Page 31 of The Deputy's Secret Double

Which meant another Collins had to be brought into the fold.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” Price asked. “You can say no and I won’t kick up a fuss.”

Winnie had her book bag slung over her shoulder and put on a look that was slightly annoyed.

“I already told you I don’t mind,” she said. “But if you keep asking me, I’m going to start.”

She shook the pillow she had under her arm. He knew there was a blanket and a change of clothes in her book bag too. Winnie handed him the keys to his truck. She kept her voice low as she continued, both trying not to let anyone in the hospital hallway hear their conversation.

Especially not the woman they were talking about in the room behind them.

“I don’t mind keeping JJ company while you go home. I like her, remember? So this will be kind of like a sleepover. So don’t worry about it.”

Price still hesitated.

“I’d stay with her, but I don’t think she’s comfortable with the idea,” he explained again.

Winnie snorted.

“Have you smelled you? I wouldn’t want you just chilling in my room while I’m trying to sleep either.”

“She’s probably not going to be quiet about you staying either,” he pointed out. “You might have to do that stubborn thing you do sometimes.”

Winnie rolled her eyes and swiped a hand dramatically beneath her chin.

“She was againstyoubeing here,” she said. “Me? I’m a delight.”

Price couldn’t help but smile.

After he’d gotten to the hospital, he’d made sure to call Winnie’s cell and let her know that he and JJ were okay. It was the only part of his job that he’d never liked—worrying her then hearing her try to pretend it didn’t.

Even now, between her small jabs, he could see she was straining a little. Just as her hug after arriving had been more tight than normal.

“You’re a delight,” Price repeated. He meant it.

Winnie dropped her teasing with a nod of her head.

Her expression became serious.

“Go take care of yourself for a change, Dad. We’ll be okay.”

Price knew enough about himself to understand he would never not worry about Winnie but, in the moment, he accepted that it was time for him to step aside.

At least, for a little while.

That didn’t mean he liked it.

“Call me if anything happens,” he said. “And regardless, call me in the morning when you’re up.”

Price didn’t say goodbye to JJ for a second time and instead took his truck straight home. There, he did as all three ladies he’d talked to in the last few hours had instructed: he showered.

The water was hot, and it beat against his back without mercy.

It distracted him from his past conversations with Detective Williams and Rose and the sheriff. Then the loop of what-ifs and whys they all had been asking since Josiah Teller’s attack. After that, he landed on Good Samaritan JJ, as Rose had started to call her.

There after, and then during, the last two attacks.

Blood on her clothes for both.