Page 109 of The Woman Left Behind

“Lillian—”

“Well, I need to drop you off at work and know you’re where you need to be, and not doing something you don’t need to be doing, that being walking me a block home.”

“Honey—”

She got up on her toes, kissed him quiet and rolled back to her feet. “Go do good.”

He bent and kissed her deeper, and longer, broke it and gave in, murmuring, “Later, beautiful.”

She smiled at him, and he was happy as fuck to see it reached her eyes. “Later, handsome.”

They broke off and he watched until she turned the corner onto her block.

He went in and activity in the bullpen obviously recommenced after everyone in it had stopped to watch Harry and Lillian through the front windows.

Polly was by the door in the reception bench holding an Aromacobana cup and beaming at him.

He moved to her, slid a coffee out of the two-cup carrier he had, handed it to her, then took the one she had and put it in the carrier.

“Things are changing,” he announced. “Lillian likes to go to the coffee shop every morning. That means I’ll be bringing you one every day.”

“I’m awesome with change,” Polly replied.

Harry couldn’t stop his grin.

It died before he said, “I want everyone gathered. Two hours. Not the crew that did nights, but anyone that’s off, call them in. We’re having a department-wide briefing.”

“You got it.”

Polly took off.

Harry went to Rus’s desk.

He took the other coffee out of the carrier and handed it to him.

“For looking after the dogs.”

“You didn’t have to, but I’ll take it,” Rus replied, proving his words by taking a sip.

Harry retrieved the other coffee, dumped the carrier in Rus’s trash and took his own sip.

“Like I said last night, you’re lead on the Rainiers,” Harry started it. “Polly’s calling everyone in. I’ll deal with schedules. I’ll figure out overtime. But whatever you need, you’re gonna get.”

“Already talked to the agents assigned in Idaho. They got things they’ve gotta go over there. Then they’ll be out here. Hopefully by the time they get here, we’ll have something meaty to give them.”

Hopefully.

Harry nodded. “When Wade gets back, I’ll want him with you. You’ve got him and Karen. I’m taking Sean for the Ballard case.”

Rus nodded.

“You feel good about any of this?” Harry asked.

“I felt a whole lot better when I heard about the journals, but something is fucking with me.”

Christ, he was glad he wasn’t the only one feeling that.

“You know what that is?” Harry queried.

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