Trudy’s eyes fluttered. Large raindrops were falling on her face. Rocky knelt in the sand next to her, cradling her head in his left arm, stroking her forehead with his right hand.
“It’s okay, Trud. I’m here,” he said tenderly. There was gentleness in his tone that she hadn’t heard in years. It sounded nice.
She gazed up into his moist, red-rimmed eyes and saw great sadness. Reaching up, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh—Rocky.” Deep sobs racked her body.
“I know,” he said soothingly. “It’s over.”
She let go and stared at him. “What about Bruce and Detective Sanchez?”
He shook his head. “Now don’t you worry about them. I need to get you home. The most important thing right now is your safety.”
She sat up and freed herself of her husband’s grasp. “No,” she said firmly. “First
