Page 26 of Playing for Keeps
There was no going back now. Her family had seen the post, and there wasn’t anything left to do except face it head on.
9
JUSTIN
Nick was a mastermind when he wanted to be. He’d gotten the post taken down from the Rumor on the Ridge page within an hour. Too bad there were already fifty comments by that time and probably plenty of screenshots.
Justin closed his locker and walked out of the gym with his chin down. The department knew when they hired him there was a chance he’d be photographed doing anything and everything. Chief said it was fine, as long as it didn’t backfire on the force.
“Hey.”
Justin looked up as Neenah approached, already wearing workout clothes.
She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “There’s someone waiting for you in the lobby.”
Justin looked behind her at the long hallway, then back to her. “Is it?—”
“It’s not her.” Neenah’s eyes squinted as if she were sorry to break the news.
Caroline hadn’t called after his flower delivery. Neenah warned him not to get his hopes up, but the rejection burned just the same. He couldn’t keep showing up and delivering things to Caroline’s work. She was too professional to let her private life affect her business, and he respected that.
“It’s her brother.”
Justin rubbed a hand through his hair and took the time to slowly turn a three-sixty and process the news. This day had always been inevitable. He just hadn’t planned on having the come-to-Jesus meeting this morning. “Which one?”
“Jordan,” Neenah whispered.
Great. The older and more serious of Caroline’s brothers had showed up at the police station for a chat. It was going to be a fantastic day at this rate.
Justin nodded. “Thanks for the warning.”
“Anytime. Maybe he’ll understand,” Neenah offered with a crinkle of her nose.
The scoff came out before Justin had a chance to wrangle it in. “Slim chance, but I’m about to find out.”
Neenah pointed toward the gym. “I’ll be here if you need backup.”
Justin bumped her shoulder with his. “Thanks. Ihope I don’t need it.” No one with half a brain would underestimate Neenah. She packed plenty of punch in a tiny frame, and Justin wouldn’t want to be on her bad side.
Sure enough, Jordan Taylor sat in a gray chair against the wall in the lobby with his arms crossed over his chest. One foot tapped a quick rhythm on the tile floor.
It didn’t take an investigator to know he was itching for a fight. Surely, he wouldn’t have picked the police station for this chat if he thought things would get messy.
Jordan stood as soon as Justin entered the room. Caroline’s brother gave him a once-over before lifting his chin.
Justin stopped a foot and a half in front of Jordan and extended his hand. “Jordan Taylor, I heard you wanted to see me.”
“You heard right.” Jordan didn’t reach for the offered hand. “Is there anywhere we can talk in private?”
Justin nodded. “Let me secure a conference room.” Linda at the receptionist’s desk confirmed that Room B was open, and Justin led the way down the hall.
Once they were inside the room, Justin gestured to one of the seats at an oval table.
Jordan waved a hand. “I’ll stand. Let’s cut to thechase. Tell me exactly what you were doing with Caroline.”
Justin took a calming breath before answering. “Where do you want me to start?”
“The beginning,” Jordan ordered.
