Tuesday Tales: From the Word HEART

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Friday is Valentine’s Day and it’s fitting that our word prompt this week is HEART. I’m continuing with And Justice For All, my Romance Suspense that is the third book in the Protecting the Innocent series. Enjoy!

“If Cliff had problems with anyone from the Reserve, he would’ve told me. We were partners. We all want the same thing. Safety and security.” Maggie sighed. “If I’m wrong, and they were after Cliff, then what about me? I’ve often wondered why they didn’t shoot me in the head the way they did him. The gut shot gave me a fighting chance, although I don’t think they expected me to survive. What was I? Collateral damage? And since you want to play what if and possibly damage a good man’s reputation, what if they were hunting me, and Cliff was the one who was collateral damage? I’m female, and you did say some of the officers killed were women. The damage done to me and my body certainly destroyed my value as a woman.”

Harry shook his head, his heart aching for her, for them, and for what could’ve been. He knew the damage that bullet had done and understood the constant pain it brought her. They’d talked about the future, about having a family of their own … and then Becky had ruined it all. He wished he could give Maggie the answer and the reassurance she needed, but he just didn’t have them and wouldn’t lie to her.

“I don’t believe that’s true, and neither does anyone else. Things have changed for you, I won’t deny that, but don’t let them win by considering yourself to be less than you were. We’ll find them, Maggie, and we’ll get you the justice you deserve.”

She cut him off. “And just how is this task force supposed to do that?”

“By going over everything again. The answer is there. It has to be. That’s where you come in. You’re a fresh set of eyes. You may see something I’ve missed. I’ve been looking at the individual officers, the precincts, their cases, and their on-the-job profiles. I did find a few who’d locked horns with less than stellar individuals, but I didn’t see anything that stood out. Now, we’re just going to have to dig deeper.”

She straightened her back, and he didn’t miss the way she unclenched and clenched her fists.

“If you’re looking to see if Cliff or I have skeletons in our closets or we’re dirty in any way, then you’re barking up the wrong tree. Cliff was a man of integrity. He was a good father, a loving husband, and a great friend. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Everyone loved him.” She choked on the last word.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.