Page 56 of Jacques

Jacques chuckled. “We don’t have to. I’m content to wait.”

Danny soaked in Jacques’s warmth, letting it chase away the chill that threatened to consume her at the thought of closing in on the man who’d assaulted her all those years ago.

She’d come a long way from the woman who’d left the career she’d worked so hard to achieve. Now that she was so close to getting the answers, she wouldn’t let anything stop her.

She stepped back and squared her shoulders. “I’m ready.”

CHAPTER 12

Jacques spent half the night sitting up, holding Danny as she slept, cuddled next to him on the sofa. He would have been more comfortable stretched out and spooning her.

However, that had to be her choice, and she had to make it while conscious. Eventually, he eased out from under her, covered her with the blanket and went to his own bed, where he lay awake another hour, thinking about all that had happened on the case and between them.

The trip to the grocery store had been a punch in the chest, leaving him yearning for what Chrissy and Allen Broussard had. Love for each other, partnership and children. Seeing Danny hold Hope in her arms had taken his breath away.

Did he and Danny have a chance at that kind of connection?

Only time would tell.

First things first. Find her attacker and get him off the streets. Then maybe Danny could get on with her life and find purpose.

Deep inside, Jacques hoped he could be a part of that next chapter and included in her choice.

Remy arrived at the boarding house early to take them to Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. They had a direct flight to Dulles International near DC. Danny sat between Jacques and Remy, holding Jacques’s hand for most of the two-and-a-half-hour flight.

She’d texted Caleb the night before, letting him know she’d be flying in that morning, wanted to have lunch with him and needed to talk.

Caleb had agreed, expressing his delight that she would be there earlier than the day of his retirement ceremony. They settled on having lunch at the hotel where they’d be staying in Washington.

Hank Patterson had sent members of his Montana team out on a private plane overnight to relieve Beau and Anton of their protection duties, allowing them to shift their focus to Danny and Caleb.

Beau and Anton met them at the airport and drove them to the hotel where Remy had reserved rooms. He’d made sure it was the same hotel where Caleb’s retirement ceremony would be held.

Danny held Jacques’s hand, her grip tightening as they pulled up to the hotel.

“I called ahead and arranged to have a small conference room available to us,” Remy said. “It will give you a private place to meet with your brother prior to having lunch.”

“Thank you, Remy,” Danny said. “That’ll be better than breaking it to him in a crowded restaurant.”

Remy nodded. “I’ve also arranged to meet with Beaumont there later this afternoon.”

“I want to be in that interview,” Danny said.

“I thought you might,” Remy said.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea?” Jacques asked. “If Beaumont was your attacker, he might not be as willing to answer questions with you in the room.”

“I don’t care if it’s a good idea or not. I want to see his facial expressions and body language.” She drew in a breath and let it out. “I’m tired of being the victim.”

Beau pulled into the hotel drop-off.

A tall man with hair the color of Danny’s stood outside.

“There’s Caleb,” Danny whispered.

“You’ve got this.” Jacques squeezed her hand. “Do you want to be alone with your brother when you tell him what happened?”

Danny’s fingers tightened around his. “No. I want you there.”