Page 12 of No Time for Doubt
She recognized the moment he decided to play hardball and bit back an untimely retort.
“Could be you’re helping the victim frame the husband,” he accused.
She rolled her eyes.“I guarantee there isn’t a shred of evidence to corroborate that theory.”It made her sad when she crossed paths with people—like the detective—who just were not worth the effort.A pity really.Meeting him, he’d given her a spark of hopeful potential that he might accept her as she was, accept the help she could offer.Until he’d decided she wasn’t normal and everything deteriorated.
“Nell’s husband is the only villain here.He’s the charlatan.He’s the one wearing the mask.Because whatever he told you at the house, whatever nonsensical scene he staged there, his intention was to kill her.”
“Careful,” the detective warned.
She was way past careful.“He drugged her to get her on this boat.He dumped more drugs into her system once he had her in the cabin, out of sight.And tonight, he had every intention of taking the boat out to the middle of the lake and dumping her body.Without me, you never would have found Nell in time to save her.”
“You can’t know that,” Cade argued.
“Oh really?”The man made her want to pull out her hair.“When was the last time we dragged Lake Michigan for a missing woman?”A woman who probably wouldn’t have ever been reported missing at all if things hadn’t gone awry this morning.
Devyn was proud of Nell for fighting back and leaving a psychic trail bright enough for Devyn to follow.Of course that hadn’t been intentional, but her extraordinary senses had come through in a big way, independent of the official investigation.
“Good luck.”Devyn walked away, ignoring him when he called after her.If the man had more to say, he could make an appointment.
Chapter 4
Cade fought himself.He didn’t like letting her walk.Ms.Norris had secrets.A multitude, if he had to guess.Secrets tied to attempted murder were never a good thing.But he had a job to do.The one the department trusted him with, so he worked the scene at the yacht club, taking statements from the victim and the doctor while patrol officers searched for witnesses.
Nothing pointed to a suspect that wasn’t Daniel Pereda.
Eventually, there was nothing more Cade could do in the name of the case and he had to face the reality of Samantha’s displeasure waiting for him at home.Normally so understanding, she’d made her disappointment clear.And she was right, but it hadn’t felt like a scene he could walk away from.
As a peace offering, he picked up her favorite cookies to go with a late take-out dinner.He was lucky she loved him.The mother of his child amazingly forgave him quickly.After dinner, they cuddled close on the couch, watching the video from her ultrasound.It was remarkable to see the baby, in grainy black and white, with a fluttering heartbeat.Soon that would be their son or daughter and he’d be a father for the rest of his life.It was mind-boggling.Thrilling.More than a little bit terrifying.
And they hadn’t even considered names yet.
He regretted that they hadn’t shopped in person, as planned.He made it up to her by putting together an online wish list extensive enough to bankrupt a millionaire.
Silly, sure.But it was a starting point.More importantly, it made her happy.It was life affirming.
Contrary to Ms.Norris’s opinion,lifemattered to him too.He believed in celebrating the good stuff because there was always plenty of death and darkness.
