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“No,” she stops me. “I need you covering the other side. We have to work together. And that means, I’m here, you’re there, bing, bang, boom. The end.”

“Fine. But before I go,” I start.

She smiles then kisses me. I briefly forget what I was trying to tell her, but she’s headed to her post on the ravine side of the property by the time I remember.

Shit.

The endless afternoon stretches.

I eat a cookie.

I stare at the small house in the middle of ten acres.

I eat another cookie.

I practice breathing exercises.

I realize I’m out of cookies and drink some water.

I think about what will happen when we catch Jeffrey Rose. When Cat and I go back to our respective jobs.

She’ll be back in Washington. I’ll be in Flamingo Cove.

I don’t have to stay there, but it’s the first time in years I love my job. I’m needed. I’m respected again. And it’s nice not to be on my own.

But I’d give that up in a heartbeat for more time with Cat.

If she doesn’t run away when I tell her the rest of my story.

The sun is setting when a car turns into the driveway next to me and races up the path toward the house. I squint as I watch a curvy blonde woman jump out of the car and run up the steps into the building.

My phone vibrates with a text.

Kitten: That’s Premy

Me: Eyes on Rose?

Kitten: Negative. Going in for closer look.

Me: WAIT. Do not engage.

Kitten: (…)

Me: I say again: Do not engage.

Cat doesn’t answer because she’s sneaking toward the house. I can see her plain as day, but then again, I know what I’m looking for.

I’m out of the car and slinking through the woods.

Damn it. This woman will get killed before I tell her I love her.

I freeze.What the fuck?

Gunfire erupts from the house, the shooting aimed at Cat’s last location.

Shit.

That spurs me into action. But, I got out of the car so fast that I didn’t grab any weapons. All I have on me is my knife.