Free The Mystery of Jessica Benson by C.K. Laurence Page B

only cop who would turn his back on her, and he
would. She would become a pariah in the Department with
support from no one. The virtual signing of her resignation.
Kyle watched silently as she chewed on her lower lip.
Something was clearly bothering her and he half-worried
whether he had said something incriminating. The painful
silence continued until Kyle, unable to stand it, spoke her name.
She reacted with a deep sigh and placed her hand on his arm.
Something passed between them again, yet she was clearly not
giving in to the moment. She quickly pulled her hand away and
the sense of connection between the two dissolved.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help you without crossing the
line any further than I already have. Will knows me too well.
He’s been angry with me since our interview with you. I feel like
he’s watching my every move. I know it sounds trite, but I really
do love my job. I always wanted to be a cop. Remember when
you used to send me on ‘missions’ around the neighborhood
when I was a kid? You had me recording license plate numbers
of suspicious vehicles in the area. I wrote up every car within the
five blocks I was allowed to travel. You guys were just trying to
get rid of me, but I took my job very seriously, and at night I’d
show dad the fruits of my labor and he’d tell me I’d have my
gold shield before I ever got on the force. I started college and
joined the Department as a clerk. I was a dispatcher by my
sophomore year and when I graduated, just like dad predicted, I
moved right up the ranks. Up until Friday it had all been so black
and white to me. Idealist that I am, all I had to do to make the
world safe was get the scumbags off the street. It was always so
easy, until your name came up as one of the scumbags. Now I’m
caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.” She closed
her eyes for a second, and then seemed to will herself to go on.
“You’re a strong suspect. I know you recognize that. If
you weren’t the quarterback for the Demons, they probably
would have hauled you down to the station and read you your
rights by now. But the unofficial word from the top is to handle
you as gently as possible, which, of course, makes Will even
more determined to take you off the streets.” She stood suddenly,
but kept her eyes on his. “Please listen to me, Kyle. It’s best you
keep to yourself. Don’t give any interviews, and when you talk
to an arm of the law, have your lawyer with you. Don’t take any
chances. Whoever killed her is still out there. I’ll do everything
in my power to find him, or her. I won’t let you go down. Now I
better get out of here real quick, before I ruin things for both of
us.” She turned to leave.
Kyle stood and reached for her. There were sparks. He’d
been right about that. He grabbed deep inside himself in an
attempt to find the right words. “I’d take that chance.” He
smiled, but made no move to let go of her.
She looked as though she wanted to scream, but she
spoke very softly. “It’s your life , Kyle. They may cut you slack
during the investigation because of who you are, but if you’re
charged, they’ll bury you for the same reason.” She walked to
the door.
Kyle realized that for the first time in two days he was
not thinking about Jessica Benson.
CHAPTER NINE
    T he Homicide Division of the Beach Police Department was a
study in disorganization on day three of the Jessica Benson
investigation. Papers flew, cops darted back and forth, and a
general sense of bedlam raged. Every available detective had
been dragged into the hunt and caucused at least twice daily with
either Karen or Will, or both.
    Will met with the Captain each evening, and was grilled
about everything to the minutest details. The meetings always
ended with the same heated warning. “It’s taking too freakin’
long! The media is biting the Mayor’s ass and he’s taking chunks
outta mine. Do whatever you have to do, but close the