Protective Duty (Love Inspired Suspense) by Jessica R. Patch

Author:Jessica R. Patch [Patch, Jessica R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-06-01T06:00:00+00:00

TEN

Bryn stood in front of Dr. Warner’s tank, watching tropical fish swim without a care in the world. Some of the smaller fish darted in and out of the pirate ship as if playing tag.

Dr. Warner sat on the couch wearing charcoal-gray slacks, a black button-down shirt—starched and ironed, rolled to his elbows—a smile on his face and every auburn hair in place.

She’d updated him on the case and what happened at the golf club—only because he’d know it anyway from the reports—but she’d revealed nothing personal. She’d told him she’d do better. This wasn’t better. Bryn had been failing. The killer stayed a step ahead of her and continued to terrorize and attack her. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep a brave exterior. Inside, she was crumbling. With every new assault, Ohio’s nightmare crept back up from buried places. She continued to misplace things and forget. This couldn’t go on much longer.

“I’d love to jump in that tank and swim with the fish. Just swim and swim and swim. It’s so quiet under the water. Peaceful.” Ironic thought since the victims had drowned. That wouldn’t have been peaceful or quiet. Drowning was a violent death, one that would have been fought tooth and nail.

“I think you’d disrupt their environment.”

“I met with SAC Towerman. I have to report to him every morning and each evening, as you’re well aware,” she muttered. Today’s conversation had sent her over the edge. He’d shoved her into the field against what he called his better judgment. And now he wanted to pull her back and put in another agent. After all Bryn had done and accomplished, she deserved to see this through. But Dr. Warner’s notes had obviously made it to Towerman’s desk, and they hadn’t been in her favor. So much for opening up to him. Clearly that hadn’t worked.

“How do you feel about what he said?” Dr. Warner asked.

Could he not state his opinion? Even once? “What do you think? I have a lead. Which is more than anyone had before. I don’t want to give it up now.” Even if she had been attacked and threatened more than she’d made headway. “This guy has targeted me—staying in the field makes more sense. Bait.” Not that she liked the idea of being bait. It terrified her, but this guy wasn’t going to quit. He’d kill her if he could and continue to murder other women. He had to be stopped.

“Bait?” Dr. Warner’s eyes held concern.

“Yes. He’s a misogynistic miscreant.” She gave the fish one more longing glance. Tonight she’d go to the gym and take a long therapeutic swim. A crowded gym with no steam room. “I can beat him. But not behind a desk.” A desk wouldn’t protect her from him anyway. Her stomach knotted again.

Bryn hadn’t offered up much more than what Dr. Warner already knew. It was time to share some personal feelings with the hope that his next report wouldn’t seal her future from the field.

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