Physical Evidence

Something changed in those assessing eyes, but she couldn’t say just what. “You don’t have to go inside,” he offered with too much understanding.

Alex climbed out of the vehicle to stand between it and its owner. “Yes, I do,” she replied, careful to keep her gaze on the house before her rather than the man standing so very close.

Zach had said the same thing. He hadn’t wanted Alex to come. But she’d insisted. She’d also insisted that he didn’t. He needed to bring Victoria up to speed and Alex didn’t need him butting heads with Hayden. Zach had her best interest at heart, but she couldn’t do her job with him hovering nearby. He still felt possessive of her when it came to her safety. Alex loved him for it, but his determination not to let anything happen to her could be irritating at times.

She was immensely thankful for his friendship. Their brief relationship hadn’t changed how they felt about each other. It had only proven that they weren’t suited for anything other than good friends.

“You’re sure you’re up to this?”

Startled out of her reverie, Alex turned to face the man who’d spoken. Heat instantly rushed through her, leaving her a little shaky and a lot uncertain of herself. She remembered those strong arms around her, the feel of his bare chest beneath her cheek. Whatever the attraction between her and this stranger, it was powerful and more than a little unsettling.

“We’re wasting time, Sheriff. I need to do this.”

He studied her a moment longer as if still doubtful of what exactly she hoped to accomplish. “All right,” he relented, stepping back.

Hayden led the way to the front door of the small boarding house where Jasna had taken a room. She’d planned to stay in the vicinity until her sister was found. The uniformed officer standing guard at the front door stepped aside without question for them to pass. Inside a steady stream of personnel wearing their bureaucratic camouflage moved up and down the stairs and from room to room.

In the shared living room, a young man and two older women were being questioned. The other tenants, Alex supposed, and maybe the owner. The owner had started renting rooms to make ends meet after her husband died. She kept a clean house and prepared home-cooked meals, according to Jasna. She’d felt comfortable here. Startled that she suddenly knew so much about the place, Alex shivered. This was eerie. But a good sign, wasn’t it? She needed to remember so much more.

“Mitch!” A man of about fifty and wearing a wrinkled tan suit called from the second-story landing. “Up here.”