The Right Woman. Linda Warren

wasn’t here. Her heart sank.

      Russ had his back to her, but Joel saw her. He nudged Russ. “Ms. Welch is here.”

      Russ swung around, ready to unload on her, but his jaw dropped and no words came out. His narrowed eyes slid over her, taking in the cobweb of glistening copper hair that hung around her face and shoulders. She had on a white V-necked sweater, tan slacks and a dark suede jacket. Russ’s eyes seemed glued to her cleavage.

      She felt a moment of panic, but only for a moment. Up until now Russ had only seen her in blouses buttoned to her throat. His stare didn’t make her angry and she didn’t feel herself shriveling up inside because a man was looking at her. She knew that was a good sign. Finally she was letting herself mend.

      Russ recovered quickly. “We’ve been waiting for almost an hour. It’s good of you to show up.”

      “I got the call less than thirty minutes ago and I came immediately.”

      “Then let’s see her because I don’t have any more time to waste.”

      Sarah and the detectives walked into the room and Brooke’s parents quietly slipped out. Brooke was sitting up in bed and Sarah went to her side.

      “Are you ready?” Sarah asked.

      “Yes. Now that you’re here.”

      Sarah nodded to Russ and he laid some papers in Brooke’s lap. “Those are names of everyone at the party. Take a good look, Miss Wallace, and tell me if you recognize any of them.”

      For the next thirty minutes Russ questioned Brooke about every male on the paper, but she didn’t have any answers, or at least not the ones Russ wanted.

      Brooke held up well and Sarah admired her strength. Russ didn’t pressure her or use his usual macho tactics and Sarah was grateful for that. Afterward Sarah sat with Brooke until her parents returned. She left the hospital wondering where Daniel was. She didn’t think he’d quit in the middle of an investigation—that wouldn’t be like him at all. But what did she know about Daniel? That he was reliable, compassionate, loyal, supportive, kind and the list went on. She knew nothing about his personal life or his family and she’d never heard Ethan say anything about them, either.

      That’s probably the way it should stay, she decided as she pulled into her garage. Still she didn’t want to be part of the reason he’d quit his job. She’d rectify that the next time she saw him. She just didn’t know exactly when that would be.