Page 58 of Watch Me

Dad got into the passenger seat of my truck, and I turned slightly to facehim.

“Well?”

He shut the door. “She knows nothing.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I treated it like an interrogation. She didn’t crack.”

“She’s a manipulative bitch, Dad. She could have fooled you.”

He shook his head just as the doom light shut off, and we were left in only the glow of the streetlight. “I know she is, but I don’t think she’s behind the killings.”

“How can you be sure?”

Dad thought for a moment. “I can’t, but if you want to call Shawn to arrest her, go for it. It’s on you.”

“I don’t want to lose my kids,” Iadmitted.

He grabbed my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You won’t. You’re a decorated officer. Go with your gut.”

“I have to wait two weeks to fight this,” I remindedhim.

“I know it’s going to be tough but take those two weeks and solve this shit. No matter who the killer is, you’ll get your boys back once the case is over. If you can’t solve this before your hearing, a judge will do the right thing.”

After thanking my dad—who also said that the boys were spending the night at their place Friday night—I left before Jessica got her panties in a bunch and tried to say I was violating the protective order. I went to the station, surrendered my service weapon, and then drovehome.

When I walked in through the door of my condo, Reagan was sitting on one end of the couch and Braeden on the other end. The TV was on, but I paid no attention. I just wanted to be alone withReagan.

“Valor,” Braedengreeted.

“Hey,” I replied, throwing my keys onto the table by thedoor.

“I thought you were going to be late?” Reaganasked.

Braeden stood, and I moved to give Reagan a quick kiss. “Wanted to rush home to you, Buttercup.”

“And that’s my cue,” Braeden stated. “See you tomorrow, Reagan.”

“Have a good night,” shereplied.

After seeing Braeden out and locking the door behind him, I sat on the couch next to Reagan. “Did you go to Jessica’s?” sheasked.

I sighed and tipped back my head onto the back of the couch and closed my eyes. “Yes, but I didn’t speak to her.”

“What happened?”

I wanted to tell her my suspicions about Jessica but then thought better of it. My gut was telling me Jess wasn’t behind the murders. I trusted my father, and I had to trust his judgment. “My dad talked to her for me. Worked it out so the boys will spend the night at their place on Friday.”

“So, you’ll get to see them?”

I shook my head, not raising it from the back of the couch. “No. The protective order is for them too. If Jess heard that I showed up, she’d have me arrested.”

Reagan moved closer and rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

I took a long, deep breath. “Me too.”

“Do you think you’ll solve this before Thanksgiving?”