Page 80 of Into These Eyes
“If itisabout you,” I interrupt, “that’d be pointless. Going elsewhere would simply change the target.”
“Better than it being you.”
Lost in those denim depths, at the genuine concern right at their surface, I shake my head. “No. I’m not letting anyone intimidate me. I’m fixing this for you, and I won’t stop until your name’s cleared. So, you can forget that idea. Permanently.” I wipe my damp hands down the sides of my dress and sidestep around him. “Right, come on in. I’m sure you’d like a shower.”
He follows me through the open-plan living area, then along the hallway. I open the first door on the right. “Here’s the laundry. The internal access to the garage is right through there,” I explain, pointing to the other door.
Further along, I enter the spare room. There’s a freshly made double bed pushed against one wall, a small desk, a chest of drawers and built-in-robe. Turning, I find him hesitating on the threshold.
“This is yours. The bathroom’s directly across the hall. Fresh towels, shampoo, soap, whatever you need is in there. It’s all yours. I have an ensuite, so you don’t have to worry about sharing with me.”God, I’m babbling.
He nods as he takes a step inside and lowers his duffle bag to the floor. It’s then I notice a dark patch on his t-shirt where I’d rested my cheek. For a second, I think I’ve smeared mascara on him. Then I realise the darkness is coming from beneath the damp, semi-transparent material. The tattoo.
“Jamie?”
My eyes snap to his.
“Thank you,” he says, his gaze darting around the room, taking everything in.
I shake my head. “No. Thankyou.” When his eyes settle on mine, I ask with trepidation, “You’re absolutely sure about this?”
“I might not know much about protecting you … but I know I want to.” He runs his fingers through his wet hair. “Anyway, I’ll do a sweep of the house, check the locks. We’ll talk after I have that shower.”
I take that as my cue to get out of his room and give him some privacy. “Sure. I’d better get some work done.”
He makes room for me to pass, but when I reach the threshold, he says, “You already know this, but you need to call the police. Just to make sure there’s a record of the threat.”
I nod before heading into the kitchen to get a much-needed glass of wine.
Once I’m sitting at my laptop, I reach for my phone when I hear the shower start up.
I don’t dial the police directly. Instead, I call Pete and tell him about the threatening note and who I believe is responsible.
He’s quiet for a long moment before he says, “Accusing a Detective Inspector of threatening you without any evidence isn’t a smart move. You can’t know for sure it was him. Your profession alone makes you a target for threats.”
“I know that. It’s just … the timing seems too coincidental.”
“But is it? Reid has no idea you’re on this mission to get Lake’s conviction quashed, so from where I’m sitting, it’s highly unlikely.”
Now it’s my turn to remain quiet. I’d rather not fess up to my mistake, but what I don’t understand is why he isn’t backing me up like he usually does?
“Jamie?” he asks, his tone that of a parent already suspecting their child’s done something wrong.
“You’re right. He doesn’t know that’s what I’m doing, but … I, ah, might’ve called him the night my father died. I know you told me not to tell anyone about Dad’s confession, but it was too late by then. I couldn’t take it back.” When I hear a long sigh, I add, “At that stage, I had no idea he’d buried a witness … so it’s possible he’s put two and two together.”
“Right. Let me think.”
Damn. He’s as happy about that little admission as I am.
“Listen,” he says after a moment. “Meet me tomorrow for lunch with the note. I’ll look into it myself. Discreetly. Any whiff that he’s involved, we’ll take it further.”
“Okay,” I agree, feeling a scrap of relief.
“Good.” Another sigh. “So, how’re you feeling? Do you feel safe? Want me to get a patrol car to cruise by every now and then? Is there anything I can do?”
It briefly occurs to me that those questions should have been the first he asked, but I brush it aside. First and foremost, he’s a cop.
“I may have convinced Gavin to stay with me. For protection,” I add quickly.
