The Reason Why

AFTER

“You should have told me about the videos.” Kate withdrew from the young woman’s tempting touch and walked to the fireplace. “Ms. Palm—”

“Jade.”

Kate breathed in slowly and faced the woman. “Jade…” Their eyes locked and Kate’s heartbeat spiked. What is it about this woman? Whatever it was—this was the last conversation Kate wanted to have with her. She didn’t want to know that this young woman who affected her so deeply and intimately had committed such a brutal crime.

Who are you to judge?

“This could have been handled legally,” Kate said, not wholly believing it herself. “You didn’t have to…”

“The law protects these men,” Jade murmured. “Now, more than ever. The justice these men deserved for what they did to my sister and her friend… would not have been served to them. And I know you know that, Kate. I can feel it in you.”

Kate released an unsteady breath. “Feel what in me?”

“That you understand me… and why I had to do what I did.”

Kate lowered her eyes. “I can’t condone…”

“I know. But still… you understand.” Jade walked closer. “Don’t you?”

“I…” Kate shuddered; she understood too well. “How did you get the men to the woods? What did you say to them?”

Jade shrugged. “That was the simplest part. These men wanted to dominate women and feel superior and powerful. I made sure they were tipped off about a small, private ladies' rally in the woods—and that the women knew they were the ones who attacked Amy and Jasmine. I didn’t need a backup plan to get them there, because I knew the original plan wouldn’t fail.”

“How could you be so sure?” Kate asked, already knowing the answer.

“Because…” Jade stood close to Kate, her intoxicating presence casting a haze over the sheriff’s mind. “… they felt entitled. They wouldn’t allow some lowly women to plot against them. I knew they would come to the woods, and they did.”

“What happened?” Kate stared transfixed into Jade’s eyes.

“You saw.” Jade trailed a fingertip down Kate’s cheek. “And you knew, deep down, true justice had been served.” She leaned closer, brushing her soft lips over the corner of Kate’s mouth. “Didn’t you?”

Having overseen Amy Palmer and Jasmine Greene’s case… how could she deny it?

Jade pressed closer and lightly caressed the swell of Kate’s breasts through the thin tank top. “Why aren’t you arresting me right now?” Jade breathed against her mouth. “You know I’m guilty. Why are you waiting?”

Kate hesitated. “I said… you could tell me the rest of the story.”

“Is that the only reason?” Jade rubbed her fingertips down Kate’s ribs, their bodies touching.

Trembling inside and out, Kate swallowed. “No.”

“You could make love to a killer?”

Could you? Kate’s thoughts betrayed her, and she wanted to reveal her dark secrets to this beautiful young woman.

Jade seemed to look into her soul. “What’re you hiding, Kate?” she whispered. “What is it that’s keeping you here… with me?”

A small fit of shakes gripped Kate as she battled memories never meant to be resurrected. “Tell me what happened in the woods.”