Free ToServeAndProtect by KyAnn Waters Page A

business. I don’t mean to sound crass about
my father’s death, but try being labeled a serial killer.”
    “There’s nothing I can do about that.”
    “I know. The result is still the same. I was fired.”
     
    McKenna opened the door to her bedroom. Why had she
led him here? She’d never made it to her bedroom Sunday night. She knew why. Her
room had always been her sanctuary where Elliot had preferred his office.
    McKenna’s frame barely filled the doorway to her room.
Dustin had to brush against her to enter.
    “Serial killer implies responsibility for more than
one death.”
    Damn, she could have bitten off her tongue at that
moment. “I exaggerate.”
    “I’m sure it’s your only fault besides constantly
running late.”
    She heard the skepticism in his voice. More than that,
she knew what he was doing. Dustin weaved a tapestry of questions, one answer
leading to another trying to find inconsistency.
    Dustin prowled the perimeter of her room. Her heart
hammered. As a man, to see him among her feminine possessions spoke to her on
an intimate level. Exactly where she wanted him. She hadn’t expected the flash
of heat streaking to her sex. She put a hand to her chest to quell the flutter,
but still her breathing grew shallow and her body warmed.
    Part of her was scared. Scared because of the horrible
unreal circumstances bringing this virile man into her life, and concerned that
if she followed through with her plan to get close to him, more than her body
would become invested. She needed him back to looking like a detective. In her
bedroom, she was far too attracted to the man, and her future was too uncertain
to lose focus. Heat rushed into her cheeks.
    He walked to her bed and glanced out the window.
Facing the street, the panoramic vista was more majestic than the one from the
parlor. French doors opened to a partially covered balcony that stretched
across to the doors leading out from her father’s room. A small wrought iron
bistro-style table with two chairs sat close to her doors. In her father’s
area, an old-time swing hung from chains.
    “Is this the first time you’ve ever been fired?”
    “Yes, and I can’t say I loved my job, but I enjoyed
the work and my clients.” She sat down at the little table and took a sip her
coffee. “You seem to enjoy yours.”
    He set his empty cup on the table then sat down across
from her. “Most of the time.”
    She raised a quizzical eyebrow.
    Dustin rubbed his thigh. “So let me see if I have the
facts. You’re twenty-five, you live in Utah, and you’re not married, makes you
an oddity. Shouldn’t you have a couple of your own kids by now?”
    She sat and quietly thought about his question.
Looking out over the late morning activity, children’s laughter drifted faintly
through the trees along with the squawks of magpies. Bright green leaves
contrasted sharply with a flawless blue sky. Not a cloud in the sky, no haze
from the industrial park, it was a perfect summer day.
    “I guess I haven’t found Mr. Right,” she said
lightheartedly. “How about you?”
     
    Dustin stretched his left hand, focusing on the ring
finger. It still looked awkward without the thin gold band. “Marriage suited me
fine. But I guess my ex-wife didn’t think she’d found Mr. Right, either. I have
a thirteen-year old daughter who lives with her mom.” He picked up his cup.
“I’m sure I’ve overstayed my welcome, but I’d love a refill.”
    “You weren’t welcome,” she said, taking his cup, “but
I’m not as rude as you.” Although her tone reprimanded, her smile was warm.
    They went back through the bedroom and into the hall.
“Is there anything else you remember?”
    She shook her head. “I wish I did. I want to know what
happened as much as the police do. If I could help, I promise, I would.”
    “Maybe something else will come to you. Keep rolling
the night over in your mind, but also think about the days, even weeks leading
up to Sunday