been ten years. I expect we’re both different people.”
“Agreed. At the very least, I like to think I’m a lot less gullible than I used to be.”
Their gazes met, clashed again, but behind the glimmer of hostility, Ethan felt a connection, no matter how fleeting. Or maybe the link was nothing more than wishful thinking, but he found himself drifting back, imagining her smile and the spill of blond hair over her shoulders as she stared down at him through hooded eyes. Adaline Kinsella at twenty-two had been something. At thirty-two... Ethan didn’t dare let himself go there.
She glanced past him down the road to where the black Charger had returned to wait him out. “Friends of yours?”
“No.”
She lifted a brow at his tone. “Enemies?”
“I don’t know.”
“But they’re here because of you.”
“Probably.”
“That car looks official. Tinted windows. No identifying tags or marks. I’m guessing feds.” Her gaze swung back to him. “Why are you here, Ethan? What have you done this time?”
“You don’t pull any punches, do you?”
Any hint of a bond melted in the fierceness of her stare. “I’ve been on the wrong end of your obsession, remember? I recognize the signs. You didn’t come all the way from Quantico just to see me.”
“Why not? It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Okay, stop right there.” She gave him a disgusted look. “Don’t even think about playing that card. In case you’ve forgotten, things didn’t end well for us. So don’t pretend this is a sentimental reunion. Be honest for once in your life and tell me why you’re really here.”
“It’s not an easy explanation.”
“It never is with you.” She came down the porch steps. “How did you even know where to find me, anyway? I’ve been away on vacation. I only got back a little while ago, and other than a quick stop at the station, I came straight here.” She shot another glance at the Charger. “If those guys are following me—”
“They’re not. Stop worrying about that car. I’ll handle whoever’s inside. I knew to find you at this house because I overheard someone at police headquarters mention your whereabouts.”
The revelation didn’t please her. “You were at headquarters? Who did you talk to?”
“I didn’t talk to anyone about you. I had a meeting with the deputy chief.”
She looked even more distressed. “Why?”
“That’s for him to say.”
Addie shook her head. “This is crazy. I don’t want to hear any more. Whatever you’re involved in, count me out. Thanks for getting me out of the well. I do appreciate that. But this is the end of the road for us.” She turned and headed for her vehicle. “I’m going home and you can go to...” Down the road, a car door slammed, freezing her for a moment as she glanced over her shoulder.
One of the agents had gotten out of the Charger to stretch, apparently now unconcerned about anonymity. Ethan didn’t recognize him, but like Addie, he knew the guy was a federal agent.
He returned his focus to Addie. She lifted her chin and turned back to her car. He called after her. “I’ve found new evidence in your mother’s case.”
That stopped her again. She turned slowly to face him. “What?”
“I wasn’t lying when I said I came to Charleston to see you, but I’m also here pursuing a lead. I wanted you to know before you heard it from someone else.”
“Is that why you went to see the deputy chief?”
“Like I said, you need to talk to him about that.”
She shoved back a lock of damp hair. “Assuming I believe you, what makes you think I’d ever want any of this dumped on my doorstep?”
“Besides the fact that your mother was murdered? You’re a police detective. You must be interested in justice.”
She said nothing for the longest time, just stood there staring back at him as he searched her face. Her eyes were so much bluer than he remembered. Softer, too, and liquid. They reminded him of a Monet painting he’d seen in the National Gallery.
But right now, those eyes were narrowed in suspicion. “My mother’s case is closed. As far as I’m concerned, justice was served twenty-five years ago when your father was committed to the fourth floor.”
“Maybe. Or maybe an innocent man was framed for something he didn’t do.”
“James Merrick is not an innocent man.” She opened her car door. “I’ve heard enough. I’m not getting sucked back into your delusions. Listening to you almost cost me everything ten years ago.”
“If the evidence wasn’t compelling, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Then investigate all you want, but leave me out of it.”
“Addie.”
She whirled. “Damn it, can’t you take a hint? Leave me alone!”
Her tone took him aback. He put up a hand. “Okay. I get it. I’m sorry I bothered you.”
She let out a long sigh. “Don’t give me that look. Do you think I enjoy acting like a first-class bitch?”
“I would never call you that.”
“You didn’t have to. I can hear myself. I don’t enjoy saying these things to you, Ethan. I’m not an angry person, and I don’t like carrying a grudge. But you did lie to me. And worse, you got me to lie. That was on me. As a grown woman, I should have known better. I never should have accessed sealed files without authorization, let alone allowed you to leak information to the press. I shouldn’t have done a lot of things I did when I was with you, but that all happened a long time ago. I’m over it. What I can’t get past, though, is how you made me doubt myself. How you made me lose faith that I had what it took to be a good cop. I’ve worked really hard to get my confidence back.”
No wonder she was so defensive of her detective’s shield. “I’m sorry I lied to you. And I’m sorry about how everything went down.”
“I know. That I believe, but it doesn’t change anything.”
“If you’d just hear me out—”
“I can’t.”
“Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”
She closed her eyes. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because you’re the only other person in the world I trust with this information. If anything were to happen to me, I know you’d
