Page 60 of By the Book

“Welp, why don’t you go pick him up and we’ll get started on the fun?”

Jackson doesn’t seem to be having too much fun when Millie leads him into the interrogation room. I, however, must curb my enthusiasm. I finally have some teeth to this investigation, and if I can make the town safe again before the festival, it would go a long way. I’d sleep better at night too, knowing Ivy’s no longer being targeted.

Ivy, my hopefully soon to be girlfriend. But we haven’t talked about it because there’s the looming issue of Wes hanging out there. I suddenly feel like Jackson looks. Whatever she wants from here on out, I still took my best friend’s little sister out last night. And didn’t have the decency to talk to him first. Not to mention the fact that I’m using a promise I made their father as my cover.

Pops wouldn’t stand for this if he was around. I can practically hear his scratchy voice telling me to be a good man and own my choices, go about things in the proper way.

I stand there, hidden by the faux mirror in the observation room, watching my suspect squirm. And I squirm in my own right. I plan to make him wait a while longer anyway, to ensure I have him on edge. But I need to settle myself in the meantime. Opening the file in my hand, I read through the case I’m starting to build against Jackson. This I can do. Despite how Foxport’s citizens feel currently, I am damn good at my job.

Running through my key points, a knock at the door catches my attention. I turn as it opens slowly, hesitantly. And then, to my complete surprise, Ivy steps through it. Standing there before me, she’s in a sweater dress, those knee-high boots thatdraw my eyes up her legs, and a nervous smile on her face. My heart somersaults in my chest at the sight of her.

Dropping the folder on the table beside me, I cross the room and close the door behind her. I want privacy from the department, I want her lips on mine.

“What brings you in, Sherlock?” I ask, my hand still flat against the door above her head. I lean down and take her waist in my other hand, pressing her back against the door and stepping flush against her. Ivy rocks forward to meet me, rising up on her toes and brushing a teasing kiss across my lips.

“Can I ask for something?” she murmurs.

“Anything.” I give her waist a squeeze.

“Can I stay and watch you interrogate Jackson?”

A laugh escapes me. Of course, that’s what she’s thinking about right now. My determined little sleuth.

“How did you know? Is that why you came down here? I was kind of hoping it was to see me.”

“No, I definitely came here for you. But I watched Millie put Jackson in her car outside my store and assumed that meant you’d be here.”

I clasp my lips back against hers, kissing her softly before murmuring into her mouth, “What were you hoping we did during this visit?”

Ivy pulls back with a frown. “Actually, while I’d be happy to keep this up. I thought maybe you’d want to see something. When I saw Millie with Jackson, I went closer to my windows and noticed something out front. I found this tucked under a pumpkin.”

She holds up a slip of paper, a message typed like before. It reads:Your boyfriend should have learned. A gaping pit forms within me. This is all happening to her because of me. The note confirms it.

Reaching for the paper, I nearly get hold of the edge when Ivy pulls it back away from me. “What are you thinking right now?”

“I’m thinking that this is my fault.”

“I hate how you’re beating yourself up over this whole thing,” she sighs, shaking her head at me. “This isn’t your fault. It might be his fault—” Ivy points through the two-way mirror at Jackson sitting before us. “But it’s not your fault. And I feel safe with you.”

She folds the note up and tosses it onto the table, taking my face in her hands. “Pleasestop letting this ridiculous little tactic work. You’re focusing on what hewantsyou to focus on. I’m not worried, don’t let him make you worry about me.”

“You should be worried though. He was in your home, honey.Your home. He stood over you when you were hiding under your desk for God’s sake.” I drop my forehead against hers.

Pushing me backwards until I’m resting against the table, Ivy follows, settling herself between my legs. Having her step into my space like this is distracting me in the best way. My mind is rendered useless as she rests her hands on my thighs and leans against me. Need courses through me, radiating from each delicious point of contact.

“I finally get this chance with you, I can’t lose you now,” I admit, my voice a whisper.

“Do you want to know why I’m not worried?”

“Why?”

“I know that you would never let anything happen to me. If I didn’t have you, Tripp, I would worry. But you’ve got security cameras up at my shop and you made my door at home more secure than Fort Knox.”

I catch her around the waist and hold her in place. She has such faith in me, I can’t remember a time someone trusted me so readily. No one other than Pops has ever made me feel like I don’t need to work for their approval. Pops, and now Ivy.

“The whole town wants to recall me. Word of mouth will stretch into the rest of the county soon. You don’t think everyone is right?”

It’s the first time I’ve spoken my fear aloud.

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