Obsessed

Chapter 26

Mark and Ronnie were walking toward the precinct doors when Commissioner Reynolds’ voice rang out behind them.

“Marshall! Summers!”

They both turned. Reynolds, dressed in his usual three-piece suit and power tie, strode toward them holding a sleek black folder and wearing his patented stern expression—though the twitch at the corner of his mouth gave him away.

Mark sighed under his breath. “What now?”

Reynolds reached them and handed the folder to Ronnie. “Before you disappear for the night, an invitation.”

Ronnie raised a brow, flipping open the folder to skim the content inside—an event flyer printed on elegant cream-colored paper with navy-blue calligraphy.

“The Blue Ribbon Ball?” she asked aloud.

“Annual fundraiser,” Reynolds said, clasping his hands behind his back. “The city’s finest, a few political donors, media representatives. Fancy food, overpriced wine, and the illusion that we’re all very civil and put together.”

Ronnie tried not to smirk. “Sounds delightful.”

“It’s mandatory for my officers,” Reynolds added, cutting his gaze to Mark. “Black and white formal dress code. Suit and tie.”

Mark groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Do I have to wear a monkey suit?”

Reynolds chuckled. “In your case? More like a gorilla suit, Marshall.”

Ronnie laughed outright, and Mark gave her a look of mock betrayal. “Et tu, Summers?”

She shrugged, still smiling. “I just pictured it and—yeah, it fits.”

“You wound me,” Mark muttered.

Reynolds ignored the banter, his tone softening as he looked at Ronnie. “I highly suggest you attend as well, Dr. Summers. There’ll be reporters. Community members. People who are… eager for answers. You’ve become something of a quiet symbol in this case.”

Ronnie blinked. “Me?”

“You’re the lead psychologist assisting in tracking a serial predator,” Reynolds said. “You’ve helped profile the suspect, participated in interrogations, and we’re getting reports from parents of the victims about your involvement. Public trust matters, especially now.”

Ronnie’s grip on the folder tightened just a little.

“I’m not asking you to be a spokesperson,” Reynolds continued. “Just... show up. Talk to a few people. Maybe answer a question or two. You’re good at keeping your head in a storm, Summers. Use that.”

Mark looked over at her, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll think about it,” Ronnie said carefully.

“That’s all I ask.” Reynolds nodded. “Ball starts at 7:00 sharp this Saturday. I’ll text you both the location and security details.”

He turned and walked away, already speaking into his earpiece.

Mark turned to Ronnie. “You really gonna go?”

She hesitated, tucking the flyer back into the folder. “I think I have to.”

Mark studied her for a moment, then gave a resigned sigh. “Guess that means I have to trim by beard.”

“Are you planning to wear the gorilla suit or just accessorize the tux with your charming attitude?”

He narrowed his eyes playfully. “That mouth’s gonna get you in trouble one day.”

Ronnie smirked.

Back at Ronnie’s house, the evening sun filtered through the front windows, casting soft gold light across the living room. Ronnie slipped off her cardigan and dropped the folder onto the kitchen counter before heading upstairs to change.

Mark lingered near the doorway, phone in hand, texting Jackson about patrol coverage around the house.

“You still thinking about the ball?” he called up the stairs.

“Kind of hard not to,” Ronnie replied. “It’s been years since I had to dress like a fancy adult in public.”

“You’ll look great.”

There was a pause, then her voice drifted down. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

She came downstairs a few minutes later in a loose hoodie and shorts, her hair tied back in a lazy bun. Mark looked up from his phone and smiled.

“What?”

“Just picturing you trying to dance in heels,” he teased.

“Joke’s on you,” she said. “I’ll be wearing flats under a floor-length dress. Trick of the trade.”

Mark chuckled. “You really planning on going?”

Ronnie sighed. “If it keeps attention on the case, and off the wrong places, yeah.”

He stepped closer, casually leaning against the counter. “So… you gonna make me wear a tie?”

“I didn’t realize I had that kind of power.”

“You do.”

Ronnie blinked. Something about the way he said it—low, sincere, without teasing—made her chest flutter. Her gaze dropped to his mouth for a second too long.

Before either of them could say anything else, Ronnie’s phone buzzed on the counter. She picked it up, seeing Gale’s name on the screen, and answered quickly.

“Hey! Did you guys land okay?”

Mark instantly turned his full attention to her, watching her face carefully.

Gale’s cheerful voice came through the speaker. “We did! Flight was smooth, and we just got to the hotel—this place is insane, Ronnie. I mean, they even gave us towels folded like animals.”

Ronnie let out a soft laugh, already feeling a wave of relief wash over her. “And Theo?”

Gale chuckled. “See for yourself. Someone’s been dying to talk to you.”

There was a bit of shuffling, then Theo’s excited voice came through the speaker, loud and fast.

“Ronnie! Ronnie, the plane had little windows and we were so high and the clouds looked like marshmallows and Gale let me have gum!”

Ronnie’s face lit up instantly. “Wow, buddy! Did your ears pop?”

“Only a little! But Gale showed me how to yawn and it was fine. And Ronnie! Our hotel is huge! It’s the Disney one with Mickey on the towels and everything smells like cookies! And I saw Goofy in the lobby!”

Mark chuckled softly beside her hearing Theos over over he phone, and Ronnie’s heart swelled at the sound of Theo’s joy.

“That’s amazing, Theo,” she said, holding back the happy tears starting to well in her eyes. “You having fun already?”

“The most fun! And Uncle Marvin said we’re going to Magic Kingdom tomorrow! I’m gonna eat Mickey waffles!”

Ronnie smiled, her voice soft. “I want to hear all about it tomorrow night, okay? You be good and listen to your uncles.”

“I will! I miss you already but I’m not scared.”

“I miss you too, sweetheart,” she whispered.

Marvin’s voice came back on the line. “We’ll send lots of pictures and check in tomorrow. You focus on your case.”

Ronnie rolled her eyes. “I will.”

“Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you too.”

She hung up, holding the phone to her chest for a moment, her expression warm but watery.

Mark reached out gently, rubbing her back.

“You okay?”

She nodded slowly. “I think I actually am. He’s... good. He’s happy.”

“You did that, you know,” Mark said quietly. “You gave him that.”

Ronnie looked up at him, emotion flickering behind her blue eyes.

Mark offered a soft smile. “Now, about this ball…”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not letting that go, are you?”

“Not a chance. You’re my date now.”

“Wait, what?”

He winked. “If I have to wear a 'gorilla suit'. You’re going with me.”

Ronnie stared at him, her heart doing that annoying flutter it had become far too familiar with lately. Somewhere between surprise, dread, and something dangerously close to excitement, she muttered, “Fine. But I’m wearing flats.”

Mark chuckled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”