Chapter Five #2
Kit winced, hating that she probably looked as sappy as Baz had accused her of being. She tapped Akiko’s back. “Let go. Can’t breathe.”
Akiko stepped back, wiping her tear-streaked face with hands that trembled. “You could get fired, Kit.”
“She’s right,” Navarro said, entering the room and closing the door behind him. “You’ve put me in a bad position, McKittrick.”
Kit started to apologize for her independent investigation, but she wasn’t sorry. Still, she needed to say something. “I’m sorry you’re in a bad position.”
Navarro’s laugh was sardonic. “You’re something. You know that?”
“I’m aware,” Kit replied. “He’s targeting cops, sir.”
Navarro slumped, looking more tired than she’d seen him in months. “I know. But Marshall and Ashton are both going to be okay. Just out of commission for a while. As are you. Both okay and out of commission, I mean.”
“This is just a scratch.” It was a lie. Her arm throbbed.
Navarro pressed his fingertips to his temples. “You might have been killed, Kit.”
“But I wasn’t.”
“Dumb luck,” Navarro muttered. “Both times.”
Kit said no more, because that was true. She’d been incredibly lucky. Both times. No one else said anything, either, the moment growing heavy and somber.
“What about the Sherman women?” Sam asked, breaking the tense silence. “The aunts and the twins?”
“I’ve sent them to a safe house. They’ll be guarded.”
“And the campus security tapes?” Kit asked. She, Sam, and Baz had already updated him on everything they’d learned about Dahlia’s stalker and Leo’s infidelity.
“I’ve contacted the head of security for the university,” Navarro said. “They filed a report when Dahlia first complained about a stalker, so they have more times and dates than she was able to remember for you. I should have the security footage within the hour.”
“And the security footage from Ella Sherman’s neighbors?” Sam pressed. “Did they catch the shooter’s face?”
Because Ella Sherman’s security system had not. The shooter had been lurking across the street, out of Ella’s camera zone.
“No,” Navarro said. “Guy wore a hoodie. He appeared to be the same guy as yesterday, but Dahlia Sherman said the shooter had the same build as the man who’d been following her.
We’ll see what the campus footage shows.
And that, Detective, is the last update you’ll be getting from me today.
From here on out, you are on paid leave. ”
Kit sucked in a breath. She’d known it was a possibility, but she hadn’t really thought Navarro would follow through. “Disciplinary leave?”
She’d never been on disciplinary leave before.
Navarro huffed. “No. Medical leave. But I will put you on paid administrative leave if you continue to investigate. I’m serious, Kit. You could fuck up the whole case. I don’t think you have yet, but I don’t want a killer to go free because you thought you were above the rules.”
Harlan cleared his throat. “This conversation should probably happen privately. You should have asked us to leave, Lieutenant.”
Navarro met Harlan’s disapproval head-on. “No, I needed to do it this way. You all need to be aware of what’s on the line here. Don’t encourage her.”
Betsy lifted her chin, eyes crackling with anger. “We didn’t. She makes her own decisions.”
Navarro sighed wearily. “Okay. But now you all know. If Detective McKittrick continues to investigate the murder of Mary Sherman, she will face a disciplinary board. I have to go. Marshall and Ashton are in recovery.”
“Am I allowed to visit them?” Kit asked bitterly.
Navarro gave her a look that made her a little ashamed. But just a little. “Of course. I know you’re friends.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not trying to break you, Kit. I’m trying to save your job.”
Kit understood his position, but he needed to understand hers. “Okay. But I won’t stand by and do nothing. I can’t.”
Navarro’s lips thinned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that I can and will ensure my sister’s safety.
And, with all due respect, sir, if the detectives you assign to this case aren’t effective, I’ll step in.
This isn’t just a case. This is my sister.
And if whoever you assign isn’t doing their job, I will. You can write me up now, if you want.”
Navarro closed his eyes. “Kit. Please.”
Kit slid off the bed and stood before him. “Please what, sir? Let my sister be harmed by whoever doesn’t want Mary Sherman’s murder solved? I won’t do that.”
“Kit,” Akiko murmured. “Don’t do this.”
Kit reached for Akiko’s hand. “You’re worth it. I’m not letting another sister be hurt. Or killed. I’m just not.” She returned her attention to Navarro. “Who have you assigned?”
“Lennox and West.”
What? What the hell? No fucking way.
Kit had to bite her tongue to keep her words from escaping. Lennox was new and, in Kit’s opinion, too untrained. West was old and, in Kit’s opinion, too lazy to do a good job. Plus, the man did not like her. West was the worst detective Navarro could have assigned.
“Why?” she asked when she was sure she could speak without digging a deeper hole for herself.
“They’re next up for a case. Don’t say it,” Navarro warned. “I know what you’re thinking. Just…don’t say it.”
Kit drew in a deep breath, then startled when warm hands settled on her hips. Sam.
“Easy,” he whispered.
She nodded, not breaking eye contact with Navarro. “I see.”
Navarro looked like he wanted to say more, but he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.
“You okay?” Sam asked quietly.
“Yes.” She shuddered out a breath and let him have the truth. “No. I don’t think that I am.”
“You will be,” he promised.
“Let’s go home,” Harlan said. “You’re riding on adrenaline right now. A good meal and some rest might bring some clarity.”
Kit turned to Akiko, noting her sister’s guilty expression.
“Don’t even think it. This is not your fault.
You didn’t ask to be dragged into whatever this is.
” She slipped her hand from Akiko’s and cupped her sister’s cheek.
“I meant it. You’re worth it. You’re worth everything.
” She pressed a kiss to Akiko’s forehead. “You’d do the same for me.”
Akiko’s nod was shaky, but her eyes were clear. “I would. Because you’re worth everything to me, too.”
Betsy pulled them both into a hug. “Let’s go home. We’ll figure this out.”
“Um…” They turned to see Sam looking hesitant. “We can’t leave yet. Kit hasn’t been seen by the doctor.”
Betsy laughed. “I’m so glad you’re here, Sam. I’d all but forgotten why we were here.”
Kit made herself smile up at him because he looked so upset. For me. “I’m glad you’re here, too.”
It was the truth and it was time she let him know.
“We’ll wait in the cafeteria,” Harlan said. “Text us when you’re ready to go home.”
The door closed behind them, leaving Kit and Sam alone. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “For?”
“Being you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him. His arms came around her, warm and strong. Safe. “For giving me the time to…get my head out of my ass, as Baz so eloquently put it.”
He chuckled. “You’re welcome. Would this be a good time to remind you that my parents arrive day after tomorrow?”
She started to pull away, but he held her close and she melted back into him. “Not really. I’ve never met anyone’s parents before. Not like this.”
“It’s going to be fine.”
She wasn’t so sure. “I honestly think I’d rather face a shooter.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right there. Not going anywhere.”
She drew a breath, taking him in. Hoping he was right. Hoping his parents didn’t hate her. Hoping they’d think she was good enough for their son.