Page 66 of Unraveled

“He looks pissed,” Mason acknowledged.

Carter watched as Raines’s son stepped between the two men and practically dragged Edward off. Kaylee covered her face, shoulders hunched. Edward threw one more angry look at Kellerman, then looped an arm around Kaylee and guided her away.

“Interesting,” Carter said as Mason put the truck in drive and pulled out. There was definitely some bad blood there. Carter wondered exactly when the police would bring Kellerman in for questioning. They’d spoken with Mayfield early that morning, but Carter had turned down Audrey’s offer to join him there that day. He wanted her at home where he knew she was safe, and right now, all he wanted was to get back to her.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-FOUR

Carter’s fingers slid through her hair, and his skin was warm against Audrey’s cheek, his heart thudding softly next to her ear. For the past couple of days, things between them had been… perfect. He was more than she dreamed he would be, better than anything she could’ve ever hoped for.

They had settled into a rhythm as naturally as if they had been together forever. She entertained herself while he was gone, then they had dinner together and spent most of the evening talking and laughing before they fell into bed together.

Though she was content, she couldn’t help the feeling of worry that consumed her when she thought about what might happen when she returned to work. As soon as all of this was over, she would be able to move back to her condo.

The idea didn’t hold the same appeal it had a mere week ago. Not wanting to disrupt the tenuous balance between them, neither Carter nor she had broached the subject again. He had made his intentions clear; now she just had to make up her mind.

His deep voice broke the silence. “I talked to Mason today.”

From her spot draped over his torso, she angled her head up to look at him. “What did he have to say?” She was curious to know if they had learned anything since Lucy’s funeral.

“I don’t have good news for you.” Carter let out a sigh. “According to him, the police picked Kellerman up for questioning yesterday after the funeral.”

As far as she could tell, that was a good thing. It meant the detective was seriously considering what they had told him, and she was both grateful and worried. What if Kellerman was actually accused of doing something so heinous? And how many times had he done this? She already pitied his poor family. The investigation was only the beginning of what could be a very long and emotional process for everyone involved.

“They questioned him but couldn’t find enough evidence to get a warrant or book him.”

Everything in her stilled as she processed his words. “What does that mean?”

Dark eyes met hers. “There was nothing conclusive tying him to any of the crimes, and his wife alibied him for the time of the shooting. They had no choice but to release him last night.”

Rolling away from him, she sat up and dragged a hand through her hair. She felt Carter’s heat at her back as he moved closer. “I’m sorry, babe. I know you wanted this to be the end—we both did.”

He was wrong. She couldn’t stand the thought of Kellerman being responsible for the murders of those poor men. She only wanted justice, but the primary suspect had just been released.

Carter dropped a kiss on her shoulder. “They’re checking several other leads. Mason told them about the altercation between Edward and Kellerman after the funeral.”

She threw a look at him over her shoulder. “That doesn’t mean anything. He could just be pissed they were having an affair.”

After she had learned about the connection between Eli and Lucy, Edward’s words made more sense. Lucy had been lost to him months before she had passed away—and he had blamed Eli for all of it.

“What do we do now?” She heard the helplessness in her tone, and Carter wrapped an arm around her waist.

“C’mere, babe.” He tugged her back down and pulled her close to his side, tucking her head against his shoulder. It felt like something a parent would do for their child, and her first instinct was to rebel. His hand swept down her spine, and she relaxed against him, allowing herself to wallow in the comfort and security of his embrace.

“We’ll figure it out.” He spoke quietly against her hair. “I promise.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to demand how he knew, but a sudden realization stopped her. She trusted him, and if he believed they would find the person responsible, then so did she.

She turned her head and kissed the base of his neck. “Thank you.”

His arms tightened around her, and she felt herself begin to drift off. Sometime later, her phone vibrated on the nightstand, jerking her from sleep. The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, and she didn’t recognize the number on the screen. Carter’s arm tightened around her waist, and she snuggled against him as she hit the button. She was almost asleep again when the phone beeped an alert that she had a voicemail.

Who would be calling her this early in the morning? Heaving herself up on her elbow, she listened to the short message from Becky, the HR director at the VA.

“Audrey, this is Becky Statler. I know you’re scheduled to be out for the next week or so, but we’ve kind of had an emergency situation, and I’m looking for someone to take over some patients. Could you please give me a call back when you get this?”

Curiosity piqued, she slid from the bed and called her back. Her tone was weary when she answered.