Page 74 of Aperture

“So, I’m in danger?” I ask, going along with this conversation for the moment.

“I don’t think so,” he shakes his head. “At least not right now. He’s deviating from the profile, but I’m not sure why.”

“He’s in love with me,” I say softly.

“Millipede, look at me,” Wyatt nudges. “He’s not capable of loving like a normal person. Eventually, he will snap.”

“The only person who has snapped is you, Wyatt. Listen to yourself. Your view of this entire situation is myopic.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he scoffs.

“You have been obsessed with Theo for how long? One year? Longer? Since Sophia disappeared? Do you think it’s possible that you are seeing things that aren’t there because you want to? You want him to be the guy, so you’re fitting the narrative around it. I mean, you know him. You know his family. I’m sure you’ve looked into his past. Is there anything there or are you just conveniently ignoring the facts?”

He shakes his head as if what I’m saying is impossible to even consider. Then he sits down on the couch, staring straight ahead in thought.

“This case is making you crazy,” I continue, with a softer tone. “I mean, you were willing to use me to get him. Think about that. You put me in jeopardy. Can you really say you’ve been clear-headed here?”

“I would never let anyone hurt you, Millie. I would move heaven and earth for you.”

“I believe that’s how you feel now. I do,” I emphasize. “But you were willing to in the beginning.”

He shakes his head in disbelief. The realization dawns on him that I’m right and he shakes his head.

“Jesus, Millie. What if I am wrong? All I see when I look at those crime scene photos of those women strangled with a red scarf is Theo. But what if I’ve been wrong this whole time?”

“Then you find out who the real killer is and catch his ass,” I tell him.

He grabs my shirt and pulls me to him, placing his forehead against my stomach.

I comb my fingers through his hair and lean down and place a kiss to the top of his head. This situation is so complicated and he and I have so much to work through, but all I know at this moment is that I love this man deeply.

“All I wanted was to catch this guy and give these families some peace,” he admits.

“I know,” I tell him, my lips still pressed to his head, inhaling his scent. “You will.”

“I need to get back to work and look at the case files again.”

“Tomorrow,” I whisper. “You can start tomorrow.”

I can feel the tension leave his shoulders as they lower.

“Are you hungry,” I ask.

“No,” he replies. I’m just tired. So damn tired.”

“Come on,” I tell him, as I pull him up. “We are going to take a bath and get some sleep.”

“Are you sure about that? You only just ended things with Theo.”

“Yes, I’m sure. We both need this.”

I take his hand and lead him to the bathroom, then we strip each other naked and get into the bath, his front against my back. We sit there in silence for a long time, our fingers intertwined, letting the heat of the water and our proximity mend our rifts.

◆◆◆

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I wake up to the smell of coffee and the sounds of something or someone stomping on my kitchen floor.