“Bailee, did you recognize him? Maybe you’ve crossed paths with him before.” Chief Tucker frowned as he waited for her response.
“No, sir. If he’s connected to this case or any case I’ve worked before, I don’t remember him. Believe me, if I had crossed paths with him before, I would remember.”
“So what’s the plan? How do we find out what this guy wants?” Chief Tucker asked.
“Unless any of you have an issue, my department will handle the assault investigation. I’ll be joining Detective Griffin to take the lead. Protection for Detective Maxwell and her family has been arranged, so she’ll remain close to assist with the investigation. We hope by having her remain in town, we can draw Melvin out and get to the bottom of this.”
“Bailee, are you all right with this?” Corinne asked.
“Yeah. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
“I can send in additional backup for the security detail,” Corinne offered.
Bailee shook her head. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Too much security will drive him away, and I’ll never figure out what’s going on.”
“Who do we think this guy is?” Griffin asked. “He has to be working for the gang or for your former partner, right?”
Bailee’s grip tightened on Easton’s hand, and her lips drew tight. “I don’t know.”
“Chief Tatum, I’ll need regular updates on your investigation. The minute you find any connection with the undercover case, I’ll need to know right away,” Corinne said.
“I’d like to know too, Chief. I don’t like the idea of anyone coming after my cops,” Chief Tucker added.
“Roger that,” Tater agreed. “Thank you all for joining in. We’ll be in touch.”
The meeting wrapped up, and Easton took the first opportunity to lead Bailee away from everyone else. He found an empty interview room and nudged her inside before closing the door. His hands rested on her arms, moving up and down to comfort her.
“You okay?”
“I don’t know. I keep remembering the day we found Shantayle. The coroner peeled away the plastic, and I looked into her lifeless eyes. He had beaten her terribly, but I recognized her immediately. I failed her. I was certain I could keep her safe, but the more cases we closed and the closer we got to taking down the BDs, the less I worried about her. I feel like I’ve done it again. I came to Florida and then here without thinking I would be putting my parents or Gran in danger.”
“Come here.” Easton pulled her close to him, his arms enveloping her in a tight hug.
She stood stiffly at first, but then her arms encircled his waist. Her head rested against his chest, and Easton tried to ignore how right her body felt against his.
“You can’t convince me for a minute that you stopped caring for Shantayle. She wanted to be free of gang life, and you were doing everything you knew how to give her that. Your partner managed to fool a lot of good people for a long time. It happens, but it doesn’t mean you were at fault for what happened. Lay the blame where it belongs, Bailee, and it doesn’t belong with you.”
They stood there for several minutes, holding each other while the noise and activity of the precinct carried on outside the door. Bailee raised her head and peered into Easton’s face.
“So what now?”
Easton hated the defeat he saw in the depths of her eyes, but he had to admit that he could have stayed there for hours looking into her face. The curve of her cheeks, delicate nose, chocolate eyes, and full, pink lips were stunning up close.
“Now, I take you away from here.”
“Back to Gran’s?”
“Actually, if you’re up for it, I have a better idea.” He grinned as the sudden idea took shape, and he hoped she agreed.
“You know, why not? If it takes my mind off this case or the asshole who’s after me, then I’m game.”
He released her but kept her hand encased in his. “Then let’s get out of here before someone decides to ask more questions and keeps us from leaving.”
Her responding smile sent a wave of warmth through his chest, and he led her out of the precinct to his Jeep. He swept the vehicle for signs of a tracking device or bomb or any othersurprise Melvin could have planted while they were inside. When all was clear, he held the passenger door open for her.
When she settled, he climbed behind the wheel and set off down the street, his attention vigilant on his surroundings. Bailee relaxed against the seat as she watched the scenery flash by, but Easton stayed alert, intent on keeping her safe long enough to surprise her.
Because keeping that smile on her face suddenly became a top priority for him.
