view of the windows overlooking the pool area. Even knowing our shooter
wouldn’t have lingered, Kayden and I cleared the space before moving to the windows. Then we started our search from opposing ends.
I studied the dust covered floor for any indication our shooter had been there.
No marks. Nothing. I met Kayden at the wall of windows. Together, we ran fingers over the edges, looking for openings, cracks, anything a shooter could use. Nothing. I met Kayden’s gaze and shook my head. We moved out and on to
the next unfinished condo.
On the third condo we hit pay dirt. An arid breeze swirled drywall powder into mini dust devils that twisted their way through half-built walls and wound
over the paint-flecked concrete. At the wall of windows, a missing pane of glass
left a gap on the far-right side.
I moved closer, and found the first imprint, a smudged print of a boot toe.
Mimicking the angle of the mark, I lined up an imaginary shot. Sure enough, Kelsey’s second-bedroom balcony came into line.
Behind me, Kayden’s low voice said, “I’ve got signs of a shell casing.”
Half turning, I found him crouched down on his heels, arms on his knees. I
joined him and studied the imprint. “Looks as if the shooter tried to brush it away.” Looking around, I said, “Guess this is the place.”
He raised his head and caught me with those disturbing navy eyes. “For the
record, I’m not keen on you doing this.”
My lips quirked, and not with humor. “Noted.”
I had my own reservations, but not enough to outweigh the possible benefits.
My gut said the shooter was after Ellery, not us. Which made me wonder why he
would reveal himself by taking such a risky shot? All he had to do was stay quiet, follow along, and wait. Something had changed, and I wanted to know what it was. If that meant another trip down memory lane, so be it.
Kayden rose and dusted his hands on his jeans.
I followed suit, checking the sparse space for somewhere out of sight of the
windows and the plastic-shrouded doorway. No need to advertise our presence.
A half-finished interior wall lined by a row of 2x4’s, blocked the door’s line of
sight. “Let’s move over here.”
He scrutinized the unfinished wall. “Better than nothing, I guess.”
I stepped around him and led the way. We stood facing each other with maybe a foot between us.
Kayden folded his arms over his chest. “Touch or no touch?”
“Let’s go touch free, maybe we can get what we need with just a surface look.”
He backed up so he could lean against the wall. “I want you in front of me.”
I looked pointedly at the small space between us. “I am in front of you.”
He reached out and tugged me until I stood between his feet. Every breath I
took was colored with his unique blend of man and spice. His gaze was hard. “If
you start to bleed, I’m bringing you out.”
“Fine.” The tension in my shoulders loosened. Somewhere in my brain, I
equated his presence with protection. Maybe it should bother me to rely on him
this much, but Kelsey’s death had crumbled my normally stable foundation.
Right now, I needed him, needed to feel as if I weren’t completely alone. When
this was over, and he moved on to the next assignment, his absence would be the
equivalent of ripping off the scab from an unhealed wound.
It would suck.
