He didn’t answer for a moment. “Yes, it was.”
“Good thing that tracker is still working, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Uh… I’ll have to make you some cookies or something. I know that’s hardly enough, but—”
He snorted. “Shelby… don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The line went dead before I could reply. I couldn’t tell if he was mad at me, or if he was just worried. Either way, I was more than grateful.
I stepped out of the bathroom, and Dimples came through the door. He caught my gaze and smiled. “Got him. He’s keeping his mouth shut, but I found your phone behind the counter.” He held it up. “I should keep it for evidence, but I think we have enough on him without it.”
“Thank you. I was just about to go down there and look for it.” I slipped the cell phone into my purse. “Do you need me for anything else, or can I go?”
“You can go. I’ve got enough to write up your statement, but you’ll need to come in sometime tomorrow so we can go over it.”
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Good. I’ll have an officer drive you home. His partner can follow in your car.”
“Oh that’s great. Thanks so much.”
He nodded, and his brows drew down over his eyes. “Just… Shelby, that was…” He thought about saying stupid, or crazy, or scary, but none of those words were right. “You solved the case, but… I don’t like thinking about what could have happened.”
“Yeah… I get that. I wasn’t expecting things to happen like that either.” I caught his gaze. “Or that you’d be so late.”
He winced. “Yeah… no kidding. I just don’t like you taking such a risk…”
“I know… I don’t either. But it kind of fell into my lap, and I went for it. You would have done the same thing.”
He nodded, thinking that was his job… and I was the one who took the risk and caught the killer. He’d feel like a failure if I wasn’t so nice about it. “You show me up all the time.” He smiled. “Just don’t tell the chief.”
“I won’t, and… just because I’m so nice… I’ll let you tell Willow all about it. Oh… and since we’re leaving Ramos out of it… you’re taking his place in the story, right? Because I totally think you’d better.”
His lips turned down. As much as he didn’t want to, it was the only way to explain it all without involving the hitman. “Fine.” He shook his head and caught my gaze. His lips turned up in a big smile, bringing out the dimples in his cheeks. “You know what? Willow’s going to be so upset.”
I snorted. “Yup… and based on that, it was totally worth it.”
I got home close to midnight. I’d sent Chris a text after I got my phone back, telling him that we’d captured the killer, and it was a huge success. That had a nice positive spin to it, and I hoped it would make telling him the rest of it easier.
As I climbed into bed, he woke up and pulled me into his arms. I cuddled against him, grateful to feel safe and secure. “So you got the guy,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “That’s great. I’m so proud of you.”
My heart melted. “Thanks honey.”
“You want to tell me about it?” He was thinking that it was late, and he had an early morning, but he didn’t mind staying awake a little longer.
“How about this? It was great taking that murderer down and solving the case, but the details can wait until tomorrow.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Thanks honey… you’re my wonder woman.” After another squeeze, he relaxed and began to drift off…but a stray thought jarred him awake. Usually, when I didn’t tell him things, it meant that I’d been in trouble. Was that the case this time?
With an effort, he pushed the thought away. I was home safe and snuggled in his arms. Right now… that was all that mattered.
Chris was gone before I got up. I didn’t know if that was good or bad, but, since it meant I could put off telling him about my close call, it was probably for the best. Coco barked that he needed to go out, so I opened the door. He came back a few minutes later and barked to be let in, and I knew it was past time to get that doggy door.
While eating a bowl of cereal, I checked places to get one on my cell phone. Coco ate his food at the same time, but scarfed it down pretty fast. Before I finished, Coco sat at my feet and woofed walk.
“Sure… just let me finish my cereal.” It was early enough that I could fit in a walk before my eleven o’clock appointment with Carolyn. A moment later, Coco returned, carrying his leash in his mouth. Walk. Go. Now.
I laughed. “Okay… just let me put on my shoes.” He woofed Yup and sat at attention at the door to wait for me. As I slipped on my walking shoes, my phone rang. It was Misti, and I quickly answered. “Hello.”
“Hey Shelby, sorry to bother you, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to cancel today.”
“Oh darn. That’s too bad.”
“Yeah. My mother’s not feeling the best. Can we try for another day?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Okay. Let me talk to her, and I’ll get back to you.”
Since that sounded like it may never happen, I quickly spoke. “Why don’t we say tomorrow at the same time? Even if she isn’t up for it, at least let me bring Coco over so Ava can see him again? We could just meet in the back yard, so we wouldn’t disturb her. That way, if she’s feeling well enough, she could join us.”
Misti didn’t answer for a moment. “Okay… sure. Let’s do that.
