Roan stood in the corridor and pondered the woman's remarks. Then she felt drained, as exhaustion demanded her attention. Wiping away a bead of sweat that formed on her forehead, she strode as quickly as her lethargic body allowed out of the hospital and toward her car. Unlocking the vehicle, she climbed inside and sighed heavily. It had been one h.e.l.l of a day and it wasn't over yet.

Half an hour later, Roan parked outside of Echo's apartment building. A few minutes later, she pressed the doorbell. It had seemed like an intolerable amount of time for Echo to answer. When she heard Echo's voice, her flagging energy picked up as she leaned against the wall listening to the intercom.

"h.e.l.lo, who is it please?"

Roan heard the veiled panic in her voice and who could blame her. Now she was even more pleased she'd decided to visit her first rather than go home and do it in the morning. "It's only your resident friendly police officer checking up on her favorite damsel in distress." Roan frowned at her choice of words and put it down to her extreme fatigue.

There was silence for a few seconds, then Echo replied, "Put like that, Lieutenant Keating, may I offer you a warm drink for your concern?" The entry door clicked open.

"I'd be very grateful, ma'am." Roan chuckled as she clicked off the intercom and entered the building. A speedy trip in the elevator had Roan at Echo's front door a few minutes later. Pressing the bell, she shook away the tiredness and dragged on her best dazzling smile as Echo opened the door.

"My G.o.d, you look like h.e.l.l. What have you been doing? Get in here. Have you eaten? When was the last time you stopped working and had a break?" Echo berated her as she ushered her inside the apartment and locked the door behind her.

Roan had to laugh at the concern as she held her arms in the air. "I surrender...okay? Echo, it's late and I'm tired. I confess I'm dog tired, but I wanted to make sure you were okay. Calling you wasn't an option."

"I'm sorry. Take a seat and I'll fetch you a hot drink. What would you prefer?" Echo drew in a deep breath as she resisted the temptation to take Roan in her arms and hold her close.

"Anything will be good, you choose." Roan walked over to the sofa and sank into the comfort of the upholstery, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

Echo busied herself in the kitchen and made them both hot tea and she raided the refrigerator and prepared a couple of ham sandwiches. Knowing Roan's usual habit, she figured the last thing she'd eaten would have been the sandwich Kelly gave her at lunch.

"Here's tea and I've made you some sandwiches. I know..." Echo placed the tray on the coffee table and stopped in mid- sentence as she saw that Roan had closed her eyes and was probably asleep.

Echo had the luxury of just staring at Roan in repose. Roan looked ten years younger. She'd heard that the true face of a person was the one when she was asleep and vulnerable. If that were the case, she'd love to spend the rest of her life waking up with Roan's face on the pillow beside her. A tear trickled down her cheek as she realized that some things in life were out of reach. What she felt could only ever be a part of what might be if dreams came true.

Roan unexpectedly opened her eyes and stared into the distressed ones of her friend. "Hey, why are you crying? I'm good, honest. Just tired."

Echo, caught off-guard, gave a wan smile and shrugged.

"I know it was a terrible experience, but I promise you that it won't happen again. He's locked up and he will be for the rest of his life." Roan dragged herself out of her napping position to sit upright and take one of Echo's hands in hers.

"I know," Echo murmured, wanting desperately to have Roan take her in her arms as she had earlier. Instead, she pointed with her free hand to the sandwiches and tea on the table as she rapidly changed the subject. "I bet you haven't eaten, either. I made some ham sandwiches for you."

Roan chuckled and released Echo's hand as she s.n.a.t.c.hed up one of the sandwiches. In seconds, it was gone. "Sorry, I was famished."

Echo plopped down beside Roan. "Anything to help the police department." Her lips twitched into an amused smile as she watched Roan finish the sandwiches and they drank the tea in companionable silence.

Eventually, Roan said, "I'm sorry you had to go through what you did. If I could do this all again, I'd ensure you never had to go through that."

The words were sincere and Echo appreciated the gesture as she contemplated the vestiges of the tea in her cup and smiled slightly. "This may sound odd to you, but I'm glad I was involved." She saw Roan's raised eyebrows at the remark. "Not that I wanted to be killed or anything, but I understand a little more about you and the world you have to work in."

Roan didn't know how to answer and frowned as she attempted to find a suitable reply.

Echo placed a hand on Roan's arm. "You don't have to understand, just know that I do."

"Yeah, it's a little late in the day for riddles. I guess I'd better go. I have to be at the precinct for the interviews and statements as early as possible." Roan stood. However, a part of her didn't want to leave. She'd have been happy to sit there and fall asleep on the sofa knowing Echo was safe. "Another conundrum."

"Conundrum?" Echo asked.

Roan smiled. "My mind is delusional. I need to get some sleep."

"You could sleep here." Echo knew there was a double meaning in her words if Roan wanted to take her up on the offer, but would she even notice?

Roan gave Echo a penetrating stare. She wanted to talk about what seemed to be happening between them because she sure as h.e.l.l wanted to understand it better and not make a mistake that she'd regret for the rest of her life. That night simply wasn't the right time, even if the place was good and tantalizing. She shrugged. "I'd better go home. Don't want to disturb you when I get up early."

Echo nodded. "Yeah, good call. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"I can't promise. Sleep well, Karen would be proud of you." Instinctively, Roan reached forward and hugged Echo close for a few seconds as her fingers gently stroked the small bruises on Echo's face. Then she quickly released her and moved toward the door. "Don't forget to set the apartment alarm when you go to bed."

"I won't," Echo replied as she watched Roan leave. When the door shut between them, she sank down on the carpeted floor and cried like a baby.

Chapter Twenty-two.

Echo peered at herself in the bathroom mirror of the hotel where they were celebrating her parents' fortieth wedding anniversary. She looked presentable in a russet c.o.c.ktail dress, which managed not to hug her full hips. As she donned more lipstick, she gave herself another appraising glance, then pushed away from the basin to rejoin the festivities.

It had been an interesting yet strangely anticlimactic kind of week after her episode at the hands of Robert Douglas. She had virtually no contact with Roan after the night of the event.

She'd been involved in the extensive interviews of Douglas after his arraignment for the murders of Shelby Cameron and Layla Greystoke, which had been a shock for Echo. She didn't know that Greystoke was also a victim. It was Painter, not Roan, who interviewed her about her involvement with Douglas and Mahoney. The only time she saw Roan was for a brief minute at the precinct when they locked gazes until several people dragged Roan away.

For the rest of the week, she waited for Roan to call and provide her with the detailed update as she promised. She didn't. The only information she had about the case she gleaned from the television news and newspapers. Although the details were sketchy, she was relieved to hear that the DA would be trying Douglas for the murder of two women and kidnapping of her and Mahoney.

That still left the unanswered question of who killed Karen, and it annoyed her that Roan hadn't even called for a few seconds to see how she was. In her mind, it nailed the coffin lid shut on her dreams and expectations of what could be with Roan. After spending the entire week without any contact from Roan, Echo called her just before she left for her flight to her hometown. She wasn't surprised when her call went to voice mail. The message she left was informative but curt.

"Roan, I'm going away. I won't be back for ten days. Hopefully, we'll catch up when I get back to town. Take care of yourself and don't overdo it."

When she arrived at her parents' house, she felt relieved, even though they asked twenty questions about where Roan was. Somehow, she managed to feign a headache and tiredness at the late hour, without imparting any more than business was holding Roan up. In a way, looking at the ceiling of her old room, Echo felt safe again. She felt as safe as she had when Roan had been at her apartment. Since that time, a big part of her had felt insecure and fearful of what might happen next. Here at least, she wasn't alone with her fears and she slept like a baby.

Fortunately, for her, the next day, her parents needed her to help with the final chaotic preparations for the celebration, and that saved her from a mora.s.s of questions about Roan. That and she'd decided not to inform them of her own ordeal. It really wasn't worth worrying them about it at this time. Maybe after the party.

As she showered and changed for the evening, she didn't know who was more exhausted, her or her parents. It had been fun and relaxing to be together as a family. After her close shave with death, she realized how important family was and she'd never consider it a ch.o.r.e again.

Most of the guests had arrived and the party was in full swing. As she listened to a medley of songs from the mid- to late sixties, she smiled at the tunes. Then she glanced at the DJ and groaned. Her old school friend Josie Skein, who her mother tried to fix her up with at Thanksgiving, was standing on the stage swaying to the music as she played the songs.

"That's all I need. I guess it would just top my week off perfectly...trying to find excuses for why I don't want to go out with her."

"Go out with whom?"

Echo knew the voice for it always sent tingles of ecstasy throughout her body. She mentally pinched herself before looking at the person who had crept up beside her. With a wide smile, she breathed out a name, "Roan."

Roan grinned. "In the flesh."

Echo was speechless as she looked at Roan, who was dressed in black trousers with a purple shimmering silk shirt. Her perfume was exotic and sensual as it drifted around her like an inviting mist. Obviously, she had made an effort with her appearance. Her hair was tied back in a braid, and there was lipstick on Roan's lips. Wonders never cease. Echo gazed into the blue eyes she thought she'd never see again. Her body yearned to reach out and touch the flesh, but she held herself in check. "Hi, I didn't think you'd remember this, never mind attend it. How did you know where?" Roan winked and her smile grew wider as their gazes caught.

"It's a secret known only to a few. Want to buy me a drink?"

Echo laughed. "Sure, actually, my parents will. It's a free bar, unless you want something really, really expensive. What's your poison, Lieutenant?" They ambled over to the bar. Echo ordered a vodka twist, then looked at Roan for her choice.

"A light beer, thanks." Roan scanned the dance floor and felt remarkably at ease. She normally avoided such events.

A couple of minutes later, they were heading for Echo's a.s.signed table. It was empty of revelers who were all gyrating on the dance floor or catching up with old friends.

As they sat down, Echo absently swirled her finger around the ice in her gla.s.s. Keeping her gaze glued to the dance floor, she said, "Have you finished your case against Robert Douglas?"

"Yes. That's partly why I'm here."

Roan flicked a glance in Echo's direction. "I'm sorry I never called, but..."

A finger touched her lips and stopped her from speaking. "It's okay. I understand...your work comes first."

"I used to think that, too, though not lately...but that's another thing. And yes, it's finished. That's one of the reasons I'm here." Roan looked around her for a few moments as she spoke, then gave her full attention to Echo.

Echo tilted her head in inquiry. "Do you require more information from me?"

Roan shook her head and rested her gaze on the dancers as she sipped her beer. "I made a promise to you that I would tell you the story. I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to get back in touch with you. I've had a nightmare of a week. The details can wait until the morning...it isn't a nice story. I can tell you that your friend has truly been vindicated."

Echo was of two minds. A part of her wanted the truth in all its gory details while the other part wanted to enjoy the party with Roan. "What if I told you..." Echo discontinued her words when she heard her mother's voice.

A woman about the same size as Echo appeared in front of them. "Echo, why aren't you dancing? You young things never did know good music when you heard it. Take the rubbish they play these days. Isn't that right, Paul? Now who's your friend? I'm afraid I don't recall seeing her before."

Roan heard Echo groan under her breath, and she bit back a chuckle. She quickly scanned Echo's mother. Fake blond hair, light blue eyes, a full mouth very much like her daughters' in appearance, but that's where the resemblance ended. She was short, tending to chubby and apparently excitable, definitely a handful in lots of ways. Standing, Roan held out her hand. "Mrs. Radar." The older woman shook it with a slightly disconcerted look. Then Roan proffered it to the small wiry man beside her who had Echo's eyes and a bulbous nose that you couldn't help but look at. He gazed at his daughter affectionately, but Roan could tell he was disgruntled at being part of the conversation. "Mr. Radar. I'm Roan Keating."

Paul Radar shook it, then gave her a grave appraising stare before nodding. "Good to see you. Ms. Keating."

"Oh, Rowena Anne, you came. And Echo said you couldn't make it...business and all that nonsense. What a pleasure to meet my daughter's girlfriend at last." Maggie Radar's voice intensified by the amount of alcohol she drank.

Echo grimaced. It was like someone sticking a knife in her gut as she discreetly looked at Roan, who appeared to be remarkably nonplussed by her mother's inebriated gushing. "Mom, Roan isn't..."

"Pleasure to meet you, too, Maggie, I'm sorry I was late. I was held up with business...couldn't be helped. However, I'm here now. Love the music, by the way." Roan placed a hand on Echo's knee for support, only to withdraw it when her body flooded immediately with heat from the contact.

Echo tuned out the rest of the conversation as she focused on the nearness of the woman. Then she chuckled as her mother dragged her father back on the dance floor to the strains of their favorite song.

Self-conscious, Echo looked at Roan and shrugged. "I'm sorry...my parents...what can I say? I'm sorry if they embarra.s.sed you."

Roan smiled. "Never apologize for parents. When you haven't had any for as long as I have, you can't possibly understand how wonderful it is to be welcomed like that."

Echo felt that Roan was talking more to herself than her. "How old where you when you lost your parents?"

"Eight." Roan looked like she was lost in a moment that no one else was allowed to enter. "I would normally have been with them in the car, but that day, I went with my granddad to a parade. Even back then, I wanted to be a cop. Strange how things work out."

Echo heard the calmness behind the words, yet there was an underlining tremor in Roan's voice. "I'm sorry that happened to you," Echo whispered.

"My dad had an Indianapolis mentality when he drove. Apparently, he took a chance at an intersection, and bam, I was an orphan." Roan shrugged. "According to witnesses, the car hit an eighteen-wheeler head-on, and it was all over in seconds."

Echo reached over and placed her hand on Roan's trembling fingers.

"You know the worst thing wasn't my parents dying, and I know it should have been...it was Mich.e.l.le," Roan said absently as she played with the hand that offered her solace.

Echo frowned as she vaguely recalled Roan once asking for Mich.e.l.le when she was sick. "Mich.e.l.le?"

"Yeah." Roan frowned and continued, "My identical twin. In most things, we were inseparable. She hated the police...said they frightened her."

Echo threaded her fingers in Roan's wanting to maintain the tactile contact. When she didn't feel any resistance, she relaxed. "I'm sorry, Roan. How is your uncle?"

Roan had to prevent herself from replying with her usual stinging words about the man. Instead, with a slight tone of indulgence, she said, "The old goat is getting married again. Apparently, when he was younger, he ditched Laura for juicier pickings...as in money. He proposed from his hospital bed." Roan laughed. "Laura had a witness, so he can't squirm out of it this time."

"You, I take it." Echo smiled as she saw a change in her friend. There had always been a spark of anger and animosity when she spoke of her uncle. Now there was the chance that instead of catching a cold, she might actually be able to warm her hands on Roan's expression. "You must like this Laura."

"Yes, me." Roan smiled as she remembered the scene. "You'll like Laura. When you get back home, he's invited you to dinner." Roan grinned as she saw Echo's look of panic.

"Oh, I'm not sure. It's all very well, but I hardly know him and besides..."

"I'll be your chaperone. I promise to protect you from his gushing thanks for saving his a.s.s." Roan chuckled as she imagined what her uncle would look like groveling at Echo's feet...well, high heels.

Echo let out a sigh of relief. "In that case, I'd be delighted. How have you been? You look wiped."

Roan groaned as she caught Echo's mesmerizing gaze. "I accept that sleep has been somewhat of a luxury this week. However, on the plus side, I've been taking my meds regularly." In truth, she'd driven a bargain at lunchtimes with her uncle, who was as stubborn as she was when he was in pain and refusing to take anything for it. If she took hers, he reciprocated.

There was companionable silence for a few minutes. Eventually, Echo asked, "Do you dance, Roan?"

Roan considered the question and laughed when she heard the words of the song. "Take me in your arms and love me." Holding out her hand, she smiled. "Let's go. I want to see if you can keep up with a young chickie like me."

Echo chuckled and waved a warning finger at Roan as they reached the dance floor. "We'll see who keeps up with whom," she said as they began dancing to the tempo in the throng of the other dancers. As their arms automatically encircled each other, they both had a sense of coming home. Though there were no words, they relaxed and relished the closeness of being together again.

Chapter Twenty-three.

Roan watched in silence as Echo and her parents laughed about something from her childhood. Just for a moment, she was jealous, but it was only a moment as a tiny smile hovered around her lips. She looked at Echo's smaller hand clasped unconsciously in hers. It had happened quite naturally, and as much as Roan knew she should disengage, she couldn't. In its own way, Echo's hand was a link to a family, one she desperately wished she had. Time would tell if the new phase with her uncle was a step in the right direction.

"Echo to Roan, are you receiving me?" a lilting voice asked. Roan blushed when Echo caught her daydreaming and attempted unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. When Echo gave her a sheepish smile that was out of step with the goofy look on her face, she suspected that the number of vodkas she'd consumed was taking its toll. "Loud and clear, Echo Radar."

Echo felt euphoric. She was having a great time. "You weren't a moment ago," she said teasingly. "I'll give you a dime for your thoughts."

Roan gazed at Echo, and she felt her heart do a back flip. Whatever she was feeling about Echo had to be right because it felt so d.a.m.ned good. The next day, they'd have time to discuss everything, including personal stuff.

"They're of no consequence. Look, I'm sorry to be a party p.o.o.per, but I'm asleep on my feet," she whispered. "Do you mind if I call it a day?"