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“There’s a TV in the room on the left, and lots of books.” Forbes’s mother had loved to read. She never met a book she didn’t like—and didn’t need to own, usually in hardback. “Help yourself.”

Brooklynn seemed like she wanted to say something, but after a minute, she backed up.

Halfway to the door, she turned. “I really would like to help.”

“I’ll let you know if I think of anything you can do.” Which he wouldn’t. The only way she could help him was to keep her distance so he could focus.

Maybe she read that in his expression, because hers dimmed, and she walked out.

* * *

The next morning, Forbes grabbed his keys and headed down the long hallway that led to the attached garage.

Attached now, but what held cars had first been a barn, then a carriage house off to the side of the main building. His parents had built a wing connecting the original house to the garage, which added another few thousand square feet to the mansion.

In retrospect, it seemed an unnecessary expense, but Dad had wanted Grandmother to have her own suite of rooms. Mom had talked about turning the place into a bed-and-breakfast someday, though Grandmother had suggested that would have to wait.

Forbes smiled as he remembered his grandmother’s words. “Over my dead body.”

Ironic that Grandmother was still alive, while the family home had stood empty and decaying for decades.

Burglar alarm set, Forbes climbed into his truck and maneuvered his phone into its holder, ensuring the proper angle before he exited the garage.

Was it smart to leave Brooklynn here alone?

Maybe not, but there’d been no attacks overnight, no intruders anywhere on his property, and no more unwelcome boats at his dock.

He’d checked the multiple video feeds that linked to his phone, just to be on the safe side.

If anyone broke in, Brooklynn should have plenty of time to hide before they found her.

Niles and Bernie had searched and turned up no evidence that the brunette they were looking for was at his house. As far as Forbes could tell, they’d moved on.

Even so, as he drove down the long driveway, he prayed for her safety.

As if God might be listening.

The sun was low on the horizon, turning the clouds over the ocean various shades of pink and coral, as pretty a sunrise as Brooklynn had captured the previous morning.

But clouds were rolling in from the west, and the forecast called for a stormy evening with the temperature dipping into the fifties.

It would take Forbes a half hour to make the trek through Portland. He should get to the superstore at seven, right when it opened.

He turned onto the two-lane road, not at all surprised to see a police car parked off the edge of the opposite side.

The driver followed him.

Though Brooklynn needed some supplies, that wasn’t the only reason Forbes was making this trek into town. Usually, he had everything he needed delivered.

The cameras covered every inch of his property, but that view didn’t extend to the road—an oversight he would fix, if he could figure out a way to do so without alerting the very people he needed to watch. He wanted to know if the house was being surveilled, and if so, by whom.

The police car told him the house was definitely being watched, and thanks to the sun beaming through the windows of the car behind him, he had no trouble seeing the driver.

It was Lenny, Brooklynn’s stalker.

Because they didn’t have enough to manage with the smugglers and murderers.

Not that Forbes was one for speeding, but he was very careful to keep his speed below the limit.

He wasn’t surprised when, as he was slowing to stop at the intersection to the state highway, the lights flashed behind him.

Here we go.

Rolling down the window, he pulled over onto the strip of dirt beside the narrow country road. He tapped his phone where he’d set it up earlier, then located his driver’s license and papers.

By the time Lenny the Stalker approached, Forbes had both his hands on the steering wheel. No need to give this guy any excuse to claim he feared a threat.

He watched in the rearview as Lenny peered into the bed, then the backseat of his pickup before he stopped outside Forbes’s window.

“Morning, Officer Taggart.”

“Where you headed?”

“Portland.”

“For?”

Since it was none of Taggart’s business, he didn’t bother answering.

“License, registration, and proof of insurance.”

Forbes handed them over. He’d had his name legally changed years before so nobody could connect him to the mansion or Shadow Cove. “Was I doing something wrong?”

Studying the paperwork, Lenny said, “You crossed the yellow line.”

This country road didn’t have a yellow line.

Forbes didn’t bother to point that out.

They both knew what this was.

“I guess you didn’t find your friend on my property yesterday.”

The cop’s eyes narrowed. “Mind if I have a look in your truck bed?”

“I’ll ask the same question as the one I asked yesterday when you demanded to search the Ballentine Mansion. You have a warrant?”

“Don’t need a warrant if I have probable cause.”

“Which is?”

“I saw movement when I walked up. Seems like maybe someone’s under there.”

Forbes was thankful he hadn’t unloaded the truck after he’d picked up the supplies to replace some second-story flooring, ruined after a roof leak. Not that he’d be installing it—he’d leave that task to a professional.

“Unless boxes suddenly grew arms,” he said, “that seems highly unlikely.”

“Maybe there’s a fugitive taking refuge without your permission. Seems you’d want to know.”

“Has there been a prison break? I hadn’t heard.”

Taggart smiled, though the expression held no amusement. “Stay put for your own safety, sir. I’ll have a look.”

“So there’s no misunderstanding, I am not giving you permission to search my vehicle.”

His smile was smug. “I’ll take that as permission.” Pocketing Forbes’s license and paperwork, Taggart moved to the bed of the pickup. He didn’t say anything, just reached over and yanked the blue tarp.

It was held down by a few heavy stacks of hardwood, though, so the action didn’t have nearly the flourish the cop was going for.

He scowled, and Forbes managed to contain a snicker.

Taggart climbed over the tailgate, jostling the whole truck, to check under the tarp.

Forbes lifted his phone from its holder to make sure the video caught the cop’s actions through the rear window.

Obviously, Taggart found no lurkers, brunette or otherwise.

He hopped off the back and returned to Forbes’s window, frowning at the phone Forbes now angled toward him. “Put that down.”

“I have the right to take video in my own vehicle, officer L. Taggart of the Shadow Cove PD. In case you’re wondering, it’s been running this whole time.”

Taggart’s stare flicked from the phone to Forbes’s face, and Forbes guessed he was trying to decide if he should smash the thing under his foot.

Tightening his grip, Forbes added, “It’s saving to the cloud.”

The man’s scowl turned murderous.

“I’ll take my license and paperwork.”

Forbes could feel the man’s rage as he handed the items back.

“I assume you tucked the tarp back around the boxes?”

“You assume too much.” He swiveled and started back to his car.

“Officer Taggart?” Forbes made his voice just loud enough.

The man didn’t turn around, but he looked over his shoulder. “What?”

“I don’t know where your friend is. I’m sorry she’s missing, but if you’re worried about her, you’re wasting your time with me.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“You’re getting a pass this time. If it happens again, I’ll have no choice but to report you to your superiors.” He let that simmer, then added, “I won’t be bullied.”

The man stalked back to his police car and drove away.

Forbes ended the video, ensured it had indeed uploaded, and then sent a link to his assistant with a brief note. Too brief, and no doubt Tim would want more details, but he didn’t have time for that now.

He shoved the edges of the plastic sheet beneath the heavy boxes, then resumed his trip to town.

The cop wouldn’t be so bold again. Forbes couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

As he headed toward Portland, he left the brief victory over Taggart behind. The cop might be put off, but those men who’d chased Brooklynn obviously wouldn’t worry about Forbes’s cell phone camera.

At least Brooklynn was safe at his house, for now.