Page 65 of Inside Silence

According to Sanchuk, he did all those things but was definitely not responsible for any murder. It didn’t sway Androtti, and it definitely didn’t convince me.

I arrested him on the spot for the attack on Nathan and stuffed him back in the holding cell, where he’ll now sit until his arraignment on Thursday at the earliest.

Discovering what he’d been pulling off under my nose for years made me sick to my stomach. So, when I got back to my office, I locked the door and pulled up all of Sanchuk’s reports, his schedules, who he was partnered up with, and started working my way back from the day I gave him the ultimatum.

Corruption in law enforcement is something you might expect to see in larger departments, but in one the size of ours, it’s rare. I’m not sure what or who to trust anymore. Was Sanchuk on his own or is this a more widespread problem I’ve simply been blind to?

I spent the evening making a list of steps for me to take investigating my own damn department, because one thing I know; the only way to stop the rot from spreading is to cut every little spot out.

So now I have two murders, one former deputy in custody, and a department that is falling apart around me.

I could cry, but someone is going to have to clean up this mess.

I’m stopped at the traffic light on the corner of Maine and Pinedale Drive when my phone rings. A quick look at the screen on my dashboard shows Nate’s number.

“You’re still up.”

His chuckle warms me. “I’m in bed, trying to read a bit, but my thoughts kept drifting to you, and then your message popped up. Must be karma.”

“Must be.”

“Long day?”

I blow out a shaky sigh, trying not to fall apart at the genuine concern in his voice.

“Yeah…”

“Are you home?”

“On my way there now.”

The light turns green just as Nate says, “Come here instead. Let me take care of you.”

It’s probably not wise, I was going to go home and work a little more on the file I’m compiling on my department before hitting the sack. But I’m tempted.

A car horn behind me forces a split-second decision and I find myself turning left instead of right. I need sleep more than anything, and I know I can find that in Nate’s arms.

The hall light is on when I park along the curb. For a moment I hesitate, aware Tatum is probably home, sleeping in her own bed, but then the door opens, and Nate steps into view, waiting for me.

“What about Tatum?” I ask after he pulls me inside the house with a kiss.

“She’s down, and she’s a deep sleeper. I usually have to kick her out of bed in the morning to get ready in time for school, she doesn’t get up before seven thirty.”

“I’ll be gone before that,” I let him know.

“I figured. Now come to bed, I warmed it up for you.”

When I finally join him there—after a quick shower in his awesome bathroom to wash off the day’s grunge—he curls his body around me, and I fall asleep in no time flat.

“I’m so sorry I’m running off again. We haven’t even had a chance to talk.”

I woke up with Nate tapping my shoulder at ten past seven. The man is apparently my own personal sleep aid. There is no time for anything other than getting dressed and following Nate downstairs, where he shoves a travel mug of coffee and a toasted bagel with cream cheese in my hands.

“I didn’t even ask you about this event at Dad’s place. What’s that all about?”

He grins. “Well, your father’s visit yesterday morning was a bit of a revelation that requires more time to explain, and I met your stepmother when she showed up at my door later yesterday.”

I groan and slap a hand over my face. Seriously, my family is too much.