Before the Dawn(86)

Fuck. Because they still see me as a suspect. "Where is Dawn?" Was she still out in the bullpen? Was she waiting on him? He needed to talk to her and explain what was happening. The perp is setting me up. And the cops seem to be falling for the ruse.

Samantha took out her phone and read through a few texts. "She's with Macey. They're heading back to Dawn's place. I told you, we're going to make sure that Dawn is protected."

He wanted to be with her. He needed to be the one at her side.

"I want you to back away," Samantha said flatly. "And that's an order, Agent. So you need to tell Dawn that you're pulling back. From here on out, you're not part of the official investigation team."

No, he wasn't part of the unit hunting the killer.

He was a fucking suspect.





  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"OKAY, THE PLACE is clear," Dawn said, forcing a smile for Macey. "You've searched it thoroughly. I'm here, I'm good and I'm just going to crash for a few hours."


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Macey frowned at her. "You're trying to get rid of me."

"Absolutely."

"Do you want to paint a target on yourself?"

"The way I figure it, I already have a target on me." No painting necessary. Her breath heaved out. "But no, the plan right now isn't to be bait. It's to have a few moments to myself so I can think. The building is secure. Hell, you and I both saw the patrol car parked outside. My safety is being monitored by the NOPD's finest. I'm good. And I just want to be alone in my own home." She didn't think that was too much to ask.

Macey opened her mouth to argue, but then there was a sharp knock at the door. Macey's eyes widened. "So much for the building being secure, huh? Seems as if someone just got past the security system downstairs. The system that just had the code changed." She turned for the door and checked through the peephole. Her hand had automatically gone to her holster. "Your detective..."

Her detective?

Macey opened the door. Anthony stood there, shoulders hunched, gaze worried. First, his stare focused on Macey, but then he glanced past her to find Dawn. "Patrol called and told me you were here." He seemed to hesitate. "I think we need to talk."

No wonder he got past the system downstairs. Anthony had been the one to change the code after the crime scene team finished up. He'd texted it to her that morning. He'd said that she shouldn't change the code, not until she got the go-ahead from the PD. The officers wanted to be able to access her building in case of an emergency.

Her gaze swept over him. Now she had a cop at her door and an FBI agent in her home. And she didn't particularly want either of them there. "Fine, let's talk." But she looked grimly at Macey. "I'm okay here. The patrol unit is downstairs. If I leave the building, I'll be sure to let you know."

"I'm supposed to stay with you..." Macey began.

Anthony frowned as he stepped forward. "That patrol is staying here. I'm the one who got them cleared with the captain. They'll be watching this house. If Dawn is here, she's safe." He blew out a breath. "Though I don't know why you came back to this place. After what happened to Jinx, I thought you'd be staying far away."

It was because of Jinx that she was back.

But, first... "Thanks for bringing me here, Macey. I appreciate your help." She would deal with one problem at a time. Very determinedly, she steered the agent toward the door. "I know Julia can use your help back at her lab. If she's going to find more evidence on those bodies, a backup pair of hands will be useful." 

She could see the struggle on Macey's face.

"Go," Dawn said flatly. "I'm fine. I've got the NOPD keeping watch."

And, finally, finally, Macey left her. The door shut quietly behind her.

Dawn locked that door, then she turned to square off with Anthony. "Look, if you're here to attack Tucker-"

"The captain let him go. We don't have enough evidence to hold him. Just like we didn't have enough with Torez. Both men were questioned and released." He paced a few feet then swung back to face her. "How can you even bear to be here? Knowing the killer came in your home, your bedroom..."

"He can't get in any longer. That access point is closed." Courtesy of Bowen. He'd done that and told her about it. "And I'm here because I need fresh clothes. I need my things. I need my home." Passion rang in her voice and Anthony looked back at her. "This is my place, and I won't be run away."