Free Starks' Reality by Sarah Storme Page B

right with you.”
    “Sure .”
    The man’s eyes still held a spark of fight. One way or another, he’d show his true colors within the next week or two. Jake didn’t need a patrolman he couldn’t count on.
    “Helen?”
    The woman poked her head through the doorway. “Yes, Chief?”
    “Get Parks and Wildlife on the phone for me. See if Hernandez is around.”
    “Sure thing.”
    ~~**~~**~~
    Heather wasn’t sorry to see Starks pull up in front of her house. She didn’t hurry to the door—no need to appear too anxious—but she straightened her T-shirt and pushed the hair back from her face. As soon as he knocked, she opened the door.
    “Good morning,” she said.
    When he took off his sunglasses, the intensity of his gaze made her gulp.
    “Good morning.” He took a deep breath and looked away for a moment. “I have some bad news.”
    “What?”
    “Ed Taylor died.”
    “ What ? Oh, my God.” A wave of dizziness washed over her and she clutched the doorframe.
    “Whoa. ” Jake grabbed her arm. “Let’s go inside.”
    He led her to a chair and waited until she sat before releasing her. She couldn’t catch her breath; her vision tunneled to a pinpoint.
    “Heather, lean forward and put your head between your knees.” His voice came from right beside her, but she couldn’t see him.
    She did as instructed.
    After a moment, her senses cleared and she straightened.
    Starks knelt beside her, his hand resting between her shoulder blades. When she met his gaze, he rose and took the seat across from her.
    Heather cooled her cheeks with her palms as she took deep breaths. Ed Taylor had eaten in her restaurant. She was responsible for ending the man’s life. “I…can’t believe it.”
    “You can’t blame yourself,” he said. “You didn’t do this.”
    “But I did. I put the plate in front of him, and now he’s dead.” Pressure built in her chest. “God, it’s horrible.”
    “Heather.”
    She looked up.
    “You did nothing wrong.”
    Oddly enough, his words felt almost like an absolution. The tightness in her chest loosened.
    “Are you listening?” he asked.
    She nodded.
    “I called Parks and Wildlife. They didn’t find anything unexpected in the bay. They’re watching the dock now, monitoring incoming oysters. I also called Yarro at the Department of Health. He said some of the tests on the shells are coming back positive. He’ll get back to us with more information tomorrow or so.”
    She nodded again.
    “I think you need to be prepared.”
    “For what?” she asked.
    “Mrs. Taylor could decide to sue everyone involved.”
    “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” The blood drained from her head again. “Coop will lose everything. And Tran. Poor man. He has five children. What will they do?”
    Starks raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t think you should jump to conclusions. I mean, we have no idea what the outcome of all this will be. I just thought you might want to discuss it with Coop.”
    Heather nodded.
    “Think I can get some coffee?”
    “Sure.” When she jumped up, the room spun.
    Starks reached for her, but withdrew his hand when she regained her balance. He watched her with concern, his gorg eous eyes tracking her every move. Why did she have such a strong desire to throw herself into his arms?
    Working to ignore the urge, she filled two cups from the coffee pot and carried them to the table. She returned to her seat and stole a glance as he sipped.
    He was attractive, but it wasn’t movie-star-type male beauty. He was strong, steady, solid. Her father had always been someone who turned to her for strength. And every one of her boyfriends had been some version of her father: someone who needed her help. Even Matt.
    Starks didn’t. He didn’t need her at all.
    She wanted him.
    The very thought was ridiculous, especially under the circumstances.
    “What is it?”
    She looked up. “What?”
    “You shook your head.”
    “Oh . It’s nothing.”
    They sat without