Page 104 of Glimmer in the Darkness

The man shot him a grin. “For saving a kid’s life? Hardly.”

It took nearly forty-five minutes to make the drive from Plymouth to Coventry, thanks to Friday night tourist traffic. Forty-five minutes during which James checked and rechecked his phone for a message, a phone call—something—from Cassidy.

Nothing.

Finally, they passed the front of the police station, where news vans and reporters had already congregated, and made their way around the building to the lot where official vehicles parked. The officer led him in through the rear door.

Inside, the room hummed with activity. Phones ringing, people moving about. When he’d come a few days ago, the mood had been solemn. The faces worried. Now, people seemed angry.

The killer was one of their own, and the good men and women on the police force were furious. James knew how they felt. Not only had he trusted Vince as a friend, he’d trusted him as a law enforcement officer. Vince had betrayed them all.

But Ella was with her father.

If only there’d been a happy reunion with Hallie and James and Mom and Dad. There’d been no reunion for them, not this side of heaven.

He let that thought settle. His parents and Hallie had celebrated their reunion, and it had been as beautiful, if not more so, than Reid and Ella’s. Mom and Dad and Hallie were waiting for James now.

They’d already gone home.

James was the one who tarried on this side of the veil.

Where hard truths needed to be heard and dealt with. Where pain and mourning still existed.

A uniformed police officer got his attention from across the room and waved him over.

James weaved through the space and into the small interview room where he’d been a few days earlier.

Inside, Cote sat at the far side of the table, and James took the seat facing him. He didn’t ask after Cassidy, though he wanted to. Cote would get to that.

“Tell me what happened.” Cote pressed the button on a recorder on the table. “Starting from when you were released yesterday.”

James recounted all the events, including Cassidy’s part. Ella was safe, and the killer was in custody. There was no reason to hold back now.

Detective Cote made notes as James spoke but mostly kept his gaze on him. When he was finished, Cote set down his pen. “That tracks with what Miss Leblanc told us. Anything you want to add?”

“Cassidy didn’t do anything wrong.”

Cote’s smile seemed indulgent. “That does seem to be the case. I’ve already spoken with her employer, who confirmed that she was in Seattle when both Addison and Ella were kidnapped, that she hadn’t missed a day of work until last week when she flew out here. As to Hallie—”

“Vince admitted it was him. He told me Hallie and Cassidy escaped…”

“I know,” Cote said. “I know what happened.”

Judging by the look on his face, it seemed Cote knew more than James did at this point.

“Sit tight.” The detective stepped out of the room.

James checked his phone yet again. Still no word from Cassidy. Was she in custody? Was she safe?

The door opened, and Cote held it open and backed up to allow another to enter.

Cassidy stepped inside. “Hey.”

James stood and pulled her into a hug.

She fit so perfectly, right there in his arms, her head on his shoulder, her face nuzzled in his neck. He could hold this woman forever. Much as he hated to do it, he leaned away. “You all right?”

She nodded, but her wary expression concerned him. Especially the way it was aimed at him, not the detective.