CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Catherine smiled when the door opened. She was expecting Jake, but it was the other detective that walked in. And now that Catherine thought about it, Jake hadn't called all day.

" Detective, " she greeted.

" Hello. I'm here to pick up the doc, " Rick said.

" Oh? Where's Jake? "

Rick shrugged. " She's got something going on." He motioned to the door. " You think she's ready? "

Catherine picked up the phone, waiting only a ring before Nicole answered. She smiled at Rick and shook her head. " No, it's Detective Chase." She put the phone down again. " You may go in."

Rick smiled sheepishly. " Everyone's expecting Jake, huh? "

" Well..."

" It's okay. I get that a lot from women. Not exactly sure why."

Catherine smiled as he walked to Nicole's door. He was an attractive man for sure. But Jake, Jake had a unique charm about her that even Catherine, married and straight, could not ignore. No wonder Nicole had melted.

Nicole was gathering her things when Rick knocked and walked inside. Nicole greeted him with what she hoped was a genuine smile.

" Detective Chase, how are you today? "

" Been a busy day, Dr. Westbrook, don't mind saying. How are you holding up? "

" I'm okay." She hesitated, but couldn't hold back the question. " Where's... Detective McCoy? "

" I haven't seen her today. She's checking out a hunch, she said. But she thought you'd like to stay at your own house tonight. She volunteered me to take you."

Nicole raised her eyebrows. " Volunteered? So this protective custody that I'm getting is not sanctioned by the department? "

" No. I mean, technically, you haven't had any threats, and we don't have a motive, much less a suspect."

" I see."

" The DA's office would be the one to bring you in, put you up at a hotel, if the case was farther along. But Jake, well, after the night at your house... you know, with the roses, well, she didn't want to take a chance."

Nicole nodded. " And is this common practice for her? "

" Well, I can honestly say that no, you're the first person she's taken in like this." He grinned. " If I didn't know Jake so well, I might get the wrong impression here."

Nicole squared her shoulders. " What do you mean, Detective? "

" Nothing. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything, Dr. Westbrook. It's just been a hell of a long day."

" I understand." Nicole flicked her eyes to the clock, then back to Rick. " And technically, your shift is over, and you should be on your way home."

" Yeah."

" Then I hate to be the reason you're not on your way home, Detective. I can probably manage on my own tonight. I can call a friend and stay at their place."

" Are you kidding? Jake would kill me." He walked to the door. " Come on."

Nicole wanted to protest, but truthfully, she was afraid to go alone. She followed Detective Chase out her office door, wishing that it was Jake instead.