Page 44 of Mine to Hold
“Both,” Emmerson admitted. Everyone in his family knew he’d spent the night with Rumor. There was no getting past that fact. His love life was none of their business, but because of recent events, it had become a family problem. He trusted his brothers and he needed their help more than he needed his badge.
“I take it you read through what Rhett and I found.”
“I skimmed through the important parts.”
“What are your thoughts?” Miles asked. “More importantly, do you believe Rumor has anything to do with this Tony guy or even Tom Hemming and his drug business?”
Emmerson scratched his scruffy face. He hated not shaving. He once tried to grow a beard and it lasted all of two days. Glancing at the sky, he stared at a big puffy white cloud as it passed over the sun, as if it held all the answers he needed. This was by far the toughest case he’d ever worked on in his entire career. Not only because it involved two murders of women he knew, but because it now appeared to involve another woman he’d grown to care for in a short period of time.
He’d always been the kind of man who fell hard and fast. Edwina had been his first love and he had loved her with all his heart. Her betrayal had nearly destroyed him as a man, and as a police officer. For years, he found himself questioning his ability to perform his job effectively.
And his love life?
Nonexistent.
But not for lack of trying.
Until Tessa.
He tried to take his time getting to know her, but his heart demanded more and he caved, even though his mind forced him to hold back. Maybe the failure of their relationship was on him, something he struggled to come to terms with, but if he were being honest, he’d loved her too.
And there were other women he’d loved. However, he could never fully allow himself to trust.
He wanted so desperately to believe Rumor was different. Special.
“Until I speak with her about it, I’m not making any judgments.” He shifted his gaze, catching his brother’s, daring him to pick a fight.
“You haven’t said anything to her about it?”
“Not about Tony or Tom. Only that I dug into her past. She did not respond well to that.”
“Would you?”
“I’m a cop. What’s to find in my past?”
Miles laughed. “Um, I could name a few things. Like when Mom busted you for streaking.”
“Don’t be an ass. You know what I mean,” Emmerson said. “I’ve always known Rumor was hiding something. She’s been moving from town to town for fifteen years. Who does that?” He held up his hand. “Either someone who is running from something. Or someone who is…” He let the words trail off. Hecouldn’t even say them out loud because he didn’t believe them. Not one little bit.
“Yeah.” Miles rested his hand on Emmerson’s shoulder. “Based on her past, what she went through, and her history of moving around, I’d say she’s hiding and running.”
Emmerson arched a brow. “You’re giving her the benefit of the doubt?” The sound of an engine pulling down the street caught his attention. He turned his head.
Rhett pulled into his driveway.
“I am. She left California when she was eighteen. When Rhett and I checked into drug running in the towns she’d lived in since then, we never found anything like this. No major drug running. Nothing associated with her name. The fact that Tony was released six months ago and is now missing and Tom is in Miami, makes both Rhett and I think either she has something on them or?—”
“They have something on her,” Emmerson said.
“That’s not what I was going to say.” Miles shook his head.
Rhett stepped from his SUV. “Why are we standing out here?”
“Because Emmerson here is letting his mind go to some deep and dark places,” Miles said.
“Of course he is.” Rhett gave Emmerson a good slap on the shoulder. “Let’s go find out what your girlfriend has to say.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Emmerson muttered.
