Page 43 of Kidnapped in Dark Waters
While he had wanted her to agree to stop going out in the swamp chasing after Pierre, he was now faced with the realization that he would no longer be spending his evenings with her. Even though he knew it was for the best, that didn’t stop the heartache that rode with him as he finally started his car and began the drive home.
When she’d asked him to stay the night, he’d been so tempted to agree. He would have loved to hold her in his arms once again, to taste the sweet heat of her lips and to make love with her one last time.
It had been his overwhelming love for her that had stopped him. He’d recognized that he didn’t want another memory of her to keep him mourning her and his ill-fated love. It had been that, plus the fact that she’d said it would just be casual. He couldn’t do casual anymore with her.
He’d been a fool to let her get so far into his heart. He should have protected himself more. She’d never indicated to him that their relationship was anything other than casual for her.
It was time now that he move on with his life and somehow, someway get over loving Dominique. He had a feeling that was going to be a difficult thing to do.
By the time he got home, he was exhausted. It was a mental tiredness coupled with the heavy weight of his heart. He would miss their conversations and their shared laughter. He would miss the very scent of her and the way her facial features displayed her every emotion.
That night, it took him a very long time to fall asleep, and when he did sleep, he fell into dreams of dancing in the rain withher.
He awakened early and for the first time in a long time he was at the police station early. It was just after seven when he walked into the murder room where Clay and Daniel were already seated.
Both men looked at him in surprise. “Hey, Luke. You’re here early this morning,” Daniel said.
“Yeah, Dominique didn’t go out in the swamp last night so I got home at a decent time.” He sank down in the chair between the two men. “In fact, she’s decided she’s done stalking Pierre.”
“Really? Well, that’s really good news,” Daniel replied. “If it’s true. Are you sure she’s really done?”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Luke said.
“Well, that’s one less thing for us to worry about and I get back one of my best officers. A win-win situation as far as I’m concerned.” Daniel took a sip from his coffee cup.
“We’ve got plenty of other things to worry about,” Clay said. “Like finding the creep who’s after her and getting some evidence so we can make an arrest in Mystique’s murder.”
“I still don’t know how we’re going to get any evidence to prove Pierre’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Daniel frowned.
“Somehow, someway, something is going to break in the case,” Clay said optimistically. “Maybe Pierre will get drunk one night with his fishing buddies and he’ll let something slip.”
“We can only hope something like that happens,” Daniel replied.
“Right now, I’m more concerned about Dominique’s safety.” Even saying her name aloud ached in Luke’s heart.
“Too bad we haven’t been able to pin down solid alibis with all the potential suspects she gave us,” Daniel said, his frown cutting across his forehead. “It would be nice if we could at least rule out some of those men.”
“What I worry about is that none of them are guilty and the perp is somebody not even on our radar,” Luke replied.
“We just have to keep working the case and see what pops up,” Daniel said.
“I don’t want to wish anything bad on Dominique, but it would almost be helpful if the perp left another note or something for her,” Clay said. “Maybe the next time he’ll get sloppy and leave me some nice prints.”
“As long as it’s just a note or something like that. Of course, my biggest concern is that there will be another kidnapping attempt and this time he’ll be successful.” The very idea of that tightened all of Luke’s stomach muscles and made him half sick. “So, what’s on today’s agenda?”
Daniel released a deep sigh. “We do our usual patrol. Keep your eyes and ears open for any information that might help in either of the cases. Then, why don’t we plan to meet back here right before lunch time.”
All three of them stood. While Daniel headed down the hallway toward his office, Luke and Clay headed out the back door.
“It’s going to be nice to have you back here where you belong,” Clay said.
“Thanks. I have to admit, I’m glad to be back in my regular routine,” Luke replied. Routines he clung to…routines that assured he would never be the right man for Dominique.
In the mornings, Luke was usually on foot patrol. He headed down a very quiet Main Street. It was too early for the stores to be open and so the sidewalks were void of people.
The only place where there was any activity at all was the café, where already cars were parked as people went in to enjoy an early breakfast.
Dominique wouldn’t be there yet. He knew from talking to her last night that she was working the mid-shift. Was his plan toeat lunch at the café today because he was hungry for the food? Or was he just hungry to see her again?
