The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 129

Traffic Unit, Operations Command Center.

Jason walked in with a stack of files and slammed a transcript onto Rhys's desk.

"Captain Huntington, the suspect in the Clearwater Bay hit-and-run confessed. It's unbelievable—said he couldn't brake in the snow and ran because he couldn't afford the damages. Didn't he realize there are cameras everywhere? Where did he think he could run to?"

Rhys snapped out of his daze and flipped through a couple of pages. "Process it. Detention, license revocation. Throw the book at him. Maximum penalty."

"Got it, I'm on it."

Jason agreed, but he lingered by the desk, staring at Rhys.

Rhys looked up. "Something else?"

Jason leaned in with a grin. "Captain, you've looked off for the past couple of days. Did you have a fight with the missus and fail to smooth it over?"

"If you're bored, go stand guard at the intersection. Stop prying into personal matters."

"Hey, come on, I have a serious question. I heard from Leo that he saw you queuing up for almond cookies on Main Street. Are they good? Is that the kind of stuff girls love?"

He didn't notice Rhys's expression turning icy and continued babbling:

"My sister said she wants some, told me to bring a box back. I took one look at that line and bailed. Captain, only you have that kind of patience."

The guys at the precinct didn't know the complications.

In their eyes, although the Captain was usually stern and unsmiling, he was impeccable when it came to his wife.

After all, the story of how Clara pursued Rhys back in the day was legendary in the department.

Being cherished and chased by such a beauty? Even a saint would be moved, let alone a man.

Rhys lowered his eyes.

Almond cookies.

Where did that box of cookies end up?

He seemed to recall Clara throwing them into the trash can, along with the sticky note.

"Speaking of which, haven't seen the missus bring food to the station in a while," Jason said, completely lacking the ability to read the room. "Haven't seen her since the last team dinner."

"Enough. Get to work." Rhys closed the file, his tone impatient.

Jason realized he'd struck a nerve, rubbed his nose, and hurried away.

Suddenly, the phone vibrated. He glanced at it quickly. Caller ID: [Aunt Mia].

His gaze darkened as he answered.

"Aunt Mia."

"You said you were picking Clara up. Where is she?" Mia's voice sounded urgent. "Is she refusing to come back? What exactly happened?"

Rhys was silent for two seconds.

"Nothing to say? I'm asking you a question!"

"An accident," he said concisely. "There was a situation."

"How does a perfectly fine person have an accident?"

Mia didn't buy it, her tone becoming severe. "Is this because of that Margot woman? Rhys, I told you long ago, once you're married, you have a responsibility to your family. Whatever happened with Margot is in the past, you shouldn't have..."

"It has nothing to do with Margot," Rhys interrupted her. "Clara was careless herself. She lost the baby."

There was silence on the other end of the line, followed by an explosion.