Heâd resigned himself to doing his duty toward her and their childânothing else. Just his duty
But now, someone had hurt her and could have hurt his baby. Something primal swelled up within him, adding to the mix of anger and that other emotion he couldnât name.
âRache,â he said, âI swear, Iâm going to find out who did this. And until I do, Iâm not letting you out of my sight. You and that baby are my responsibility, and Iâll be damned if I let anyone get close enough to hurt you again.â
Rachelâs brow wrinkled and she looked down at the water glass.
She hadnât liked what sheâd heard, and he knew why. His intention had been to reassure her, but it hadnât come out exactly right. Heâd sounded harsh and angry.
It appeared she didnât believe him. She had to know he could take care of her. So why did he get the feeling she didnât want him to?
Ashton John Kendall stormed through the squad room, ignoring the curious gazes of his fellow detectives. He headed straight toward the back, where the Crime Scene Investigations unit had their desks.
He hadnât slept a wink the night before, after delivering the bad news to his family. God, that had been hard.
He could have talked to Rachel last night as well, butâno. Heâd been too angry. Way too angry.
Problem was, eight hours of tossing and turning hadnât lessened his fury one bit. Hell, he hadnât even stopped at the coffee shop for his usual coffee and casual flirting with the blonde barista.
He rounded the corner and skidded to a halt. That was odd. Rachel wasnât at her desk.
She was always here by this time. He glanced at his watch to be sure. Eight-thirty. During the weeks when theyâd dated, heâd found out how obsessive she was about being on time. She liked to get any paperwork out of the way first thing before heading to the lab, so her schedule would be clear in the case of an emergency.
âDamn it, where is she?â he snapped to no one in particular.
âGood morning, Ash,â the transcriptionist sitting at a tiny computer table against the wall said.
He smiled at her and tried to tamp down his anger. âHi, Vanessa. Howâs your brother?â He and Vanessa had dated for a short while a couple of years ago. Theyâd had fun.
She beamed at his question. âHeâs doing really well. Heâs acting like his old self again.â
âIâm glad. A shame that he had to go through a triple bypass at thirty-three. Have you seen Rachel?â
Vanessa shook her head. âNo. Sheâs been late a couple of days this past week. She should be in anytime now.â
Rachel Stevens late for workâand not once but several times?
Jack Bearden walked in with a steaming cup of coffee. âMorning,â he said. He, Rachel and Frank Marino were the senior criminalists for the Ninth District of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
âWhat about the lab? Could she be down there?â Ash asked Vanessa.
âMaybe, but I doubt it. You know how she likes to clear her desk first thing in the morning.â
Ash took a deep breath, working to control the anger that was building up again. âTell Rachel I need to talk to her as soon as sheââ
âAsh?â
He whirled around to see Rachel standing there, clutching a big leather purse. She looked pale. âHere I am,â she said, spreading her hands and offering a smile that looked pasted on.
Just seeing her ramped up his anger another notch. âYeah, we need to talk,â he snapped.
Rachel ducked her head and slid past him to her desk. She laid down her purse and started to take off her raincoat, but apparently decided to leave it on. She slid her fingers around the back of her neck to free her ponytail.
âHave a seat,â she offered, pointing to a straight-back chair.
âNotâhere,â he grated.
Rachel looked up, startled, as did Vanessa and Jack. Ash sucked in a breath and consciously relaxed his jaw. âCan weâ?â He inclined his head in the general direction of the squad room.
She studied his face, her own still pale, her lips pressed tightly together. Then she nodded and stepped past him.
âWhere?â she asked evenly.
âRoom three.â Interrogation Room Three wouldnât be occupied unless there had been a drug raid or a gang war during the night. Sure enough it was empty.