Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 5
miles
“Jesus,” I mutter under my breath when Winter steps out of her bedroom wearing one of the princess costumes she got for Christmas. The yellow, frilly dress is hanging haphazard off of one shoulder—probably because she couldn’t manage the Velcro in the back on her own. The crown on her head is not the cheap plastic one that came with the dress but something her mom got her from some fancy boutique that sells costume jewelry in Colorado. Then, there are plastic heels on her feet that are hot-pink and barely stay on with each step she takes.
Any other time, I might think her outfit is cute, but on a school day when we have limited time to get out the door, not so much.
“You gotta go change, Win,” I tell her before she even begins to walk across the living room to where I’m standing in the kitchen at the island, slathering cream cheese on her bagel.
“Today is Dress Up Day at school,” she informs me, getting closer, and I take my eyes off her and go to the fridge to look at the calendar for her class. Something I print off every month, so I can pretend I know what the hell is going on.
“It’s Dress Up Like Your Future Profession Day.” I look back at her.
“I know, and I’m going to be a princess when I grow up.” She pulls out one of the chairs at the island and clumsily climbs up onto it. Judging by the sound that accompanies the task, she loses both shoes before she’s got her bottom on the cushion.
“That might be true, but you still can’t wear that dress to school.” I walk back to the island and slide her plate across the marbled surface toward her.
“Why not?” She picks up one of the strawberries, shoving the whole thing in her mouth and keeping her eyes locked on mine.
The question is a good one, and one I don’t have an answer to. Or I do, and it’s “because I said so,” but since I know that won’t slide, I go for the truth.
“It’s too cold out for that dress.” And it is. Summer might be coming up, but it’s still cold in the mornings.
“I’ll wear my jacket.” She shrugs, picking up the bagel half on her plate.
“The jacket you forgot at school yesterday?”
Her nose scrunches. “I’ll wear my sweater.”
“Your legs will still be cold.”
“I can put on tights,” she tells me with a mouthful, and I inwardly groan. If I had a wife, I’d pass this argument on to her and hope she’s better at thinking on her feet than I am. But I don’t have a wife, and Hazel, her mom, is halfway across the country in Colorado, so not even she’s going to be able to bail me out this morning.
“You’re going to have to change, Win. Why don’t you wear the doctor costume you have in your room?”
“I don’t want to be a doctor; I want to be a princess. Holly and Tapia are going to be a princess too. We have a plan.”
Fuck it.
“After you eat, put on tights and a long-sleeve shirt under the dress.”
“But Dad,” she pouts.
“And you gotta wear regular shoes.”
“Seriously?” Her eyes widen.
“Either that or wear your school uniform.”
“Fine.” She gives me a look filled with little-girl annoyance and drops her eyes to her plate, mumbling something I can’t hear. Probably telling me to fuck off.
I pick up my coffee and take a sip, then grab my cell when it beeps. Reading the message that just came in from Tucker, my jaw gets tight. He and I both work for the police department here in Nashville.
A few weeks ago, we closed out a case against Steven Green, who murdered one girl and raped another. Tomorrow, he’s going in front of the judge to set his hearing date after the first court hearing was canceled due to some issues with his council. His reminder that I will have to be in court because he is going out of town with Miranda and her son Kingston, isn’t something I’m looking forward to. Even if I’m very much looking forward to seeing Steven in cuffs and standing in front of a judge.
I hate this part of the process. Sure, in the long run, the families involved will get some type of closure and hopefully a little justice, but getting to that point is a long and painful process. They will likely have to sit there and listen to the defense team spout lies and bullshit to get their client off. And chances are, they will victimize both girls all over again, blaming them for what went down. It’s never pretty, and in all my years, I’ve rarely had a suspect admit to his crime, then take full responsibility for their actions. They always blame the victim.