Page 86 of Rules

"I'm not here for you to drop in whenever you want to cop a feel, or see if you're still able to get a girl off." Ruth crossed her arms. "I have fucking feelings you know."

"I know, Ruth… I"

"You know? You don't know anything." Ruth's voice was almost a yell. "You don't give a shit about my feelings. You don't care how it feels to have someone you care about tell you he's not interested in you because of how you look. Maybe what you want is for me to say thank you. Is that it? Okay, fine, thank you Tobias, for giving me two of the best orgasms I've ever had."

"Ruth, I didn't…"

"You should leave. I was working on managing my feelings for you and now you're back with your tongue down my throat. I can't, I just can't. Please go." Ruth took another step back while pointing at the door.

I stood there looking at her for a moment as the pain I've caused settled in. I never meant to do that, quite the opposite. But, now it's too late, I've hurt her, and hurt her badly.

"Ruth…"

"No," she held up her hand and shook her head. "No, please go."

I obeyed her wishes and walked to the door but with my hand on the door handle I turned and looked at her.

"We're not done talking about this." I stepped through the doorway as I thought I heard her say something about maybe she would date Law.

Chapter 30

Tobias

For days, we'd been chasing ghosts. Days of checking every property with multiple cabins within a fifty-mile radius of Whispering Pines. Days of dead ends, false leads, and growing frustration.

The conference room wall was covered with maps, photos, and notes. Our visual representation of a collective failure. My deputies were exhausted, running on caffeine and determination. Law's guys had been accompanying us on cabin searches. Mouse and Keyboard have been information diving as well as processing searches via the satellite. But even these two who typically thrived on all-nighters were showing signs offatigue. Holly's been above and beyond making sure the break room is filled with various meals, snacks and drinks.

"Nothing at the Mountain View cabins," Brooklyn reported to me. She and Sebastian had finished an early morning search. Dropping her notebook on the table she made her way to the chafing dish full of eggs and bacon. "The property manager confirmed they've been closed for renovations since February. No signs of forced entry, no recent activity. He said they haven't seen any unusual vehicles either."

I nodded, marking another X on our map. "That's the eighteenth location."

"How many more on the list?" Sebastian asked, refilling his coffee mug then grabbing a plate.

When we started this plan, I thought it was safest to have one of Law's crew partnering with one of mine. There's safety in numbers as well as it keeps Law following the rules.

"Seven," I replied. "But none of them fit the pattern as well as the ones we've already checked."

Law appeared and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. He'd been unusually quiet the past few days, his normal banter replaced by a focused intensity. Our interactions had been strictly professional since our shared realization about the roses. There was no mention of Ruth, no teasing or mention that she called him. Only the cold mechanics of the investigation. Which suited me just fine.

I'd been petty, I could admit that to myself. Refusing Law access to Mickey until today. I'd pulled Brooklyn aside and insisted that she accompany him for the interview. All of it was spite, plain and simple. The childish part of me wanted to deny him something. Because there was no way in hell, I was going to just let him always get his way. Not in my jurisdiction.

"Sheriff? Could I see you in your office?" Holly appeared in the doorway, tablet in hand.

I followed her to my office, where she sat down and put the tablet on my desk.

"As you know I've been working with Mouse and Keyboard. They identified the symbol on the dead lady." Holly turned the tablet to me. "It's the Japanese kanji for 'Emperor'."

"Well, that's not surprising."

"It also has a capital M, done with black light ink," she added. "Custom design, singular purpose."

"A brand," I concluded grimly. "And given what we know about Michael it doesn't shock me. What I want to figure out is was she a worker or what he considered his property?"

"I asked the ladies that. They said this would be used as an ownership mark, like his favorite. Since the tattoo placement is significant. Behind the ear means hidden, intimate. She would have to make an effort to show someone. Emperors of old would mark their women. That way, the women would show others who they belonged to." Holly rolled her eyes. "Disgusting."

"Everything Michael does is disgusting." I said, "Any idea who she is?"

"Nope, not at all. The girls don't think we'll ever know. That he could have bought her from a family or in a market somewhere."

---