Chapter Eleven Brad #4
Now I was even more determined not to let her go.
“If you really want to help, get her to stay and not go back to New York.”
A knowing look went over his face. “Yeah, I’ll help you there.”
“I’m not sure where you’re going with that, so I won’t ask.” I held up the coffees and walked backward toward the door. “Thanks, and see you tonight.”
As I crossed the parking lot toward my car, Kelly’s EMT rig pulled in across from me.
She hopped out of the driver’s seat with a grin and a wave.
Kelly had arrived in Sheffield just after I made detective—she was a great paramedic and was trying out for the fire department.
She and her partner, Neil, were both going for it.
The city had developed a new program so EMTs and firemen could have the same training to help each other out in the field.
It was a great plan, and I hoped they both made it.
“How’s your partner?”
I shrugged. “Healing.”
“Scary stuff.” She frowned. “She was lucky she made it out at all with that hard a hit to the head.”
“Yeah, I know.” I twisted my mouth and contemplated if it was wise for me to ask. “Hey, Kelly, you’ve never sugarcoated anything since I met you, so when I ask this, please be honest.”
“Shit.” She closed her eyes. “Is this about Sherry and Bree in the rig?”
I nodded, my suspicions solidifying. “What happened?”
She puffed out her cheeks and let out a long breath.
“For the record, and I know I sound like a jerk, but I’m not a fan of Sherry.
” She gave me a look. I knew most women weren’t huge fans of Sherry—she just didn’t get along well with other females.
“Man, your ex really laid it on the line with Bree. I wanted to dump her out the back of my rig.”
“And I wouldn’t blame you.” I waited for her to go on.
“She basically said to Bree that you and she had such deep history that if she was to date you, she had to be okay with her still being in your life. Something about how you will always need her. It was hella awkward, I can tell ya that.”
“Shit.” I twisted the coffee cup on my roof as I thought. “Sorry about that, Kelly. Sherry’s feeling threatened since Bree’s been back, and she’s just making things messy. I’m trying to smooth it out.”
“No worries. I do messy just fine.” She smiled warmly, then turned to go.
“Wait, one thing.”
“Yeah?” She turned back.
“How did Bree seem to handle it all?”
She pressed her lips together and took a few steps toward me.
“Truth,” she said and lowered her voice, “she just seemed sad.” She made a wry face and studied me for a moment.
“Maybe it was the accident, but she gave me a look at one point that made me connect to her in a way that I felt all her pain at once. It came from here”—she covered her heart—“not here.” Her hand moved to her head.
“Yeah.” My own chest heaved. Bree being in that situation with Sherry trying to mark some sort of territory over me was unacceptable. “Thanks, Kelly.”
“Any time.” She headed into the coffee shop as I took a moment to digest all of that.
I was in a constant battle in my head as I drove to work. What Kelly had to say made me want to wring Sherry’s neck. No wonder Bree had shut down on me. I knew I had to clear things up with her, but I needed to find the right time.
I couldn’t find Bree when I got to the station, so I shut myself in my office and started to comb through the recordings.
One thing I knew for sure—I wasn’t cut out to be an influencer: The way men put themselves in Maria’s direction was almost revolting.
I understood the whole chase thing when it came to women, but there was a line between chasing and downright stalking.
Hour after hour went by, and the faces started to morph into one.
I gave in and reheated Bree’s coffee, then downed it myself.
The caffeine was just what I needed to get my focus back.
Cap came in to see how things were going. “Long day,” he commented after we chatted for a few minutes. Then the door opened suddenly.
“Afternoon”—Bree’s voice found me as I started the last video—“sorry for being late.” She took off her jacket and threw it over a chair. Where had she been?
“Jaminson, how was your doctor’s appointment?” Cap asked, and I pinched my brows together at her.
“All clear.” Her cheeks pinkened, and I could tell she wasn’t being completely honest.
“Glad to hear it.” Cap nodded. “Well, I’ll leave you both to it.” He left and closed the door. “What can I do?” Bree pushed up her sleeves. I didn’t answer her, as something in Maria’s footage caught my eye. I slowed it down and watched it again.
“Holy shit.” I looked at Bree. “Look.” She moved around the desk and leaned down to see the screen better.
“Is that his . . . ?”
“Face.” I nodded excitedly. “He might know all the camera angles, but he sure didn’t account for his reflection on the coatroom door.”
“Okay.” She squared her shoulders and grinned at me. Her slight wince let me know she was still dealing with some tenderness from the accident. “Let’s get this son of a bitch.”