Page 81 of Devil's Hour

“Fuck.”

“Uh-huh. My thoughts exactly. When you get back to work, there will be big changes. You’ll be reporting to a new chief.”

“Any hints you want to share?”

“Nope.”

Royce shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

“I think both you and Key need to have a serious conversation about whether being partners on the force is the best thing for either of you. Both of you made big mistakes and disregarded protocol, and we’re all damn lucky I won’t be presenting flags to your loved ones.”Lucky.There was that word again.

“Yes, ma’am.” What else could he say? She was right.

“I’ll want an answer when you return from leave.Again,” she added wryly. “And your first task will be to find the traitor among us who took the evidence and enabled a sadistic serial rapist and killer to walk free.”

Royce’s heart sank. He had no idea how he would do it, but he would.

“I know I can count on you, Locke.”

“You can, ma’am.”

He was still processing everything he learned when Evangeline and Sherry returned to the waiting room.

“I’m afraid he’s crashed again already,” Evangeline said.

“Sleep is the best thing for him,” Rigby said, rising to her feet. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Sherry crossed the room and lifted a tote bag he hadn’t noticed. “I made you something, Royce.” She pulled out a bakery box and extended it to him.

“Bear claws?” he asked hopefully.

Sherry laughed. “Bear claws.” Then she giggled when he hugged her tight.

“Thank you. Both of you,” he said.

“We’ll be back tomorrow,” Rigby said. “Take care now, and pace yourself with the bear claws.”

“I will,” he said.He wouldn’t.

They just laughed as they left the waiting room. He knew Sawyer would sleep for a few hours before the meds wore off. He might as well kick back in the recliner and try to catch some sleep too. “Can I interest you in a bear claw?” he asked Evangeline.

“Nah. I’ll just wait until you fall asleep and eat them all.” He must’ve looked horrified because she just laughed. “Your bear claws are safe with me.”

He didn’t expect to sleep hard enough to dream, but he did. Marcus was waiting for him, and this time, he was smiling and happy. They were fishing at their favorite spot on Lake Mayer, and they had Marc and Daniel with them. Candi was sitting on a blanket under a tree, feeding Bailey. They’d had so much fun catching and releasing bass and bluegill. It was the first happy dream he’d had of Marcus since finding him dead, and he woke to tears streaming down his face.

Evangeline was sound asleep on the sofa. He set the box of bear claws down and headed to Sawyer’s room. Even if he was still asleep, Royce wanted to be in the same room with him. Sawyer was awake, so he pulled up his seat close to the bed.

“I cannot wait to get these damn bandages off. I need to touch you.”

“I can’t wait to touch you either.” Royce reached over and ran his fingers through the strands of hair not hidden by bandages. Just that small touch made Sawyer sigh and close his eyes. “Are you bored? I can turn on the television.”

“Nah.”

“I found a great new audiobook. I can play it for you.”

He could really use the vacation from his riotous thoughts.What was on Marcus’s confession tape? Would he be able to handle it? Did he tell Candi the truth about her husband?A well-performed audiobook was just the thing they both needed.

Sawyer turned his head and looked at him through narrowed eyes. “You would get me all worked up when you can’t touch me, and I can’t even touch myself.” He lifted his bandaged hands for emphasis. Royce hadn’t thought of it being a suitable punishment for the stunt Sawyer pulled until he said something.