Chapter 33

EXT. - THE BEACH - AFTERNOON

Gerri stood on the water's edge, watching the sand waver under the press of the salty wash, darkening the tips of her cowboy boots. She retreated, sweat trickling down the center of her back to pool just above the waistband of her jeans, the heat of the California sun powerful at 3PM in the afternoon.

She'd happily fled-and yes, was willing to admit she ran like a coward-from Dr. Panther's office at the captain's call, but not because she was eager to investigate another murder. Well, okay, so she loved her job, if not the reasons for it. But there was something about the therapist-call me Cici, she said the first time they met, something Gerri could never bring herself to do-that made the detective uncomfortable.