Page 35 of Hunting Justice
She’d asked that question every day since the madman had left her scarred and damaged.
Taking a cleansing breath, she picked herself up off the shower floor. She’d shed enough tears over her painful past for the night. Time to let go of what she couldn’t change—for now. But her memories would return with a vengeance when she least expected. It always happened, no matter how hard she tried to move on.
She glanced at her arms and sighed. She wanted a future that included a husband and maybe even children. Her closeness with Jonah had caused her desires to resurface, but knowing her arms and chest would repulse Jonah, or any man for that matter, she had to stuff her dream back where it belonged—in the not-going-to-happen column of her life.
SEVEN
FRIDAY, 9:00 A.M.
Jonah stepped into Ken’s old office and flicked on the light. He ran a hand through his hair. Last night had left a gaping hole in Jonah’s heart. But it was Noelle’s hasty retreat that had gutted him. He’d wanted to wrap her in his arms and make the pain go away. He had no idea how to handle the situation. And the one man he turned to for advice was gone.
The wedding picture sitting on Ken’s desk stared back at Jonah. He’d arrived at the medical examiner’s department thirty minutes ago and finally worked up the nerve to search his friend’s office. Jonah ran a finger along the edge of the desk. A vise clamped on his heart as he remembered the times he’d had coffee with Ken, discussing everything from work to plans for the weekend.
The weight that had pressed down on him after the explosion returned with an intensity that took his breath away. No longer would he stop by this room on a daily basis and chat with Ken. And to make matters worse, he’d received a phone call from the county that morning, informing him they’d moved him into the chief medical examiner’s position.
Jonah had achieved his goal, but not the way he’d wanted it. Ken’s retirement, yes. His death—not so much. And now he’d destroy the man’s reputation once he found the evidence.
Shaking off the despair, Jonah sifted through the neatly stacked papers on the desk. “Ken, what did you get yourself into?” A part of Jonah feared what he’d discover. He lifted a file and found a Post-it note. Jonah’s birthday coming in July. Don’t forget. The reminder tugged a sad smile from him. Of all the wonderful qualities Ken had, remembering dates wasn’t one of them.
“All good in here?”
He jolted at Noelle’s question. She stood in the doorway with one hand on the frame. She’d shared some heavy memories last night and looked no worse for wear. He, on the other hand?—he ran his fingers through his hair—not so much.
“Sorry. I thought you heard me come in.” She moved into the room.
“No. But that’s okay. Just lost in thought.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Not really. I’m going to examine the documents next.” He pointed to the file cabinet.
“Think you’ll find reports with the mysterious code on them?”
So far, he’d found nothing even close to helping uncover the answer they searched for. “It’s the only thing I can think of. But if he kept them in his house…” He shrugged. “They’re gone.”
The file organizer on Ken’s desk held nothing of interest. Jonah moved to the upright four-drawer cabinet and pulled out the one on the top left.
“I hear congratulations are in order.” Noelle flashed him a sad smile.
“Not the way I wanted the job of chief medical examiner, but it is what it is, and I’ll do my best.” Ken, if you were here, I’d throttle you right now. And there it was again. When would the anger pass?
“You’ll be good at it.” Her gaze traveled the office. “Ken was organized and neat. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding anything you need for your new position.”
“I think I hear a dis in there somewhere.” Jonah chuckled.
“Not me.” She feigned innocent. “Seriously, though, I have no room to talk. My OCD tendencies match your chaos. We’re complete opposites when it comes to our organizational habits.”
“But yet, we make a friendship work.” He fought the urge to pull her into a hug and never let go. When had she snuck under his radar and wormed her way into his heart? Jonah stood and moved toward her.
He watched as her throat bobbed, but she never broke eye contact with him. Without questioning his move, he cupped her cheek. “Elle?”
“I-I’m not sure…”
Last night, when she’d left him standing in her office, his thoughts about their relationship had changed. He’d stood in front of the photos that documented her injuries, and all the pieces had fallen into place. Her security system, the long-sleeved blouses, the way she rubbed her upper arms while deep in thought. All of it had burrowed into his heart.
The warmth of her skin sent a searing heat through his hand all the way to his toes. “That’s okay, neither am I. But I can’t deny that my heart wants more than a friendship.”
She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes.