Page 74 of Capturing You

“We had a power outage last night. Bad thunderstorms.”

Brooklynn didn’t share that the power had gone out where she was, not wanting Lois or anyone to know she was so close.

“Is it still out?” Maybe they hadn’t restored the whole town’s power yet.

“No, but while it was out, some men broke into my house.” The older woman’s voice shook. “They demanded to know where you were.”

Brooklynn gasped. “Oh no. I never thought… I’m so sorry. I would never put you in danger.”

“I know, dear, and I’m fine.” Her voice was stronger now. “It was three men, and they wore masks. They didn’t hurt me, just scared me. When the power came back on, they took off.”

Brooklynn’s heart thumped with fear, imagining what her poor friend had gone through.

And fear that those men were as determined as ever to find her. “Did you call the police?”

“Lenny and his partner came, and I gave them a statement. Lenny insisted I tell you to call him for an update. He seems to believe for some unknown reason that you won’t answer his calls.” The last was deadpanned. Besides Ford, Lois was the only person Brooklynn had confided in about her trouble with Lenny. She’d been the one to suggest Brooklynn file a report against him.

“Leo wouldn’t put up with that from any of his officers,”she’d said,“and believe you me, he definitely won’t put up with it from his son.”

Considering that Lois had known the police chief all her life, Brooklynn had trusted her instincts, and she’d been right. Just the threat of reporting Lenny to the police had gotten him to back off.

“Who’s Lenny’s partner now, do you know?” Brooklynn asked.

“It’s that younger one, the new guy? Charter or Chambers?”

“Church. Nathan Church.”

“That sounds right. You ought to callhim.”

She needed to check with the police, anyway, to find out what they’d learned since she’d sent the photos. “I will. I’m so sorry it happened. I can’t imagine?—”

“Don’t you worry about me. I’m going to stay with my niece and nephew until this blows over.”

Would it blow over, though? Lois couldn’t stay hidden forever.

For that matter, neither could Brooklynn.

“Don’t they just live in Portland?” Brooklynn asked. “Maybe you should go farther.”

“I have a business to run. And I refuse to live in fear. I’m more worried about you. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.”

She wouldn’t get her friend more involved than she already was, but she saw no need to say so. “Sure thing.”

“By the way, we got your photograph for the contest.” Lois’s voice brightened considerably. “What an amazing shot. If you don’t win, those judges are blind and dumb.”

“I’m sure there are a lot of great entries.”

“None as perfect as yours.”

“And you’re not at all biased.”

“Well…” She drew the word out, humor in her tone. “I suppose it is a good thing I’m not one of the judges.”

Brooklynn ended the call, checked in with her mom and sisters to let them know she was safe, and sent a text to Owen, Delaney’s boyfriend, who’d called and texted her a few times to check on her. She assured him she was all right.

And then she dialed the police department. She gave her name and asked for Officer Church.

“One moment.”