Page 58 of Breathe Me In

Will the woman never listen? I thought I’d gotten through to her at the restaurant. I’d only met up with her because I’d wanted to talk to her about Ginger. I knew she only liked to have her as a link to me. “Last I heard, she was fine.” I pulled into my parking spot and took a deep breath.

“I’m pleased to hear that. Now, Bradley, I heard you at dinner, but I’ll never stop caring about you. I also just want to make sure that Bree being back doesn’t trigger some dark memories for you.”

“I’m fine—back off, Sherry. I just got to work, and I have to go.” Before she could speak again, I hung up and got out of my car.

When I went inside, I heard some commotion and saw Ray laughing and talking with some of the guys in the main work area. He’d been avoiding me. For his sake, I was glad, because I’d wanted to rip his throat out for leaving Bree alone.

“Ray.” My tone was sharp as I walked toward him on the way to my office. The guys he had been with suddenly got busy, and one scooted away toward the copy room. It immediately grew quiet. “A word?” I stepped aside and motioned for him to join me privately.

He reached for his duffle bag that hung over the back of a chair and swung it over his shoulder. “Gotta be somewhere.”

“This’ll just take a sec.” He stood his ground, and I gave him a chance to save himself from embarrassment in front of the others, but he either didn’t care or didn’t think I’d say much in front of everyone. “All right, here then.” I tucked my hands into my pockets and leaned against the wall for fear I’d punch the guy. “When we were partners, I had your back no matter what. I listened, I learned, I became a better detective with your guidance.”

He scratched his nose. “Then you ditched me and left,” he growled.

“I did, yes.” I nodded. “But only because I began to disagree with some of the things you did, but I always had respect for you, Ray, until now.” A few of the guys whispered something, but I didn’t react—this was between Ray and me, and he’d been the one to make the conversation public. “I didn’t pull rank often when I became lead detective, but I did tell you to walk one of our fellow employees to her truck. Instead, you left her alone, and Miss Jaminson was almost killed. You totally disregarded her safety and left her vulnerable.”

“If the killer wanted to get to Bree, he would have—with or without me.” Ray rolled his eyes at the others.

“Maybe, but I guess we’ll never know, will we?” I stared hard at him. “I spoke to the chief. I told him you disobeyed a direct order, and that decision left a fellow employee in the hospital. He agreed with my concern. You’re suspended for the week.”

He blinked at me in shock. “What the hell? That’ll go on my record—”

I cut him off. “You need to understand the gravity of what happened.”

“Gravity?” He spat. “That’s absurd! If she hadn’t been dressed like a damn whore, she’d have had no problem getting to her truck. Whose fault is that!”

I saw red.

I didn’t even think as I pushed off the wall and went for him, but then Kennedy was suddenly in my face.

“That’s exactly what he wants, Stone”—Kennedy held me back—“for you to get written up along with him. Don’t let him suck you in.”

“Ray!” Cap barked across the room. “You got an order. I suggest you take it. If you disagree, call the chief.”

Ray lifted the bag he held and shook it. “Yes, sir.” He held my stare for a beat, then left.

“You good?” Kennedy stepped aside.

“Yeah.” I was furious and knew I had to get out of there. “I’ve got somewhere to be.” I grabbed my coat and headed out to my car.

“Detective Stone.” Officer Smith caught me as I opened the door to toss my jacket into the passenger seat. “I just heard from Bree. She thinks she may have found something.”

“Something?”

“On Maria’s footage. I guess it was dropped off to Bree the other day, and she’s been combing through it.”

“I see.” I checked my phone and saw no missed calls or messages. “I’ll swing by and see what she’s got.”

“Cool.” He held up a hand, and his young face brightened. “Tell her I hope she’s back soon.”

“Yeah, sure.” I slipped behind the wheel and threw a wave at Hank as he pulled in with his UPS truck. Maybe the coffee maker I ordered had arrived. I figured Bree would appreciate that I was feeding her addiction. I headed toward her place. I had a couple of stops to make along the way.

By the time I arrived at Bree’s cabin, it was dark, the temperature had dropped, and the warm glow from the windows was comforting. It was only early in the season, but it felt cold enough to snow.

I knocked and heard her move around. A moment later, the door opened, and I took in her sweatpants that sat low on her hips and the crop top that barely covered her bra. Her hair was down and wavy, and she was makeup free. She was unbelievably gorgeous.

“I come with a peace offering.” I held up her favorite coffee and a bouquet of bright-orange Chinese lanterns.