Say Goodbye (Romantic Suspense #25) by Karen Rose

            “I see,” Croft murmured.

            Amos sighed. “There are quite a few people in Eden who are as desperate to escape as Hayley is. Is there anything I can do to help?”

            “You just did,” Croft said with a smile. “For now, you can help the most by staying safe.”

            “And not interfering in your investigation,” Rafe added dryly.

            Croft shot him a quick grin. “That too.”

            One of the things Tom liked about working with Croft was that she genuinely cared about people. But the clock was ticking and he wanted to get to the building across the street from Abigail’s eye doctor.

            He cleared his throat. “Agent Croft, something’s come up. If you’ve got everything you need, we should be going.”

            Rafe’s brow immediately furrowed as he studied Tom’s face. He was a SacPD homicide detective on disability leave, and his instincts were still perfectly sharp. “Why? What’s wrong? Is it Mercy?”

            Croft didn’t question Tom’s cue to leave. She rose from the table and gave both men her card. “Call me if you think of anything else. Agent Hunter? I’m ready when you are.”

            Rafe lurched to his feet, his face now pale. “Tom?”

            Tom hesitated, then shot Croft a look of apology. “She’s okay, Rafe,” he assured him. “She and Abigail are with Liza and Agent Rodriguez, on their way back to your parents’ house.”

            “But something happened,” Amos said, his voice growing raspier. “Tell us.”

            “I don’t know the details,” Tom said, which was mostly true. “When I do, I’ll let you know. For now, know that they’re all right. You can call Mercy if you need to make sure.”

            Rafe was already dialing her number, Amos watching his every move.

            “We’ll see ourselves out,” Croft said quietly.

            When she and Tom were on the street, she turned to him. “Well?”

            “Liza texted me. She spotted the flash of a scope on a rooftop across the street from the eye doctor where they took Abigail this morning.”

            “A scope?”

            “She thought so. Rodriguez has reported it and called for a team. He remained with Mercy, Abigail, and Liza, getting them away from what, at that point, they believed to be an active shooter scene.”

            “He followed protocol. Good man. You got the eye doctor’s address from your girlfriend?”

            Tom blinked. “Liza isn’t my girlfriend.” Although it was a common mistake. Everyone assumed they were more than friends. But Liza knew the score, so Tom didn’t worry over the label too much.

            It was Croft’s turn to blink. “Oh. I thought you lived together.”

            Tom felt his face heat, because he’d recently found himself wishing that they did. Not actively wishing, of course. Just the stray thought every now and then. It didn’t mean anything. It couldn’t mean anything. Because Liza was his best friend. Period.

            “I own a duplex.” It was basically two town houses stuck together. Perfect for our needs. “Separate doors. She rents the other side from me. It was a mutually beneficial solution,” he added defensively when Croft continued to stare at him in confusion. “I needed a house and so did she. We were both new to town and didn’t know the area or anyone else. This way I get rental income and a tenant I know I can trust.”

            “Oh,” Croft repeated. “So . . . you just happened to move to Sacramento at the same time?”

            “Pretty much. I got my first assignment here when I graduated from Quantico and she’d already been accepted to school here.” He shrugged. “Serendipity, I guess.”

            “I guess.” She shook her head. “Okay. Sorry. I just . . . never mind. Let’s go.”





FOUR



GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

            WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 11:50 A.M.





Liza huddled on the floorboard in the back seat of Agent Rodriguez’s SUV, a pale Abigail on her lap. Mercy was on the opposite floorboard, still trying to calm Rafe down over her phone.