Page 19 of Rescued By Midnight

He tries to hide his grimace, but after living with Abe for a year and searching his face for signs of anything at all, I’m used to figuring out micro-expressions. “He’s sleeping, probably.”

“Did he set all these things out for me?” I ask. “Even the food?”

Landon nods.

I’ll have to thank Cody tomorrow, when he’s awake.

CODY - NOW

At four a.m., I give up on sleep. I get dressed, fuming, my dick half-hard at the thought of Alice one door down from mine.

I pause there before leaving, listening at her door. No sounds come from inside her room. I shift from foot to foot, wondering if I should see if she needs anything. No. She’s probably sleeping.

Enough. Stop hovering. I turn on my heel and go straight to the office building. We have a gym there, so I lift for an hour. Then I run on the treadmill until sweat runs down my forehead. I shower and change before heading to my office. It’s only seven a.m., but I dial Detective Baldwin, intending to leave a message.

He answers his phone. “This is Baldwin.”

“Cody Wells. How’s it going, Baldwin?”

“You know, Sprechter’s already on my ass for the Meeks case.”

“I bet he is. He won’t leave me alone, either. Is there anything else you can share?”

Baldwin sighs. “We’re searching the area around where Alice was found. Also, we have a sketch, because Alice worked with one of our artists. We’re comparing it to mug shots.”

“Is there any chance?—”

“No. I know you’re discreet, but I can’t share the sketch.”

Maybe Landon could convince Alice to do another one. “Okay, thanks,” I tell Baldwin. “I’ll be going through old files. I’m sure you will, too.”

“Great. Let me know if you find anything.” Baldwin ends the call.

I’m left staring at a stack of statements. Instead of combing through them—again—I pull up a map on my computer. It’s time to get very, very familiar with the area in which Alice was found.

8

LANDON - NOW

Although it would be a faster trip to take Alice downtown to get her clothes, I opt to bring her to Fair Heights instead. It’s half an hour west of San Esteban, but I think her chances of being recognized are much slimmer. The last thing she needs is to get mobbed by reporters while trying to pick out new underwear.

Not that I’m thinking about her underwear. Or the fact she isn’t wearing a bra. I try not to notice, but it’s impossible not to. So I do the next best thing, and resolve not to stare.

I also resolved not to pry, but there are a few things I need to know.

“Did you sleep all right?” I ask her when I pull onto the freeway.

She gives me a shy smile. “You already asked me that.”

“Oh. Right. I guess I’m putting off the important question.”

“Which is?” She keeps her focus forward, on the freeway in front of us.

“I hate to ask this, but, do you believe Brayden will get violent? Has he already? I know some people at SEPD, and we should file a report.”

“I don’t think he’ll get violent.” She shakes her head, looking lost in thought. “He never has before.”

“Okay. I don’t mean to sound judgmental, it’s just that if you left without any of your clothes. I worried that he hurt you.”