Page 54 of Down to One

INVESTIGATION REPORT - DAY 6 (IR 6)

7:20am - Investigator arrived at Subject’s residence. On previous investigation days, Subject departed residence for work at approximately 7:35am. (See IRs 1-5). Upon arrival, Subject’s vehicle was observed parked at the residence.

8:20am - There was no activity relevant to Subject observed at residence. Subject’s vehicle remained parked in assigned spot.

2:38pm - Subject was observed returning to residence as a passenger in a navy blue Jeep Rubicon, license plate number UY8-BSG which the driver parked next to Subject’s vehicle. Both the Subject and the driver were observed walking to the apartment. Driver was observed to be a white male, approximately six foot in height with dark hair. The light came on in the residence at approximately 2:40pm.

11:11pm - Light was extinguished in the residence. Investigator left the premises with no further activity expected from Subject.

chapter 23

Dawn rolled in like a dark tide and Katie was already awake to yank her alarm clock out of the wall when Caro and Jim came on. She fussed around the kitchen while Landon showered, a giant knot clenched up inside her. It only wrenched tighter when he emerged from the bathroom to pile his belongings near the front door.

Katie pulled the coffee tin from the cabinet and brought it down to the counter with a loud clang. She about jumped out of her skin. From the noise, and from Landon’s hands sliding across her belly from behind.

"Relax, baby, it’s just me," he said, his breath tickling the fine hairs on her neck.

Katie so badly wanted to do just that. To relax and sink back into him. To turn and kiss him. To drag him back to bed. But that was all too much for the clean break that needed to happen today. She twisted around and gave him a quick peck on the lips, but then maneuvered out of his hold under the guise of making the coffee.

Landon settled back against the countertop edge and folded his arms across his chest. "I’m going to miss you," he said.

She flashed him a brave smile. "Me too, are you ready for the game?"

"As ready as I’m going to be. But honestly, I’m already ready to be back here with you."

Katie’s heart kicked up a notch as she made busy examining the items in her pantry. "Yeah, ummm, let’s just see what happens, huh? Do you want me to make some eggs or toast or something? I don’t have much…"

"See what happens? What does that mean?"

"It just means, you know, ten days is a long time. Let’s just see what happens. I could probably do pancakes?"

"You’re saying you don’t want to see me anymore?"

Katie closed the cabinet, then scraped pretend coffee grounds off the counter to avoid looking at him, but she could feel his stare boring into her back. Her shoulders clenched together around a long sigh.

"No, Landon, I’m saying what I’ve always said: Ican’tsee you anymore. This thing between us has to stop. You know this. Especially after what happened yesterday."

Her heart had so much more to say, but it was too busy breaking into a million pieces.

"Baby, c’mon, you’re being silly. I’m not asking you to go as my date to the team charity banquet, I’m asking you to have dinner at my apartment. Maybe another breakfast."

If there was a more wrong response, Katie couldn’t think of one, starting with that favorite word of hers. She finally whirled to face him.

"I’m sorry my career and only source of income is sosillyto you, Landon. Oh, and don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of taking up your arm candy spot at the charity banquet."

"Are you crazy? I was being sarcastic. I’ll call Lori right now and tell her I’m taking you. You’re the one that’s all about this sneaking around bullshit."

He was right, but she dug her heels in, lashing out instead of admitting it. "That’s the problem, Landon, you think everything is silly and bullshit, but we’re talking about my life here. We need to just take this long break and keep it going when the team gets back."

Landon’s guffaw irked her in its egotism. "Are you serious? Are you really breaking up with me right now?"

"I can’t break up with you when we’re not even together."

"But we haven’t even discussed our options yet," he said.

"Yeah, well, believe me, I’ve thought about them all and I just don’t see how this can go on."

A shadow crossed over Landon’s face and he pushed off the counter to stand up straight. Katie’s hands tensed around the kitchen towel in her hand, but he didn’t step in her direction. His voice did finally go up a decibel though.

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