Read Online Officer on Duty (Lock and Key Book 4) by Ranae Rose - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ranae Rose
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remember the last time she’d seen anything half as hot as him in uniform.
“You’re not in any trouble with the law, if that’s what you mean.” He flashed her the barest hint of a grin, and then his expression went sober. “I assume you’ve heard about the second woman?”
Her heart sank, and even the sight of North Carolina’s hottest police sergeant couldn’t keep her spirits from following. “Unfortunately. It was all over the news today.”
“Well, no one’s been arrested, and I wanted to stop by to make sure you were aware of what happened.”
“I heard she was killed in her own home.” Lucia frowned. “So sad.”
“There were no signs of forced entry. We think she left her door unlocked. Either that or opened it for someone she knew or trusted for some reason. Until whoever did this is apprehended, we’re advising all women to take special care, especially women who live alone, like she did.”
Lucia swallowed a sudden knot, and it was followed by a contradictory spark of warmth. Jeremy had stopped by just to advise her to take care and lock her doors?
“I always lock my doors; you don’t need to worry about me.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Living in a small town gives some people a false sense of security. You’d think after last year, people would realize that crime can happen anywhere.”
“You would, wouldn’t you?” She’d watched the action unfold on the news from nearby in Wilmington, as shocked and wary as everyone else in the area. “Was it the same person who killed both women?”
“We don’t know yet. Possibly.”
She nodded, unsure which would be worse: a serial murderer, or two killers operating in Cypress.
“I won’t keep you; I just wanted to make sure you were up to date. Be safe.”
“I will. Thanks.”
She watched him walk away. The dark uniform was a perfect fit; in addition to showcasing his masculine figure, it let her see that there was a certain tension to his movements, a wariness.
Was he really that worried about her? Or maybe Paige, or his mom?
As she closed and locked her front door, it hit her: Jeremy had lost a woman he’d loved before, hadn’t he?
Paige’s mother. She didn’t seem to be in the picture, so what did that mean? Was she dead?
The thought made her heart even heavier. Gazing out the window, she watched him climb his porch steps and enter his house, no doubt locking the door behind himself.
He was obviously strong and capable. A sworn protector who’d devoted his life to defending others.
But what about him? She had no doubt he saw himself as a shield between life’s harsh realities and the people he loved.
That created a problem, though: there didn’t seem to be anyone left to watch out for him.
Oh, she had no doubt his co-workers had his back. But there was more to life than lights and sirens and tactical responses.
Beneath the bulletproof vest, he had a heart like any other person, and she couldn’t help but think it must be lonely.
* * * * *
It was the type of call Jeremy had responded to numerous times before: a missing minor. Today, it stirred up thoughts of the two recently murdered women and put him on edge.
When he got to the small house just outside of town, he didn’t waste time getting out of the cruiser and heading for the front door.
Richardson came with him.
The house was white, or at least, it was meant to be – dirt and time had turned the siding a grainy shade of grey. There were no flowers in the flower beds, and the ‘W’ was worn off the welcome mat.
He stood by the old mat and knocked.
Deep barking immediately started up in the heart of the house.
He and Richardson exchanged a brief glance.
Dogs. Jeremy liked them in general, just not when he was at work and they sounded like they wanted to rip his head off. At least this one’s owner had had the sense to make sure it was in the house.
He hoped that meant it was secured. Judging by the sound of its barking, it was big.
The
“You’re not in any trouble with the law, if that’s what you mean.” He flashed her the barest hint of a grin, and then his expression went sober. “I assume you’ve heard about the second woman?”
Her heart sank, and even the sight of North Carolina’s hottest police sergeant couldn’t keep her spirits from following. “Unfortunately. It was all over the news today.”
“Well, no one’s been arrested, and I wanted to stop by to make sure you were aware of what happened.”
“I heard she was killed in her own home.” Lucia frowned. “So sad.”
“There were no signs of forced entry. We think she left her door unlocked. Either that or opened it for someone she knew or trusted for some reason. Until whoever did this is apprehended, we’re advising all women to take special care, especially women who live alone, like she did.”
Lucia swallowed a sudden knot, and it was followed by a contradictory spark of warmth. Jeremy had stopped by just to advise her to take care and lock her doors?
“I always lock my doors; you don’t need to worry about me.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Living in a small town gives some people a false sense of security. You’d think after last year, people would realize that crime can happen anywhere.”
“You would, wouldn’t you?” She’d watched the action unfold on the news from nearby in Wilmington, as shocked and wary as everyone else in the area. “Was it the same person who killed both women?”
“We don’t know yet. Possibly.”
She nodded, unsure which would be worse: a serial murderer, or two killers operating in Cypress.
“I won’t keep you; I just wanted to make sure you were up to date. Be safe.”
“I will. Thanks.”
She watched him walk away. The dark uniform was a perfect fit; in addition to showcasing his masculine figure, it let her see that there was a certain tension to his movements, a wariness.
Was he really that worried about her? Or maybe Paige, or his mom?
As she closed and locked her front door, it hit her: Jeremy had lost a woman he’d loved before, hadn’t he?
Paige’s mother. She didn’t seem to be in the picture, so what did that mean? Was she dead?
The thought made her heart even heavier. Gazing out the window, she watched him climb his porch steps and enter his house, no doubt locking the door behind himself.
He was obviously strong and capable. A sworn protector who’d devoted his life to defending others.
But what about him? She had no doubt he saw himself as a shield between life’s harsh realities and the people he loved.
That created a problem, though: there didn’t seem to be anyone left to watch out for him.
Oh, she had no doubt his co-workers had his back. But there was more to life than lights and sirens and tactical responses.
Beneath the bulletproof vest, he had a heart like any other person, and she couldn’t help but think it must be lonely.
* * * * *
It was the type of call Jeremy had responded to numerous times before: a missing minor. Today, it stirred up thoughts of the two recently murdered women and put him on edge.
When he got to the small house just outside of town, he didn’t waste time getting out of the cruiser and heading for the front door.
Richardson came with him.
The house was white, or at least, it was meant to be – dirt and time had turned the siding a grainy shade of grey. There were no flowers in the flower beds, and the ‘W’ was worn off the welcome mat.
He stood by the old mat and knocked.
Deep barking immediately started up in the heart of the house.
He and Richardson exchanged a brief glance.
Dogs. Jeremy liked them in general, just not when he was at work and they sounded like they wanted to rip his head off. At least this one’s owner had had the sense to make sure it was in the house.
He hoped that meant it was secured. Judging by the sound of its barking, it was big.
The
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