As cold and frightening as his pale glare was, the menacing eyes she recalled so vividly from the night of her attack had been dark brown, almost black. The man in the lineup had no decoration on his arm, nor any scar indicating the removal of a lightning bolt tattoo. Though she wanted to believe her assailant had been caught, the inconsistencies led her to the only conclusion that made sense.
Her rapist still walked the street.
Im sure, she whispered. Wanting him to be the right one doesnt make him so.
The detective nodded and shoved away from the wall where hed propped during her viewing. All right. Thank you for coming down, Miss Hoffman. The officer at the desk will have some papers for you to sign. Thats all.
Megan raised her head as the officer opened the door and held it for her and Ginny. Im sorry.
Ginny frowned at her and tucked a wisp of her pale blond hair behind her ear. You have nothing to apologize for. Lifting Megans purse from the floor, Ginny handed her the bag and met Megans gaze with unwavering certainty in her blue eyes.
and see straight to her soul.
She came with me to pay my parking ticket, Ginny said smoothly.
Megan didnt deny her friends white lie, but she didnt like starting her relationship with Jack with a deception.
Pesky things, parking tickets. Huh? When Jack grinned, a dimple pocked his cheek, and Megans stomach did a little flip-flop.
Steeling herself, she raised her chin and pulled in a cleansing breath. Yeah. Peskys a good word for them. She adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder. Speaking of pesky, Im, umsorry if I came off as nosy or bossy yesterday. Its just seeing Caitlyn alone like that, running across the streetwell, it scared me. For her. Im a first-grade teacher, see, and I guess Im a bit sensitive about kids
Jack placed a warm hand on her arm to halt her argument. No apology needed.
Startled by his touch, Megan darted her gaze up to his. Just as it had yesterday, the heat in his mossy brown eyes burrowed to her core, nudging a purely feminine responseand a quiver of reciprocal apprehension.
In fact, Jack said, I should be thanking you again. My daughter has boundless energy which she uses for getting in to rathercreative mischief. I appreciate your interest in her.
Megan nodded. I know her creative mischief is a challenge now, but it also shows her natural intelligence and curiosity. She seems like a very bright little girl.
Thanks. Jacks grin spoke for his fatherly love and pride.
Well, I need to run. Im already late for work. Mustering another smile for her neighbor, she sidestepped toward the door, only to bump in to Ginny.
Yeah, Im running a little late myself. He inclined his head toward the back halls of the police department.
Megans breath stilled. Youre a cop?
No, he replied, chuckling. Im a reporter for the Lagniappe Daily Journal. Im following up on a story.
A reporter. Not a cop. But almost as bad.
No doubt he was a pro at asking questions, digging up information. A reporter was not the kind of person she needed to spend much time around if she wanted to keep certain aspects of her past a secret.
Megan felt the blood drain from her cheeks, and she swayed woozily.
Jacks brow furrowed. Megan, you okay? You look sort of pale.
Yeah. I, uh
Again Ginny rose to the occasion. Well, it was nice meeting you. Tell Caitlyn hi for us.
She took Megans arm and pulled her toward the front door.
Jacks puzzled gaze followed them.
As Megan stepped outside, the Louisiana humidity slammed into her as if shed walked into a wall. The heat sapped what little energy she had left after rehashing painful details of her assault for the police then losing her breakfast in the ladies room.
Ginny gave her curious sidelong glances as they made their way to Ginnys Jeep Cherokee.
My, my, my. Ginny shook her head and clucked her tongue like a mother scolding an errant child.
What? Megan drilled her friend with an exasperated glare.
Youve been holding out on me. Ginny colored her tone with an exaggerated note of disappointment.
Come again?
If you want to give that gorgeous hunk of man the cold shoulder, thats your business. But I thought we were friends. Couldnt you have sent him in my direction if you didnt want him? Is that too much to ask? Ginny gave her a teasing grin and pulled out into the flow of downtown Lagniappe traffic. How long have you been hiding Mr. Tall, Dark and Dimpled from me?
Megan gaped at Ginny in disbelief before sighing. Ginnys teasing normally lifted her spirits. She realized that must have been Ginnys aim, but the attempt at levity chafed at the moment.
Troubling thoughts about the man sitting behind bars at the police station made joking about anything else difficult. Im not hiding him or anyone else from you, Gin. Hes my new neighbor, and I only met him last night.
Your neighbor, eh? How convenient. Ginnys eyes lit with humor. So are you blind or did you notice that hes as attractive as sin?
Not wanting to encourage her friend on this track, she shrugged. Yeah, maybe.