Page 6 of Saved By the Lieutenant
“Not much, she told me how she uncovered the first three women, that the reports were eerily similar and that they stuck out to her. It's what made her start investigating. She's damn good at her job and managed to uncover all the similarities among the victims, and it's given me a lot to work with. I'm hoping with what we know, we'll be able to work this case quickly.”
“What about how the fucker found out she was investigating him?” I ask. There has to be some way he knew, from what little Peter has told me about this case, no one knew there was a killer on the loose other than Amanda. So how the hell did the killer know she uncovered his spree?
I watch as Peter's eyes darken. “That is something we've yet to find out. Neither I nor Amanda know how they found out she was onto them. Her boss, Gerald Levi, is currently having his entire office swept for cameras or microphones. He's worried about her and is demanding that we do everything in our power to find out who the hell is doing this. He was enraged when an officer turned up at his house last night asking for the footage. He had no idea what had happened and was waiting on Amandato call him when she got home. He was devastated to find out that she'd been attacked.”
Gerald Levi is the closest thing Amanda has to a father. Since she started working at The Metropolitan Gazette, Gerald took her under his wing and became not only a mentor but a friend and father figure.
“I'm going to head back to Philly,” Peter tells me. “I'll keep you updated with any and all information that we uncover. Hopefully the two of you don't kill one another, the last thing I need to do is investigate another homicide.”
I chuckle, he's not wrong, I have no doubt that when I walk into the cabin the temperature is going to be Baltic. The reception I got was frosty to say the least, now we're spending twenty-four seven together. It's going to go one of two ways. She's either going to be icy toward me or she'll demand answers as to why I walked away from her two years ago. Right now, I'm not sure what I'd prefer. All I want is for her to be safe.
“Also, I know Mandy, she's not going to stop investigating this case,” he tells me. “She's too invested, too emotionally attached. Just help her keep off the grid. Anything she finds out, we're going to want to know.”
I nod. Amanda will see this through to the end, there's no doubt about that, but she'll not be doing it alone. “Whatever she uncovers, you'll be the first to know.”
He gives me a relieved look. “Thanks, Jake,” he says. “I know she's pissed, but this is the best thing for her.”
“I know and so does she. Call me if you have anything.”
I watch as he returns to his vehicle and backs away from the cabin. Once his car's out of sight, I enter the cabin. The heat from the fire is blazing and I shut the door behind me.
The beautiful woman is sitting on the chair beside the fire, her legs crossed with her laptop resting on them. I should’ve known wouldn’t have waited to start working.
“Amanda,” I greet and bite back a laugh as she glances up at me, before scrunching her nose and going right back to work. The haughty look she has is sexy as hell and I need to keep my distance.
Amanda Bright is dangerous for me. I walked away to protect her, I need to remember that. If I don't, I could ruin her once again and that's the last thing I want.
3
AMANDA
I'm so damn angry.It's been two years since I last saw Jake Mathers. Two years since he walked out of our home and broke my heart. He's the reason that I've erected a wall around my heart. I'll never allow anyone else in. I've lost too many people, and my heart's been broken one too many times. I can't take any more pain. Losing Adam broke me, my brother was my best friend, my only family. He was amazing and losing him hurt. It broke something inside of me, but I glued myself back together with the help of Jake. When Jake walked away, he destroyed me. He left without a proper explanation and I never saw him again. Until now.
“Amanda,” he greets as I try my hardest to ignore him. I heard every word that he and Peter said while they stood outside in the blistering cold. I know they're worried about me, hell, I'm worried about me too. But bringing me here to be with Jake was not the answer. I'm still not over losing him and being here is going to make it even worse.
I glance up at him, hating that he's even more handsome than I remember. How on earth can he look this good while being an asshole? I scrunch my nose at the thought.
No, Amanda, don't go there.
I return my gaze to my laptop, going through my emails, trying my hardest to ignore the six-foot-three hunk that's watching me like a hawk.
The floorboards creek beneath his weight as he steps forward. I will myself to relax, no matter what, I'm stuck here with him and there's nothing I can do about it. Peter was right, Adam would want me safe and as shitty as it was for him not to tell me that Jake would be the one that would protect me, there's no changing it now. I'm here and Peter is going to do what he does best. Uncover who the hell is murdering women.
“You're not going to be able to ignore me forever,” he says softly.
I hate him. God, I hate him so much.
“Oh, and why's that?” I ask, not lifting my gaze from my laptop. I've almost forty unopened emails. Most are from people needing help to find a loved one, or to find out what happened to them. There are even some from inmates who claim they're innocent and would like me to help them. All these things I’ve done in the past. I'll read through their email, contact them if I think I can help, and ask for more information Or, if I can, I'll send them information of someone who can offer them the help they deserve.
“There's no one around for miles, Amy.”
I grit my teeth at him using the nickname he used to call me. He is the only person to ever call me Amy and I loved it. God, I could’ve died happy hearing it every day, but he ruined it. “My name's Amanda,” I say through clenched teeth. “And trust me, I'm well aware that we're alone, but that doesn't mean anything. I'm here to give Peter peace of mind. Using what Adam would want was low, all he had to do was ask and I'd have come willingly.”
“Would you have if you knew I would be here?” he asks.
I don't answer, the truth is, no I wouldn't have.
“Tell me about the killer,” he says, and I sigh. I guess he's not going to leave me alone. “How did you uncover the pattern?”
