Page 51 of Heart of a Hero

Disappointment filled him that Karen wasn’t there for him to see, even at a distance. “Well, take it easy on your running, and make sure to stay hydrated.”

Soon, the kids were ready to begin their runs. Today, they were in Kiptopeake, where running cross country, including through some trails and along beaches would be possible. The adults were staggered throughout the group, offering support, keeping a close watch on the young runners, and ensuring everyone was having a good and safe time.

A thudding sound of footsteps behind him pulled him from his thoughts. Mark glanced over his shoulder to see Hunter Simmons, the stoic detective, altering his pace to run beside him. Hunter was never one for small talk, and Mark knew he’d speak when ready. For now, the quiet between them was enough.

Finally, Hunter broke the silence. “Thought I’d let you know—Belle talked to Karen last night.”

Mark’s head snapped around so fast he nearly tripped over a tree root. "What?"

“Belle figured Karen could use another woman’s perspective. You weren’t around when she and I got together. I was undercover for the state police. Checking into the nursing home. When she found out, she assumed our relationship wasn’t basedon true feelings. She was hurt and pissed. Not sure which one bothered me the most… probably both. Anyway, it was a hump we had to get over. Belle thought maybe Karen needed a friend who understood and could explain.”

Mark shook his head, his heart as heavy as his steps. “I don’t know, Hunter. I’ve called, left messages, and texted for the past few days, but she hasn’t responded. I appreciate Belle’s efforts, but I’m not sure Karen will give me a chance.”

Hunter’s footsteps remained steady, but his words were firm. “Don’t give up, man. If she’s right for you, then you’ll fight for both of you.”

Hunter picked up his pace and jogged ahead, leaving Mark to mull over his words. Before he could fully process it, another presence appeared beside him. Mark glanced sideways to see Brad grinning at him. “What the fuck? Is this give-Mark-advice day?” he half joked.

“Nah,” Brad said. “You’ll get the woman. You’ve just got to be a little patient. Anyway, it’s not like she’s a suspect. There’s not one shred of evidence that she was involved. And you know we’ve checked. But I’ll bet it’s someone she works with… anyone who has the info, which could be lots of people.”

“Yeah.” The one word came out as more of a sigh. The word came out like an exhale, carrying the weight of his exhaustion. He was tired—tired of the case, tired of how it had tangled up his relationship with Karen, and tired of the distance growing between them.

The running practice was soon over, and as the kids all met near the fishing area overlooking the concrete ships offshore, he and the other adults ensured their parents, guardians picked each up, or whoever had been designated. Mark looked over to see Laura and Olivia standing nearby when Olivia began to wave in her usual wild manner. He followed her gaze and found afamiliar small SUV pulling into the parking lot.Karen.His pulse quickened.

Determined to seize every opportunity presented, he wasn’t above using her daughters as a shield and excuse to get closer to her. He handed Brad his clipboard, saying, “Take my pickup list. I’ll owe you.”

Brad laughed. “No markers due. Go on.”

He looked down at his son. “Benji, stay with Brad, and I’ll be right back.” He jogged over and kept his gaze pinned on Karen, noticing the exact second her gaze also landed on him. Her eyes widened, but her expression didn’t appear angry.Thank you, Belle, for talking to her.

The girls lingered outside the SUV, chatting with their friends, giving Mark the perfect opportunity. He hastened around to the driver’s side, his heart pounding in his chest. Karen hesitated, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly, but after a brief pause, she rolled down the window.

“Hey, Karen.”

“Hello, Mark. I… um… about last night…”

“No, it’s okay. I get it. This week was not what we expected.”

She snorted as she shook her head. “No… not at all.”

Mark's heart thudded heavily in his chest as he leaned against the open window of Karen's SUV, the tension between them palpable in the air. The sun cast a golden glow over the parking lot, but its warmth didn’t reach him. His voice was tight, his words tumbling out before he could stop them. “I’m so sorry it went down the way it did. Brad couldn’t risk others in your office overhearing. But I’m sorry?—”

“Mark, it’s…”

“Karen, I don’t want to lose you over this,” he blurted, unable to keep it bottled up any longer.

She scoffed, then shook her head quickly. “You had a job to do, and you did it. I understand. But, at this point, itwould be ridiculous for me to spend time with you as long as this case hangs over our heads. Now that this has happened, I am anything but simple right now.” She sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping in a way that made her seem smaller, more fragile than he’d ever seen her. “Look, it’s okay.”

His mouth snapped shut as his chest jolted.

She glanced at the girls and then out the front windshield before slowly lifting her gaze to him. Her face was etched with lines bracketing her mouth, and dark circles formed crescents under her eyes. Her shoulders slumped, and her fingers slowly loosened their tight grip around the steering wheel.

“Seriously,” she added, nodding slowly as if trying to convince them both. “I was upset at first. It was… well, embarrassing to be brought in for… for what felt like an interrogation. The questions were similar to what you had asked about my job, and I just wondered…” She broke off, her voice catching in her throat. She looked down at her hands, her knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel. When she lifted her head again, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I wondered if you had been questioning me early on. If everything between us had been a setup.”

“No,” he said, vehemently shaking his head. “Everything between us was…isreal. What I felt. I was thrilled you agreed to a first date. So excited to make it to the second date. And the third? It’s completely, totally real. I need you to know that when you and I started dating, I had no idea what we were looking at—” he looked over the hood, but the girls had their heads together, looking at Laura’s phone. Shifting his gaze to Karen, he continued. “I know you didn’t have anything to do with the burglaries?—”

“Oh really?” she snapped, then lowered her voice. “We've only just met… you can't know that. For all you know, I scout outthe houses, tell my break-in crew, and they steal from our clients when the people are gone.”

He winced at her sharp tone, but her expression nearly gutted him. Pain slashed over her face as anger beamed from her eyes. Her voice shook. “People are being robbed. People I know. People I’ve met and talked to. People who trust me, my office, and my staff. Someone at the ESHH is—” Her words were cut off when her chest hitched with emotion.

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