Free Task Force Bride by Julie Miller

began.
    “It won’t.” Matuszak shut her down and squeezed her shoulder at the same time. “You’ve done enough. If this...animal...gets wind that you’re any kind of witness to what he’s done, then he might well come after you next.”
    Sizing up the tailored cut of the attorney’s tan suit and his willingness to scare his client in order to keep her mouth shut, Pike circled around him. Someone here was wearing some serious cologne, too. But he remembered Hope’s scent was sweet and subtle. And Spencer Montgomery wasn’t the cologne type. Another reason not to like these two.
    Detective Montgomery acknowledged him as he joined them. “Pike?”
    Hope’s face was too pale for his liking. The urge to rescue her and change her perception of him flowed even stronger through his blood now. “I was wondering how much longer you’ll need Miss Lockhart, sir. My shift’s over and I’d be happy to give her a ride back to her apartment.”
    Hope’s head shot up and those long tendrils danced away from her confused expression. “You would?”
    “Anytime.”
    The wealthy entrepreneur Pike already knew to be Brian Elliott stood up to introduce himself. “And you are?”
    “Officer Taylor.” They clasped hands in front of Hope’s face, and when he glanced down at her with a friendly wink, her pale cheeks dotted with color. Was that embarrassment at his teasing show of support or discomfort that he’d forced his way into a conversation that had already gone on too long for her? Pike forged ahead. “Hope and I have a habit of running into each other.”
    “Yes. I saw how you ran into her in the elevator.” Scowling as if displeased by the half embrace he’d witnessed, Elliott diverted Pike’s attention to the other man. “This is my attorney, Adam Matuszak.”
    “We’ve met.”
    They shook hands while Brian Elliott continued. “Thank you, but Hope and I are friends. I’ve known her for several years now. I was the first to notice her talents as a business woman with impeccable taste. I’ve nurtured that talent and supported her ever since. Adam and I will take her home.”
    Although Elliott’s tone was polite enough, Pike got the idea that some sort of claim was being made. Were these GQ and Forbes cover models the kind of men Hope preferred to hang out with? The kind of men who made her feel safe? That didn’t bode well for a Field & Stream kind of guy like him.
    Still, he wasn’t looking forward to letting Alex know he’d struck out with Hope Lockhart. Again. He made one last valiant effort, dropping his gaze down to Hope’s. “Is that what you want? I’ll take you out of here right now. Just say the word.”
    “I...” She glanced up at both her friend and her attorney before adjusting her glasses on her nose and narrowing her gaze at Pike. “It would be more convenient for Brian to take me. He lives in the same neighborhood.”
    “I drove Mr. Elliott here,” Matuszak added, settling his hand on Hope’s shoulder. “It’s no problem to drive her, too.”
    Convenient. Not what he’d asked. But the dismissal was clear. She’d made her choice.
    So much for Alex’s matchmaking. So much for winning Hope’s trust.
    “Then I’m headin’ home myself.” He put his cap on and tipped the bill to her. “Ma’am. See you next time I’m on patrol.”
    Her gaze dropped to the middle of his chest before she nodded. No thank-you. No goodbye. No appreciate your concern.
    A nod.
    Pike turned away, strolling toward the elevators and trying to figure out what that woman had against him—and why it bothered him so much that she did.

Chapter Five
    A solid night’s sleep, a run with Hans, a shower and a shave had refreshed Pike enough to stay focused during the task force meeting early Monday morning.
    At least, he was physically alert. Unfortunately, there were so many thoughts running around inside his head that he was distracted, anyway.
    The graphic crime scene photos that Annie Hermann passed