Page 23 of Twin Threats In Austin
“A shot of adrenaline is still working through my system.” She exhaled a slow breath. “And my mind is spinning. There’s no way I could fall asleep without images of—of that perp crashinginto my thoughts.” It would be unnerving to be targeted outside your house. The perp was clear with his intentions. He was targeting Rochelle.
Her cell buzzed. She located it and then studied the screen. A few seconds later, she mouthed a swear word.
“What is it?”
“My supervisor just told me to take a couple of days off,” she said, disbelief written all over her features. “Are you kidding me?” She immediately fired off a response. And then her phone buzzed again. “He’s not taking no for an answer. But I can’t back off this case. Especially after what just happened.”
“It takes someone with a lot of bravado to come after a law-enforcement officer at home,” Camden pointed out.
“I was just thinking the same thing,” she said before smacking her flat palm on the glass table. It left a mark. “Which is exactly the reason I have to stay on this case. Plus, we don’t know for certain tonight’s incident is related.”
Camden cocked his head to one side. She put her hand up, palm out, in defense.
“Okay, maybe that’s a stretch,” she said. “However, I won’t be backed into a corner by anyone.”
“What did your supervisor say?” he asked.
“That I’ve been under strain lately and he thought it best if I take a short leave of absence,” she stated. “The underlying message here is that I lost my mother seven months ago and he doesn’t think I’ve given myself enough time to grieve.”
“Taking care of your mental health is especially important on this job,” he said. “Is there any merit to what your supervisor says?”
Rochelle didn’t immediately answer. Instead, she breathed in a slow breath like she wanted to take her time to think it over. “I don’t believe so, or I would have pulled myself off the jobalready. Does that mean I’m not shaken up by what happened tonight? No. But I would have been anyway.”
“The question is whether or not you think this will affect your job performance tomorrow,” he said.
“What do you think?”
“That you’re professional and capable,” he said without hesitation. “I think you’re one helluva detective and I’d work with you any day of the week.”
“Thank you,” she said. Her cheeks flushed at the compliments, which only proved to make her even more attractive. How it was possible to make the detective even more beautiful was beyond him.
“I mean it,” he continued. “I’ve worked with the best and I would trust you to have my back any day.”
“Same to you,” she countered. Then came a sharp sigh. “If you see anything that raises a red flag about my performance on this case, I’d be disappointed if you didn’t speak up.”
“Got it,” he said.
“And you’re good to continue working with me. Is that right?”
“Yes, I am.”
Rochelle picked up her cell and sent off another text. “I’ve just told my supervisor that I’m fine and don’t need time off. I said you would vouch for me if it came down to it but that I have a good handle on where I’m at emotionally. If it gets to be too much, I’ll take a back seat.”
“I’m here,” Camden reassured. “I’d like to stay together twenty-four-seven while we work the case. We’ll waste less time if we’re already together and it’ll be easier to talk through the investigation.”
“Done,” she said. “I have a second bedroom that I turned into an office when I bought the place. The sofa folds out into a bed if that’s okay with you.”
“Believe me, I’ve slept in worse places.”
Based on her expression, he should probably have explained that he meant he’d slept on the hard ground in not much more than a one-person tent. From the looks of it, she assumed he meant that he’d slept in shady beds.
“I didn’t mean—”
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” she said, cutting him off.
“I just thought…never mind.” He was probably reading too much into the situation. Even if he wasn’t, she was right to shut him down. They were coworkers on this investigation. A romantic involvement would be unprofessional.
“It’s fine,” she said. “I’ll just grab an extra pillow and some blankets for you. It’s supposed to get cold tonight.” She started to walk away and then turned back toward him. “Thanksgiving is later this week. Are you sure you want to be here instead of Mesa Point with your family?”
