Her Last Day (Jessie Cole #1)(3)

“So he hasn’t actually threatened her in any way?”

“No. He hasn’t touched her or left any goodies at her door, if that’s what you mean. I’ve got a few pictures of him near the window, but the high bushes have made it difficult to get a clear picture. But she’s scared and I don’t blame her. She wants to get a restraining order, but she needs proof he’s dangerous.”

“What does he do for a living?”

“He’s an attorney at Roche and Koontz downtown.”

“Interesting.”

“Today I followed him through Capitol Park. After he walked through the rose garden, he stopped and turned my way. Before I could figure out what he was up to, he pulled out a gun and fired two shots at me.”

“Was anyone else hurt?”

“Not that I’m aware of. It was lunchtime. People were screaming and running. It was total chaos. When he lifted his gun for the third time, I shot him before he could fire.”

“Did you kill him?”

“He was still alive when they wheeled him away on the stretcher. According to Roth, he’s in critical condition.” Jessie’s shook her head in disbelief. “I might have killed him.”

“You did what you had to,” Andriana told her.

The door came open, which concluded their conversation.

Detective Roth and the other officer stepped inside. “Looks like we’re going to have to lock her up,” Roth said.

Andriana shot to her feet. “On what grounds?”

“We have a witness who has stated that you were the initial aggressor. The DA’s office needs more time before they agree to your release. Besides,” Roth said to Andriana, “Jessie wasn’t at home. It was broad daylight, and she wasn’t exactly protecting her family, now was she?”

Jessie’s heart dropped to her stomach.

“She doesn’t have a reckless disregard for human life,” Andriana shot back, “and she was defending others.”

“Blanks,” Roth said matter-of-factly. “Koontz was shooting blanks.”

The blood rushed from Jessie’s face.

Detective Roth signaled for the officer to cuff her and take her away.

“Is that really necessary?” Andriana asked.

Roth ignored her.

Jessie had been butting heads with Detective Roth for years, but she never thought he’d stoop this low. Jessie reached for her bag, but Roth ordered her to leave her things. They would take inventory of her belongings, and everything would be returned if and when she was released.

“You can’t do this,” Jessie appealed to Roth as she was cuffed. “I was protecting every person in that park today.” She turned back to face Andriana. “I told Olivia I would pick her up today. She’ll be worried.” That was an understatement. Her niece, Olivia, had been four years old when her mother disappeared and Jessie became her guardian. Since then, Olivia worried about everything and everyone.

“I’ll get her for you, Jess,” a male voice said.

All eyes landed on the detective standing at the door.

Colin Grayson.

She and Colin had a past—a sordid past that began with long nights of conversation followed by steamy sex—and ended three months later with a surprise visit from his wife.

Colin’s dark hair had grown, and his hair swept over one eye. He wore jeans and a T-shirt, which told her he was working undercover. His disheveled, rugged look only added to his appeal. Jessie had met him ten years ago—the same day she’d met Detective Roth. Colin had been a rookie cop at the time her sister went missing. He was the guy assigned to listen to her story and fill out a missing person’s report. Not only did he turn out to be a good listener, he’d been extremely supportive, a shoulder to cry on.

Colin had been up front with her, telling her he was separated from his wife and in the process of getting divorce, but when his wife showed up on her doorstep to let Colin know she was pregnant, they were both blindsided.

For the next week or so, she and Colin talked and cried until finally they both agreed it was best if Colin went back to his wife and tried to make it work. They lasted five years before calling it quits for good.

As fate would have it, nine months ago Jessie ran into Colin at a local grocery store, and once again they became fast friends—platonic friends this time, friends without benefits—until six weeks ago when Colin told her he was falling in love with her and wanted to take their friendship to the next level. He thought it was time they started dating. But Jessie wasn’t ready for anything more, and she hadn’t seen him since.

“Time to go,” Roth told Jessie, yanking her back into the harsh reality that she would be spending some time behind bars.

She looked at Colin. “Are you sure you don’t mind picking up Olivia?”

“It’s not a problem.”

“What if they keep me for more than a few hours?” she asked as she was escorted out the door.

Colin looked at Roth. “How’s it looking?”

“Could be hours. Could be days,” Roth said. “You know how these things work.”

“Oh, come on,” Andriana cut in.

“If they keep me overnight,” Jessie told Colin, “could you—”

“I’ll make sure Olivia’s taken care of,” he said.