But I had to keep a clear head. There was no denying deep inside me that I wanted him. However, I hadn’t come to Fullbrooke to fall in love or start an affair. I’d returned to stop this psycho from taking little girls.
We were so close. Everything pointed to Vernon being the killer. Each step after this had to be on point and following regulation. I’d seen many cases with tons of evidence that didn’t hold up in court, due to agents inappropriate handling of the investigation. Then, the killer went free, roaming the city and preying on citizens again.
After we finished putting up my stuff, Alexander turned to me. “I guess that’s it unless you want me to tuck you in.”
“I do, but I have to take a shower and put on my night clothes.”
“Trust me. I can wait.”
I grinned. “I bet you can.”
“I’ve been known to be an excellent shower back scrubber too.”
“Really?”
“I don’t like to brag, but I’m also pretty amazing with towel drying.”
“Wow. I guess I’ll have to explore that one day.”
He nodded. “One day.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “Alexander. . .”
He stepped closer to me. “What’s wrong?”
“Are we going to catch him in time?”
“I have complete faith in us.”
“I’m scared. I hope we didn’t spook Vernon. Even more, I pray we’re not wrong about him.”
“Regardless, we will make the right choice.”
“I’m scared.”
He extended his arms. “Come here.”
I walked into his hug.
He gathered his arms around me, wrapping my body in muscled strength. “Everything will be fine.”
I was loving his touch. Every time we brought our bodies closer together, I was near detonation. Our hugs had shifted from friendly to more intimate style of togetherness. For a long minute, I relished in his soothing hold.
Thank God, I’ve met him.
When Alexander let me go, I missed his warmth.
As if our touch infected him too, he cleared his throat. “I should go.”
I hugged myself, trying to replace his affection, but I couldn’t.
It was a pitiful alternative.
I kept my voice low. “Get some rest.”
“I will.” With a sexy heated gaze, he looked me up and down. “If anything goes wrong over here, call me.”
“Okay.”
“And if you feel that you’re in danger in any way, you’re welcome back.”
“I know.”
He frowned. “So. . .I guess I will go to my cold, empty room.”
“Stop it.”
In a mocking fashion, he deepened his frown. “What will I ever do without Agent Barron in my room?”
“Somehow you’ll make it.”
“Goodnight, Haven.”
“Goodnight.”
He left.
For some reason, I continued to stand there. In my mind, that hug played over and over. How could a simple hug be such a thrilling moment? Still, that was what his warmth had represented for me.
Focus on the case. Take a shower and get some rest.
I had a long day ahead. I pulled off my dress and bra to get comfortable. I would take a shower, but I had a few things to check out first. I threw on a shirt.
My phone rang.
I picked it up and saw my mother’s name on the screen. I placed the device next to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hey, baby. How are you doing? You rushed out of the Pastor’s house today?”
“I didn’t.”
“You did. And I thought about all of your questions after church. What’s going on?”
“Mom, I can’t talk about the case.”
“Why did you want to know all about the Pastor’s daughter—Julia? Does she have something to do with all this craziness?”
“She’s not a person of interest.”
“Then, it’s Vernon? No. He’s too young. It can’t be him.”
“Mom, don’t make me violate my job due to your curiosity.”
She sighed. “I won’t. I’m just worried about all these girls.”
That made me think of the email from Mrs. Mable.
While on the phone, I went over to my laptop and turned it on. “What else is going on, Mom?”
“I’m fine. I’m worried about you. All through dinner, you looked so preoccupied.”
“This case is draining me. I don’t want to slip up.”
“You’re under a lot of pressure.”
“Yes, but it’s all self-inflicted pressure.”
“I understand, baby. Some of your old high school friends were the ones that lost their daughters. You have a commitment to them and any future victim.”
“Exactly. So, I can’t mess around. Even enjoying a simple dinner with the Pastor, I wanted to make sure I stayed on the job.”
“But breaks are important.”
“They are.”
“And moving with God is even more important. You work with God; then you won’t have to worry about anything.”
I sat down at my desk.
The laptop screen glowed as the system woke up.
Mom’s voice soothed me. “When you want to catch something, you have to keep the faith. You won’t catch anything without faith.”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t forget the lesson from Luke.”
I squinted my face. “What lesson?”
“In the bible, Jesus had been preaching the word by a lake. He saw two boats and got into one of them. He told Simon to put his nets deep into the water. Simon shook his head and told Jesus that they had been out all night and hadn’t caught one fish. Still, he went ahead and followed Jesus’ order.” Mom’s tone brightened. “Soon as they did it, all types of fish were in those nets.”
I smiled. “So, all I have to do is put my net out?”
“You can put your net out all you want, but if Jesus isn’t in the boat, then you won’t catch nothing worth anything.”
“I pray.”
“You have to do more than pray, Haven. You have to believe that He is walking with you. He is right there guiding you toward the solution.”
“I understand.”
“You can do everything through God. He is the one that gives you strength. Don’t you ever forget that.”
“I won’t, Mom. Never.”
“Stop being worried.”
I shook my head. “Okay, Mom.”
“Now, what about this Alexander King?”
I typed in my login information and password into the laptop. “What about him?”
“That white boy was staring at you all through dinner and a few times during church. And none of it looked professional.”
“Mom, you were imagining things.”
“I’ve been on this earth too long to not know what I’m talking about.”
“You haven’t even turned sixty yet.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’re acting like this old wise woman.”
“I am an old wise woman.”
“My apologies.”
“You just want to get me off talking about this budding love affair between Agent King and you.”