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“I agree with you, but she’s unavailable, and I don’t know for how long. I wasn’t talking about a spell, and I doubt the DA would even take me seriously. However, I was thinking about what she always says: the answers we’re seeking are always in front of our noses. The universe can’t help but drop hints.”
“Hints like that gorgeous cop of yours, who doesn’t leave your side and looks at you like he could devour you in a single bite?”
Noelle rolled her eyes. “Come on, Rosie! Be serious here.”
“I am! I love you like a sister. You’re a hard worker, an amazing woman. Why wouldn’t you let a good man who cares about you do the same?”
Her heart skipped. “Not so long ago, he was enemy number one, and now you’re offering recommendation letters?”
“You’re deflecting. And you’re scared.”
Those words hit her like a ton of brick. “You know why I’m scared! How many times have I got my hopes up, allowed myself to dream, and everything crashed down around me? There are only so many times I can endure that happening.”
So many emotions crossed Roseline’s beautiful face, making it clear her friend understood. In a world where the idea of perfection and beauty differed from the reflection you saw every day in the mirror, and when you saw that same disappointment in the eyes of men, pieces of yourself shriveled into a pile of hurt, never wanting to come out again.
“Has Brandon given you that impression? Has he been a jerk?”
“No, nothing like that. Quite the opposite.” Sensations filled her mind and made her body tingle, remembering the incredible night they spent together. If anything, Brandon Turner hadmade her feel like a goddess, worshipping her in every possible way.
“We work well together, and Brandon made his intentions clear from the start with his flirting. I doubt he’s considering something long-term. I think it’s because everything is so new. He hasn’t had time to develop a circle of friends or meet anyone.”
Roseline shook her head in disbelief. “You think you’re a way for Brandon to scratch an itch before he moves to something better?” Swinging her arms, she almost pulled her blonde hair. “Come on! You’re so much more than that! Are there beautiful women in NOLA? Definitely. And you’re one of them. Trust your gut. I think that everything that’s happened to you, to us, is a sign. We need to come into ourselves, trust our brain and our heart and charge forward.”
Noelle felt a strange burning in her chest, but this time, it didn’t feel like pain. It made her entire being tingle as if electrified. Every word Rosie said was right. Despite everything that had made her soul bleed, every step had brought her this far. What now? What did she want to do with it? Until she’d met Brandon, her next step had been to plan her exit. Now? It wasn’t the same. Their collaboration had made her realize how much she loved her job, helping others, using her intelligence, her experience, and her love of justice. This combination was obviously what would see her through.
Brandon had somehow made her realize how she’d barricaded herself behind a wall of pain and resentment against her job, against her body, even against that feeling of helplessness she’d convinced herself she was engulfed with.
Now, the words of her friends, of Dominique and of the man she’d fallen for, resonated louder. Noelle Breaux was worthy of being heard and loved, and had made a mark on this world.Everything was within reach if she wanted it. If she’d trust her gut, as Dominique often reminded her to do.
That long-lost certainty that flooded her brain was like a curtain being jerked open, letting bright sunlight in, and gave her a clearer vision, more particularly on a point that had been bugging her more and more.
“We know it’s Reeker, and really, we’ve known from the beginning. It can’t be anyone else. It’s impossible that our instincts would lead us astray for so long. The fact that he was the only one found on both victims’ client lists is the sign we need.”
Rosie frowned. “I feel like I’m repeating myself, but we can’t accuse him, not yet, not with that evidence. And it doesn’t make sense why he’d kidnap Leanna and Jordyn. He didn’t know them. And one more thing, whatever drug was used on the women that made them blackout like that, it’s not something common or found on the streets, and that’s the only place he’d find any of this nasty stuff.”
Noelle fiddled with her instruments for a second. “My tests here aren’t close to being done yet. But I want to keep an eye on Reeker. I think he holds that last bit of evidence we need to bring him down. And we won’t find anything useful on him by remaining here.”
Rosie crossed her arms, thinking about what she’d said. “Let’s call Brandon. He’s the hands-on guy for this sort of thing.”
It would be the logical answer, but Noelle shook her head. “Reeker would be more suspicious if Brandon left the break-in at his apartment and stuck close to him. If we’re right and closing in on him, we don’t want him becoming suspicious.”
“I had no idea you knew any private detectives in NOLA that do that kind of work.”
Tempted to cringe and lie, instead, Noelle confessed what she had in mind. “I wish, but with limited resources, we need to be resourceful, don’t we?”
The realization made those baby blues go wide. “You can’t be serious, Noelle! We can’t go into the field!”
“Why not? We’ve been trained for this.”
“In theory! There’s a big difference between a quick course and taking real risks!”
“We’re not going to take any risks. Most of the work can be done using a computer... and you? We can follow the man from a distance. Safely locked inside a room.”
Rosie bit her lips before cracking a smile. “I should have known you were joking. And yes, this is a safe job we can do. However, I’d rather use my baby on it. Nothing against the computer provided by the NOPD, but mine is more suited for what you have in mind. There’s just one tiny problem, and it’s the guard dog dressed in blue who’s currently blocking your door. And the man who put him there.”
Noelle shook her head and gave her dear friend a wicked wink. “I’ll text Brandon as soon as we settle at your place and lock the door. He’ll understand. As for the Cerberus, we can get past him with a few feminine wiles. Do you think we’re up for the challenge?”
CHAPTER 16
