wanting to explore this new place.
“Sure. Let me show you the guest room.” He picked up her overnight bag. “I have some work to do, but you’re welcome to watch TV or whatever you want to do.”
“I’ll probably crash. It’s been a long day.” And an upsetting one. She followed Gabe down a hallway, peeking in an open doorway as they passed it. Cricket ran into the room, and she went in and scooped him up. It was obviously Gabe’s office, and along with a beautiful mahogany desk, there was another wall-to-wall bookcase filled with books. She longed to explore the titles but only took a quick glance. Whereas the books in the living room appeared to be novels, many of the ones here looked like law books.
“Are you studying law?” she asked when she caught up with him. “You must be, considering all the law books in your office.”
“I have my law degree. Even passed the bar.” He gestured for her to enter the room ahead of him. “There’s an attached bathroom. If you need anything, let me know.”
He was a lawyer? “Why aren’t you practicing law?” Oops, she hadn’t meant to blurt that question out, but as a lawyer he’d be safe from abusive husbands who shot and killed cops.
“I was for eleven months. Corporate law.” He glanced over his shoulder at her. “But I was bored out of my mind. On a particularly mind-numbing day I remembered that when I was nine I thought it would be awesome cool to be a cop and get to wear a gun.” He pivoted, held out his hands, and grinned at her. “I decided to fulfill my nine-year-old little boy fantasy.”
“Just like that?”
“Yep, just like that, and I’ve not once regretted it.” He winked at her. “Make yourself at home.” And then he was gone. How could a little wink make her heart stutter? She wasn’t so naive that she didn’t recognize the signs of interest coming from him. But he wasn’t any happier about that than she was, whatever his reasons. So be it. Their focus should be on finding Sheri Carstad’s killer, not on her fascination with Detective Gabe Caulder.
“I’m going to help him find who took your mommy away from you,” she told Cricket. The little guy opened an eye when she rubbed one of his ears between her fingers, then he went back to sleep.
Now that she had her priorities straight and had her attraction to the cop in its proper place, she left Cricket zonked out on the bed—belly up with all four paws in the air—and went looking for Gabe.
* * *
Gabe was glad Cara had wanted to crash. His fury at seeing the photo of a man in her shrubbery was still simmering, and he’d needed to get away from her before he did something stupid. Like kiss the worry and fear in her eyes away. After that, he’d handcuff her to his side so she was never out of his sight, where she’d be safe.
He leaned back in his desk chair, pulled off his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose. What was it about this one that had his brain tied in knots? If he could figure that out, he could find a way to fight the attraction. She was pretty, but he’d dated prettier women. She was nice, caring, and interesting. He’d known women who were all those things. She had a great figure, but so did others.
