“I’m concerned. But I have too much on my plate right now to let it become major.”
“And I have nothing on my plate.” He felt her stiffen, and his lips brushed her throat. “I’m not bitter. But I’m getting zilch from those databases. I’m frustrated and trying to work around it and be useful. I just have to have all the info available so that I can do it.”
She felt relieved. She knew he was chomping at the bit, and it was only a matter of time before he exploded. But he also knew that he wasn’t at full capacity and was willing to wait … for a time. “I’ll have Margaret call you tomorrow. She’s staying at the hotel with me, but she could come here if you like.”
“No, I don’t need help. I’ll do it myself. I like the idea of your having someone with you.”
“Nalchek said he was assigning someone to watch me.”
“Oh, you mean our great sheriff who Margaret is so uneasy about?”
“We had no doubts about him before.”
“But now I’m doubting everyone. Probably the result of this damn frustration.”
“It may be over soon. Maybe someone will recognize Jenny’s face tomorrow in the article.”
“And maybe they won’t.” He drew her closer. “Either way we’ll make it work for us.” He yawned. “And now I think that I’ll go to sleep. Don’t you dare move unless one of those nurses shows up with a bazooka.”
“Yeah, you stake me out for disciplinary action, then nod off to sleep.”
“That’s the plan. Someone’s got to take the heat, and I’m wounded and unable to cope.”
“Not true.” She was aware of a subtle difference in his demeanor. He might be frustrated, but he was not on automatic. Joe’s mind was clicking, formulating, and that might be good or bad for her plan of keeping him out of the action. “Wounded, yes.”
“And that’s causing you to agonize and try to—” He broke off. “Go ahead, agonize, it will put you right under my thumb. I’ve been trying to get you in that position for years. And all it took was a bullet.”
“All?” She gave him a quick kiss. “Shut up. And I’ll keep you safe if I want to do it. You have nothing to say about it.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes were closing. “I’m in your hands…”
For the moment, he was in her hands. Tomorrow or the next day, it might be different.
But she would take tonight and hold it close.
CHAPTER
12
“Time to get up.” Elena Delaney opened the door and stuck her head into Cara’s room. “Past time. You’re late. You overslept. If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the bus.”
Cara raised her head. “I’ll make it.” She yawned. “And if I don’t, I can walk with Heather. She says she does it all the time.”
“No,” Elena said crisply. “We’ve discussed that. Get up and get going. You’re going to be on that bus.”
“Okay.” Cara swung her legs to the floor. “I’ll skip breakfast and be down there in front of the apartment on time. I promise, Elena.”
“You won’t skip breakfast.” She turned and started to leave. “I’ll make a grilled cheese sandwich, and you can eat on the run.” She stopped, and looked back over her shoulder, her gaze going to the dark circles beneath Cara’s eyes. “The nightmares again?”
Cara nodded. “But they’re getting better. I haven’t had one for two weeks. Maybe they’re starting to go away.”
“And maybe they’re not. When you have one, you don’t sleep for the rest of the night.”
“Honest. They’re getting better.” She started for the bathroom and then stopped. “Should I know an Eve, Elena? Do you know someone named Eve?”
“What?” Elena frowned. “No, why?”