Page 47 of Ranger Belief
“And now, I must insist we bring this interview to an end,” Paul interjected. “My client is tired and grief-stricken.”
Jonah nearly snorted at that. Garrett didn’t look the least bit grief-stricken. But as the two men rose, Laney extended her hand toward Garrett. “Thank you so much for your help today. And I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Garrett stared at her for a long moment, his giant hand holding her small, and more delicate one, for several seconds longer than was polite.
Jonah mashed his teeth together to keep from crossing the room and tearing Garrett's hand away from Laney's. His dislike of the man was visceral and immediate. He’d dealt with plenty of arrogant, boundary-crossing men in his career, but something about the way Garrett looked at Laney—like she was property to be claimed—made his blood boil.
Garrett and his attorney left the room. Jonah joined Laney in the hall to watch them cross the bullpen and exit into the parking lot.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“Garrett fits the profile. He knew Nolan and Lisa, and harassed Ava. He doesn’t have an alibi for any of the attacks. He’s definitely fascinated by you, and he has a boat. It all fits.”
“Almost too perfectly,” she murmured. “And how does Mitch fit into all of this?”
“He could be illegally camping in the park, hiding out from the police, and have nothing to do with the murders.”
“True.”
They were standing in a crowded sheriff’s department, so taking her hand or embracing her would have been inappropriate. Still, Jonah needed to touch her. He extended his pinky, brushing against the soft curve of her palm. “You were amazing.”
“Wewere amazing.” Her lips quirked. “You snarled and mashed your teeth so well I worried you might break a molar during the interview.”
“I didn’t like Garrett being near you,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I almost tore his hand off his body when he wouldn’t let go of you there at the end.”
“Good thing you didn’t,” Laney replied, but then she turned her head and her breath hitched as their gazes met. Their pinkies were now twisted together, the touch so minor, and yet…Jonah felt it right down to his bones. And when Laney’s gaze dropped to his mouth, it took serious restraint to stop himself from leaning forward and brushing a kiss on her gorgeous lips.
He had to hold steady. Be patient. Have faith.
It wasn’t easy. The signals she was giving out were mixed, and at some point, they needed to address it. But Jonah would give her the space and time to sort through things.
She was worth it.
The door to the viewing room opened, and Chief Deputy Williams stormed out, quickly followed by Tate and Ryker. All of them wore grim and worried expressions.
Jonah’s muscles tightened. “What is it?”
The deputy chief came to stop in front of them. “I just got a call from dispatch.” Her gaze shifted to Laney. “There’s been an incident at your sister’s house.”
TWENTY-TWO
Laney’s heart was in her throat as Jonah sped through the center of town. Her hands shook so badly, she couldn’t have considered driving. She balled them into fists so tight her fingers hurt. Scout whimpered from her crate in the back, picking up on Laney’s clear distress, and she made a calming shushing sound to reassure her dog. Chief Deputy Williams didn’t have much information about the 911 call. Only that someone had been attacked and they needed an ambulance.
She knew she should pray, but couldn’t find the words.
Her sister was all the family she had…if she lost Bre…
Trembles racked her body.
“Hang in there, Laney.” Jonah reached across the space separating them and placed a hand over her closed fist.
“She has to be okay.” Tears pricked the back of her eyes, but she fought them back. Papa Earl. And baby Asher. She didn’t even know whether Marcus was at home tonight or at work. All of them could be hurt. Or worse. Laney almost never allowed herself to envision the worst, but right now, in this moment, she couldn’t stop herself.
“God, we come to you with humble hearts.” Jonah’s voice was soft and reverent. “We ask that You watch over Breanna, Marcus, Asher, and Papa Earl. Give us the strength to face what comes next. Shine Your light on us so we may walk towards You even when things feel hopeless or dark. Amen.”
“Amen,” she whispered, feeling some of the tension coiling inside her belly loosen. She’d never been more grateful for her best friend. “Thank you, Jonah.”
Moments later, they turned into her sister’s neighborhood. Breanna’s house was at the end of a cul-de-sac. Red and blue flashing lights from the responding patrol shimmered off the trees and yard. Laney hopped out of the SUV and raced across the grass. Papa Earl, his face half-obscured by an oxygen mask, was being loaded into the back of the ambulance. Breanna stood barefoot on the walkway in her pajamas, a stricken look on her face.
