Page 25 of Twin Threats In Austin
“I know,” she said as her heart went out to the victim and her family. More lives were going to be ruined. Molly Rancor hadbeen a missing person. Now, she would be identified forever as a murder victim.
Rochelle couldn’t help but think about the brutality Izzy had suffered at the hands of this killer—a killer that was coming for her.
She mentally shook off the thought and called her supervisor. “What time with the victim’s body be returned to Austin?”
“The estimate is noon,” her supervisor said. Barron Vandergrift sounded more like a prep-school name than someone who dedicated their life to law enforcement. But the name was where the prep-school fantasy ended. Barron was as tough as they came. Middle-aged with a ruddy complexion, he’d joked more than once about letting down his parents with his chosen career field. Rochelle picked up right away on the hint of shame he carried by not being what his parents expected. If he was going to uphold the law, they’d nudged him toward CIA. Barron laughed when he told Rochelle the story that came up any time she faced disappointed parents in her line of work. He’d been quick to point out that he had a beautiful wife and three amazing kids. The tradeoff, he’d said, had been worth it. Rochelle had never fantasized about having a family of her own and she refused to accept any societal expectations that said otherwise. She was a fully functioning capable woman who’d chosen a career as a detective. “Could be sooner.” Barron’s words cut through her reverie.
“Okay,” Rochelle said, the back of her mind devising a schedule for the day with this new information.
“I like this situation even less after what happened last night,” Barron said.
“Agreed.” What else could she say?
“Are you certain that you don’t need time?” he continued. “Seven months isn’t long in the grand scheme of life.” Hepaused. “What do you think about revisiting the idea of you seeing Dr.—”
“I’m good,” she said, interrupting. “We’ve already covered this ground. The best thing anyone can do for me is allow me to do my job. Last I checked, I was still good at it.”
“You’re one of my best detectives.” The compliment from Barron meant the world to her. He wasn’t one to hand them out freely. In fact, he wasn’t one to hand them out at all.
“Thank you, sir,” she said.
“Which is precisely the reason I don’t want to lose you,” he added.
“If I think I’m in trouble, I’ll reach out,” she promised.
Her answer seemed to satisfy Barron. He grunted and then mumbled a goodbye. The man had a reputation for getting straight to the point. No argument there.
“Not to jump on a bandwagon, but I don’t like the fact a perp went to the trouble of waiting for you at your home,” Camden said after a long pause.
“If you’re about to tell me to seek counseling, then—”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I was about to ask you if you wanted to move in with me until we finish the investigation.”
Rochelle didn’t see that question coming. Her heart fluttered like a schoolgirl with a crush.
Fool heart. Would it get her into trouble with this man?
Camden waited forRochelle’s response. He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until she answered.
“Yes, that’s probably a good idea,” she said. “I just hate the thought of anyone running me out of my own home.”
He understood. “It’s temporary. Just until we put this bastard behind bars.”
“Are you convinced the person from last night is tied to this case?”
“We won’t know for sure until he’s locked up, will we?” he asked.
She heaved a sigh. “I guess not.”
“I’d rather not risk it,” he said. “Next time, he will be more prepared.”
Rochelle got quiet. It meant she was thinking. “You’re right. I shouldn’t risk my life over pride.”
“Pack a bag and we’ll head to my place,” he said. “We have time for you to unpack.”
“Think we can stop by Kage’s place on the way?”
Camden nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”
