On the cusp of another automatic apology, Cassie realized what he’d done. “Touché, Mr. Nash.” Her smile grew a bit more.
Archer’s expression softened, and this time, he let those lips curve into a hint of a smile. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep? When you wake up, you can walk me through what happened the night Russ died.”
“And then?”
“And then, if you feel up to it, we can get this place back in order.”
She felt compelled to ask him, “What about you? What will you do while I’m napping?”
“I’m going to put a call into the team’s tech guy. Have him come over and take a look at your system. I also want to set up a meeting with the lead detective on your case.”
“That would be Detective Knox,” she revealed. “I think his first name is Travis. But do you really think he’ll be willing to talkto you? I mean, I haven’t been convicted yet, so technically the investigation into Russ’s murder is considered ongoing.”
Not that I’m complaining, mind you.
“Won’t know unless we try, right?”
“Right.” Another smile lifted her lips, followed by a second yawn.
“Go on.” Archer put a hand to her shoulder and gently guided her from the room. “Get some rest. We’ll have plenty of things to talk about once you wake up.”
Can’t wait.
Keeping the sarcastic comment to herself, she reached the bottom of the staircase. But before she began to climb the path leading to her bedroom, Cassie stopped and faced the only person who—apart from her lawyer and her best friend—seemed to be on her side.
“I’m glad you’re here, Archer.” The whispered confession seemed to fill the two-story space. “I know you can’t guarantee you’ll find whoever tried to poison me, but just knowing someone with your background and experience is close by makes me feel…safe.”
Something she hadn’t felt since Russ collapsed on her kitchen floor.
“Like I said.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Your safety is my number one concern.”
“In case I forget to say it, thank you. For taking my case and for…just being here.”
Though he looked as if he wanted to say more, Archer gave her a soft dip of his chin and said, "Get some sleep, Cassie. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”
5
Cassie woketo the sound of voices. Deep, hushed,malevoices. Though she’d known him less than a day, she recognized Archer’s deep timbre immediately. But the other…
I don’t know him.
She lay still, her body curled comfortably beneath the soft, plush bedding. Doing her best to eavesdrop, she worked to hear the distant conversation. But her door was closed, and the men were downstairs. The clarity of their words having become lost in the distance that separated her from them.
But as the fog from her much-needed nap began to lift, Cassie remembered what Archer had told her just before she’d come upstairs…
I’m going to put a call into the team’s tech guy. Have him come over and take a look at your system.
Though she hated to leave the warmth and comfort of her bed, Cassie threw the covers to the side and forced herself to get up. She started to head for the door but thought better of it after catching a glimpse of herself in the large, full-length mirror strategically placed against the wall between her bedroom door and the one leading into the attached bathroom.
Between her disheveled hair, the dark shadows beneath her tired eyes, and the mascara smudged along her bottom lashes, she could have been the poster child for the Hot Mess Express.
Refusing to let anyone see her in such a state—especially Archer—Cassie made an abrupt change in course and headed for the bathroom. The shower she’d used that morning before leaving lockup had barely been lukewarm, and the water pressure had been about as strong as that from a garden hose.
Could’ve been worse. You could have had to share.
Given all that was at stake, bathing with ten other inmates shouldn’t have been a blip on her radar. Still, she’d felt an almost overwhelming sense of relief when the female guard had led her into an otherwise empty restroom. There’d even been a plastic curtain that had offered her some semblance of privacy.
But as she stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the large, custom shower, Cassie instantly discovered a whole new appreciation for the rectangular rain shower head centered high above her.