Outside the police station, Roland lingered near the window, staring in at Detective Taylor who was pacing around inside the building.
“I’m sorry, but this is how it’s meant to be,” Roland muttered.
Frowning, he clutched the wristwatch and the file containing the forensic results and turned for the highway.
It was almost dawn when Roland arrived at his family home. At the doorstep, he tucked his phone from his side pocket and dialed Lauren’s phone.
She answered almost instantly. “Hello.”
“Lauren,” Roland said. “I’m home. Come open up.”
“Okay,” Lauren answered quickly and ended the phone. In less than a minute a sound rattled from the inside, the door swung open and Lauren stepped out.
“Roland,” she said, voice catching. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Lauren, it’s oka
