Free I'm Watching You by Karen Rose

not finished,“ she said, her voice still calm. If people only knew how hard she practiced to keep that calm voice even when her insides were shaking like Jell-O in an earthquake. „Based on my limited personal experience, I don’t believe you’d bully a rape victim who’s already been through hell, but based on the last few minutes, the jury’s still out on your sensitive side.“ He looked away, abashed, and she sighed. „I do know those people depended on me to get justice and nine out of ten of them blame me because I didn’t. I don’t want to feel like I owe them, but I do. So I want to go. Call me a masochist or a bleeding heart if you want, but don’t call me unfair, because that’s what you’ve done.“
    „I’m sorry,“ he said quietly. He looked at her, his blue eyes piercing. „I was out of line.“
    For just a moment, Kristen stared, his gaze almost as palpable as a physical touch. She swallowed and shook her head, whether to break the tug of his stare or to deny his words, she wasn’t sure. „It’s all right, Detective. I understand.“
    Mia cleared her throat and Kristen started. She’d almost forgotten Mitchell was there. „We’ll call you when we’re ready to start talking to the victims, Kristen,“ she said dryly.
    Kristen felt her cheeks heat For heaven’s sake. Caught staring like a brainless teenager. It was just that the man had the most intriguing eyes. And she was sure she’d seen them before. „Thank you,“ she said briskly. „I’ve got to go now or I’ll be late.“ She turned on her heel and had made it halfway to the Arboretum’s parking lot when she felt a hand on her shoulder. He didn’t need to say a word for her to know it was Reagan. Her shoulder tingled with awareness, even through the layers that separated his hand from her skin.
    „Do you need a ride, Kristen?“ he asked and she shook her head.
    „No,“ she said, mortified when her voice came out husky. Resolutely she kept her gaze forward. „I’ll take a cab. I’ll have a rental car delivered this morning, so I’ll be fine. I really need to go, Detective.“
    His hand lifted and she made her way to the street without looking back. But even still, she could feel his eyes watching her all the way.
     

 
    Thursday, February 19,
    8:15 a.m.
     
     
    „Well, isn’t that interesting,“ Zoe mused, sipping at a cup of black coffee.
    Her cameraman yawned. „What?“
    „Mayhew, walking up the courthouse steps. Get some film of her, okay?“
    „Why?“ He frowned. „You’re not getting one of those stalking complexes are you?“
    „Just do it. And get a close-up of her feet.“
    „You’re creepy, lady,“ Scott groused, but did as he was told, his video camera following Kristen all the way up the stairs until she disappeared into the building.
    Zoe took the camera from his hands. „Let’s take a good look.“ She rewound the tape and stared into the viewer. „See that? Look at those shoes.“
    Scott reached for his own coffee. „I did. Nike high-tops. Didn’t match her suit.“
    Zoe rolled her eyes. „No. Look at her shoes. They’re all covered in mud.“
    Scott shrugged. „So? She went for a morning run.“
    Zoe shook her head. „No, she doesn’t run. She does aerobics twice a week at her neighborhood Y.“ She looked up to find Scott’s unshaven face twisted in a disgusted grimace.
    „You have been stalking her.“
    Zoe blew out a breath. „Don’t be an idiot. Of course I’m not stalking her. I’m just acquainting myself with her usual routine. So I know when something’s up, like now. She went someplace this morning before motion hour.“ Her eyes narrowed, her mouth all but salivating. The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up. Good investigative reporting was instinct and persistence. And preparation. This morning all that preparation was about to pay off. „Something’s cooking with our devoted public servant.“ She turned to Scott with a satisfied smile.