"Good news?" Carson pulled up behind Nikki, a palm to her back to brace her.
"Autopsy report finally came in, and Owens was definitely struck, and by a right-handed person. Since you're a lefty, that's good news for you. Even as fit as you are, it's unlikely you could have exerted such force with your right. While we haven't completely ruled anyone out, it's safe to say we're shifting our focus elsewhere for now. Although why that someone would want his belt..." He shrugged.
Nikki reached out to Carson, trembling a hint, her eyes still glued to Reis as he detailed more intricacies about the autopsy and height angles at the site of impact. Carson clasped her hand, a similar relief rocking him slam down to his feet. No one should have to carry the burden of having taken another life, even in self-defense.
Although since a large percentage of the world was right-handed, they hadn't narrowed the search much.
"I've already placed a call to your principal that you've been crossed off our suspect list. Given his sigh of relief, I imagine there's already a message waiting for you on your voice mail."
"Reis, I have to confess I'm not overly impressed with the protective drive-bys around here. A broken balcony, slashed tires, and all while she's being watched. Once word leaks that the investigation's no longer focused on Nikki, this person's going to get deadly serious in eliminating her before she remembers."
"I understand your concern, but we can't put someone in protective custody indefinitely." He chomped harder, faster on his gum. "But I've got connections downtown. I'll put some pressure on local police."
A fair offer, even if nothing short of a closed case seemed like enough now. "Thank you. And thanks for making the personal trip out."
"No problem. I need to ask her brother and mother some questions anyway, but I see now that their cars are gone. I should have called first."
Nikki's hand twitched clasped in his, but she stayed silent.
"Have a nice afternoon, Major." Reis nodded. "Ms. Price."
Agent Reis slid into his nondescript blue sedan and pulled away from the curb. Once Reis's license plate disappeared around the corner, Carson hauled Nikki into his arms. "About time he figured out you couldn't have done something like that."
She trembled in his arms. "How could you be so sure?"
"I just knew, damn it." His arms convulsed tighter around her. "Although now there's not a chance you're going anywhere alone."
Nikki eased her head back to look up at him, not too far since she was tall, a perfect fit. "I'll worry about right-handed threats later. Right now, I'm so relieved at this sliver of hope."
"Fair enough. But I'm going to come back after work so we can all discuss more serious security."
Carson palmed the small of her back on the way up the side steps leading to the garage apartment. He scanned the single room efficiency, an open space with a futon, kitchenette and cubicle bathroom. Only one entrance in and out, with an alarm on the door as safe as she could be without him parking his butt with her 24/7, something she wouldn't allow anyway.
Although damn, what he wouldn't give for the pleasure of simply watching her sleep.
She slumped against the door frame. "Ohmigod, I knew I was stressed, but didn't even begin to know how much until now."
"You have reason to celebrate."
"Are you offering to celebrate with me?" Her loaded question broadsided him.
They were standing on the threshold of more than her apartment.
He cupped her face, fingers threading back into her loose hair. "What do you think?"
And somehow he was kissing her. He should pull away and make sure she wanted— Her lips parted under his and yeah. Just yeah. He tasted her and a hint of the barbecue they'd had for lunch.
Her hands skimmed along his back and up to loop around his neck. "No mustache," she murmured against his mouth. "Feels different."
"It's going to be different this time, too." His hands slid lower to cup her amazing bottom he'd admired as she climbed the mast. Hell, to be honest, he'd been checking her out since she'd strutted past him in shorts while subbing for a sick member of the squadron volleyball team.
All the reasons he should stay away faded under the onslaught of driving need to claim her as his, finally, totally, and damn it, memorize every second of the feel of her toned body under his hands because he wouldn't be idiot enough to treat her so recklessly again.
"Carson," Nikki whispered against his mouth, tugging him back to the present. "Either that's a phone ringing in your pocket or you're really happy to see me."
"Both." He dropped another quick kiss before pulling back. He fished out his cell phone, looked at the LCD panel and winced. "The squadron. I've got to take it." He flipped open his phone. "Hunt."
"Captain Seabrook. All hell's breaking loose here, sir. We need you back ASAP. There's been a bombing in the barracks overseas, the barracks housing our guys."