“Fuckin’ hell,” Dylan breathed under his breath. While he could not be certain what they had just viewed, all indications were an illegal transaction of some kind, very possibly drugs. “Everything they did was just at the far edge of his camera view.” As those words left his mouth, a snake of suspicion slithered through him. Did someone know? Was someone informed about the camera angles? If so, who knew? Two obvious solutions were in the room with him… Owen and Manuel. Of course, the day that he’d worked on the cameras, they were in plain sight of anyone on the harbor, but no one else would have known the exact angle that they had captured.
Realizing the men’s eyes were on him, he remained quiet, simply giving a curt nod. “I don’t suppose there was anything else, was there?”
“No, Chief,” Manuel said. “I checked from this time on to see if anyone else came, but the harbor was quiet until about 4 o’clock this morning when the fishermen began to arrive. I didn’t have time to look at it this morning when I got to work, so it was later when I even viewed it.”
Nodding, he said, “I appreciate you doing this. If you can let me know of anything else you see, that’d be good.”
Walking out of the back of the restaurant onto the boardwalk, he looked around. Some of the fishing boats had docked, men and women milling about, busy at work. Todd, standing near David’s boat, looked up. Walking over, he offered a chin lift.
“Are you checking up on me, Chief Hunt?”
Shaking his head, he replied, “Nope. Had some business here I needed to attend to.”
Todd nodded, turning back to grab another ice tray, but not before his gaze shot toward the back upper corner of the restaurant where one of the cameras was located.
Tossing a wave goodbye, Dylan walked toward his SUV, suspicion now spreading.
Hannah spent the afternoon serving two summonses, finishing several reports, and checking in with her officers. She signed off on several orders handed to her by Pearl, then went through her files to find the last two grants that she had applied for. Making copies of those, she decided to take them home with her so that she could share the information with Dylan. Just the thought of him brought a smile to her face.
“Wow, what’s got you looking so happy?” Mason asked.
As her officer walked into her office, her brow lowered. “What do you mean? Aren’t I usually happy?”
“Yeah, but you just had a cat who got into the cream kind of smile.”
She wished Mason had used different words because now all she could think about was Dylan’s head between her legs and the word cream. Clearing her throat, she said, “Was there anything you needed, or did you just come in here to harass me about smiling?”
Chuckling, he replied, “I wanted to check with you about the prisoner that we arrested for stealing from the small engine repair shop. I got a notice from Luke that he has a medical condition, and they’re doing the paperwork to make sure they’ve got the right medication. Was there anything else I needed to do?”
“Nope, they’ll take care of it. If there’s anything we need to sign off on, we will, but once he’s at the jail, they’ll handle everything.”
“Okay, gotcha, Chief.” As he walked out, he looked over his shoulder and grinned again. “Keep smiling. It’s a good look on you.”
“Get outta here!” she called, hearing his laughter as he walked down the hall.
She turned back to her computer and started searching for do-it-yourself security cameras. Uncertain of their quality of the video, she began digging more. Almost an hour later, she determined several options that Dylan could possibly use for the harbor. They might not be perfect but could certainly pinpoint troubled areas. She pulled out her phone and sent him a text.
I found some security cameras that might work. I’ll bring the info with me tonight. See you soon.
Glancing at the clock, she called out to Pearl as she walked down the hall. “I’m heading home. See you tomorrow.”
Walking across the sidewalk to the parking area near the courthouse, she saw a small group of elderly tourists being guided around the historic Courthouse courtyard. Their cell phones and cameras were out, taking pictures. Just as she approached, an older woman stubbed her toe on one of the cobblestones and fell forward onto the sidewalk.
Running over, Hannah dropped to her knees next to the woman, radioing for the rescue squad. The woman was bleeding profusely from her forehead, and Hannah spoke softly, calming her as she pressed a cloth against the injury. The woman’s wrist was also swelling, and Hannah feared it might be broken. “The squad will be here in just a few minutes,” she assured.
Considering the rescue squad and firehouse was only a few blocks away, the siren was immediately heard. Stepping back as the EMTs began working on the woman, she moved to the tour guide and ushered the others away. Questioning the group, she obtained information on the woman, then made arrangements for the tour guide to have someone be available to pick her up from the hospital in Acawmacke.
Stepping back over to the ambulance, she gave the woman’s information to Karen, the EMT driver.
Karen nodded her thanks. “She’ll probably need stitches and her wrist set. We’ll give them this information so the hospital will know who to call.”
The ambulance pulled away, the tourist group dispersed, and Hannah started toward her vehicle again when she looked up, seeing Dylan hustling toward her. His gaze roved over her, but instead of a smile, his brows lowered.
“I assume that’s not your blood all over your uniform.”
Glancing down, she shook her head. “We just had an accident where an elderly tourist fell. I was on my way to the car when it happened right in front of me.” Looking back up at him, she cocked her head to the side. “But what are you doing here?”
“To be honest, I was hoping to have a chance to see you.”
Disappointment rushed through her, and she looked around to assure that they were alone. “Oh, are our plans for tonight off?”
“No, they’re still on! I just wanted to see you early. When I got your text about the security cameras, I couldn’t wait to see what you had to say.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “And here I thought you just couldn’t wait to see me.”
“Don’t tempt me, or I’ll show you exactly how glad I am to see you right here in front of everyone.”
Her smile widened at the sight of his lopsided grin and roving eyes. “I did do some research, but honestly, you can wait until tonight.”
He glanced at the blood on her shirt and sighed. “Well, normally, I’d say I’d rather take care of business during business hours and you and me having our alone time, but I know you want to get home and get showered. Of course, you could always do that at my house.”
“Now who’s tempting who? But I need to go home and feed Percy. Once I get him fed, take a shower, and change clothes, I’ll come to your place. And then we can talk about security cameras.”
Rolling his eyes, he said, “Just what I always wanted… to finally get you to my house and we have to talk business.”
He escorted her over to her SUV, and as she drove away, she watched him wave through her rearview mirror. Grinning, she couldn’t wait to get to his house and discuss the security camera business so they could get down to their business.
An hour later, taking a quick shower and making sure Percy was fed, she packed an overnight bag. Percy hopped up on her bed and nestled on top of her bag. “Oh, baby, you can’t come with me… at least not now. Maybe someday.”
Now, excitement coursed through her as she drove along the beach outside of Seaside and turned by an old, dented mailbox with Dylan’s number painted on the side. She remembered him saying that he’d built his house in old-fashioned architecture, using a lot of reclaimed wood and materials to give it the appearance that it had been there for many years. Seeing his mailbox, it appeared that he had done the same with it as well. The gravel and crushed oyster shell drive led her to the perfect view.
Sandy dunes and marshy seagrass covered the area and rising in front of her was a weatherworn, cedar plank, two-story beach house. She knew the area was not in a flood zone, and yet he’d built the house off the ground. The front was simple, with a covered porch facing west. As the driveway curved past the side of the house, she could see that there was another long, wide porch on the back.
Uncertain where to park, the decision was taken away from her when Dylan stepped out of his front door and waved. Parking nearby, she climbed from her SUV and bent to grab her bag from the passenger seat. Hearing footsteps crunch over the gravel, she twisted and watched as he approached.
Stalking straight to her, he didn’t stop until their bodies were pressed together. He kissed her lightly, one arm banding around her back, and the other hand sliding her bag from her shoulder. Before she had a chance to completely melt into his embrace, he leaned back and grinned.
“Welcome to my home.”
Those four simple words speared straight through her. His home. Built by him on the land from his grandfather. She could only imagine how proud he was of his legacy on the Eastern Shore. “I’m honored to be here.”
He kissed her again before linking his fingers with hers and leading her up the front steps to the porch as she tried to take in all the details.
He said nothing but smiled as he continued to lead her forward through the front door and into the house. Her gaze roved over the area, anxious to see his home. The inside offered an open, airy feel to it. Instead of stepping into a living area, the kitchen was directly to the left. Cabinets were painted a light gray, blending perfectly with the white backsplash tile and granite countertops. The kitchen led to an open eating area and living room that spanned the entire back of the house. A wide expanse of windows looked out over the marshy shore and allowed light to pour in. The floors were more weatherworn planks stretching across the expanse of the rooms.
Directly opposite the kitchen was a staircase leading to the second floor and a large laundry room and half-bathroom combination.
There was so much for her to take in, it was hard to focus on everything all at once, but her gaze snagged on the few pictures on the wall. Dylan’s decorating was minimal, but the pictures he’d chosen to frame and hang were of people that meant something to him. One was of a group of sailors on board a ship, arms around each other, wide grins on their faces. Several were of his family, photographs taken at various times during his life.
And one, in particular, caught her eye, her feet taking her closer, curiosity pulling her along. It was at Finn’s Pub after one of the American Legion meetings. Most of their friends were present, all talking and smiling. Whoever took the picture had done so without anyone posing. It was a perfect snapshot, but what drew her attention was that she was front and center, her head thrown back in laughter while Dylan sat nearby, his eyes pinned on her.
Swinging her head around, she watched as he approached, her breath becoming more shallow with each step.
“I thought about taking that picture off the wall when I knew you were coming,” he said, his voice soft.
Not knowing how to respond, she remained quiet.
“That picture was taken about a year after we broke up. For a long time when I would see you, it hurt because I felt like we should be together. And I remember that night, sitting at the pub, watching you smile, and realizing that if the only way I could have you in my life was just like that… friends, colleagues, fellow Legionnaires, then I’d take it. Because I wanted you in my life, any way I could have you. I can’t even remember who took that picture, but it was one that got shared around. After I had it framed and hung up, I wondered if I was crazy to have that constant reminder that you were not mine. But I know what you said the other day is right… we both had things to accomplish before we could really come together. So, as much as the last years sometimes hurt, it makes you being here right now that much sweeter.”
Her throat tightened as she listened to his words. He swallowed deeply, and she bit the corner of her bottom lip in an effort to keep the sob from erupting but was unable to hold back the tear now sliding down her cheek. She lifted her hand and cupped his face. Uncertain if her voice would remain steady, she said, “In my whole life, I’ve never heard those words from anyone.” Stepping closer, she lifted her other hand so that she clutched his stubbled jaw. “So, let me assure you that being here, right now with you, is the only place I want to be.”
His lips slammed down on hers, his arms banding around her so tightly her entire front was pressed against his. He bent and scooped her up, taking the stairs two at a time until they reached his bedroom. His soft comforter cradled her back as he lay her on the bed, his body looming over hers.
Grinning, she mumbled against his lips, “And I was so looking forward to a full tour of the house.”
Barely lifting his face from hers, he met her grin. “You’ll get that. But first, we’ll have a full tour of each other’s bodies.”
Since she couldn’t think of anything she’d rather have, she pulled him closer.
18
Dylan hadn’t planned on jumping Hannah the minute she came into his house. Quite the contrary. While he was not a culinary genius, he could grill a mean steak and get a handle on a baked potato. Other than that, he’d bought a bag salad from the grocery store, had plenty of beer and wine, and even managed to reheat an apple pie he’d bought from the local bakery.
He had even expected them to go over the information about the security cameras while fixing dinner. And then, having drinks on the back deck while watching the ever-changing color of the sky during sunset, he would prove to her that he could show tremendous restraint.
But as he watched her stare at the photograph on his wall, stripping away all his pretenses, the words to explain the meaning behind the picture became imperative. Then having her look at him with such understanding and share her feelings toward him cast all thoughts of going slow out of his mind.
He’d taken his time to worship every inch of her body, knowing the dinner could wait. They kissed and whispered, licked and sucked, and tangled together during sex until they both lay sated and smiling on the bed.
Now, having eaten dinner inside the screened porch after the sun had already set, they leaned back in his double Adirondack chair, complete with footrest. He’d bought it on a whim, knowing it would be lonely on his porch until he had someone to share it with. Considering Hannah was always the woman he wanted to cuddle with, he was now thrilled with his purchase. He rested his beer bottle on one of the wide, flat arms, her wine glass on the other.
“I hate to interrupt our perfect night by bringing this up, but I know you had some information about security cameras.”
She nodded. “I brought the grant paperwork that I’ve done before, and it should be fairly straightforward. Unfortunately, as we’ve already said, these things take time. I looked online and printed out the forms and thought we could work on them together so you can present it to your mayor. He doesn’t have to approve, but it would let him know what you’re doing.”
“At your suggestion, I started looking into security cameras that I could purchase. I have a little bit of expertise because I put them in here.” He lifted his hand and pointed to the back corner of his house. “When I had the house built, I installed a couple of small security cameras that were tied into motion sensor lights. The feed goes directly into my phone app. They’re not fancy, but it does the job. Occasionally, the light will go on as a deer walks by, but for the most part, that hasn’t been a problem.”
“Besides the cameras, does Owen have security lights around the harbor and the restaurant?”
“Yeah, but only the ones behind the restaurant illuminate the entire back. The ones around the harbor enable anyone walking around to see where they’re going, but they’re not very bright.”
He pulled out his phone while she sipped her wine. Scrolling through several websites, he leaned over and showed her the screen. “This is on
e that has infrared light which would help us be able to see in the dark. I’m not going to have a camera that’s also motion sensor lights, because I don’t want to alert anyone.”
“You want to capture them instead of warn them away.”
Her voice held no censure, and as someone else in law enforcement, he was sure she understood. “Might make me sound like a bastard, but I’d rather catch them. If they don’t come here, they’ll just go to another place and get the drugs through here anyway.”
“You’re right,” she said, nodding.
“I’ve got some money, but some of these are too expensive. I was thinking about getting a couple to put up on the other side of the harbor.”
“I can help with the purchase—”
“Hell, no, Hannah. You don’t need to do that. The harbor is in my jurisdiction.”
“It’s got nothing to do with jurisdiction,” she huffed. “You're spending your own money to help keep drugs out of our area. If you can do that at Seaside, then you’re helping me in Easton.”
“Let’s see if this does anything first.” He checked the store in Acawmacke where he’d purchased the ones for his house and determined they still had a supply.
Hannah leaned over to see and exclaimed, “Let’s go there tomorrow!”
Turning to see her wide-eyed enthusiasm, he chuckled. “You always this excited to shop for security items?”
His gaze dropped to her mouth as her top teeth captured her bottom lip and she shook her head slowly.
“I don’t mind shopping, but I can get even more excited if you want to take me back to bed.”
He sucked in a quick breath. “Are you done with that wine?”
“Yeah,” she whispered.
“Thank fuck.” Standing, he scooped her up once more. Barely taking time to secure the back door, he carried her upstairs. Again.
Hannah couldn’t help but grin as she and Dylan wandered the aisles of the large hardware store. Her mother despaired when dragging her out shopping for clothes, but that endeavor had never excited her. In the military, she had a uniform. As a police officer, she had a uniform. And as Chief, she set the standard for her department’s uniform. Even now, on a day off, she was comfortably dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt made out of soft cotton, and sneakers.
Shielding You (Baytown Boys Book 13) Page 16
