Read Online The Devil's Closet by Stacy Dittrich - Free Book Online
Authors: Stacy Dittrich
Tags: Fiction, General, Suspense, Psychological, Thrillers, Mystery & Detective, Women Sleuths, Police Procedural
Ads: Link
have to leave,” he said, before walking to the other side of the car and getting in.
It was my turn to be shocked and angry. They drove away, and I remained where I was, completely dumbfounded. Eric said he knew what I was talking about? That scared me to death and also led me to believe the rumors might be true. I felt quite ill, but I pulled myself together so I could drive home without getting into an accident.
At home I could think of nothing else. By the time 10:00 rolled around, the end of Eric’s shift, I was in a panic. By 10:47, I was almost psychotic when the phone rang. It was him.
“Sorry I didn’t call earlier, but we had a late arrest. I’m gonna be tied up for a while. You might as well go to bed.”
“No, I’ll wait up. Like I said, we need to talk, and you obviously know what about. And, may I add, I didn’t appreciate getting blown off in the parking lot today either. Or maybe that was just another way to impress your girlfriend?”
Eric was silent. Not a good sign. I can be haughty, sarcastic, and childish like the best of ’em, but it was out of character for me to act the way I was then: mean and spiteful toward the man I supposedly love. I think he was probably somewhat surprised, but more likely angry and even hurt.
“I will not have this conversation over the phone, and if you want to discuss it like a rational adult, I suggest you settle down,” he whispered into his cell. “Good night, CeeCee. I love you,” he said, and hung up.
I felt like a fool. I’ve been in law enforcement long enough to learn not to fall prey to the evil rumor mill, but this time I had.
I slept fitfully, waking around two in the morning to find Eric next to me sound asleep. I finally got up around five, tired of my nightlong tossing and turning. I wanted to shake him, wake him up, and tell him I was sorry, but I knew he needed to get some sleep. Before I headed to work, I left a note on the kitchen counter asking him to call as soon as he woke up.
Michael was already in my office when I arrived, complete with a box of doughnuts, scones, and bagels.
“You look tired.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, grabbing a bagel.
“Is everything all right, CeeCee?”
“Just fucking fantastic.”
“Okay. Never mind, I won’t ask. Where should we start today?”
“I think we should go through the entire case file again to see if there’s anything we missed before we re-interview anyone.”
Two more weeks went by without a break in the case. Two weeks of Michael and me spending every day together. There was no denying it. Our emotions were out in full force and growing stronger than ever, while Eric and I barely spoke. Every time I tried to bring up the subject of Jordan, he put his hand up to signal he didn’t want to discuss it, infuriating me further. One afternoon while Michael and I were contemplating where to eat lunch, a break in the case happened.
We were gathering up the case file when Coop came charging into my office looking like something was wrong. A very familiar scenario by now.
“What?” I snapped, anticipating the worst.
“Someone just tried to kidnap Austin Brewer.”
CHAPTER NINE
“Where is he now? Is he hurt?” I asked, frantically grabbing my car keys.
“No, he’s fine. He’s at home. I’ll follow you both over there.”
Michael was barely in my car with the door closed before I peeled out of the parking lot. On our way I called Kincaid, specifically to chew her out about why no patrol car was keeping an eye on the Brewer house like I had requested.
“I had a patrol car there, CeeCee. The guys have to be able to break and eat lunch, for Christ’s sake! I don’t appreciate you questioning me about it either.” Oh, she was snippy.
“If they left for lunch, then you should’ve assigned someone to replace them until they were finished.” I was even snippier.
“I’m not going to debate this matter on the phone, especially since I don’t answer to you. I’m the
It was my turn to be shocked and angry. They drove away, and I remained where I was, completely dumbfounded. Eric said he knew what I was talking about? That scared me to death and also led me to believe the rumors might be true. I felt quite ill, but I pulled myself together so I could drive home without getting into an accident.
At home I could think of nothing else. By the time 10:00 rolled around, the end of Eric’s shift, I was in a panic. By 10:47, I was almost psychotic when the phone rang. It was him.
“Sorry I didn’t call earlier, but we had a late arrest. I’m gonna be tied up for a while. You might as well go to bed.”
“No, I’ll wait up. Like I said, we need to talk, and you obviously know what about. And, may I add, I didn’t appreciate getting blown off in the parking lot today either. Or maybe that was just another way to impress your girlfriend?”
Eric was silent. Not a good sign. I can be haughty, sarcastic, and childish like the best of ’em, but it was out of character for me to act the way I was then: mean and spiteful toward the man I supposedly love. I think he was probably somewhat surprised, but more likely angry and even hurt.
“I will not have this conversation over the phone, and if you want to discuss it like a rational adult, I suggest you settle down,” he whispered into his cell. “Good night, CeeCee. I love you,” he said, and hung up.
I felt like a fool. I’ve been in law enforcement long enough to learn not to fall prey to the evil rumor mill, but this time I had.
I slept fitfully, waking around two in the morning to find Eric next to me sound asleep. I finally got up around five, tired of my nightlong tossing and turning. I wanted to shake him, wake him up, and tell him I was sorry, but I knew he needed to get some sleep. Before I headed to work, I left a note on the kitchen counter asking him to call as soon as he woke up.
Michael was already in my office when I arrived, complete with a box of doughnuts, scones, and bagels.
“You look tired.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, grabbing a bagel.
“Is everything all right, CeeCee?”
“Just fucking fantastic.”
“Okay. Never mind, I won’t ask. Where should we start today?”
“I think we should go through the entire case file again to see if there’s anything we missed before we re-interview anyone.”
Two more weeks went by without a break in the case. Two weeks of Michael and me spending every day together. There was no denying it. Our emotions were out in full force and growing stronger than ever, while Eric and I barely spoke. Every time I tried to bring up the subject of Jordan, he put his hand up to signal he didn’t want to discuss it, infuriating me further. One afternoon while Michael and I were contemplating where to eat lunch, a break in the case happened.
We were gathering up the case file when Coop came charging into my office looking like something was wrong. A very familiar scenario by now.
“What?” I snapped, anticipating the worst.
“Someone just tried to kidnap Austin Brewer.”
CHAPTER NINE
“Where is he now? Is he hurt?” I asked, frantically grabbing my car keys.
“No, he’s fine. He’s at home. I’ll follow you both over there.”
Michael was barely in my car with the door closed before I peeled out of the parking lot. On our way I called Kincaid, specifically to chew her out about why no patrol car was keeping an eye on the Brewer house like I had requested.
“I had a patrol car there, CeeCee. The guys have to be able to break and eat lunch, for Christ’s sake! I don’t appreciate you questioning me about it either.” Oh, she was snippy.
“If they left for lunch, then you should’ve assigned someone to replace them until they were finished.” I was even snippier.
“I’m not going to debate this matter on the phone, especially since I don’t answer to you. I’m the
Similar Books
