Page 37 of Deputies Under Fire
Ike might have plenty of ill will toward Dutton, Eden and him, but it would still be a deep cut if someone murdered his family to get back at him. Plus, Helen might not find it any great loss to kill off her sister’s children since she blamed them for not doing enough to save their mother.
Killing Eden and him would accomplish something else, too. It could throw the investigation into a tailspin.
The next report he pulled up was from the medical examiner, stating that the blade that’d killed Brenda could indeed have come from a Swiss Army knife. Rory sighed. Because that put Ike right back in the center of suspicion. According to Dutton, Helen had threatened Ike with such a knife, and Ike had taken it from her. Ike would need to be questioned about that.
Rory looked up from the report and sighed when he heard Eden coming back into the room. Clearly, she hadn’t opted for the long shower, and there was still a lot of tension in her eyes. But at least she was dressed for bed in loose joggers and a T-shirt.
He considered pulling her back into his arms but knew that was a bad idea. Instead, he tipped his head to the sofa. “Get some rest. I won’t be long in the shower.”
And he wasn’t. He didn’t want to leave Eden and Tyler alone, so he hurried, ignoring his protesting muscles. Rory didn’t go with sleepwear, though. He put on some clean jeans and a black T-shirt just so he’d be ready if anything went wrong during the night.
When he went back into the nursery, Eden was already on the sofa bed and was in the process of putting her phone on vibrate. Once she’d done that, she lay down and gave him a long look before lifting the portion of the blanket that was on the empty side of the bed.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I want you next to me,” she muttered. “It’s the only way I’ll get any sleep.”
“It’s not a lot to ask at all.” Rory put his holster on the end table.
He wanted to do this for her. Needed it. Yes, it would be torture having her so close but not kissing her. Or making love to her. But she didn’t need kisses or sex. She just needed him.
So that’s what he gave her.
Rory slid in next to her and eased Eden into his arms.
Chapter Eleven
Eden woke, slowly, parts of her seemingly protesting the mere opening of her eyes. But other parts alerted her to the warm, solid man pressed against her.
Rory.
She knew his scent and the feel of him. And those certain parts of her suddenly wanted more. Eden looked at him, to see if he was awake. He was, and her gaze collided with his intense brown eyes. They didn’t move toward each other, but Eden was certainly thinking about doing that when she heard two sounds.
“Mama, Dada,” Tyler babbled. He had pulled himself to a standing position in the crib and was smiling at them.
Eden automatically smiled back, and then she realized there was another sound. Rory’s phone was vibrating and was practically dancing across the end table. She glanced at the time. Barely 7:00 a.m., which meant this almost certainly wasn’t good news.
“It’s Bennie,” Rory revealed, groaning. “I’ll take the call if you want to see to Tyler.”
She definitely wanted to go to their son, and Eden understood why Rory didn’t put the call on speaker. There was no telling what gruesome details of the investigation Bennie might mention.
Tyler gave her a sloppy kiss, and he tightened his arms around her neck when she picked him up. Just that slight pressure caused some discomfort, but no way would she loosen his grip. She needed this contact. This moment with him.
Eden held Tyler, and he babbled his way to the changing table, where there were plenty of supplies. Not just diapers and wipes, but extra clothes for their son, too.
While she changed him, she looked back at Rory. One glimpse at his expression, and she got confirmation that something bad had happened.
Please, not another murder.
But with the killer unidentified and therefore at large, it was possible he’d struck again.
She finished changing Tyler just as Rory ended the call. “Let’s take Tyler to Leslie,” he said, giving the baby a kiss, “and then we can talk.”
Eden didn’t press him for info. She stepped into the hall and practically ran right into Leslie.
“Me,” Tyler squealed, which was as close as he’d come to saying the nanny’s name. When he reached for her, Leslie took him into her arms. She also studied Eden’s face for a moment.
“Rory just got a work call,” Eden explained.
Leslie nodded, and even though she must have noticed Eden’s dour expression, she managed to smile at Tyler. “Let’s go downstairs and get some oatmeal,” she offered.
