He reached up and steadied her.
“What are you doing here?” She scanned the porch. “And where is Max?”
He rose, stretching and rolling his shoulders. “I’m making sure you’re safe. Max is at the back door guarding that entrance.”
“You didn’t say anything about that last night. I saw you walk to your SUV.”
“To get my sleeping bag.” He grinned, a dimple appearing in his cheek. “I did leave your house, but I couldn’t completely go. I would have never forgiven myself if the intruder had come back.”
She marched past him and snatched up the newspaper at the bottom of the stairs, then retraced her steps. Planting herself in the doorway, she blocked him. “You didn’t need to do that. I doubt the person would come back.”
“Have you noticed anything missing?”
“That’s what you really want to know. Admit it. That was the real reason you stayed.”
“Only one of the reasons. I am concerned about your safety.” He drew in a deep breath. “Ah, coffee. May I have some?”
She twisted her mouth into a frown, trying to be perturbed at the impossible man. But she couldn’t. “One cup. Then you’ll leave. I have a rare day off and want to…” What? Relax? Which had been her original plan until someone broke into her house. She glanced at her living room and knew that wouldn’t happen until she cleaned it up. The only way she got everything done was to be highly organized; she wouldn’t rest until this mess was taken care of.
“Could you use help putting this back the way it was?” Nicholas gestured toward the living room.
She opened her mouth to say no, then chuckled at how ridiculous that sounded. “My mama didn’t raise no fool.” Actually, her mother hardly raised her at all.
“I take that as a yes.”
She nodded. “Come in.”
Nicholas entered and shut the door. “I almost forgot. Mr. Lamb gave me the bill.” He dug into his pocket and pulled it out. “I didn’t want it to get lost in all this clutter.”
She’d forgotten all about the bill last night. She’d been too focused on Nicholas prowling her house while Mr. Lamb worked. “Thank you. He would have sent it to me.”
“You’re welcome.”
Pushing some clutter out of her way with her foot, she padded across the wooden floor to the kitchen and poured two mugs full of coffee. “Let’s have it outside on the patio. I won’t relax if I keep looking at all this. Besides, Max might want some water. There’s a bowl on the counter. Use that to give him some.”
“You’re certainly a take-charge kind of woman.”
At the back door, she peered at him. “It pays to be in my job since so much of it is planning various events for the president. He expects the best from his staff.”
Nicholas filled the bowl with water. “Yesterday really showcased your talents. Everyone I saw was having a great time. Even Margaret Meyer. I don’t think of her as having a sense of humor.”
“Speaking of the general, won’t she expect you at the White House this morning?”
Nicholas frowned. “I’ll let her know I’ll be in later. Dan can start looking at the security tapes.”
“Dan is helping you with my case?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you on it? I see Dan’s role.”
He averted his gaze for a long moment, then said, “Another office was broken into yesterday. There may be a connection.”
Her face drained of color. “General Meyer’s?”
He remained quiet.
“I heard there was a ruckus around her office. You know how rumors can fly around the White House. And you do work for her.” Her eyes widened. “If you think there might be a connection, it has to be over the Jeffries case.”
“No comment at this time.”
She opened the door and stopped. Max, much like Nicholas, was lying down across the entrance into the kitchen.
Nicholas stepped over his rottweiler and put the bowl down on the patio. “Drink.”
Selena watched Max saunter to the bowl and lap up the water. “You have to tell him to drink?”
“He waits for commands when we’re on the job. When he’s off duty, he does what he wants.”
On the job? She guessed she was a job to him, especially if he thought she knew where Erin was. She tried to dismiss the thought but she couldn’t. It hurt. “I wish I could get the people working under me that well trained,” Selena finally said when she realized Nicholas was peering at her with that sharp, assessing look. Her heartbeat accelerated, and she sat in one of the chairs at the glass table.
“That’s the result of months of training as well as continual refresher courses.” Nicholas took the seat across from Selena.
“He’s beautiful. I’ve never been around a rottweiler until you came to the White House. Does he live at your place when you two aren’t on duty?” She had to remember he was probably as distrusting as she was. Most people in law enforcement were.
“Yes. All the dogs in the Capitol K-9 Unit stay with their partners when off duty.”
“I’ve never had a pet even as a child. And now I work all the time, so it wouldn’t be fair to leave an animal alone so much.”
“I had any pet I wanted.”
There was a tone in his voice that indicated there was more to that statement than what he was saying. “So what did you have as a child?”
“A dog named Butch and a horse called Dynamite.”
“So you rode, too?”
“Yes, I lived on a farm in Maryland growing up. I’d go riding whenever I could and Butch always followed.”
His childhood was vastly different from hers. She’d grown up in Washington, DC, in the area that wasn’t technically slums but close. “What did your family grow on the farm?”
“Nothing. They had some horses and that was about it.”
“Some? How big was the farm?”
“Two hundred acres. In some people’s book it was more an estate than a farm, although Thoroughbred horses were raised there.”
“But not you?” Again she sensed an underlying tension in his voice and saw the stiffening of his shoulders.
“The house I grew up in was a mansion. A person could get lost in it. But to me it was only a place to sleep at night.” A touch of bitterness laced his words.
Definitely a far cry from where she’d lived as a child. The biggest apartment she ever lived in was three rooms, if you counted a bathroom she could barely turn around in. “You didn’t like your home?” she asked before she could snatch the question back. She had no business prying into his past. She told no one about hers.
“It wasn’t a home. My family’s business was a large import/export company. My parents were rarely there. Their work took them all over the world.”
When her mother had been gone, it was because she was drinking and would disappear for days. “You never got to travel with them?”
“No.” His mouth snapped closed, and he averted his face, staring at Max sniffing around the yard. “I noticed your flat-screen TV and laptop are still in the house, so what would someone be looking for? Do you have any other valuables?”
“Not much. I’ve poured all my money into this house. I bought it last year and have slowly been fixing it up the way I want. It’s the first place I’ve really called home.” The words slipped out before she could stop them. She quickly added, “I lived in apartments while going to school and my first couple of years working in the White House,” as though that would explain why she’d never felt at home anywhere before she’d bought this place.
“That’s how I feel about my house in Burke. As a Navy SEAL I traveled a lot and lived on base, but now that I’m working for the Capitol K-9 Unit, I can put down some roots.”
“Do you have to do much traveling? I know you come and go at the White House, but I figure you’re working on a case.”
“Although I’m assigned to the White House, I’m at headquarters for briefings, coordination with other team me
mbers, running down leads and training sessions with Max.” Nicholas took a sip of his coffee, his gaze connecting with her over the rim of his mug.
“The locksmith changed my locks last night, so why did you and Max stay?”
“It was late when Mr. Lamb left. By the time I went home, I’d probably only get a few hours’ sleep before coming back here this morning.”
“But you had to be uncomfortable on the porch.”
“As an ex–Navy SEAL, I’m used to sleeping on the hard ground. I slept great because I was on your porch. If I’d left you, I’d have worried about you and probably not slept at all. It’s traumatic for a person to discover her house was broken into. I wanted to make sure you were okay and whoever did this didn’t come back. As I mentioned yesterday, I’d recommend getting a good alarm system today. Mr. Lamb put on sturdy locks, but they only go so far. Having a dog wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.”
She smiled. “Will you loan me Max?”
“Sorry, we’re an inseparable team,” he said with a chuckle. “But a dog like Max would be perfect.”
Although she’d never had a pet, the idea interested her. “How would I get one trained and as well behaved as Max?”
“He’s trained specifically for guarding, apprehending suspects and searching for bombs. You don’t need that, but I can help you if you want.”
“Let me think about it. I don’t want to get a dog if I can’t give him the attention he needs.” If she accepted Nicholas’s help, she would be spending a lot more time with him. That could be dangerous because she couldn’t deny her attraction to him.
His dark brown eyes gleamed. “Not all pet owners feel that way. They buy an animal and then ignore it most of the time.”
Selena downed the last of her coffee. She could get used to his presence; she needed to end this. “I appreciate your concern last night, but I think I’ll be all right today. The breakin was a shock, but it takes a lot to rattle me, so on second thought, I don’t need your help cleaning up.” She rose. “I’ll look into an alarm system since I’m off for a couple of days. But my main concern is righting my house and seeing if anything was stolen. At first glance, nothing is missing, but if that were the case, then why did someone risk breaking in?”
“Looking for something?” He pushed to his feet.
She frowned. “I don’t keep anything related to my White House job here. That’s why I often stay late at night. I try to leave my work at my office. When I come here, it’s my downtime.”
“Good way to be. I need to do that more myself.”
She started for the back door. “It’s probably harder because Max stays with you.”
“That’s not it. I’ve never been a person who can just relax and do nothing.”
“So no vacations?”
“Not lately. Max and I have gone camping a few long weekends.”
“I work hard, but I play hard, too. Maybe I could teach you how if you help me get the right dog.” Here she went again. When was she going to learn? His help would come at a price.
“If you decide to have a pet, you’ve got yourself a deal. Are you sure about not needing any help cleaning up?”
“Yes, I’m sure you have work today. I hope you let me know if you find the person who drugged Tara Wilkins.”
“I will.” Nicholas turned toward Max. “Come.”
His dog trotted to Nicholas’s side, and they trailed her into the house. She was again greeted with the chaos, and dreaded the day before her. She released a long breath and realized the only way the cleanup would get done was to start and keep going until she was finished. She wouldn’t go to bed tonight until she’d righted her house.
Selena walked with Nicholas and Max to the front door. “Thank you for your help yesterday at my office during the Easter Egg Roll.”
He arched a brow. “So my help wasn’t so bad, after all.”
“Okay. I was a little miffed at you for thinking I’m harboring a suspect.”
“A little? I’d hate to see your full-blown anger.”
“It isn’t a pretty sight, so that’s a warning to stay on my good side,” she said with a laugh.
“I’ll remember that. Let me know if you’re missing anything.” He gave her a business card with his cell number on it. “Call if you have any trouble—” he cocked a smile “—or if you just want to talk.”
“Just so you realize… If I can help my cousin, I will, but I don’t know where she is. Erin didn’t kill Michael.
He held up his hand before she could say anything else. “I’m leaving. I don’t want to get into an argument about Erin’s possible part in the murder.”
As Nicholas strode away with Max at his side, Selena unclenched her hands, noticing the fingernail indentations in her palms. That man could certainly infuriate her…but also intrigue her. Lord, give me the patience and guidance to help Erin. Open Nicholas’s eyes to the truth.
*
Nicholas spent the morning at Capitol K-9 Unit headquarters viewing security video from the morning that Selena was attacked. Next to him, Fiona Fargo, the team’s tech wizard, studied video on hallways leading to General Meyer’s office.
“Margaret Meyer is a busy lady,” Fiona said, pushing her rolling chair away from her desk and twisting toward Nicholas. “This is a list of suspects who could have broken into her office and read the Jeffries case file during your time frame.”
Nicholas stared at the fifteen names on the paper. “I want you to check into each one. Give me everything you can on them. Start with Vincent Geary—he’s an aide to Congressman Jeffries. The initials on the cufflinks found in the general’s office are VG. He’s my top suspect at the moment. When I leave here, I’m going to pay Mr. Geary a visit.”
“Do you want me to investigate General Meyer’s secretary, too?”
“Yes, everyone who was in the office during those hours. We have to include everyone. If you find anything suspicious, let me know right away.”
As Nicholas rose and stretched his stiff muscles, Fiona asked, “Where’s Max?”
“In the training yard. I wanted to give him a little downtime. He’s been working a lot lately.” Nicholas walked toward the doorway of Fiona’s office. “But his playtime is over.”
“He’s as driven as you are.”
“You know how dogs and their owners are.”
She shook her head. “Nope. I have cats.”
“Don’t let Max know.”
Fiona smiled. “Oh, he knows. Why do you think he sniffs me every time he sees me?”
“How does Chris’s K-9 deal with your cats?”
Fiona’s cheeks flushed. “We’re working that out.”
“Good. He’s a good guy. Bye and thanks, Fiona.” Nicholas strolled down the hallway. When his cell rang, he expected it to be Dan, who’d been going over security video at the White House, with news about Miss Chick’s assailant, but he noticed it was Selena. He quickly answered, “How’s the cleaning going?”
“Tedious. I know what the intruder took yesterday at my house.”
FOUR
Thirty minutes after calling Nicholas, Selena opened her front door to him and Max. “Come in. Did you break any speed limits getting here?”
“I’m a law-enforcement officer. I know better unless in pursuit of a criminal.” He flashed his dynamite smile.
And for a few seconds all the tension and weariness fled Selena as they stared at each other. When Max barked, as though he knew they needed to focus on what had brought Nicholas to her house in the first place, Selena broke eye contact and turned her attention to the dog. “It’s good to see you, Max.” She petted him and rubbed him behind the ears.
“He isn’t going to want to leave if you continue that too long,” Nicholas said with a laugh.
She peered up at Nicholas, grinning. “I doubt anyone could sway him from his duties with all his training. I’ve seen him at work at the White House.” She straightened, determined to get down to business. She didn’t like the feel
ings of attraction Nicholas could generate in her. She had to remember he suspected her of helping Erin, and he had a job to do.
She stepped to the side and allowed him to enter, then shut the door. When she swung around, her messy living room, such an alien sight for her, chased away the lightness she’d felt at seeing Nicholas. He was here on business. “I’ve been working on righting the rooms upstairs. I haven’t made my way down here yet.”
“Are you sure that your personal computer tablet is missing?”
“I keep it in my bedroom in the drawer of my nightstand on the right. You can’t tell from all this chaos, but I’m highly organized and everything has a place.”
“The intruder took your tablet but not your laptop. Why? What was on the tablet that wasn’t on your laptop?”
She picked her way through the shattered items on the floor, found the couch cushions and put them back where they belonged, then sat. She’d only been cleaning and straightening for a few hours, but after yesterday, she was tired. Usually she could keep going and push through the exhaustion, but not today.
Before Nicholas settled at the opposite end of the sofa, he fixed the two chairs. “For someone who is highly organized, this must be a disturbing sight.”
“Yes. Even as a child I kept everything straight. It gave me a sense of control.” The second she said that last sentence she gritted her teeth, afraid of what else she would spill about herself. She must be wearier than she realized. She had to remember Nicholas wanted to capture Erin; Selena wanted to free her.
“I wish it were that simple. The older I get, the more I realize we control little in our lives.”
“Yeah, I know. Only our attitude and how we respond to what happens around us. But I wish I could control more. Then I would wish this all away, and I wouldn’t have to spend my days off cleaning up this mess.” As words poured from her, she sat back, amazed she was saying this to Nicholas. What was it about him that made her feel she could trust him? His own words had given her reason not to. She’d remembered what he’d said in the underground parking garage yesterday.
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