Free Shades of Passion by Virna DePaul Page A

they knew how often criminals tried to excuse their actions with claims of mental illness. “She’s treating Michael Callahan.”
    “The guy who kidnapped that little girl.” This time it was Jase who made the statement, not Simon, but his tone was clearly critical.
    Nina lifted her chin. “I’m here to speak with Commander Stevens. If he decides to fill you in, you can discuss your disdain for my profession then. Outside my presence.”
    Jase stared at her, his expression blank, before he tipped his head. Simon saw the gesture for what it was—a small sign of respect. The same respect he felt for Nina. They couldn’t help it. They worked in a male-dominated, often violent world. The fact that Jase and Carrie’s relationship was going so strong was testament to the fact that, despite his previous dalliances with drop-dead gorgeous but fragile women, Jase was instinctively drawn to strong women who kept their soft hearts more under wraps. Just like Simon usually was. And Nina Whitaker was definitely a strong woman. In many ways, however, in ways that related to her patients, Nina’s soft heart was on display for everyone to see, whether they liked it or not.
    “It was nice meeting you, Detectives,” she said to Jase and Carrie. Then she turned to Simon. “Goodbye, Detective Granger. I’d say it was a pleasure, but we’d both know I’d be lying.”
    Jase made a choking sound that obviously communicated his amusement.
    As Simon watched Nina stride out of SIG, Carrie elbowed Jase.
    “Looks like you made less of an impression on her than even Simon here,” she said.
    The other man grinned at her. “I no longer want to make a good impression on women. Just one particular woman.”
    Though they immediately separated, walking to their respective desks, Carrie couldn’t hide the pleased blush that colored her cheeks. Knowing how much the two had gone through to be together, the sight pleased Simon, but he couldn’t let them see that. “Jesus, I’d tell you both to get a room, but you’re already living together. Give me a break, would you?”
    He threw himself into his chair, trying to convince himself he could actually concentrate on work after seeing Nina Whitaker again.
    Jase laughed. “Funny. That’s exactly what Carrie and I were saying to each other before we interrupted you and the doc.”
    Simon frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    “You two were generating more heat than a five-alarm fire. Too bad she’s...well...you know.”
    Simon grunted, but Carrie interjected, drowning out the sound.
    “Too bad she’s what? Smart? Beautiful? Has a backbone?”
    Simon swiveled around to stare at her. “Did you miss the part where I said she’s Michael Callahan’s shrink?”
    “Nope. I didn’t. Did you forget that Lana did a lot of good before she was killed?”
    Simon’s heart twisted. Stunned silence echoed around them.
    “Jesus, Carrie,” Jase said.
    But Carrie just continued to look at Simon. “I’m not trying to be cruel, Simon, but you can’t blame every psychiatrist for what happened to Lana. She was good at her job. What happened to her was the work of one man, and one man alone.”
    “A man Lana thought was sick.”
    Shadows suddenly appeared in Carrie’s eyes, giving her a haunted expression. “Brad Turner was sick. Sick enough to dismember a woman. Sick enough to peel the skin off another—” Her voice rose a notch before she tamped down her emotions.
    “Carrie,” Jase said softly, but Carrie shook her head.
    “No. I’m okay. Lana isn’t. Because of Brad Turner. But maybe if someone had listened to her, or someone like her, earlier, maybe Brad Turner would’ve gotten help long before he met Lana. Maybe he wouldn’t have killed the women he did. And maybe Lana would be alive today. Have you ever thought about that?”
    Simon had no doubt that his face must look as haunted as Carrie’s just had. At least, that’s how he felt. Haunted. And nauseous. He rose and