Page 15 of Zero Divergence
“Is that how you think Humphries’s semen got on Tara’s bedsheets but not the others?”
“I think he dropped the condom onto the bed when she started kicking him. He just wasn’t aware any semen had spilled.” From his periphery, Royce saw Sawyer turn and look at him. Meeting his gaze, Royce said, “I promised their mothers I’d get justice for their girls. I know it was wrong of me to promise something I wasn’t sure I could deliver, but I did it, and I can’t take it back.”
“We’ll make this right. Together.”
“Starting tomorrow. Um, later this morning,” Royce amended when he remembered the time. “You need sleep to heal so you can get back to work. I miss my partner.”
“Not more than I miss you,” Sawyer said.
“Prove it by coming back to bed with me and getting some sleep. We’re no good to these ladies otherwise.”
“Deal.”
Sawyer turned off the light and closed the door, and they all returned to the bedroom with Bones leading the way. The only time the feline wasn’t permitted in their bed was during sexy times. Bones curled up at the foot of the bed in the left corner, so the humans could spoon in the middle. Royce aligned his front to Sawyer’s back and willed his brain to shut down so he could sleep but reliving those crime scenes and talking about the women made it impossible. He’d kept his promise to their mothers, but some son of a bitch interfered, sending him—them—back to square one.
Tara, Christi, Abby, and Harper deserved to have justice so they could rest in peace.
“Go talk to their mothers tomorrow,” Sawyer said sleepily, startling Royce. He shouldn’t have been surprised his boyfriend knew his brain was too worked up to permit sleep. “Tell them you’re still fighting for their daughters. You’ll feel better, and they will too.”
“You’re so damned smart.”
Sawyer yawned big enough to make his jaws pop. “You would’ve thought about it once you had your first cup of coffee. Now get some sleep.”
Forming a game plan was the trick to settling Royce’s mind, and he drifted off for a few peaceful hours.
Sawyer was still sleeping when Royce left, and he hoped he remained in bed a few more hours. Sawyer was usually the one who stuck notes to various surfaces, but Royce was capable of considerate gestures, even if the tone in their communications were vastly different. Royce went around and placed Post-it notes in nearly every room, reminding Sawyer of a few things: eat well, listen to Connie and Evangeline, and get lots of rest. Even though he addressed each one to asshole, Royce’s love was evident in each missive.
He left early so he could visit the mothers of Humphries’s victims, but none of them were at home or work. He understood the reason why when the desk sergeant, Dunn, informed him he had visitors in the conference room. With his heart in his throat, Royce opened the door, expecting to see anger in each of the women’s eyes. The emotion was present, but it wasn’t aimed at him, and their determination and conviction shone brighter.
“I tried to find each of you this morning, and now I know why I wasn’t successful.” Royce sat down across from them. “First, I want to apologize that you didn’t hear about Humphries’s release directly from me. I know an officer with victim services contacted you, but it should’ve been me.”
“We’re not here because of that,” Emma said. It was eerie how much she looked like her daughter.
“You’re not?” he asked.
All four women shook their heads.
“Officer Andrews was wonderful when she reached out to us,” Tara’s mom Dinah said.
“That’s good to hear,” Royce said. He knew Keeley would be an excellent fit for the department. “It still should’ve been me. Each of you deserved an in-person visit instead of a phone call from a stranger.”
“You are an honorable man,” Abby’s mom Jennifer said. “You looked us in the eye and promised to get justice for our girls.”
“It hasn’t happened yet,” Royce replied.
“Not from lack of trying on your part,” Christi’s mom Sarah said.
“Do you believe in your heart that Humphries is your man?” Emma asked.
“I do. Nothing has changed my conviction. Marcus and I arrested the right man,” he said firmly.
“Then what are we going to do about it?” Dinah asked.
Their faith in him made his heart swell, but Royce managed to keep his voice calm when he said, “Weare not going to do anything.Iam going to nail this bastard before he can hurt anyone else. What I’m going to say next needs to stay between us, okay?” he asked, meeting their gazes one at a time. Each of them nodded, so he told them about the pending lawsuit. “Humphries thinks he’s tying our hands, but he’s not. We just have to be more cautious about tracking his movements.”
“I’m so tired of people like him winning,” Jennifer said warily.
Royce reached across the table and covered her clasped hands. “He’s won this round, but the fight isn’t over. We will deliver the knockout blow. I have to believe that, or I couldn’t come to work each day.”