Officer on Duty (Lock and Key Book 4) by Ranae Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

everyone’s first guess. Between interviews and the forensic evidence left at the scene, they’re hoping to get some answers, but it’s like panning for gold.”
    “A lot of crap to sift through before you luck out and catch something of value,” Lucia said.
    “Exactly. I’m not a detective, though – not in charge of figuring it all out.”
    “You’re a sheriff’s deputy, right?”
    “A sergeant. Sort of a first line supervisor. Still on patrol like the rest of them though, and right now I’m training a new officer.”
    “Well, I hope some good evidence crops up soon. It’s sickening to know that whoever did that is still walking around free.”
    He nodded.
    “Of course, if you’ve been doing the job since you were twenty-one, I’m sure you’re more used to seeing situations like this than someone like me.”
    He was, and exposure had a way of cultivating a protective coating over the nerves, much like a patina formed on neglected metal.
    “Doesn’t make me any less eager to see whoever did it caught. Especially not when the victim was so young. Makes me think of Paige, and I don’t like knowing there’s someone who’d do that walking the same streets as us. As her.”
    Lucia frowned and nodded. “I can imagine. It makes me worried for my girls, too.”
    “Your girls?” Surprise arrowed through him, and he had to fight to keep it from showing on his face.
    He hadn’t considered that Lucia might have children. Where were they – with their father?
    “The girls in my swim class. They’re all middle and highschoolers.”
    His surprise evaporated, replaced by understanding.
    “The aquatic center isn’t far from the town center, or Walters Park. I’d recommend making sure that none of them are walking home alone, at least until Brianna’s killer is identified and caught.”
    Just in case it hadn’t been personal. Better safe than sorry. Children’s lives weren’t something to gamble with, no matter how unlikely the odds of loss.
    “I will.”
    Her promise granted him a modicum of relief. He was tired of seeing innocent people hurt. The previous summer had burnt its grim brand of paranoia into his mind, those few months more jadingly brutal than all his previous years of police experience combined.
    Anything could happen anywhere, to anyone. Mercy separated itself from chance and depravity like oil rose above water: always, without fail.
    He glanced at the clock on the wall. Paige would be home in half an hour.
    “Thanks for the coffee,” he said, “and the cookies. I’d better get home and start dinner.”
    “You cook too?” Lucia sounded impressed.
    “By default. My cooking is nothing like my mother’s, unfortunately.”
    She set down her coffee cup and stood. “I’ll let you go then. Thanks for stopping by – feel free to drop in anytime.”
    Her eyes locked with his, and he was momentarily spellbound by the light and warmth reflected there.
    “I might just do that. Thanks again for the coffee. Until then.”
    He tipped his head and forced himself to walk away.

CHAPTER 6
     
    Lucia was fully aware of how pathetic she was as she stood on Jeremy’s doorstep. Aware, yet utterly unable to stop herself from rapping on the door.
    Days had passed since she’d had coffee and peanut butter cookies with him. Since then, she’d thought of it every time she’d walked into her kitchen. Not only was he incredibly hot, but he was incredibly easy to talk to. And to like.
    “Hey,” she said, her heart skipping a beat when he answered the door, “I wanted to drop off something for Paige.”
    He leaned on the door frame, looking ridiculously sexy in jeans and a t-shirt. “Oh yeah?”
    She held up her perfect excuse for stopping by.
    “It’s a wide tooth comb – much better for curly hair than a brush. The company I buy my hair products from sends me one with every order, so I have a ton of extras.”
    “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. Do you want to come in to give it to