When You Were Mine (Stone Lake 2)

“It shouldn’t be,” I mumble, sitting in the chair across from her desk. “I don’t understand it, but I think this guy has been killing for a while.”

“Well, we know that. I thought Ben said the first murder they linked to this guy was four years ago?”

I ignore the irritation I feel when she refers to the sheriff as Ben. I distract myself by rubbing the back of my neck and trying to work the kink out there. I feel a tension headache starting. I’m no stranger to them, this job is damn stressful, and fuck knows this particular case is taxing and the reason for that is the woman right in front of me.

“Yeah, we did, but I just feel in my gut that he’s killed long before that. He’s too smooth at it. There’s only been one slip up the entire time.”

“There has?”

“Nothing big, but he was caught on tape with one of the victims. His face was hidden but there was something about him… I could have sworn I knew the bastard.”

“Maybe he’ll slip up again soon,” Luna says, and I pull myself away from my thoughts.

“Maybe, but if he does it will mean someone else has died.”

“Yeah. I don’t know how you do your job day in and day out. I don’t think I could handle it, Gavin.”

“Some days I wonder myself. Anyway, I wanted to apologize for being an ass.”

She looks at me, surprise on her face. She studies my face and I let her. In this, at least, I have nothing to hide. I was a jerk to her, and she didn’t deserve it.

“This,” she says with a sad sigh, “is difficult.”

“You can say that again,” I joke dryly.

“When you didn’t show up for Attie’s funeral, I honestly thought I’d never see you again.”

“I was in the hospital, but I most likely wouldn’t have come back. There was no love lost between Atticus and me. He was a stranger and maybe always had been.”

“What were you in the hospital for?”

“Nothing serious,” I lie. There’s no reason for Luna to know how close to death I was myself.

“Maybe this tension between us will get easier while you’re here.” I don’t miss the hope shining in her eyes.

“I’ll try and be more professional. It’s just difficult to remember you the way you were and the woman you are now. We have a lot unsaid between us, Luna.”

“It’s not important now, Gavin. Not after all this time. Loretta tells me all the time that it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie, because poking and prodding at them will get you bit.”

“You’re close with her.”

“I am. There was a time in my life when she felt like my only friend.”

“Do your parents still live here in Stone Lake?”

“Dad died almost twelve years ago, Gavin. Not long after you left.”

“Shit. What happened?”

“Car wreck. A drunk driver T-boned him and his mistress on their way to the Hamptons.”

“Christ, Luna.”

“I’m okay, it’s been a long time. The hardest part is knowing that we didn’t end things… well. But I can’t go back. I’d like to think if I could things would be different, but who’s to say?”

“What about your Mom?”

“She’s good. She lives in California now. I see her for Christmas, her and her new husband always fly in to spend the holidays with me and Joshua, or vice versa. What about you? Have you seen your father since you’ve been back in town?”

“I don’t have anything to say to him.”

“He’s changed you know.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“He hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol since Attie’s death.”

“That’s good for him, but it doesn’t mean anything to me.”

“He’s made a point of getting to know Joshua. I think you’d be surprised if you go see him.”

The reminder that Luna has a child with Atticus cuts me up inside. It still feels as painful and as bitter as when Wally told me my first night here. I don’t want to hear about it, and it might be unfair, but I hate this unknown child. I hate him for what he stands for.

“Too much water under the bridge, Luna,” I respond, and I can’t be sure if I’m answering her about my father or thinking about my past relationship with her… Probably both. “I guess I better get. I’m sure you have a full day. Being a mayor can’t be easy.”

“It has its moments,” she says, standing up. “Thanks for coming by, Gavin. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”

I nod and walk to the door. I have it open and I’m about to leave, but before I walk out, I turn to look at her.

“For what it’s worth, Luna. I’m sorry for the way things went down all those years ago.”

“You probably won’t believe me, Gavin, but I am too.”

“I made mistakes. Some bigger than others.”