Deadly Evidence. Elizabeth Goddard

      Sweat beaded her face and blood soaked her arm. His heart pounded. “You’re hurt! Someone shot you?”

      “No, it’s just my wound broke open.”

      He wanted to reach for her but was afraid to make her pain worse. “What happened?”

      “First, help me get up.”

      He assisted her to her feet.

      She bent over her thighs as if to catch her breath, then leaned against the wall, her hand pressed to her chest. “Someone was in the house. A masked man. I walked in on him. We fought, but my shoulder isn’t so good, so he got the best of me.”

      Blood soaked her shoulder and arm now. While she talked, he grabbed towels from the bathroom, then pressed one against her shoulder. “We need to stop the bleeding.”

      “I made a mistake and he was too close to me when I confronted him. He was able to knock my gun away. We fought and I almost had him, but then he pulled a gun of his own. That’s when I dove into the hall. He broke the window and climbed through it to the backyard.”

      Tori pressed the towel against her shoulder, relieving Ryan of the task.

      “He didn’t pursue you into the hallway?” Thank You, God. He couldn’t bear to think of how this could have ended—and on his watch, no less.

      “No. I’m not sure why he didn’t just flee out the front door, but maybe he was afraid he would run into you. I’m also not sure why he didn’t try to...” She trembled.

      Kill her? Was that what Tori would have said had she completed her sentence?

      “I’m not sure why he didn’t finish the job,” she said.

      His insides quaked. Ryan never ever wanted to see his Tori, tough FBI agent Tori Peterson, this shaken again.

       His Tori?

      “Oh, honey.” He took her into his arms, careful of her shoulder.

      She cried into her hands against his chest, the bloodied towel pressed between them against her shoulder. Tori had always been the strongest person he knew—but she’d been through so much. These latest attacks meant she’d barely had time to grieve over the loss of her sister. But he supposed that this was how she’d chosen to grieve—by fighting back and trying to find Sarah’s killer. Tori’s job was all about law and justice, and for her sister to be murdered chafed in every way.

      Sirens rang out in the distance and grew louder.

       Finally...

      “I called reinforcements when I heard gunfire.” His chin rested on the top of her head, stirring memories of him holding her in his arms—but those times from their past couldn’t be more different than the current situation.

      She sniffled and stepped away. Swiped at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

      Strong Tori was back again, and strong Tori refused to show any weakness. She left him standing there and stomped into the bedroom. The guest bedroom...he knew that because he was the detective on the case, and he’d already been through the house in search of clues. Ryan trailed her.

      “This is my FBI-issued gun.” She pointed at the weapon lying on the floor on the other side of the room. “He knocked that out of my hands. He was wearing gloves, but maybe there could still be DNA. Certainly not prints, though.”

      “Jerry will look it over first to make sure.”

      “Okay. I want it back as soon as possible.” She moved to the window. “You already know that he broke the window getting out. While your people sweep this place for prints and evidence, I’ll canvass the neighborhood.”

      Right. He fisted his hands on his hips. “You really can’t let it go, can you?”

      She scrunched her face but her gaze swept the room. “What are you talking about?”

      “You are not the law around here anymore. You gave that up, remember? Your FBI credentials don’t change the fact that this murder case isn’t in your jurisdiction.” Nor would she be allowed to work it professionally because Sarah was her sister.

      “Fine. I’m going for a walk then. I need to get my head together.”

      Ryan grabbed her arm. “You’re not going anywhere.”

      “Get your hands off me.”

      He released her slowly but stayed close. “Tori, just calm down. You’re bleeding, remember?” He lifted the towel and held it out to her.

      She scrunched her face and took the towel, pressing it against her shoulder again. She wasn’t thinking clearly, either, or else she would suggest looking at the rest of the house. Maybe the intruder had been in Sarah’s home searching for something. Was anything missing? But Ryan wouldn’t bring that up just yet. Tori needed to see the doctor again, and she’d only insist on looking through the house if he brought that to her attention. Discovering if something was missing could wait. Her well-being came first.

      Deputies finally entered the home. Tori appeared pale and remained shaken, so Ryan stayed near as he explained what had happened. Her official statement could be given later. Ryan escorted her out of the house. “I need to take you back to the hospital so you can get that looked at.”

      “I’m supposed to replace the bandage anyway.” She shrugged. “I’m fine to take care of it myself.”

      He’d expected her resistance and knew the best method to counter it was to redirect the conversation. “I’m considering this more than a simple break-in.”

      “You mean...”

      He nodded. “Yes. I told you I don’t believe in coincidence. My working theory—which I’m hoping the evidence will confirm—is now that Sarah was the primary target, not Mason or any of the others. For now, I’m going to investigate as if the rest of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time or killed to throw off the investigation. Satisfied?”

      She offered a tenuous smile. “Yes.”

      Outside, he ushered her back to his SUV. “I’ll take you to the ER first.”

      “Ryan, I was serious when I said I would be fine. My shoulder just needs a new bandage. There’s nothing more the doctor can do, really. It needs time to heal.”

      “So let it heal and stop fighting criminals. Do we have a deal?” He tossed her a wry grin, and was rewarded with a half smile.

      “If you stop insisting on taking me to the hospital.”

      “Fine. Then is it all right if I take you to your parents’ for the night?”

      She nodded.

      “Once we’re finished processing the bungalow and release the crime scene, you can go back to staying there, but I wouldn’t advise it. Whoever broke in can try again. Next time you might not be so fortunate.” He hated saying those words. Hated that Sarah had somehow made an enemy, and Tori had put herself in the line of fire to find the person responsible.

      Tori said nothing more, which troubled him. Normally she would have objected or put forth her opinion, but even the strongest FBI agent could become traumatized when they had lost a loved one and been personally targeted. A female officer would pack a small bag of clothes for Tori’s stay with her parents and deliver it. He drove the SUV from the quiet neighborhood where Sarah had lived to the Petersons’ home only a mile away. After parking in the driveway, he ushered Tori to the house.

      Tori knocked softly and then opened the door, peeking her head in. “Mom? Dad? It’s me.”

      She stepped through the door, and Ryan remained on the porch, unsure if he was invited. Tori glanced at him.

      “Tori?” Sheryl appeared in the foyer. “I thought you were with—”