Rafe was hurting.
She got just that one tiny glimpse of his vulnerability and then the Sheriff Salazar mask slammed into place. He handed back her cell phone and pointedly looked at his watch. “What time does your class begin?”
“Six, and then it’s over at nine.”
“Great, that will give me a chance to speak with Nathan,” he decided. “I need to bring him up to speed.”
Then, he turned to the Chaneys. “I’ll make sure he’s expecting you to take a look at the mug shots, the same ones Janie went through this morning. Before I show you the pictures she pointed out, I want to see if you pinpoint the same kids. If possible, I’d also like to get another team out here tonight to go over Derek’s room.”
The Chaneys both nodded. They were willing to do anything to find out what happened to their son.
Rafe held out his hand to help Janie up from the couch. She took it and followed him out the door and to her car. For a moment, she wondered why he hadn’t asked for her number to program it into his phone. She easily answered the question: he already had it from their one date. Plus, when you were sheriff of Laramie County, you didn’t need to ask for someone’s number. You just went to CopLink.
He’d find out a few other things about her on CopLink. Great, just great. Unless it was true that a juvenile’s records were permanently sealed.
He opened the car door and said, “I’ll be outside the classroom door waiting for you. Ten minutes before nine.”
As she pulled out and followed his car down the road, she wondered if she should have just let him drive her to class, as he’d wanted to do. Even scared, she’d been able to breathe while he was by her side. Now, as his SUV idled behind hers as she pulled into a parking space and turned off the engine, the panic started to rise again.
Rolling down his passenger-side window, he said, “You’ll be fine. Campus is hopping right now, people everywhere.” Then, he rolled up his window and drove off, leaving her alone. The slim hold she had on her emotions slipped even more.
Call Katie?
No, Katie was eight months pregnant and didn’t need this hassle.
Call Adam?
No. Sharing the situation with Adam would just mean more talking, no solutions.
Janie followed a crowd heading for the student union and college café. Right now, more than anything, she wanted a hamburger, lots of French fries and a chocolate malt.
She’d just sat down when Rafe called her on the cell phone. “You okay?”
“Now that I’m eating.”
“Glad you stayed on campus and with lots of people. When you’re done eating, go right to class. Okay?”
“Yes, sir.”
Silence. Then disconnect.
She listened to him, though. After finishing her food—she had eaten every bite—she cleaned her area and headed to the art department. She wanted to talk to Patricia. Her fear turned to surreal introspection as she walked past the parking lot and watched the evening students park their cars and walk to class. It felt wrong; they were so carefree and laughing. They believed they were invincible.
Janie had never felt that way.