Page 22 of Jase

Kody forced something close to a grin. “I know you do. I love you too, and I will. I’ll call if I need you.”

“Okay. Now come lock the door behind me.”

“Work?”

She laughed. “Someone has to keep Greg in line. I’ll come back for dinner. How does that sound?”

Silence reigned as Kody followed her to the door. “Maybe tomorrow. I think today I’m just going to order in and get as much sleep as I can.”

“But you’ll call?”

The door opened, but Tiffany didn’t walk through until Kody agreed. “Yes.”

“Okay.” She cocked her head. “Tomorrow. Dinner. Seven.”

“It’s a date. Have a good day at work, Tiff. Tell everyone I said hello.”

“I’ll do that. You have sweet dreams. Call me when you eat dinner, so I know you’re actually eating.”

Kody’s eyes rolled teasingly. “I’ll call.”

The door shut, and Kody set the locks, heading straight towards me. I turned for my laptop, pushing buttons for access into her device. She pulled out the chair to the desk, bringing the desktop to life. Her face was hard. If there was emotion, I couldn’t detect it. Not that I had been able to the last few days. Something had happened while I was at the hospital meeting with Jean, and I didn’t think it was the church boy I’d run off. Something made her stop talking to me. It shut her down. I couldn’t stand not knowing. Worse, I couldn’t stand her not talking to me.

“David. David.”The search engine appeared on my screen, and I watched her begin typing.

Man dead David.She blinked, furrowing her brow as she searched her thoughts, addingFarmington, Sonora.

As the results came up, she scrolled through each one, looking for David’s death. I let her get through three pages as I caressed my keys. Did I tell her? Should I show her what she was looking for? What was the reason behind her search? Fear? Lack of trust on my part?

Another page.

I took in a deep breath, studying the determination on her face. She didn’t deserve to suffer a second longer. And she clearly was by not seeing the proof for herself.

I took control of her mouse, highlighting the words. Kody’s gaze narrowed before her lips parted in surprise. Or was that fear?

Body found of David Vickers Copperopolis, California

Hitting enter, I pulled up the images so she could see the photos that had been released. A tear escaped as she took control and clicked on the old mug shot of him, they’d used for the article. The story had her leaning in as she read. I didn’t need to go over it again. My brain was burned with everything there was on the sick bastard. And the cops were discovering his true identity this very second thanks to me. They didn’t know that. As far as they were concerned, it was from an anonymous source. An untraceable one.

“It’s true.” She wiped the tear, taking a deep breath. “Thank God. Thank…you.” She got quiet, biting her lip. For a good minute she didn’t speak. Instead, she clicked the back button, returning to the search bar.

I wasn’t sure you really existed. I think…I thought.She stopped, erasing it.Thank you.

Did I say, ‘you’re welcome’? Did I tell her she didn’t need to type; I could hear her? That I could talk to her over her mic if she wanted? My mind raced just communicating with her. I’d seen the pictures before her beating. She was beautiful. Gorgeous, but not in the sense most would see. There was a uniqueness to her looks which made her stand out. And she was good. She always had been. But not me. Did she think I killed him for her out of generosity? Out of the goodness of my heart? She’d be wrong if she did. The real truth was more like greed—an agenda—her.

I clicked the bar, typing.Of course.

Is there something I can call you? A name?

She waited…and so did I. The truth was impossible, but I wasn’t one to lie. I bit my lip, not missing a single micro-expression on her face as she waited.

You don’t have to tell me,she typed. I understand.She brought her light-colored eyes right to the camera as she continued.How are you doing this?

My fingers punched in the keys.It’s not as hard as you think.

Kody’s head lowered through my words.

I won’t lie when I say that what you’re able to do scares me. Will you be watching all the time?