Puller.” “Where exactly is this coming from?” he asked quietly. “It’s coming

from a missed opportunity back in Kansas.” “So you’re saying you made a

mistake?” “Yes.” He nodded, considering this.

 

She moved over to the edge of the bed and touched his arm with her hand. Knox’s

large eyes locked on his as she rubbed his arm.

 

Puller felt a jolt of something go right through him. “I want this, John,” she

said. “Right here, right now. I just want to be with you.” He said, “And you’ve

thought this all the way through?” “I don’t want to think anything through. I’m

leading with my heart, not my head.” He thought about this for a moment as she

continued to stroke his arm. “We’re working a case, Knox. So I have to lead with

my head.

 

Good night.” He walked out the door.

 

Knox sat there looking devastated.

 

She let out a long groan and slumped back on the bed.

 

Chapter 25

 

I’M SORRY ABOUT last night.” A pale Knox glanced over at Puller, who was driving

due west across Virginia. They were on their way to see retired CID special

agent Vincent DiRenzo. He lived on Smith Mountain Lake near Roanoke.