Bring the Heat by Jo Davis Read Free Book Online Page B

useful, come up with a list of anyone who might hold a grudge against you. Someone you’ve put away in the last few years who just got out of the joint is a good place to start.”
    A bitter laugh escaped Austin’s throat. “That’ll take some time.”
    â€œWell, you’ve got plenty.”
    Austin glared at his boss, to no effect. “How much of my vacation has to do with the department saving face with the press?”
    Glenn sighed. “I’m not going to lie—they somehow got wind of your breakdown, or whatever, and the speculation is rampant. They’re straddling the line between accusing you of Ashley’s murder and your being a victim. You know how horrible the media has been toward cops lately, and this is a potential disaster.”
    â€œI’m innocent, Glenn,” he stated, anger boiling under his skin. “You know that.”
    â€œI do. We just need to let this die down before ittakes on a life of its own and you end up being tried and convicted on the ten o’clock news. Okay?”
    â€œI hear you.”
    Fuck!
More than twenty years as a cop, and now someone was trying to destroy his life. He wasn’t going to give the murdering bastard more rope to hang him.
    â€œI’m behind you all the way,” Glenn said, standing. “I’m glad you’re all right. Get some rest and we’ll talk soon.”
    â€œThanks, Chief.”
    Frustrated, he watched his boss walk out the door. For a while he fumed, unable to do anything else. Then he got tired and slept for a while, and when he awoke, the sunlight had dimmed into afternoon. Stretching, he tried to clear the fog from his brain. His head didn’t hurt as bad as before, and he decided he was mending, no thanks to his own stupidity.
    â€œIt’s good to see you awake,” a soft feminine voice said.
    Turning his head, he smiled. Laura was sitting by his bed, looking like an oasis for a man who’d been lost in the desert for months. Her dark hair was loose around her shoulders, and she wore a pink V-neck T-shirt that hugged her breasts. Her long legs were encased in a pair of dark jeans.
    â€œYou look pretty,” he told her. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in street clothes.”
    She looked pleased at the compliment. “Thank you. You’re looking better than you did last time I saw you, for sure.”
    â€œWhen did you see me?”
    â€œI found you at home. Well, Shane, Chris, and I did,” she amended.
    The hits kept coming. He looked away from her and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry you had to see me like that. I’m ashamed,” he admitted.
    Cupping his face, she made him look at her again. “No, none of that. How about you look forward from here on out? Think about what you
can
change instead of what you can’t.”
    â€œYou make it sound so easy.” He found himself leaning into her touch. Her hand on his cheek felt so warm and welcoming. Much like the look in her eyes.
    â€œIt won’t be, but taking control of your life again will be worth it. Believe me.”
    â€œYou know something about that?”
    â€œJust a little.” Taking his hand, she lowered it to the bed, but didn’t let go. “That’s a story for another time.”
    He let it slide, for now. “Taking control sounds good. I’ve got plenty of time to get started, since the chief placed me on leave.”
    She winced. “Yeah, I kind of saw that coming.”
    â€œI did, too, but it stings.” Questions burned in his gut, and as he stared at her, they wouldn’t be denied. “I want you to give me your professional assessment of Ashley’s murder.”
    â€œAustin, I don’t think now is the time—”
    â€œI need for you to tell me,” he said quietly. “Please.”
    He’d never seen Laura struggle over discussing such things, but this situation was vastly, terribly