I rolled my eyes. “He is a good kisser, but I’m not ready to be as serious as he wants me to be.”
“Don’t let him rush you. If he’s the right one, he won’t do that to you.”
“When did you become an expert on relationships?”
“Ouch. Don’t be mean—I’m trying here. My hours haven’t been the best for socializing, and Ketchum isn’t much of a party town, if you haven’t noticed.”
I laughed. “Unless you’re picking up on tourists.”
“Yeah, they don’t like cops much. We give out too many speeding tickets.”
When we arrived at the station, Tony led me into a cramped office. I had pulled the sweatshirt on and kept the blanket over my legs. A perpetual chill had descended over me, and I couldn’t seem to get warm. Tony explained that it was the aftereffects of too much stress on my system. Another police detective entered the room behind Tony.
“This is Detective Trevor Hamilton.” He indicated the man who stood several inches below Tony’s towering six-foot-three frame.
Detective Hamilton’s dark hair was receding, and his brown eyes looked kind. “I’m sorry about what you’ve been through. Let’s see if we can gather the info we need and get you home.”
Hamilton asked me to recount everything that happened that evening. He turned on a handheld digital recorder and interrupted my narrative every few minutes to ask questions. An hour later, my story was told. I felt completely wiped out.
Tony led me out to the front of the station. I heard my mom before I saw her. “Adri, I’ve been worried sick!”
She came around the corner and hugged me. “Are you okay?”
I struggled to maintain my composure. “I’m glad you’re here.”
My dad put his arm around me. “You have some ’splainin’ to do, young lady.”
Tony approached and greeted my dad. They spoke in low voices, and then Tony turned to me. “It’s okay to tell your parents what’s going on, but it can’t travel any further than that.”
“Them but not Dallas?”
Tony frowned. “Look, I know you like the guy, but I still need to check him out. It’s a bit of a coincidence that he happened along.”
I bristled. “Good thing for me he did.” Tony couldn’t suspect Dallas, not after he’d just saved me.
“It’s my job. I’m sure he’s fine.” He studied my face for a moment, and I reminded myself that Tony was a good cop.
I nodded. “Okay.”
Tony turned to go, but Mom grasped his hand. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Tony hugged my mom and met my eyes over her shoulder. “Call me if you think of anything else, Adri.”
I nodded and let my parents guide me out to the parking lot. It was almost eleven by the time Mom and Dad drove me to my vehicle with a police officer following us. Dad insisted on driving the Mountaineer and commanded me to stay put. I obeyed, and he followed us to my condo. When we pulled up, I jumped out and motioned for Dad to park in front of the garage.
“You’re still parking outside?” My dad jerked his thumb toward the garage. “Guess I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow.”
I opened my mouth to protest but thought better of it. Dad would need something to keep him busy, and I remembered the sturdy metal shelves I had purchased. “I bought some shelves that need to be put together and hung. That would help me clear some space to park.”
“We’ll worry about that later,” Mom said. “Let’s get you inside.” They followed me up the front steps and into the house. “And you don’t have to explain anything now. Go get cleaned up first.”
“Thanks, guys. Make yourselves at home.” I hurried to my bedroom and gasped when I paused in front of the large mirror hanging above my dresser. The right side of my face was swollen and scratched. Bits of mascara dotted my face, and my eyes were red and puffy.
I stripped down and jumped into the shower. Scrubbing at the places my attacker had touched, I wished that the remembered feel of his hands would go away. I wished that every trace of this night could wash down the drain like so many soap bubbles, but at least it was over.
The police had the diamonds, and they were contacting the FBI to continue the investigation into the shipping company that had brought in the wedding gowns. Walter Mayfield still couldn’t be reached. When I thought of him, a nervous jolt ran through me. Had Walter been in the middle of this, or was he a victim?
Tony hoped the man who had attacked me would talk, but what if he didn’t? I rinsed my hair and reminded myself that the diamonds were no longer in my possession and I didn’t have to worry. I dried off and put on some cozy pajamas. Even though it was June, the temperatures in Ketchum dropped considerably because we were nestled against the mountains. The chill that had settled over me since Dallas rescued me was finally starting to subside.
That thought reminded me that I needed to update Dallas. I sent him a text apologizing that I couldn’t share details yet. I ended by thanking him again for saving my life, and then I turned my phone off so if he responded, I wouldn’t be tempted to say something Tony had asked me not to.
I found my parents in the kitchen. “I whipped up some homemade hot cocoa for you.” Mom handed me a steaming mug. “It would be better with cream, but I found a few marshmallows.”
I took a sip. “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”
My dad patted the chair next to him at my dinette table. “I’m ready for your story.”
As I pulled the chair out, I heard a muffled meow.
“Oh, Tux. I bet you’re hungry.” I set down my mug of cocoa and opened the patio door. Tux mewed again, and I
