Page 17 of All He Takes
"Anytime, boss," Grace said. "I'm sending his address. Good luck."
Once off the phone with Grace, Nicky faced Ken. "Okay, we have some updates," Nicky said, as she and Ken went over the case. "Jimmy Drake, Francine Gibbons's ex, has that car registered under his name. And Grace hasn't found any direct ties to Paris, yet, but he's definitely worth investigating further."
"By the sounds of it, yeah," Ken said, standing up. "I'm done with all this sitting around. This bastard is going down today."
"I'll drive," Nicky said, standing up. She and Ken had been partners for a long time now, and they both knew what the other wanted without having to say anything. Nicky could tell from his tone of voice that he was ready to fight, and she was ready to fight with him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The road stretched before Nicky, topped by a clear summer sky. They were taking the backroads, as Jimmy Drake's town--Stoneycreek--was only an hour away from Pine Grove. Nicky could feel the surge of the car beneath her, and it was exhilarating to belt down the backroads with so few cars around.
Ken sat in the passenger seat, and he'd been quiet on the drive up. Nicky wondered if he was thinking about their conversation earlier--about finally going on a date and getting things moving between them that way. She knew it hadn't been easy for him to ask, but she was grateful he had.
Nicky had a lot of commitment issues in previous relationships, but whatever she had with Ken--it felt real, for the first time in her life.
But as she was thinking it, driving silently along the road, she couldn't help but feel guilty.
Rosie never got to experience first love, or a first kiss, or anything like that.
She'd been only fifteen when the kidnapper got away with her. So many years had passed since then, and Nicky knew, statistically, it was unlikely her sister was still alive. Maybe it was crazy, but Nicky still felt connected to Rosie, like even through time and distance, their blood bond thrived.
Nicky just felt like Rosie was still alive out there.
She felt like Rosie was still out there, and she'd come back someday. Maybe not today, or even tomorrow, but one day, and then Nicky would have to answer for what she'd done.
At least, that was how Nicky usually felt. She had to admit, this case was getting to her a bit. After all, Paris Conner had been found already dead, and Paris's family had hoped she would come home too.
Nicky wondered if it was her hubris as an FBI agent that led her to believe she could bring Rosie back alive. Maybe this was all in her head, and everything with Felix and the supposed 'mentor' was all for nothing.
"I've been thinking about something," Ken said, breaking the silence. "I want you to know that if you aren't ready, I'm not going to be upset."
Nicky turned her head to look at him, but she didn't answer. She wondered what she'd done to trigger him into thinking she'd changed her mind.
"What I said earlier," Ken said, "I meant it. I really like you, and I really want to take you out on a date. It's just that I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you, or trying to make you feel like you have to do anything you're not ready for."
"Thanks, Ken," Nicky said. "I appreciate that. I really do. But where's this coming from? I already said yes."
"I don't know." Ken awkwardly laughed. "I'm just so bad at this. I know I'm thirty-five, but my experience with women is, well..."
Nicky's heart sank as she remembered Ken's past. He'd dated a girl in high school, who had ended up being murdered. It was a huge motivator for Ken to join the FBI.
"I'm bad at it too," Nicky said. "We're both figuring this out, but... I want to try."
"Yeah?" Ken asked.
"Yeah," Nicky said, smiling. "I'm ready."
He returned her smile. "I mean it, Nicky. I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to. This is just me telling you that I like you, and if you're ready, I'm ready. If you aren't, I'll wait for you."
Nicky gripped the steering wheel tight, her knuckles turning white. If she was ready? Was she ready? She didn't know. She'd never been in a real relationship before, and she had to admit, part of her was afraid of what it might mean for her career. If Nicky dated Ken, and it didn't work out, then what would happen to their partnership?
No--she couldn't think like that.
"Stop trying to make me doubt myself, Walker," Nicky said teasingly.
Ken laughed. "Sorry, I'll stop. I'm glad you said yes."
When Ken put his hand on her thigh, Nicky's heart skipped a beat. His hand felt so warm, and she didn't want him to move it.
