Probably, but a girl can dream. So were going to do what we need to do to keep you safe. Ill reach out to the right folks to follow up on this. If its connected to the trafficking ring I mentioned, well pursue that. Even if its not, well roll these people up and take some bad actors off the street. Youll be responsible for making that happen. You should feel proud about that. I just wish you would have discussed it with me beforehand.

In a million years, you would never have let me get in that car, Hannah insisted. And I never would have gotten the recording.

Youre probably right, Jessie admitted. But can you blame me?

They left it there. As soon as Hannah stepped out of the room, Jessie texted Gaylene Parker.

Need to talk in person first thing tomorrow.

Within seconds, she got a thumbs-up emoji. With that done, she helped Ryan settle in for bed. Hed been quiet all evening, which shed attributed to his exhaustion. But once they were in his bedroom alone together, he motioned for her to sit beside him on the bed.

Whats wrong? he asked slowly.

She smiled. Even in his exhausted state, with her doing her best to hide her struggles, she couldnt fool him.

Just having a rough workday, she said. You know how it is. Sometimes everything seems to come in waves. Its just a real storm right now.

Otis? he asked.

She stared at him, amazed.

How did you know that? she asked.

Watch news, he huffed. Hear you on the phone. Ears still work.

She worried he was upset that shed underestimated him, but he was smiling as he said it.

I forgot, she admitted. You just cant shut off that detective brain, can you?

Never, he said with more vigor in his voice than shed heard from him since the injury.

I dont want to bore you with the details, especially before bed, she told him as she grabbed his hand and squeezed. Lets just say that solving a murder connected to a vindictive, amoral billionaire who may be involved in a criminal conspiracy that I cant talk about definitely makes for a tiring day.

He squeezed her hand back.

Look…at me, he said firmly.

She did. He continued, clearly, and without pausing for breath.

No one better at this than you. No one better to bring this guy down. Stay strong. Love you.

Only after he said it did he sink back against his pillow, worn out by the effort of what hed needed to convey.

Thanks, babe, she said, wiping tears away with her free hand. You dont know how badly I needed to hear that.

But his smile told her that he did know. And he was right. She could do this. And she would.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Jessie only slept until 4:30. There was a lot to do this morning. Her first call was to Decker.