Page 62 of Carter

I glance at the man who seems confused at my presence. Is that a flash of anger I see in his eyes?

“Peter, you’re home,” she says, rushing up to take his jacket and hang it on the rack behind the door.

“Who is this?” he asks as he stares me down, like I should be intimidated by him or something.

“Detective Nash Bennett,” I say, getting to my feet and standing to my height, which is quite a few inches and a lot of pounds more than him.

“There have been some burglaries in the neighborhood. He was just asking questions,” Lilianna says.

I can take a hint when it’s given.

“That’s right, Mr. Travers. I’m glad you’re home. Maybe you can help.”

“You know I don’t like anyone in the house when I’m not here, dear. Especially now that you’re telling me there have been break ins.” He scoffs.

Oh. He’s one of those. Tells me all I need to know.

If she’s our girl, no wonder she didn’t say anything. She’d be not only terrified of the man who did it, but her husband too.

My blood boils, but I tamp back my anger. This isn’t why I’m here, and if I have any chance of getting her to talk, I need to keep my cool.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect,” I say, putting on my cheeriest tone. “Just trying to keep the neighborhood safe.”

Peter steps closer, sizing me up. He’s thin, roughly five-eight, dressed in slacks and a button up that are a size or two too big, and there’s a coffee drip stain on his left pec.

“You said you’re a detective?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why aren’t the regular police handling this?”

“Someone was hurt.” The lie rolls off my tongue easily, as they always do when it comes to work. I don’t lie to hurt people; I do it to protect cases—but only when I need to. “They’ve bumped it up to us. Seems like it’s an increasing issue.”

“Well, maybe if you all did your job a little better, it wouldn’t happen.” He says it with a smile. One that makes me want to knock him out. But, you know, I need my job.

“I’ll pass the message along. Sorry to bother you.”

“I appreciate that. It is dinner time,” Peter says.

I give him the nicest look I can as I step toward the door. I look him in the eye as I pass him, making sure he understands that I’m still the one in charge here. He doesn’t seem to get the hint.

“Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times. Have a good night.”

I leave the house without looking back, but the moment I get into the car, I call Carter.

Chapter twenty-two

Carter

“Have you eaten dinner?” Nash asks the moment I answer his call. I thought I was going to miss it because it’s freezing and my hands are numb. I couldn’t get my fingers to work to swipe to answer.

“Not yet. On my way home.”

“Let me pick you up. We can grab something.”

I sigh, looking up at the dark sky. Part of me wants to say yes and enjoy the excitement I feel over this. Another part only fills with guilt. “Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”