Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

K evin spent the rest of the day chasing down information on Feldman and following up on the social media of Alex Sheridan. He didn’t find much. The guy had no enemies.

“Bridget!” Reese’s voice carried in from the reception area. “Wow, looks like you’ve been busy.”

The sweet smell of fresh-baked pies wafted in a few seconds before Bridget appeared in the squad room, a wicker basket of food dangling from her arm. “Special delivery!” Bridget announced cheerfully, setting the basket down on a nearby table.

She carefully placed a pie and a casserole in front of Jo, who looked up from her work with a grateful smile. “Thanks, Bridget. Garvin’s going to love this.”

Bridget then turned to Kevin, presenting him with his own set of homemade goodies. “And for you, Detective Deckard.”

Kevin grinned as he accepted the offering. “You didn’t have to do this, Bridget.”

She shrugged, a playful glint in her eye. “Consider it a thank-you for your concern earlier.”

Wyatt, who had been quietly observing the exchange, smirked as he slipped on his jacket. “Those look delicious.” He glanced at the clock. “And just in time for quitting hour.”

“Speaking of which…” Jo gathered her things, including the food from Bridget, and headed for the door right behind Wyatt. “I better get these to Garvin while they’re still warm. Thanks again, Bridget.”

As Jo left, Reese popped her head into the room. “Hey, Bridge! When does chef school start?”

Bridget’s face lit up with excitement. “Next week! I can’t wait to get started.”

Reese’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. “Oh shoot, I gotta run. Dentist appointment.” She waved a quick goodbye and hurried out.

And then there were two.

Kevin found himself suddenly nervous as he stood there with Bridget, the delectable pie and casserole between them. He hesitated, his mind racing with the possibility of extending their time together.

Kevin peered into the basket, admiring the golden crusts and savory aromas. “These look incredible. You’ve really outdone yourself.”

Bridget beamed at the compliment, a hint of pride in her smile. “Thanks. I hope they taste as good as they look.”

Kevin nodded, his stomach rumbling in anticipation. Then, before he could second-guess himself, he casually said, “It would be a shame to eat all this alone. Maybe you’d like to join me? My place is just a few blocks away.”

Bridget’s eyebrows rose in surprise, but a pleased expression quickly followed. At least, Kevin hoped it was a pleased expression. His heart hammered in his chest as he awaited her response.

“I’d love to. That sounds perfect.”

Relief and excitement flooded through him as he returned her smile. “Great! Let me just grab my coat, and we can head out.”

Good thing he’d tidied up before he left for work, Kevin thought as he pulled into the driveway of his small ranch house. As he stepped out of his car, Bridget pulled in behind him, her headlights illuminating the darkening evening.

Kevin hurried to open the driver’s door for her, a gentlemanly gesture that earned him a warm smile.

“What a cute house,” Bridget remarked as she stepped out.

“Thanks,” Kevin replied, leading her up the walkway. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”

Once inside, Kevin took Bridget’s coat and the basket of food then headed to the kitchen.

“I’ll help set the table,” Bridget offered, already rolling up her sleeves.

Side by side, they moved around the small kitchen, gathering plates, glasses, and utensils. As they worked, their bodies brushed against each other a few times, and he couldn’t help but steal glances at Bridget, admiring the way she moved with such grace and efficiency.

“We might need to reheat the shepherd’s pie,” Bridget suggested, peering into the basket. “It’s got ground beef, onions, carrots, peas, and a creamy mashed potato topping.”

Kevin’s stomach growled in response, and he chuckled. “Sounds perfect. I’ll pop it in the oven for a few minutes.”

Finally, everything was ready, and they took their seats at the small kitchen table.

Kevin had worried it might be awkward, just the two of them, but the conversation flowed easily.

“This is great.” Kevin lifted his fork, which was loaded with a big chunk of shepherd’s pie.

Bridget smiled, her hazel eyes sparkling in the warm light of the kitchen. “I’m glad you invited me. And thanks for the compliment on the meal. Cooking has become a real passion of mine.”

“I can tell,” Kevin said, savoring another bite. “You’re a natural in the kitchen. You’re starting a pastry chef class soon?”

“Yes! I can’t wait to learn more techniques and expand my skills. Baking is like therapy for me.” Bridget’s expression turned thoughtful. “Honestly, discovering my love for cooking saved me. After everything I went through on the streets, I needed something to hold on to, a purpose.”

“I know it couldn’t have been easy. But look at you now. You’ve come so far.”

“I owe so much to Jo,” Bridget said, her voice filled with gratitude. “She never gave up on me, even when I was at my lowest.”

“Jo’s an incredible sister,” Kevin agreed. “But don’t sell yourself short. It takes a lot of strength and courage to turn your life around like you have. You should be proud of yourself.”

Bridget ducked her head, a slight blush coloring her freckled cheeks. “Thank you. That means a lot.” She took a sip of water and then met his gaze again. “Enough about me, though. What about you? Is your memory getting any better?”

Kevin nodded, a sense of optimism bubbling up. “I think it is getting better, actually. At work, I remembered where I filed some old cases, and when we searched the woods earlier, I knew exactly where we’d found those trees from the photos on the thumb drive.”

Bridget’s eyes widened. “The ones from the serial killer’s burial ground?”

“Exactly.” Kevin hesitated for a moment, a sudden urge to confide in Bridget welling up inside him. He was tired of keeping this secret bottled up, and he knew he could trust her. “There’s something else about that thumb drive, something no one else knows.”

Bridget leaned forward with a mix of curiosity and concern. “What is it?”

Taking a deep breath, Kevin revealed his suspicions. “I think the thumb drive is related to an old narcotics case. I even found the password to open the drive in the evidence for that case.”

Bridget furrowed her brow. “Why haven’t you told Sam and Jo about this?”

Kevin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Because I used the evidence clue without telling anyone, and I’ve had the drive for so long now. It feels like it’s too late to come clean. I need to figure out what’s on the drive myself first.”

“I get it,” Bridget said softly, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. “It’s a tough situation. But you know what? I’ll help you. And I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

Kevin felt a wave of relief wash over him. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Bridget smiled, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes, a hint of vulnerability. “Actually, I have a secret, too, something I don’t want anyone to know.”

Kevin’s eyes widened, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned closer, his voice gentle. “Bridget, you can trust me. I won’t tell anyone.”

Bridget hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the napkin on her lap. “When I was an addict on the streets, I was forced to do something terrible,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Hey,” Kevin said softly, reaching out to cover her hand with his. “Whatever it is, it’s not your fault. You weren’t in control then.”

Bridget nodded, blinking back tears. “I know that, mostly. But now, I’m afraid that certain people who know what I did are coming for me.”

“Why would they?” Kevin asked, his brow furrowed.

“I have no idea,” Bridget admitted, shaking her head. “Maybe to silence me.”

Suddenly, a realization dawned on Kevin. “The guy at the diner. He has something to do with this, doesn’t he?”

“No, no,” Bridget said quickly. “He’s from my past and knows about it, but he’s helping me. He has contacts.”

Kevin’s mind raced, putting the pieces together. “You had him get you a gun for protection.”

Bridget nodded, her eyes downcast.

Whatever Bridget had done, it must have been serious. He didn’t need to know the exact details, and he didn’t want to press her. As he looked at her, he saw the pain and regret on her face. She wasn’t a bad person. She’d done what she had to do. She was a survivor, someone who had been through hell and come out the other side.

Kevin reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Listen to me. That’s not who you are anymore. You’ve changed. You’ve built a new life for yourself.”

Bridget sniffled, a single tear rolling down her cheek. “I know, but I’m scared. I’m afraid that my past will catch up to me, that I’ll lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.”

Kevin squeezed Bridget’s hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. You’re not alone in this. If you see anyone or feel unsafe, call me right away. I’ll be there for you, no matter what.”

Bridget’s eyes widened, a glimmer of hope shining through the tears. “Really? You’d do that for me?”

“Of course,” Kevin said without hesitation. “I care about you, and I want to make sure you’re safe. I have your back, always.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Bridget’s lips. “Thank you, Kevin. That means more to me than you know.”

Kevin returned her smile, his heart swelling with a newfound sense of protectiveness. “And don’t worry about your secret. It’s safe with me. I won’t tell a soul.”

Bridget let out a shaky breath, the tension visibly leaving her body. “I trust you, Kevin. I know you’ll keep my secret, and I’ll keep yours.”

In that moment, Kevin felt like they’d forged another bond, one that couldn’t easily be broken.