Page 38 of All I Need (Hearts of the South)
“Morning, Falconetti.” Troy Lee harrumphed and snagged a new ticket book from the supply shelf. He nudged Rob. “You didn’t answer the question.”
“I’m taking four more work days and the weekend, until we’re through the ten-day waiting period.”
“Bennett, are these yours?” Falconetti gestured at the notes and diagrams covering the whiteboard and glanced over her shoulder at him.
“Yes.” He crossed to stand next to her.
“They’re good. I thought Tick said you only had three incidents?”
Rob leaned forward to tap the board, where a fourth column detailed a bullet hole being found in an ambulance after a run, followed by a question mark. “Not sure about this one. If so, it would be the first.”
A slight frown drew her elegant brows together. “This escalated fast.”
“I know. If it’s the same guy, and we don’t have any reason not to think it isn’t, I wonder if something happened between him shooting at Clark and him actually shooting Beau and Andy.”
“Usually, snipers like the attention the shootings bring.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “How did you manage to keep it out of the media?”
“Busy news week for the local stations in Albany, and the newspapers tend to follow them.” Rob shrugged. “They didn’t pick up on this.”
“Ray Lewis did.” Emmett gestured toward the front office, and Falconetti shifted her gaze to him. He recognized her now—the brunette in the wedding and family photos on Calvert’s desk. In person, she had a cool polish about her that made him think of the way Savannah carried herself. “He requested all the available reports.”
“Great.” Rob’s mouth twisted into a pained grimace, and he scuffed a hand over his neck. “Lewis will give him all the attention he wants, and you can bet it will have a negative slant to it.”
“Of course.” Falconetti brushed her hair away from her face. “If you need help with this, let me know. Tick can give you my cell number.”
“Thanks.” Rob paused, still frowning at the board. “He’s going to do it again, isn’t he?”
“Yes, unless something prevents him.” She lifted one shoulder in a graceful shrug. “They don’t simply stop.”
“Hey, precious, sorry I’m late.” Calvert rapped against the doorframe. “I got held up in the county commission planning meeting. You ready?”
“Yes.” She turned her attention to Rob. “Contact me if you need me.”
“Thanks.” Rob snapped a shot of the board with his phone. He grabbed a thin stack of folders from his desk. “I’ve got to get home. See you guys later.”
The smile Falconetti turned on Calvert as she met him at the door lit up her entire face, transforming her from ice princess to real and genuine in a heartbeat. The older man rested his palm against the small of her back and ushered her before him. The easy intimacy in their interaction triggered a burning wave of envy in Emmett’s chest.
That kind of relationship was the last thing Savannah wanted with him, even if they had spent the last three nights in his bed, even if he was meeting her physical needs. He frowned. His mama and dad certainly hadn’t had that kind of interaction, so he didn’t have a model to follow.
Son of a bitch, he really didn’t have a clue what to do next.
And Savannah sure as hell wasn’t going to help him figure that out.
* * * * *
His apartment was too quiet and too empty.
After a quick shower that triggered memories of Savannah’s soft curves and sultry moans, Emmett tugged on a T-shirt and jeans. He eyed his grad-course books, still on the chair, but couldn’t dredge up any enthusiasm for exploring the role servant leadership might play in a law-enforcement setting.
He missed her, damn it. Being this lonely without her after three short nights was not only bizarre, but mildly frightening. He was in over his head, and he didn’t want to think about the possibility she might decide his days were limited.
The doorbell rang, and his heart kicked up a notch. Troy Lee and Clark always knocked; there really wasn’t anyone else to be visiting him. Sure enough, Savannah waited on the walkway when he opened the door. He leaned an arm on the doorjamb. “Hey.”
“Hey.” An uncertain smile flitted across her face and disappeared. “I’m going to pick up something for dinner and take it over to Amy and Rob’s. I wanted to see you and thought I’d ask if you wanted to come with me. I understand if it’s too weird, too soon, or whatever…”
She was cute when she rambled. Warmth and relief flushed him, and he grinned. “It’ll probably be weird, but what the hell. Let me grab my shoes.”
His Sanuks waited by the couch, and he slipped his feet into them while she tapped a nervous tattoo on the door.
