Part 246 (2/2)

To Michael it was as if she had a gla.s.s wall surrounding her, thin,

ice-cold, and impenetrable. He wondered if within it she could smell

the coconut oil or hear the jangle from the portable radios.

He went to her. Her trust in him allowed him to get closer than most.

But she'd built a second line of defense that held even friends at their

distance.

”Emma.”

He hated to see her jolt, that quick, involuntary movement of panic. She

dropped the book she'd been reading. Behind her sungla.s.ses fear darted

into her eyes, then subsided. Her lips curved, her body relaxed. He saw

it all, the change from serenity to panic to calm again, in a matter of

seconds. It made him think that she was becoming much too used to

living in fear.

”Michael, I didn't expect to see you today. Are you playing hooky?”

”No. I've only got a few minutes.”

He sat beside her, in the partial shade. The breeze off the water

fluttered his jacket so that she caught a glimpse of his shoulder

holster. It was always a shock to remember what he did for a living. He

never looked like her image of a detective. Even now when she could see

the weapon snug against his USC T-s.h.i.+rt, she couldn't quite believe he

would ever u:we it.

”You look tired, Michael.”

”Rough night.” She smiled a little. He could see that she thought he

was speaking of a heavy date. There was no use telling her he'd spent

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