Page 3 of Saved By the Lieutenant
“The car,” I breathe. “It was you? I woke up and heard a car approaching, was it you?”
He nods. “Yes,” he says harshly. “I should have run after the bastard, but I needed to check on you.”
“What happened when you got there?”
“I called for backup, sent a team to search for the perp, but he was long gone.” He shakes his head, his jaw clenched, and his lips pursed tightly. “I’m sorry, Mandy, I truly am.”
I wave him off, it’s not his fault, if he hadn't come along, I dread to think what would've happened. “I’m just glad that he didn't take any of the research I have.”
He nods, his expression unreadable. “I'm going to need that and then you're leaving town.”
I blink. “What?” I hiss.
“You’re leaving town. I have a place for you to go, somewhere secluded, someplace only I and one other know about. I need you safe, Mandy. I fucked up and you almost died.” He shoves a rough hand through his hair. “You’ve been a part of my life for almost a decade, Mandy, I shouldn’t have ignored your calls.”
He was a close friend of my brother, Adam. Adam, Peter, and Jake all met in the military and became friends. My heart pangsat the thought of Jake and Adam. Thinking about them brings so much heartache and pain. Peter has been a constant in my life, and I tend to only call him when I can help, not wanting to put him in an awkward situation as he's a detective.
“No, you shouldn’t have,” I say gently, unable to mask my hurt at him doing so. “But I’m alive because of you.”
“You’re beaten to shit, your face is battered and bruised, I dread to think what your body looks like.”
“I’m okay, but I'm not going into hiding. No way. It’s not happening.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and glares at me. “You are. I don’t care if I have to tie you up and throw you in my car, you’re going. I need you safe, Mandy. Not just because it’s what Adam would’ve wanted me to do, but you’re family. You have been since the moment I met Adam, and you welcomed me with open arms. You’re my sister and I need you safe. So please, I’m begging you, please can you go to the cabin. Let me figure out who’s killing these women.” The sincere fear and concern in his voice makes my heart clench.
I can’t deny him. He’s right, we’re family and if the tables were turned, I’d want the same.
“Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll go, but I can help with this case,” I tell him. “I will help.”
He gives me a relieved smile, no doubt thinking I’d have argued with him. “Like anyone could stop you.”
I take a steady breath. I know that Peter will do whatever he can to ensure that the killer is found and that the innocent victims find the justice they deserve.
2
JAKE
I waketo the buzzing of my cell. Years of being in the Army have attuned me to be awake and alert within seconds.
“Hello?” I answer, without checking the caller ID. Whoever the fuck’s calling at this time of the night isn't doing it to shoot the shit.
“Jake, it’s me, fuck, brother,” Peter says roughly, and I tense. “I need your help.”
It’s been months since I’ve heard from Peter. Hell, even longer than that. So, for him to call me now, something fucking bad must have happened. “What’s up? What do you need?”
“It’s Amanda,” he says and my gut clenches.
Amanda Bright, the only woman I’ve ever loved. Christ. It’s been two years since I last saw her. Two years since I walked away from our future and broke her heart. The woman is gorgeous, smart, and devours life. She’s perfect and I broke her.
“Is she okay?” I ask, my heart racing. I need him to tell me that she’s okay.
“About as good as she can be. Brother,” he says low. “I fucked up. Fuck, I seriously fucked up.”
“Tell me,” I say, through clenched teeth. “What happened?”
“Mandy’s last article didn't sit right with the department. She’s currently blacklisted from the department. The article she wrote was accurate and she didn't leave anything out, including the fuck ups that the police detectives involved in the case made. The department isn’t happy that she’s made a situation that was tense and fucking awful, worse.”
That's Amanda, she gives the readers everything. She’ll never leave anything out, it’s not who she is. She’s one of the best, if not the best crime journalist and she puts her all into every case she works on.
