Protector's Honor by Kit Wilkinson

Author:Kit Wilkinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2009-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

Tabitha wanted to stay in Rory’s arms a little longer. She couldn’t seem to pull away from the way it made her feel, so beautiful and whole.

He, too, seemed reluctant to back away, but he did. “Not that I want to move. I don’t. But…” There’s work to be done, he left unsaid.

“You still haven’t explained why it’s so important for you to find my brother.”

The kind expression that had pronounced the crow’s-feet at the corners of Rory’s eyes disappeared. His lips pressed together. He grabbed his coat from the edge of the bed and walked to the door. Tabitha didn’t like the grim air that had settled around him.

“Let’s go downstairs. I’ll talk to you and your sister-in-law at the same time.” He sighed and held out a hand for her.

Friend-hot. Cop-cold. Hot-cold. Back to cold. Her heart and brain could hardly keep up with his transformations.

They found Karin in the study at her desk, staring at the computer screen. Rory led Tabitha into the room and over to the sitting area. Then he walked back to the door.

“I’ll be right back.” He disappeared before anyone could ask what he was doing.

“Is your headache gone?” Karin asked.

Tabitha turned to her. “I didn’t really have a headache.”

Her sister-in-law looked miffed. “Well, if you were discussing Max’s whereabouts I want to hear. I want to know what’s going on.” Desperation laced her words.

“Roger’s been murdered.”

Karin gasped. The seriousness of her husband’s situation settled in quickly. Her face went rigid.

“Rory’s looking for Max has something to do with Roger’s murder,” Tabitha added.

“But what could Max know about that?”

“He didn’t say.” Tabitha took a seat in one of the large wingback chairs. “Has Max even seen Roger lately? He didn’t come to your wedding.”

“Last weekend. He and I went to Annapolis together on Saturday. But on Friday, Max must have seen Roger because he came back with the Vasloh.”

Tabitha shook her head. “You didn’t like Roger much, did you?”

“No. I didn’t.” Karin looked up and her tough expression softened. “Oh, dear. I’m sorry, Tabitha. I know you were close with him a few years back. You must be upset about his death. You’ve been crying. I can see that now.”

“Come sit over here, Karin.” Tabitha pointed to the neighboring armchair. “You might as well know the truth.”

“The truth about what?” Karin settled into the chair next to Tabitha.

“Two years ago, Roger and I went out together. Not for long. A few dates.” Tabitha worked hard to steady her voice.

“Yes. Max said that you broke up with him. Is that not what happened?” Karin leaned toward her, green eyes wide.

Tabitha hesitated. “Max doesn’t know about this.”

“About what? Tabitha, what happened?”

There was only one way to say it. “Roger violated me. I was staying with Max that night. We all went out. Roger and I got to the house before Max. Roger had had too much to drink. He forced his way into the house and…Well, he forced me.”

Karin reached for her hand.

“I should have reported him.

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