Nothing to Fear

by Claire Boston

  “What’s wrong?” Lincoln asked, his voice full of sleep.

  She swallowed. “There are three dead hens on my office step. I’ve been getting these gifts—”

  “Ryan told me,” Lincoln interrupted, now wide awake. “I’ll be right there. Is there someone with you?”

  “No. Fleur had a morning shift.” She scanned her surroundings, but no one was about. Instead of being relieved, she was creeped out, expecting someone to step out from behind a tree, or the office.

  “Can you call someone?”

  She shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll stay out here with Joe, stop any customers from seeing it.” There was no way anyone could sneak up on her, but her gaze roamed the surroundings anyway. Her shoulderblades itched as if she was being watched.

  “I’m on my way now,” Lincoln said. “Keep talking to me, I’m just around the corner.”

  Relief flooded her as Lincoln drove into the car park. She hung up and waited where she was as he strode over. His dark hair was dishevelled and his shirt was buttoned up incorrectly. He scanned the area and then asked, “Where are they?”

  “On the front step.”

  “Stay here.”

  He took his phone out of his pocket and took some photos before making a call.

  Hannah walked closer.

  “Have you touched anything?”

  “Joe was sniffing them, but I don’t think he moved anything.” She wrapped her arms around herself.

  “You didn’t touch the card?”

  “No.” She shuddered. As if she’d want to go near any of it. “What does it say?”

  “I’ll show you later. It’s going to take me some time to process this, Hannah,” Lincoln said. “Have you got any guests checking in or out this morning?”

  “A couple.”

  “Can you move the office somewhere else for an hour or so?”

  She could move her computer easily enough, but where to? The cabins were too far away. “I’ll let people through the back door and set up a sign directing guests around the back.” She wouldn’t have the comforting counter partition between her and the guests, but it was the best she could do.

  “Good. Wait until Ryan arrives and then he can go with you.”

  “Ryan?” She blushed as she remembered their kiss.

  “I called him, he’s on his way. He’ll have Felix with him.”

  She didn’t want a child involved in this. “You didn’t need to do that. I’ll be fine.”

  “It’s police procedure.” Lincoln smiled, but there was worry in his eyes.

  She didn’t like this at all. Worry spoke of danger and she didn’t want to be frightened. She’d known the secret admirer wasn’t a good thing.

  Fifteen minutes later, Ryan arrived with a very grumpy-looking Felix. The pout on the boy’s face made her smile. She glanced at Ryan, her cheeks heating as she remembered the fool she’d made of herself last night. She turned her attention to Felix. “Sorry you had to get out of bed so early because of me.”

  Felix said nothing.

  “He would have been up already if he hadn’t stayed up so late last night.” Ryan turned to his son. “Stay here with Hannah and Joe while I have a quick word with Lincoln.”

  Felix nodded.

  Ryan walked away. The police uniform looked good on him, the pants moulded to his butt, outlining it clearly. She’d never been someone to swoon over a uniform, but Ryan was another story. She cleared her throat and focused on Felix. “I’ve got a futon in the office if you want to sleep.”

  “What’s a futon?”

  “It’s a couch that folds out into a bed.”

  He perked up. “Neat.” He walked over to Joe and stroked his head. “Does Joe like to run?”

  “He sure does. I take him down to the beach each day so he can chase the gulls.”

  Felix’s eyes widened. “Does he catch them?”

  “No, he’s too slow. He does it for fun.”

  Ryan was frowning when he returned. “Have you got your keys for the office?”

  She took them from her pocket. “Yes. Can I go inside now?”

  “I’ll check it out first.” He held out his hand.

  Aware that Felix was listening, she didn’t want to say anything to alarm him. “Do you think there’ll be an issue?” She showed him the correct key.

  “No.” He smiled. “Be right back.”

  “So what’s wrong?” Felix asked, waking up a little more.

  “Nothing serious,” Hannah said. “Someone left something icky at the door as a prank. Your dad and Lincoln are recording the details to find out who it was.”

  “What was it?”

  “Nothing special,” she said. “Did you have fun playing with Jacob yesterday?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to see him again today.” He frowned. “There’s some class thing.”

  “The end-of-year wind-up,” Hannah said. “That was my favourite event when I was in primary school.”

  He looked at her with interest. “Did you go to school here?”

  “Yeah, I moved here when I was your age,” she said. “It’s tough being the only person who doesn’t know anyone.”

  He sighed. “It is. What did you do?”

  “Well I was lucky. I met Fleur and Kit on the first day of school and they were nice to me. Kind of like how you’ve met Jacob. We’ve been friends ever since.”

  “Did your parents get a job here too?”

  She took a step back. “No. My mum died and my dad went away, so I came to live with my grandparents.”

  “My mum isn’t very nice,” he said. “But Dad loves me.” He paused and then asked, “The kids didn’t think you were weird?”

  “No.” She’d be forever grateful that they didn’t. She spotted Ryan walking around the side of the office. He waved them over. “Come on, I’ll show you my futon.”

  She raised her eyebrows in question at Ryan when she reached him.

  “There’s nothing out of place.”

  In the office, she switched on the computer and then showed Felix how the couch pulled out into a bed. “Do you want to lie down?”

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “Hannah’s got a few things to set up, mate,” Ryan said. “Why don’t you lie down for a bit while she gets it all sorted?”

  “Aw, Dad.”

  “You’ve got the wind-up later. You don’t want to be tired.”

  “All right.” Shoulders slumped, he climbed on to the bed.

  Hannah took out the pillow and blanket she kept for the nights when she had customers arriving late and she needed to sleep there.

  Joe hopped up on the bed next to Felix and lay down. The boy giggled.

  “Joe,” Hannah said.

  “He can stay.” Felix wrapped his arm around the big dog.

  Hannah was torn. She hated to disappoint Felix, but she didn’t want to go anywhere alone.

  “What do you need to do?” Ryan asked.

  “I’ll print a couple of signs and then I need to get the gazebo out of the storage shed.”

  “I’ll get it if you tell me where it is.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. She grabbed the keys from the table and showed him the right one. “It’s in the garden shed.” She pointed it out on the caravan-park map. “In the corner.”

  He nodded. “Be right back.”

  Hannah typed up a sign and printed it out, before bringing up the list of bookings for the day. When Ryan arrived back she was ready, and Felix was fast asleep.

  Ryan smiled at the child and dog curled up together on the bed. “I’m going to have to get him a dog when we’re settled.”

  “I’m sure he’ll love it.” Conscious of his presence now that they were effectively alone, Hannah’s thoughts darted back to their kiss the night before. She licked her lips.

  “Where do you want the gazebo set up?”

  She blinked and blushed. “Out the front.” She picked up her signs and the sticky tape, and hurried out of the office.
>
  Together she and Ryan set up the gazebo to block the view of Lincoln’s investigation from the public and she stuck the signs to the canvas walls. “Would you like a coffee?” she asked when they were done.

  “That’d be great.”

  “Coffee, Lincoln?” she called.

  “Love one, but I’ll get it later,” Lincoln answered.

  She headed back to the kitchen and made the coffees. “Shame it’s not a bit later,” she said as they walked into the office to avoid disturbing Felix further. “Mai’s coming around and she always brings freshly baked treats from the bakery.”

  “I’ve heard she’s good,” Ryan said. “Haven’t had a chance to stop by there yet.” He took a sip of his coffee. “While I’m here, do you want to show me the other two gifts you’ve received?”

  She reached for the top drawer. “This is the necklace.” She pulled it out and handed it to him. “The bird ornaments are on the filing cabinet over there.”

  “Do you still have the packaging?”

  “Maybe.” She dug through the rubbish bin and shook her head.

  “All right. We might be able to get something useful from the necklace or doves. I’ll get some evidence bags from Lincoln’s car.”

  Hannah waited until he’d left and then peered over the desk, out of the door at where Lincoln was documenting her latest gift. She couldn’t understand why anyone would be interested in her. She’d never led anyone on, and rarely wore figure-hugging clothes. She did her best not to look desirable. Plus, she carried more weight than any of her friends. But it made no sense that it was Justin either. He’d never kept in touch with her. Why would he send gifts now?

  And why the dead chickens?

  Had she and Ryan been so convincing on their pretend date that whoever was sending her the gifts was heartbroken? But killing chickens wasn’t a normal reaction for heartbreak. It wasn’t a normal reaction for anything. Her skin tightened.

  Ryan came back in and bagged up the evidence as one of her guests knocked on the back door.

  “Come in,” she said to the older gentleman. “I’m sorry about the inconvenience.” She led him through to the office.

  “Did you have a spot of trouble?”

  She gestured to the spare chair in the corner. “It’s kids pranking.” She wished she believed it. “Having the police here will spread around town and scare them from anything further.”

  “Kids in my day respected people’s property.” The man handed over his credit card.

  Hannah murmured in agreement. “You’re staying a week, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, and we’ve got one of those ensuite bathroom sites, haven’t we? I wish more parks had them.”

  She smiled. “It’s nice to have your own space, isn’t it?” She printed off his receipt and walked him back out. “I hope you enjoy your stay.”

  “Thanks.” The man waved and was gone.

  Hannah popped her head into the kitchen and found Felix still sound asleep. Lincoln must have worn him out last night.

  “I need to get this stuff to the station,” Ryan said from behind her. She jumped and spun around. He was looking at Felix curled up next to Joe, but Hannah was very aware of his presence, the strength of his body and the heat coming off him.

  “I hate to wake him,” Ryan said.

  Hannah wanted to do something to help. It was her fault that Felix was here. “He can stay here if you want,” she offered. “When Lynette arrives I’ll take him out to the Zanettis’ property. It’s not far past my place.”

  He frowned. “You’re going to the retreat?”

  “Yeah. I’ve got some work to do on the other cabin.” With school finishing today, she wasn’t going to get as much chance to go out there during the holidays. “Mai’s going to join me.”

  “What time?”

  Annoyed she said, “When she finishes work.” At his look, she added, “About midday.”

  “You shouldn’t be out there alone.”

  She paused. Was he suggesting she wasn’t safe? “Justin doesn’t know where I live.”

  He looked at her for a long moment. “This might not be Justin. If he followed us, he would have left the restaurant almost immediately after we did, and they were still eating dessert.”

  “So you think whoever did that,” she waved towards the front of the office, “might be someone who knows where I live? Am I in danger?” Her heart raced in her chest.

  “We don’t know yet, but it would be wise to take precautions.”

  She couldn’t breathe. She sucked in air fast, but it wasn’t helping. She was supposed to be safe here.

  “Sit down.” Ryan propelled her forward into the office and on to one of the chairs. “Cup your hands over your mouth, you’re hyperventilating.”

  She did as he said and he rubbed her back.

  “Hold your breath for a moment … and breathe out.”

  She followed Ryan’s instructions and slowly got her breathing under control.

  “It’s going to be all right,” Ryan said. “We’ll find whoever is doing this.” He continued the slow circular motion on her back and awareness sprang to Hannah’s body. Ryan was touching her … and it felt good, comforting and sensual. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation.

  The back screen door banged shut and Hannah jerked up. Lincoln wandered in. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded.

  “She had a bit of a panic attack,” Ryan told him.

  Lincoln pulled her up and into his arms. “Don’t worry, Hannah Banana. We’ll sort it out for you.”

  His words were soothing, and his arms were reassuring, so she allowed herself the comfort of them. “I don’t like this.”

  “Neither do I.” He pulled away. “I want you to come down to the station after Lynette gets here. I need to ask you some questions, and it’s best if we’re not interrupted.”

  Nerves swirled in her stomach. He’d want to ask her about Justin. She had to decide if she was going to tell him the truth, if she was brave enough to face his disappointment. “OK.”

  “I’m finished out the front, so you can unlock the door and take away the signs.”

  “I’ll do it.” Ryan headed outside with her keys.

  “For the next few days I don’t want you going anywhere without Joe and someone else with you,” Lincoln said. “You need to be super vigilant.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you have a stalker and their behaviour can be unpredictable.”

  Fear clutched her skin. “But I’ve not done anything.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Whoever it is has perceived you’ve done something.”

  It wasn’t fair. She’d been so careful not to give off the wrong kind of signals. “So what do I do?”

  “Stay vigilant, keep someone with you and tell me if anything odd happens.”

  “Lincoln, I can’t ask people to give up their lives for me.”

  “All of the musketeers would offer in a heartbeat and you know it,” he told her. “Are you still staying at Fleur’s?”

  She nodded. “She’s got some night shifts next week though.”

  “Then stay at Mai’s.”

  She scowled. “You can’t arrange my life.” She might have been cautious since her assault, but she was still independent.

  “Sure I can. I’m your honorary protector, remember?” He grinned at her.

  Her anger left her. At some stage in primary school, she and her friends had decided they wanted a knight protector to look out for them, and Lincoln had been the logical choice. They’d made him go through a ceremony and he’d gone along with it with great patience. “How long is this going to last?”

  He sobered. “I don’t know. This could be the end of it. We’ll wait and see if he leaves any more gifts tomorrow.”

  At that moment, Felix called out, “Dad?”

  Lincoln went to check him and Hannah’s stomach swirled.

  This might just be the beginning of her nightmare.

&nbs
p; Chapter 7

  Mrs Z came to pick up Felix and stayed to chat until Lynette arrived. Hannah suspected Lincoln had asked her to stick around, but she was glad for the company, glad she didn’t have to be alone yet.

  After Mrs Z left, Hannah told Lynette about the dead chickens.

  Lynette frowned. “That’s sick.”

  “Yeah. Lincoln wants me to go down to the station to talk about it. Will you feel safe here on your own? I can call Shirley in to work.”

  Lynette nodded. “I’ll call her.”

  After saying goodbye, Hannah drove into town. It was a gorgeous day, promising blue skies and pleasant temperatures, but Hannah was unable to take joy in it. She scanned the people on the footpaths. Could one of them be her stalker? She checked her rear-view mirror to make sure no one was following her, her grip on the steering wheel tight, her shoulders tense. She hated this. Hated that she was no longer able to enjoy driving through town. Hated that she was now viewing everyone as a potential threat.

  Needing a pick-me-up, she stopped by Mai’s bakery.

  “Wasn’t I meeting you at the holiday park?” Mai asked, as she made Hannah a coffee.

  “Change of plans.” Hannah told her what had happened.

  “That’s not good.” Mai frowned. “It sounds as if Lincoln is worried.”

  It did. Having Justin in town was bad, but having an unknown stalker who was cross with her was far worse. “I’m heading to the station now to talk to him.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  Hannah wanted to say yes. She had to tell him about Justin and she didn’t want to be alone when she told Lincoln about how stupid she’d been. But Mai had already heard her story and didn’t need to sit through it twice. “I’ll be fine. I’ll drop by when I’m done.”

  Mai handed her the coffee and gave her a hug. “We’re all here for you.”

  “Thanks. Can I buy some pastries for the police station?”

  “Sure, I’ll box up their favourites.” Mai paused. “What do you think Ryan will like?”

  Hannah shrugged. “You choose. They’re all good.”

  Mai blew her a kiss. “Thanks, sweetie.”

  Hannah pulled out her purse and Mai shook her head. “It’s on the house. Thank Lincoln from me.”

  Hannah smiled. “Will do.”