Page 84 of Protect My Heart

Jim’s focus shifted to the television.

“You’re such an idiot.” Jordan cuffed him in the back of his head.

“Hey!”

“Grow up. Kari was a spoiled brat. We all knew it. Liz is different.” He shook his head. “And so what if she moves out east. It’s not like they don’t have cops there.”

So typical of his brother to spout platitudes. Did he think Jim hadn’t thought of that? It wasn’t as easy as he made it sound. What if he got out there and she decided he wasn’t enough?

Jim brooded for a minute before speaking. “Go away.”

Setting his half full bottle on the coffee table, Jordan rubbed Tigger’s head before standing. “Fine. I just hope you don’t let the memory of a selfish bitch ruin your chances for a happy future.”

Eyes locked on the television, Jim heard the door close. Grabbing his third beer, he popped the top and took a drink—washing all thoughts of his brother from his mind. Too bad it didn’t cleanse his mind of Doc.

Eventually, he’d have to talk to her. She’d left him a voicemail, but he couldn’t take the sound of her husky voice right now.

The commercial ended. The Wild and the Canucks filled the screen. It was in the third period and the score was tied. Jim couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for the game. Doc was leaving. Her message would confirm it.

His gaze slid to his phone on the table, inches from his chair. Jim’s fingers itched.

Tigger came back with the ball. He did three circles and dropped to his dog bed beside the chair. Jim looked at his best friend. “It’ll be like ripping off a bandage.”

Soulful brown eyes gazed up at him.

“You’re right. Just do it.” He reached for the phone. It slipped. Jim wiped his hands on his jeans and looked at the dog. “Okay, I’m ready now.”

Grabbing the phone, he tapped the button. Doc’s voice filled the room. Hundreds of needles pricked his chest. His lungs burned at the pain of loss. Memories flashed behind his eyes, and images of a future he wouldn’t have, as her words played in the background. We need to talk.

Her words ended and his finger hovered over the delete button, not wanting to close the door on this thing they had, but it was over.

“I love you.” The message ended.

“What?” His gaze flew to Tigger, who sat with his tongue lulling out, and his eyes dancing. “Did I imagine that?”

Tig shook his head and let out one loud bark.

Jim replayed her message and actually listened to it this time. It didn’t sound like the end at all. She was coming over. He checked the time of the call. Two hours ago. Had she changed her mind? That didn’t sound like the Doc he knew.

She loved him. They would make it work, even if he had to move to Virginia. He punched in her number and it went straight to voicemail.

The hairs on his neck stood up straight. An eerie sensation sent a chill down his back.

He called CJ. The ringing stopped. Before his partner could speak, Jim blurted, “Do you know where Doc is?”

“Isn’t she with you? She called for your address a couple of hours ago.”

“No. I finally checked my messages. She’s not answering her phone.” Jim bolted from the recliner to pace. He wobbled but regained his balance. His fingers tugged at the ends of his hair.

Tigger jumped to his side.

“I’m a few blocks from Walt’s house, let me check, and I’ll call you right back.”

“Hurry man, I got a bad feeling about this.” He threw his phone on the chair. He put the rest of the beer in the fridge and started the coffee machine. Pulling out his computer, he spread out the files on his kitchen table. There had to be another person helping Finden. But who?

He poured over the files on Finden. Then, Patty O’Roarke’s, the interviews with his cellmate and prison staff. The man had been a model inmate. Everyone loved the guy. Hell, most of them would hide a body for him.

So, who besides the warden wanted him dead? Was he blackmailing someone?