Page 68 of Her Rugged Guardian

“So I keep hearing. I thought you didn’t have time to give a shit about anything but the case.”

He tossed the pen halfway across the desk. “You’re determined to fuck up your entire life, aren’t you?”

“To hell with you,” I snapped. “I’ll do my own investigation. I think I’ll have a chat with Malcolm and clear the air.”

Sighing, he yanked the bag off his desk again. “For the love of God, Jake, don’t do that. Don’t push every button with me. I’m one of the last friends you have in this town. You come on like a bulldozer, but you know what you’ve given me just doesn’t add up. I can’t just go arresting Malcolm because you don’t like him.”

We glared at each other and I huffed under my breath. We’d been this way since we were kids, sparring one minute, ready to beat the shit out of anyone who dared cross the other the next. However, the tension between us was unusual. He was obviously under a lot of stress because of the case.

“I will do what it takes to protect her, Bart. I owe Margaret that if nothing else.”

“Right. Fine, Jake. I’ll run the cigarette butt through the system. I shouldn’t tell you this.”

“What? Tell me.”

He eyed me warily, the strain on his face evident. “There were a couple different cigarette butts outside one of the victims’ motel rooms, but the girl smoked. What you found might mean nothing. You know that.”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“Where did you find Moose?”

“What does it matter?”

“Because,” Bart said as he leaned forward, “if your half-baked idea is true, maybe the perpetrator left some DNA evidence. I’ll send a deputy to check it out.”

“I thought you were short.”

“Yeah, I am, but I trust your judgment.”

We locked eyes and I wasn’t certain if he was yanking my chain. “The front side nearest the Dayne property. Maybe thirty feet.”

“That fucking swamp needs to be cleaned out or filled in.”

“Yeah, it does.”

He made a few more notes, lifting his gaze after doing so. “Don’t go off halfcocked about this shit. You’re right. That’s the last thing I need right now. I’ve got reporters already tipped off to the newscast that I can’t seem to put a lid on calling me every hour. Between that and the grief the mayor is giving me, I don’t need to be called to haul your ass off to jail.”

“Not a worry, buddy.” I jerked up, immediately heading to the door. I could see I’d need to provide my own level of protection for my Cinnamon Girl.

“I mean it, Jake. I don’t have time for your bullshit any longer.”

The moment I placed my hand on the doorknob of his office door, I shook my head. “You’re right. You have more important things to accomplish.”

“I’m fucking dead serious. Where the hell are you going?”

Today seemed to be the day of reckoning all the way around.

Including for myself.

“Don’t worry, Bart. I won’t create any additional dead bodies today. Oh, so you know, the reporters are waiting for you outside.”

“Fuck. Days like this I wish I was a goddamn hockey player instead.”

“Yeah, me too.”

I left without telling him where I was going. The day of changes continued. Cassandra’s advice, her words had lingered long into the night. Maybe it was time to let go of the past. In doing so, perhaps I’d have a chance at developing a future.

Or maybe I was kidding myself.

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