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Smart man.

“So, what’ll we do, boss?” Murphy asks, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table.

“We’ll need to see if we can’t get any other officers out,” I say, as I locate his current address. “At the very least, I want more eyes on the streets. I think I’ll head to his place. He might have gone back home.”

“What if they don’t let you in?”

“I’ll worry about that if it comes up,” I reply, memorizing our suspects name. Richard Lorenz. “For now, I’m just concerned about figuring out where he is.”

“So you can bring him in for questioning?” Murphy asks, and I don’t even have to look at him to know that he’s smirking.

“Yes,” I say, frowning at him. I might be planning on doing more than just questioning him, but I don’t like his implication.

“You sure you’re not going to rough him up?”

“What kind of man do you take me for?” I challenge, straightening myself out.

Murphy shrugs, too at ease for my taste. What we’re dealing with is serious, and he should be treating it as such. I’m starting to get pissed off.

“Calm down, Noah,” he says, putting his hands up in a placating gesture. “I know you’ve got a girl in your office right now.”

I raise an eyebrow, deciding against confirming or denying that statement. Truthfully, it’s none of his business if Riley’s in my office or not. Sure, it’s against the book, but Ialwaysfollow the rules. So fucking what if my girl is here? I’m the one in charge.

“She’s the victim in the crime, right?” Murphy asks, tone shifting to something more professional when he realizes that I’m not going to indulge him in whatever teasing he was about to dole out.

“She is,” I confirm. I know it’s my job to inform him of all the details, but I don’t want to share. For some reason, I want to protect her feelings. Feelings have never been a concern of mine before, but I’m falling for her. “I brought her here to take her statement and keep an eye on her. We don’t know if she was targeted or if this was a random act.”

The corner of his mouth ticks up, but he refrains from making any comments. Instead, he says, “Probably a smart idea. It’s too early to establish a motive.”

“We can establish a motive when we get him in custody,” I say, shutting the laptop. “For now, I need to make some calls and see if I can’t get anyone else to patrol. If I can get two more of our guys on patrol, I’ll get someone to stand guard here.”

“Why would we need someone to guard the station?” Murphy says, brow furrowed. “The doors to anything important lock when they’re shut.”

“I’m well aware of that,” I snap, my patience waning. I’m ready to get going. The sooner I get out of here, the sooner I’ll be able to get back to Riley. She’ll be safe, and we’ll be able to finish what we started. “Riley’s staying here while we’re gone.”

“She can’t just go home?”

“Didn’t we already establish that we don’t know if this was a targeted attack? You don’t think this guy might have followed her home some night?” I say, unable to keep the edge from my tone. “I can’t just let her go home, not unless she’s got a security detail.”

“Damn, man. I’ve never seen you care so much about someone,” Murphy notes, ass still in his seat.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I ask, my jaw tight. “Obviously I care. I’m the goddamn sheriff. If I didn’t give a fuck, I could have an easier job. But I care about everyone’s safety.”

Murphy rolls his eyes and finally gets out of his chair. He says, “I’m not saying you don’t care about the town’s safety. I just don’t think I’ve ever seen you go out of your way for someone like this. Normally, you take their statements you let me or one of the other guys worry about their wellbeing.”

“We’re done here,” I say, starting toward the door so I can head to my office to make some phone calls.

“Don’t act so pissy,” he says, stopping me by putting his hand up in the doorway. “It’s sweet. But you need to watch yourself. If people find out you’re fucking around with someone we’re supposed to be helping—”

I push his hand down and walk past him. Over my shoulder, I say, “It would serve you well to keep your nose out of my business. Get your ass back out there. Keep an eye out forRichard, and if you find him, you call me. I want to be the one to make the arrest.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters under his breath as he leaves the station.

When I get back to my office, Riley has pulled out my stack of true crime books. I don’t have the patience for fiction. She looks away from the back of the book in her hands, giving me a curious look. Her face is a balm to my irritation, and I even make a mental note to apologize to Murphy next time I see him.

Despite Murphy’s warning, I know I’m making the right choice with Riley. In my thirty-two years, I’ve never met anyone that makes me feel the way she makes me feel. I don’t care that she’s twenty-three, and it doesn’t matter how we met. A more sentimental man might call this fate; I just call it good luck.

“Did you find him?” Riley asks, pulling me out of my musings.