Bones Of Contention: The McKinnon Legends - The American Men Book 3 by Ranay James Page A

last act of law enforcement he ever did. He knew his first wife had lived a dangerous life, yet he never felt like this with her. This was something different where Dr. Gillman was concerned. However, he did not have the time or inclination to dissect it while standing in the middle of her office.
    “You leave it to me to decide if it is my fight or not. And I choose to make this, make you, my fight. The minute I walked through your door it became my fight, Doc, and you are worth it, never doubt it. I can clearly see the kind of woman you are. You are bright and beautiful and worth the fight. You make a difference every time you slip on that lab coat, and just like every time I put on this uniform, it matters. It matters to me, and it matters to you that we leave our mark on this world. So like it or not, you have your own warrior at your beck and call.”
    “Josh, no. You have no idea what you are getting into here.” She wondered if she really knew the depths of the danger she was in as well. She recognized the methods of this killer. No mere mortal could protect her if this killer was intent on coming for her.
    “Personally, Dr. Gillman, it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference what I’m walking into. I owe it to you for your help. Our victim has a name and her family can finally have closure. You can have closure, too.”
    “You would do that for me?” she asked softly.
    “Yes. Yes, I would.” He cupped her face with both his hands. It was a gesture almost too familiar for his only having met her less than an hour earlier. “I’m sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry I had to drag you through it.”
    She covered his hands with hers, then gently took them away from her face. “I..I have never dealt well with needless loss of life. I just need a little time. So, if you will excuse me, I need to call Debbie’s folks. You know where to find me if I need to assist you further.” She held the office door open.
    He was being dismissed. He could see that clearly, as well as the fact she was in no condition for further questioning or for rational discussion.
    “Jamie, don’t make me leave just yet,” he said taking a step closer. He did not want to leave her alone and grieving. She needed a friend and a shoulder to lean on.
    “It is better this way.” She stiff-armed him splaying her palm in his chest preventing him from coming any closer. He covered her fingers with his, not sure what his next move should be.
    He nodded. “All right, but call me if you think of anything else or need anything, a shoulder or sympathetic ear.”
    “Thank you, Josh. David, can you please show Sheriff McKinnon the way out?” she asked the graduate student who was passing in the hallway.
    They stood there for a moment. He had no choice unless he wanted to make a scene. He didn’t. There was always later. If she thought she was done with their relationship, she had another thing coming. She was now his star witness in a very cold, five-year-old case. She was also the best in the business at what she did for a living. He would be back. Somehow that pleased him.
    “Ma’am.” He smiled, released her fingers, and politely tipped his hat after placing it back on his head. He walked past her without a backwards glance. He did not need to look back to know she was no longer standing there. The soft closing of her office door followed by the sound of her mournful cries was still echoing down the granite hallway.
    It almost stopped his heart.
     

Chapter 6
    With a positive identification of his Jane Doe, the county morgue released Debbie’s remains to her family, and as hard as Josh had tried to keep it low-key the media was all over this one. There were just too many details making it primetime news. Currently, he had declined interviews with Larry King, Fox News, and Good Morning America.
    He was being touted as the new breed of law enforcement, daring to use new or unorthodox methods to solve crimes. He had kept his source