Page 40 of Watch Me

I snorted. I knew Shawn was stereotyping as well as being a little sarcastic. “Enjoyment? Money? Anger? Maybe someone is forcing them?”

“Blackmailing them?” Shawnquestioned.

“I don’t fucking know, but we need to figure out another link beside someone hacking their computers and those fucking wood plaques. And, of course, Amy and Reagan attending the same school.”

We thanked Will, telling him to keep us updated if he found anything else, and then we walked back to our desks. “I need to get Reagan to class. Can you go to Judy’s and then, after Reagan is out of class, we can head to Amy’s place and see if Heather still has the plaque?”

If I had known that a piece of artwork was going to be the link, I would have had CSU bag the fucking thing when we caught the case over a month ago. It wasn’t dusted for prints because it seemed to fit on the wall as though it was a keepsake Amy had gotten made herself. That was why it was left behind with all the other pictures.Fuck!

“Yeah. What’s your plan for Reagan? Keep her here while we’re working and escort her to class and work?”

I sighed and closed my eyes briefly as we stopped next to our desks. I hadn’t had long to think about a plan other than attending classes with Reagan. “What if—”

“Valor.” I turned to face Captain Rapp as he stood in his office doorway. “A word.”

My gaze caught Shawn’s. He didn’t follow, but we both already knew what was about to happen. Captain would try to take me off the case. I wasn’t going to let it happenthough.

“Sit.” Captain motioned to a chair in front of hisdesk.

“With all due respect, Cap, you don’t need to waste your breath. I’m not backing off this case.”

He chuckled slightly. “That’s not what I was going to say.”

“It wasn’t?”

He took a seat, smoothing his tie down as he did, and motioned for me to sit again. I sat. “I heard what happened last night.” I nodded. Of course he already knew. He ran the department. “How’s your girlfriend holding up?”

“As well as she can be, given the circumstances.”

“You know as well as I do that protocol suggests I take you off this case, but I promoted you to sergeant for a reason. If anyone can catch this guy, it’s you.”

“Thank you. I agree.”

“But for you to do your best work, you don’t need a distraction like your girlfriend.”

“She’s not a distract—”

He held up his hand. “Before you fly off the handle, I’m trying to tell you that I’ve already authorized off-duty details to watch both Reagan and her place.”

I blinked. “You … You did?”

“Yes, but only when you can’t be with her, of course.”

“Right.” I paused, still not believing Captain Rapp had done this for me—for us. I’d expected to have to beg and plead to use department resources. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

He smiled warmly. “You’re welcome. I’d do the same for all of you.”

“You’ll need to change the home detail to my place. I can’t have her go back to a place some fucker broke in to. Without a trace, no less.”

“Okay. Will do.”

My phone started to ring in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw Jessica’s name on the screen. “I gotta take this. Thank you again.” Captain nodded, and I stood, sliding my finger across the answer button as I walked toward my desk. “Yeah?”

“Don’tyeahme,” Jessicaclipped.

“It’s not a good time.”

“I don’t fucking care, Ethan. I heard.”