Page 22 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

“Look, I don’t know how much help I’m gonna be. Maybe I should leave?” I rub my hands on my bare thighs. Claude found some women’s clothes stashed in a box in the office downstairs. I didn’t ask him how they got there or why he had them. Some questions are best left unanswered.

Detective Richards’s gaze skims over the ripped neon-yellow T-shirt and acid-washed jean shorts. His countenance darkens, and a frown replaces the smirk. He exhales sharply and leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

“Even if you can’t point out the murderer in a lineup, I can’t let you go.” He shakes his head. “Not until we nail this bastard.”

“How long is that going to take?”

“I don’t know.” He sets the glass aside. “Depends on if we get any leads.”

“So you’re just going to lock me in your apartment indefinitely?” I fold my arms across my chest and slump. “How generous.”

“Would you rather go back to your life and let the murderer find you? Finish what he started?”

Gooseflesh prickles along my arms. “What do you mean?”

“He knows what you look like, sweetheart.”

His attention fixes on me, and I shift uncomfortably.

“He could be anyone in this city. Your neighbor. The guy who takes the seat next to you on the subway. A random person you pass on the street during rush hour.”

“Shit.” I bite the edge of my nail.

“Even if you didn’t see well enough to make a positive ID, I can’t take the chance.”

Can’t take the chance?What the hell does that mean? Before I can respond, he cuts through the fog of my thoughts.

“I won’t force you to stay here, but I can’t let you go without protection.”

“Protection?”

“Yeah. I can get you into a safe house with a rotation of guards assigned to you.”

The thought of someone following me around, watching my every move, leaves me unsettled. I shake my head and curl my lip in disgust. “No.”

“Then you stay here with me.”

Gritting my teeth, I consider the alternative. I go back to business as usual and risk running into the murderer. Worse, I could lead him to my roommates and put them in danger.

No. I can’t do that. I’ll have to take my chances here with the detective if I want to outrun this bastard.

“Fine. But I have a few stipulations.”

“I’m listening.” He plucks his glass from the table and downs the remaining liquid.

“I’ll need clothes and toiletries.”

“Easy enough.”

“We’ll need groceries.” I glance around the room, noting the dust gathering in corners. “And cleaning supplies.”

“I’ll make it happen.” He cocks his head. “Anything else?”

“Yeah.” I pin him with a firm look. “I get the bedroom.”

He scoffs. “You expect me to spend nights on the sofa?”

“You’d make your guest sleep on the sofa?” I feign horror and press my hand to my chest.

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