by Rebecca Deel
“Too many to narrow down, sir.”
“I was afraid of that. Hopefully, the security footage will give us something more definitive. Have the police arrived yet?”
Sirens sounded in the distance.
“Two minutes or less.”
“They can have whatever they need. Tell Blackhawk that Zane will push his requests to the front of the line.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let me know what you need. You’ll get it. No questions asked.” The call ended.
Dawn frowned. “That wasn’t Josh Cahill, but you called this man ‘boss.’ Who is he?”
“Brent Maddox, the CEO of Fortress Security. PSI is the bodyguard training arm of Fortress. Bravo and Durango are employed by Fortress. Our secondary jobs are to train bodyguards.”
What did that mean for Linc? Was he like Trent and his team, employed by Fortress first and PSI second?
After a knock sounded on the back door, Trent shifted to place himself between the door and the rest of the occupants of the room, gun in his hand and aimed.
“It’s Linc. I’m coming in soft.”
“Come.” Grace’s husband remained in position with his gun ready until Linc walked in alone.
“Anything?”
“Zip.” Disgust filled Linc’s voice. “By the time I got around the side of the house, he was long gone.”
“Big head start.”
“Cops will be here any second.” Linc glanced at Grace, Mason, and Nicole. “You three are okay?”
“Thanks to you.” Grace padded over and hugged him.
“We owe you,” Mason said.
Linc waved that aside. “Want me to check your security footage, Trent?”
“The tech geeks are going to do that while Zane hacks into the traffic cams. With luck, we’ll find enough information to help the cops wrap this up soon. I don’t want Bravo deployed with someone still gunning for the women.”
“I should go.” Nicole sat at the kitchen table. “I’m bringing danger to Grace’s doorstep.”
Trent tapped the end of her nose. “Got news for you, Nic. Danger follows me like a shadow.”
“Some yahoo shot up your house.” She scowled. “You’re the one who always says there is no such thing as coincidence in your line of work. Do you expect me to believe my close encounter with Riva’s killer has nothing to do with this attack?”
“Doesn’t matter, does it? The result is the same. I still have to replace my windows and patch bullet holes in the walls.” His lips curled. “And when I find the shooter, I’ll be taking the repair price out of his hide.”
“Listen up, St. Claire. I’m not putting Grace at risk.”
“We’ll work out different arrangements for tomorrow night,” Mason said.
A hard rap sounded on the front door this time.
Trent checked the peephole and opened the door. He gestured for Josh to come in and explained what happened. “I’ve already requested the techs look at the security footage, and Zane is checking for other footage.”
The policeman’s lips curved slightly. “Since the perp did a drive-by, I doubt Ethan will look too closely at information dropped anonymously into his email. I’ll call it in and get more help out here. For now, stay in the kitchen. Do you have plywood to cover the windows?”
“I have several sheets in my garage,” Mason said. “My truck is at Riva’s. I’ll need a lift to the house. I might be able to get the glass to repair the windows when our supplier opens for business tomorrow.”
Dawn edged toward the barstools at the breakfast bar. She needed to sit before her legs gave out. She climbed on the nearest stool and prayed no one saw her swaying on the seat. When Dawn glanced around, she noticed Linc watching her. Busted.
“We’ll work it out.” Josh turned to Trent and Linc. “Either of you get a look at the driver?”
“Not enough to help.” Linc grabbed three mugs from one of the cabinets, dropped a bag of chamomile tea in each, then added water before heated one in the microwave. “The guy was Caucasian and wore a baseball cap pulled low over his forehead. I wouldn’t recognize my own mother dressed like that.”
When the heating cycle finished, he handed the mug to Dawn and slid another one into the microwave. “Wish I could be more help. By the time I got outside, he was gone.”
With a nod, Josh walked outside to make his calls.
By the time Linc heated the other two mugs of tea, Dawn trembled all over. She knew what it was. Her father had talked about adrenaline crash often while he was in the military. Still ticked her off even though she was entitled to a small meltdown. She also had a close encounter with a killer, and the same man had decided she and Nicole were a threat. The incident happened so fast, she wouldn’t recognize him if she passed him on the street.
She eyed the mug. Dawn wanted the tea but was afraid she’d spill more than she managed to drink. Maybe she’d have better luck in a few minutes.
After Linc handed Grace the final mug of tea, he tugged Dawn to her feet and wrapped his strong arms around her. Surprised, she held herself stiff for a few seconds before the scorching heat of his body began to thaw her ice cold one. Wow. He was like a furnace.
By degrees, Dawn relaxed against him, soaking up the warmth as her body processed the shock. From the safety of his arms, she noticed that Trent and Mason were holding their women, too.
When the shakes subsided, Linc loosened his hold. “Okay now?” he murmured.
Dawn nodded. “Thanks.”
“Did I hurt you?”
“I’m fine.”
“You sure? I hit you pretty hard.”
“A bruise is better than a bullet any day.”
Low-voiced conversation drew her attention to the front room. Soon, Ethan Blackhawk strode in. “Is everyone all right?”
“No injuries,” Trent reported.
“Sit rep.”
While Trent spoke with Ethan about the events of the past few minutes, Linc urged Dawn to retake her seat and sip the tea. While she drank, he kept his hand on her back as though reminding her of his presence and protection. As if she’d forget. The PSI instructor hit all the marks for her.
When Trent completed his summary, Ethan turned to Linc. “Your turn.”
“A black pickup drove slowly up the street, turned right on Dogwood, and kept going. I didn’t think anything of it until the truck reappeared five minutes later, still doing a slow crawl. This time, however, instead of simply passing the house, the driver rolled down his window and aimed a weapon. I called out a warning to Mason and Trent, and tackled Dawn to get her out of the line of fire.”
The police chief’s eyebrows rose. “She wasn’t asleep?”
“Too revved up to sleep,” Dawn said. “I was in the living room with Linc.”
“Did you see anything?”
She shook her head. “I sat on the couch until Linc told me to go to the kitchen. Halfway there, he tackled me.”
Ethan glanced at the others. “What about the rest of you?” When he received a negative response from them, the police chief turned back to Trent. “You have a security breach I need to know about?”
“Zane’s looking into it. He’s at your disposal, whatever you need. Maddox’s orders.”
A nod, then Ethan turned his attention to her and Nicole. “Keep your cell phone charged and on your person at all times, even inside your homes. Don’t go anywhere alone. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your doors and windows locked. If you have an alarm system, use it.”
“What is the chance that this is related to Trent instead of us?” Nicole asked.
“Slim to none. If you wondered whether the killer considered you a threat, you can take this incident as your answer. If he’s bold enough to come after you here, he won’t give up until we stop him or you’re dead.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Mason and Linc positioned and secured plywood over the compromised living room window while Nicole and Dawn watched from the couch. His bride-to-be
nudged her friend. “Nice view.”
“Best in town.”
Eyebrows arched, Mason glanced at Linc, then over his shoulder. He chuckled. “It’s the latest trend in home remodeling.”
“We’re not talking about the plywood, baby. We’re interested in the men hanging the plywood.”
Oh, brother. He blew out a breath. Although glad Nicole felt good enough to tease him, his cheeks burned at the compliment. “What did you put in that tea?” he muttered to his friend.
“Nothing to cause that response.” He shook his head when Nicole and Dawn laughed. “The women are enjoying this way too much.”
“There’s something about men with tools,” Dawn said.
Definitely time for a change of topic. “We have three hours before we need to get moving. You should try to sleep. Linc and I will keep an eye on everything.”
“How?” Nicole eyed the plywood-covered window. “We could have an army of terrorists setting up in the front yard and not know it.”
“One of us will keep watch at the back door. The other will go to the security room to watch the monitors,” Linc said. “We’ll know if the shooter is making another attempt.”
Dawn folded her arms over her stomach. “Do you think he will?”
“I think he’ll regroup and come up with another plan.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
His gaze held hers. “It’s the truth. Would you rather I lie to you?”
“Never.”
Mason put in the last screw and stepped back, Linc’s words sinking deep. Was his friend right? If so, Nicole was in more danger than he’d realized. How could he protect her from an unknown assailant?
He set his screw gun on the floor beside his toolbox and crossed to her side. “Couch or recliner?” Trent had purchased a high-end recliner that was almost as comfortable as a bed.
Nicole looked at her friend. “You mind if I take the recliner? Elevating my upper body might help with the headache.”
“No problem.”
Mason glanced at Linc. “I’ll take the back of the house. You have more expertise with the security system and monitors.”
The PSI instructor turned to Dawn. “If you leave the living room for any reason, stay away from the windows. I’ll be in the security room if you need me.”
Her gaze followed him as he left the room. Nicole smiled. Romance was blooming. Sweet.
“Do you need anything, Nicole?” Mason crouched in front of her. “Grace said you could take over-the-counter pain medicine now.”
She brushed his lips with her own. “I’m okay. Please don’t worry about me.”
“I love you.” More than he ever thought possible. She was an unexpected gift.
Her smile pushed away the last of the coldness that had settled in his body after the shooting. “Good thing since I intend to marry you.”
“I’ll be close if either of you need me. If something spooks you, come to me.” He couldn’t help but steal another kiss before he took up his post at the back door of the darkened kitchen.
For the next two hours, he watched as leaves and branches swayed in the breeze. At the one-hour mark, a neighbor’s cat strolled through the yard. While he watched the sky lighten to a pearl gray, Nicole and Dawn began to stir in the living room.
Soon, Grace entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Mason.” She smiled. “Again.”
“At least this time, you weren’t woken by a hail of bullets.”
She opened a cabinet and grabbed supplies to make a fresh pot of coffee. “Are you working today?”
He’d been wrestling with that question during his vigil at the door. “Brian is depending on me and I don’t want to let him down.” Skipping work would bring Ethan Blackhawk down on his back, a problem he didn’t need. The police chief was a tough taskmaster.
Trent walked in, hair still glistening from a shower. He was dressed in the typical Fortress uniform of black cargo pants and black t-shirt. “All quiet?” he asked Mason.
“The only movement I saw was a white cat out hunting.”
“Snowball.” Grace grabbed more mugs from the cabinet. “He loves to hunt at night.”
“You’re off duty, Mase.” Trent clapped him on the shoulder.
He turned away from his watch position. “I’ll let you know if I can’t line up the glass replacement today.”
Mason walked into the living room in time to see Nicole lower the foot rest of the recliner. He kissed her. “How do you feel?”
“Not bad considering a hard object collided with my head yesterday. No nausea this morning and my headache is manageable. I need to go home to get ready for work and so does Dawn.”
The other groomer swung her feet to the floor in front of the couch and sat up. “Any chance you can drop us off before you head to work?”
“I’ll take you ladies to your vehicles.” Linc walked into the living room. “Josh checked them an hour ago. They’re clean.”
Nicole frowned. “Why would someone…” Her voice trailed off as she understood the implication of Linc’s statement. “The killer might have circled back and either planted a bomb or tampered with something.”
Linc nodded.
“How would the killer reach the vehicles with the police at Riva’s place overnight?”
“I could do it. Bravo and Durango could slip in and rig the vehicles. It’s not as hard as you think. Just takes a bit of luck and stealth.”
“Comforting thought.” Dawn grimaced. “Now I’ll be paranoid every time I start up my truck.”
“Caution is always wise,” Trent said as he walked into the room with mugs of coffee for Mason and Linc. “Plan’s the same?”
Linc glanced at Mason, eyebrow raised in silent question.
Mason nodded. He didn’t like handing off responsibility for Nicole’s safety to someone else, but he didn’t have much choice.
His bride-to-be frowned. “What plan?”
“Linc will stay at Pet Palace until I’m off work at 3:00. I’ll take over guard duty so he can teach a night class for the instructor covering Linc’s day classes.”
“I’m bringing lunch.” Trent smiled. “A food delivery from That’s A Wrap is acceptable for lunch?”
Nicole and Dawn looked at each other. “Babysitters.” Nicole sounded disgusted. “That’s not necessary, you know.”
Mason wrapped his hand around hers. “While you’re capable of defending yourself, that doesn’t mean you have to shoulder the burden alone.” Not while he drew breath. He wanted to shield her from danger.
Dawn smiled. “Nice dodge, Mason.”
“Effective, too.” Nicole narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ll let you get by with it this time.”
He’d take that for a start and come up with other angles to protect her as long as the threat to her life remained. “Are you hungry?”
“A little. Not much is open this early, though.”
“I can stop at Delaney’s, Perk, or the bakery for to-go breakfast for the four of us. Your choice.”
Nicole looked at her friend. “Perk?”
“Fine with me. Linc?”
“Any of those options work for me.”
“Good.” Mason gave Nicole a gentle push toward the hallway. “We need to leave in 30 minutes.” He waited until the women returned to their rooms before he faced Trent. “Did you talk to Ethan?”
“Yeah. So far, the cops haven’t come up with much from their end.”
“What about Fortress?”
“The tech geeks sent the security footage to Ethan along with still shots. Apparently, the shooter removed his license plate before he drove into town. His truck doesn’t have distinguishing marks, and the camera never got a good shot of his face.”
Not what he wanted to hear. “Anything from Zane yet?”
“A text to tell me he’s working on a higher priority task and my request is next in line. He’ll get to it in a few hours, Mase.”
“The way our luck is running, he won�
��t find anything.”
“Have a little faith. If there’s information out there, Zane will be all over it.”
Easy for him to say. His wife wasn’t the target of a killer. “I want to know as soon as you hear something.”
“You have his number. Use it. You’re part of the Fortress family, Mason, and by extension, so is Nicole. Z won’t mind direct communication.”
Zane Murphy, the communications and tech guru, was always busy. From what Mason had learned while serving as backup for night watch, the man didn’t sleep much and was fiercely devoted to Fortress and his family. He’d also saved operatives lives several times over the years with his skill, including the life of Mason’s cousin.
He gave a short nod. “I’ll contact him when I’m on a break today. Hopefully, he’ll have information to help Ethan and Rod with this investigation.” At least this time, Mason couldn’t be accused of shooting up Trent’s home.
At that moment, Trent’s cell phone rang. He checked the screen. “Z, you’re on speaker with Grace, Linc Creed, and Mason.”
“I only have a minute. The Texas team is in a hot zone. I ran a scan on you, Grace, Mason, Nicole, the rest of Bravo and Durango plus their wives. The teams and spouses are in the clear. No new activity to raise a red flag.”
Mason’s gut tightened.
“It’s Linc,” the PSI instructor said. “I’m still clear?”
“Someone in Otter Creek posted a picture of you on social media a few days ago. I removed that and haven’t detected any elevated interest in you or your aliases. No surprises with your family, either.”
That left him and Nicole. Mason braced for the inevitable. “Let’s have it, Zane.”
“Your name has popped up in several searches. I’m in the process of tracing the origination of the inquiries. Same with Nicole except the inquiries on her are a lot more extensive.” A few seconds of silence, then, “I have to go. I’ll contact you as soon as I have more.” And he was gone.
“You don’t know that you’re to blame for this,” Linc said to Mason, his voice soft. “Don’t take that on unnecessarily.”
“It’s sure not Nicole.”
“Are you saying you’re responsible for Riva’s death?” Trent folded his arms. “I’m not buying it.”
