Page 43 of Enveloped By the Darkness

“It’s just shock.” Shivering, I pulled the blanket she’d offered me tighter around my shoulders, my gaze traveling back to the gun on the counter. “I can’t believe I pulled a gun on you. I’m so sorry.”

“We’ve all been pulled a little out of shape tonight.” Smiling, she slid the cup toward me.

“It’s no excuse.” I’d always despised guns, refusing an invite to the firearm division for that exact reason. I’d been disorientated and angry when I’d come around from the sedative, but it didn’t justify my actions. After all, Noble was a victim. She hadn’t pushed the drug into me. “I feel awful.”

“Drink your tea, Detective.” She sighed, perching on the stool opposite me.

“Why are you being so nice?” I asked, wrapping my cold hands around the hot cup. I’d watched her check on Walker, covering him with a throw from the lounge before putting him to the recovering position. She clearly cared about him. “I don’t deserve it.”

“Because I know what it’s like to be sedated by Kade.” Her gaze darted to the kitchen door as though she expected to see him looming in it. Maybe she did.

“That’s how he got you back here.” It all made sense as it unfolded in my head. “You didn’t come back by choice.”

“No.” She sipped at her drink. “But I’ve stayed willingly every day since. I’m happy being with him. I know you don’t understand, and I get why, but I want you know that I am.”

“Does he treat you well now?”

Noble was a case of Stockholm Syndrome gone mad. I’d met captives who’d become obsessed with their captors, but she was off the charts crazy in love with the psycho who’d holed up in her house.

“Yes.” Her eyes lit up. “Yes, he does. We love each other, and I know we can be happy, Detective.”

“Then I guess I was wrong to worry about you.”

“I guess so.”

“But I don’t think I was wrong about the other stuff.”

“What other stuff?” She shifted on her seat before leaning closer.

“About him. I know he’s guilty of other crimes. I can’t tell you how, but I just do.”

“I know a detective’s experience can shape their ability to do their job. Perhaps your experience has sharpened your senses.”

What did that mean?

“That’s right,” I said, seizing on her apparent acquiescence. “That’s precisely what it’s done, and my senses say he’s done this before… or worse.”

“Worse?” She tilted her head as she asked, giving me the distinct impression that she was toying with me, that she knew more than she was letting on.

“Worse than kidnap,” I clarified. “Aggravated assault, maybe even murder.”

“Murder?” Her brow rose. “Why would you say that? Do you have a body?”

She had me there.

“No,” I admitted. “Nothing new, but inevitably there’s a wealth of cold cases that have his signature all over them.”

“Then, if I might say so, it sounds as though your time would have been better spent at the office, working those cases, Detective.”

Another good point. Shit.

“I had some leave due to me.” Wait, why was I justifying myself to her? Noble was a victim turned defender of the latest wacko who’d crossed my path. “So, I came down here for a few days.”

“And thought you’d check out Kade?” Her voice was wry.

“Exactly.” Lifting my cup, I took a sip, watching her from over the rim.

“And can I ask what you plan to do now?”

---