Obsession Read Online Free PDF Page B

over those old geezers?” She winced and a pained sound escaped her as she dropped her head in her hands. “What is wrong with me? Geezers? Really?” She shook her head and swiped at her eyes again. “I just need a few minutes alone. That’s all.”
    Not trusting his self-control, he shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. A woman in tears never failed to rouse his protective instincts. He’d had this same problem with Andrea. And back in high school and college with Jess, not that she cried often. Jesus Christ, this was a mess. His gut clenched. Andrea had to be okay and he had to find her. Anything else was unacceptable.
    Smart or not, he had somehow pinned his hopes on Jess. Maybe he just wanted to believe she could swoop in here and save Andrea and the others. Maybe he needed saving, too.
    The water running hauled his attention back to Jess. She washed her face and exhaled a big breath. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just tired, that’s all.”
    She picked up the wedding band and slid it onto her left ring finger. She’d gotten married a couple years back. Her sister had put an announcement in the Birmingham News . He’d stopped keeping tabs on her after that. Thinking of her as married just felt wrong somehow.
    You had your chance, buddy .
    Ancient history. Jess had done him a huge favor coming here. He wasn’t about to say or do anything to make her regret that decision. If she could help him find those girls, he would owe her big time.
    “We have time to grab a bite before the service.” She needed to eat. And he needed a way to comfort her that didn’t involve touching or delving into personal areas of discussion.
    “I’d like to change.” She tugged at her jacket and smoothed a hand over her hair. “Freshen up.”
    The striking red looked good on her, but then anything would. Her hair still hung in long, thick honey-blond waves. Those wide, rich brown eyes had always gotten to him. As kids he had been mesmerized with the vivid contrast. Another good reason to get her to a restaurant as quickly as possible. He needed the diversion.
    She faced him, all signs of whatever demons she’d battled gone except for the faint redness around her eyes. “I can eat later. I need a hotel.”
    “No hotel.” He opened the door for her to precede him into the corridor and came face to face with Detective Wells.
    She blinked. “Sorry.” Frowning, she checked the door, then looked from Jess to him. “I can…use the men’s room.”
    “We’re done,” Jess announced as she barged out, forcing him aside.
    Dan opened his mouth but Detective Wells waved him off. “No problem.” She sidled past him and hurried to one of the stalls.
    The click of the stall door locking snapped him into action. He launched out the door and quickened his pace to catch up with Jess. He would explain the incident to Wells later. He had no desire to hazard a guess at the conclusion she had no doubt reached.
    “The Holiday Inn will work,” Jess commented as she strode back to the conference room. “Unless you made a reservation someplace else.”
    Lucky for him the others had cleared out of the room already. She wasn’t going to readily agree with his decision and under no circumstances did he want the others to get wind of any discord between him and Jess. “No hotel.” He braced for her argument. He wasn’t giving in.
    She paused in the dismantling of the case board. “Are you telling me that there isn’t a room to be had in this city? What kind of convention is it this time? Mary Kay or Tupperware? Surely I can find something within a half hour’s drive.” She shook her head and continued with tucking the photos and other material into her enormous purse. 
    It was actually more like a piece of luggage than a purse. What the devil did she carry in there? She looked at him expectantly when he failed to respond in a timely manner.
    “What kind of friend would I be if I stuck you in a hotel?” He scoffed at the idea,