Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Carter’s fingers slid through her hair, and his skin was warm against Audrey’s cheek, his heart thudding softly next to her ear. For the past couple of days, things between them had been… perfect. He was more than she dreamed he would be, better than anything she could’ve ever hoped for.
They had settled into a rhythm as naturally as if they had been together forever. She entertained herself while he was gone, then they had dinner together and spent most of the evening talking and laughing before they fell into bed together.
Though she was content, she couldn’t help the feeling of worry that consumed her when she thought about what might happen when she returned to work. As soon as all of this was over, she would be able to move back to her condo.
The idea didn’t hold the same appeal it had a mere week ago. Not wanting to disrupt the tenuous balance between them, neither Carter nor she had broached the subject again. He had made his intentions clear; now she just had to make up her mind.
His deep voice broke the silence. “I talked to Mason today.”
From her spot draped over his torso, she angled her head up to look at him. “What did he have to say?” She was curious to know if they had learned anything since Lucy’s funeral.
“I don’t have good news for you.” Carter let out a sigh. “According to him, the police picked Kellerman up for questioning yesterday after the funeral.”
As far as she could tell, that was a good thing.
It meant the detective was seriously considering what they had told him, and she was both grateful and worried.
What if Kellerman was actually accused of doing something so heinous?
And how many times had he done this? She already pitied his poor family.
The investigation was only the beginning of what could be a very long and emotional process for everyone involved.
“They questioned him but couldn’t find enough evidence to get a warrant or book him.”
Everything in her stilled as she processed his words. “What does that mean?”
Dark eyes met hers. “There was nothing conclusive tying him to any of the crimes, and his wife alibied him for the time of the shooting. They had no choice but to release him last night.”
Rolling away from him, she sat up and dragged a hand through her hair. She felt Carter’s heat at her back as he moved closer. “I’m sorry, babe. I know you wanted this to be the end—we both did.”
He was wrong. She couldn’t stand the thought of Kellerman being responsible for the murders of those poor men. She only wanted justice, but the primary suspect had just been released.
Carter dropped a kiss on her shoulder. “They’re checking several other leads. Mason told them about the altercation between Edward and Kellerman after the funeral.”
She threw a look at him over her shoulder. “That doesn’t mean anything. He could just be pissed they were having an affair.”
After she had learned about the connection between Eli and Lucy, Edward’s words made more sense. Lucy had been lost to him months before she had passed away—and he had blamed Eli for all of it.
“What do we do now?” She heard the helplessness in her tone, and Carter wrapped an arm around her waist.
“C’mere, babe.” He tugged her back down and pulled her close to his side, tucking her head against his shoulder.
It felt like something a parent would do for their child, and her first instinct was to rebel.
His hand swept down her spine, and she relaxed against him, allowing herself to wallow in the comfort and security of his embrace.
“We’ll figure it out.” He spoke quietly against her hair. “I promise.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to demand how he knew, but a sudden realization stopped her. She trusted him, and if he believed they would find the person responsible, then so did she.
She turned her head and kissed the base of his neck. “Thank you.”
His arms tightened around her, and she felt herself begin to drift off.
Sometime later, her phone vibrated on the nightstand, jerking her from sleep.
The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, and she didn’t recognize the number on the screen.
Carter’s arm tightened around her waist, and she snuggled against him as she hit the button.
She was almost asleep again when the phone beeped an alert that she had a voicemail.
Who would be calling her this early in the morning? Heaving herself up on her elbow, she listened to the short message from Becky, the HR director at the VA.
“Audrey, this is Becky Statler. I know you’re scheduled to be out for the next week or so, but we’ve kind of had an emergency situation, and I’m looking for someone to take over some patients. Could you please give me a call back when you get this?”
Curiosity piqued, she slid from the bed and called her back. Her tone was weary when she answered.
“This is Becky.”
“Hi, Becky, it’s Audrey calling you back.”
“I’m sorry to call so early,” she apologized, “but you’re kind of my last resort. I know this isn’t ideal, but I’m looking for someone to take over Dr. Kellerman’s position.”
“Oh,” she said, concerned. “Is he sick?”
Something that sounded like a soft sob filtered through the speaker. “I… I’m sorry. I thought maybe you’d seen the news.”
Goosebumps rose over her flesh. “No. What happened?”
“Dr. Kellerman isn’t coming back. He’s…” Becky drew in a deep breath. “He passed away last night.”
Audrey sucked in a breath, and she heard the rustle of the sheets behind her. “Oh, my God.” Her mind spun uncontrollably, and she tried to make sense of the words. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“It was a shock to all of us,” she said sadly. “I don’t want to rush you, but if we don’t have enough coverage, I’ll have to let his patients know.”
“Yes, of course I’ll do it,” she blurted without thinking.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “I don’t want to rush you.”
“Yes,” she said decisively. She couldn’t turn her down; it was the right thing to do. “It’s no problem at all. I’ll see you soon.”
She hung up, then turned to meet Carter’s curious stare. “Looks like we can cross Kellerman off the suspect list.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s dead.”
His eyes flared wide. “You’re kidding me.”
She let out a mirthless laugh, still half in shock, and shook her head. “No. She said he passed away last night.”
His brows dipped, and concern clouded his expression. “I wonder what that means.”
She shrugged. “I have no idea. But I’ve got to take his patients today.”
At that, he bolted upright. “Not a chance.”
“I have to do this,” she argued. “There are people counting on him, on me, and—”
“Jesus, Audrey.” His tone was exasperated as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and grabbed her forearms. “You were just shot at a week ago. I don’t want you going out until they figure out who it is.
Especially after this whole ordeal with Kellerman.
He was the only viable suspect, and now—”
She understood where he was coming from.
“Listen. The office is never empty, between the staff and the cleaning crew. I’ll be safe enough with them there.
” Carter shot a hard look at her, and she stared right back.
“Really, though. It’d be stupid for someone to try something while I’m at work, surrounded by a whole bunch of ex-military men all day long. ”
His chin dipped, and one eyebrow lifted toward his hairline. “Not making me feel any better.”
“You know what they say about a man in uniform…” She couldn’t help but tease him a little, and she pressed her lips together to contain a small smile when he let out a little growl and lightly smacked her ass.
“I’m the only man allowed to touch you.” His expression turned serious again almost immediately, and he stared up at her. “I really don’t like the idea of you going back there yet.”
She felt strange, caught halfway between wanting to laugh or cry.
Kellerman was dead, which meant that their only suspect was now gone.
Had Kellerman killed himself out of guilt, or was it some natural cause?
The timing seemed too coincidental, and that worried her immensely.
She tried not to let it show as she leaned into Carter.
“Honestly. It’ll be perfectly fine.” She hoped it would, anyway.
He frowned at her, then as if realizing it was a losing battle, he let out a low sigh. “Fine. But I’m taking you to work and I’ll be there when you get off.”
“Deal.” She leaned down to kiss him. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”