Page 9

NINE

W est didn’t like taking Trisha and Gabriel to the scene of a potential crime, yet he was loathe to leave them behind, too. He silently prayed the local police would arrive at Laurel’s house before they did.

“Did Laurel get a description of the guy?” He asked.

“I don’t think so. She only said he looked like the same one who’d attacked her at my house.” Trish’s expression was grave. “Please hurry.”

“I’m sure the Plains City PD is there by now,” he assured her.

“Laurel can’t stay there, West. It’s too dangerous. I would feel better if she stayed in the suite with us.” She glanced at him. “Or a safe house of some sort, although I know we probably don’t warrant that level of protection.”

“I’ll talk to Captain Ross about a safe house.” He should have considered that option earlier. The PD had access to at least two safe houses, and any baby in danger certainly deserved to stay in one.

“Thank you.” She drew in a deep breath. “I pray this guy doesn’t hurt her again. She’s already been through enough.”

“I know.” He reached over to take her hand. He didn’t like the idea of a former cop being in the bull’s-eye any more than she did.

There were two PCPD squads outside Laurel’s home when they arrived. He was relieved to see the two officers walking around the outside of the home, using their flashlights to examine the ground. Temps during the day reached the high forties, low fifties, but dropped overnight. It wasn’t that late, though, so there was a good chance this guy may have left a footprint behind.

Laurel Newton rushed out of the house when they pulled up. Her previously injured eye was turning purple, but other than that she appeared unharmed. Trisha pushed out of her passenger seat to hug the older woman.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Trisha said. “I was worried sick.”

“I’m fine, except I’m upset that he got away.” Laurel turned to face West. “He wore dark clothes from head to toe and the black ski mask over his face again. That’s why I felt certain he was the same one who broke into your home the other night.” She drew a steadying breath, then said, “I feel bad dragging you here, Detective Cole, but I was hoping you could help search for evidence.”

“Call me West. And I’d be glad to help search.” He frowned, then added, “But you may want to pack a bag. We’re not leaving you here.”

Laurel looked shocked. “Where would I go?”

“With us,” Trisha said. “We have a two-bedroom suite. I believe the sofa opens to a roll-away bed.”

“We have the suite, but I’ll work with Captain Ross to arrange a safe house. In the meantime, pack a bag and get into the SUV with Gabriel.” He eyed Trish. “I’d like you to stay here, too. Keep an eye on Peanut for me.”

“Of course.” Trisha looked calmer now that she knew Laurel wasn’t harmed.

West headed toward the officers searching the ground with their flashlights. “Find anything helpful?”

“Not yet.” Officer Skinner, the same cop who had come to meet them at the scene of the shoot-out with Petey Pawners, glanced up at him. “Unfortunately, it looks like he stayed on the grassy area. No sign of any disturbances in the plant beds lining the house.”

“I’ll take the other side of the property,” West offered.

“Is this related to the gun trafficking case?” Skinner asked.

“No connection that I know of, although anything is possible. This perp should be considered armed and dangerous.” West turned his flashlight on and headed to the other side of the property.

Like the other officers, he took his time, playing the light across the ground in minute increments. After a solid fifteen minutes of searching, he joined the PCPD officers on the driveway.

“You were right, he must not have gotten too close,” West agreed. “There was no sign of him being on the other side of the place, either. He was gone by the time you arrived?”

“Yeah.” Skinner shrugged. “We came lights and sirens, so that probably scared him off.”

He didn’t blame them for using lights and sirens, although it would have nice to have a clue as to who this guy was. Not at the expense of an innocent person being hurt or worse, though. “Thanks for getting here so fast. Appreciate the support.”

“Hey, Newton is one of us.” Skinner scowled. “Any assault on a cop, even a retired cop, is an assault on us.”

“I hear you.” He felt the same way, hating how Trisha and her son were in danger. Two cops needing to be kept safe should be more than enough to sway Doug Ross into springing for a safe house.

At this point, he’d pay for the place himself if necessary.

Laurel Newton walked toward them, rolling a small suitcase behind her. He took note of the gun and holster she had clipped to her belt, giving a nod of approval. She flushed. “I’m not going to be caught off guard by that perp again.”

“Good. Three of us being armed should help.” He reached for her luggage, remembering how she’d been kneed in the kidney. “I’ll take that.”

“Thanks.” She relinquished the suitcase.

He stored the small bag in the back crate area with Peanut. “Sorry, Sweet Pea, you need to share your space for a while.” He scratched the beagle behind the ears, then closed the hatch.

Laurel chose to sit in the back with Gabriel. He held up a finger to Trisha and Laurel, silently asking for a minute, then pulled out his phone. Captain Ross answered on the third ring.

“What’s going on?” Ross demanded. His boss knew West wouldn’t call after hours without a good reason.

He quickly filled Ross in on how Laurel Newton had spotted the masked intruder lurking near her house. “After the black Ford sedan went past my place, I moved Trisha and Gabriel to a hotel. We need to keep Laurel with us, and I’m formally requesting to use our safe house until we find this guy.”

There was a brief pause before Ross answered. “Approved. Are you heading over there tonight?”

“Yes.” The sooner the better, in his opinion.

“Take the house on Lowell Drive,” Ross directed. “I’ll text you the address and access code. The standard windows have been replaced with bullet-resistant glass, but you know those AKs might still be able to shatter them if enough bullets pummel the glass. Nothing is foolproof.”

“Understood. Thanks. I appreciate this.” He almost asked for a replacement SUV, but decided he would need the K-9 features that were built in his vehicle. He could probably swap out the license plate, but later. “I’ll stay in touch.”

“Do that.” Ross ended the call.

After pocketing his phone, West slid behind the wheel. He glanced at Trisha and Laurel, glad to see Gabriel had fallen asleep. He spoke in a soft voice to avoid waking the baby. “We’re approved for a safe house. The place has three bedrooms, so it should work out well for the three of us and Gabriel.”

“Thank you,” Trisha said with obvious relief. “I feel so much better knowing we’ll be together.”

“Hey, thank Captain Ross. He’s the one who gave the okay.” He pulled away from the curb. “I’m going to drop you three off first, then head back to the hotel to get our stuff.”

“Maybe we should all stay together,” Trisha protested with a frown.

“I’m not the one in danger. You, Laurel and Gabriel are.” He hesitated, then added, “Don’t forget, I’m going to have to leave tomorrow to follow up on various threads of the investigations. The one involving you and Gabriel and the gun trafficking case.”

“Yes, I know.” Trisha sat back in her seat. “I’m sure we’ll be fine in the safe house.”

His phone pinged with the text message from Ross about the house number and the access code. West made sure to take a circuitous route to Lowell Street, backtracking twice to make sure they weren’t followed. When he was confident there wasn’t a tail, he drove to the safe house and pulled into the driveway.

“This looks nice,” Laurel said. “We didn’t have safe houses when I was on the force.”

“I’m just grateful we have one now,” Trisha said.

“Give me a minute to unlock the door. Oh, here’s the key code.” He rattled off the numbers for them to commit to memory. “I’ll carry Gabriel in.”

The interior of the safe house smelled a bit musty from disuse, but the accommodations were nice. He went through the house to open the attached garage door. Then he drove the SUV inside and closed the door behind them.

Minutes later, they were all inside the house, Peanut sniffing her new surroundings with interest. Laurel insisted on taking her suitcase, choosing the smallest bedroom for herself. He offered Trisha and Gabriel the master suite, taking the other bedroom.

“I’ll be back in a while,” he told Trish. “I’ll grab our bags, Peanut’s supplies, the portable crib and the laptop.” He frowned. “Anything else?”

“Maybe some food,” Trisha suggested, glancing around the kitchen. “With this much space, we could have coffee and make breakfast in the morning.”

“Good point. In that case, I’ll leave Peanut with you.” He bent to pet his K-9 partner. “See you soon, Pea.”

“She’s a good girl,” Trisha murmured. “I know she’s trained for weapon detection, but the way she stands guard over Gabriel is sweet.”

The way she adored his K-9 as much as he did, gave him the urge to pull her into his arms. But it wasn’t like they were dating and he needed to give her a hug and a kiss before he left.

This was a safe house. He needed to stay focused on the danger. He turned and headed back out to the garage.

Maybe having Laurel staying with them would help keep him focused on the investigation.

Not how much he was beginning to care about Trisha and her son.

The next morning, Trisha awoke to Gabriel’s babbling in his portable crib. When he was younger, he would wake up crying because he was hungry. Just over the past week or two, he woke up happy, swinging his arms and legs around as if he could propel himself out of the crib. He’d started to roll over, too, which was always fun to watch.

“You’re such a good boy,” she crooned, scooping him up and cuddling him close. It wouldn’t take long for him to want breakfast, so she hurried to change him and to wash up in the bathroom, before carrying him to the kitchen.

West was already at the table, a steaming mug of coffee at his elbow. Peanut was stretched out at his feet, thumping her tail when she came in.

He looked good. Better than good. She felt like something Peanut had dragged in from the woods after the rain but forced a smile. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. Something he seemed to be doing more in the past few days. “How did you sleep?”

“Great.” She set Gabriel in the car seat. “Mostly because Gabriel was down for the count.”

“I’m glad.” He nodded toward the hall. “I haven’t heard Laurel moving around yet. I hope she’s okay.”

“She’s better off here with us.” Last night, given her earlier conversation with Laurel, she’d considered asking the woman to watch Gabriel so she could tag along with West to visit the storage unit facilities. Now that they were in a safe house, with the added layer of protection of the bullet-resistant windows, Trisha didn’t have any qualms at all.

If Laurel was physically up to the task.

“I agree.” He rose to his feet and crossed to the coffee maker, pouring her a cup. His fingertips brushed hers as he handed it to her. “I can make breakfast, as long as you’re comfortable with eggs and bacon. I don’t do anything fancy.”

“I don’t need fancy, but I can make them.” She gestured to the computer. “You have work to do.”

It seemed impossible, but the safe house felt even more cozy than the hotel suite. Obviously, being in forced proximity to West Cole was messing with her mind. He was so kind and considerate, while exuding strength and support. He was everything her ex wasn’t. They could be in a huge mansion and she’d still be hyperaware of him.

Gabriel began to cry, making her feel like a failure for allowing herself to be distracted by West’s good looks at her son’s expense.

“I’ll have to feed Gabriel first.” She took a sip of her coffee, then set it aside to make Gabriel’s bottle and morning cereal. The way her son opened his mouth for each spoonful, like a guppy, made her smile.

When Gabriel had eaten his fill, she wiped his hands and face and set him on the carpeted living room floor. Peanut came over to stretch out beside him. The K-9 was incredibly good-natured when Gabriel grabbed at her ear. To Trish’s mind, Peanut treated her son like her own puppy.

“There’s been no sign of the masked perp,” West said as she began cooking bacon on the stove. “Skinner and other cops canvassed the area around Laurel’s home, but nobody saw him.”

“I didn’t imagine him,” Laurel said as she entered the kitchen.

“I know you didn’t,” West assured her. “I was just hoping someone else had caught sight of him, too. Or the car he’s driving now if he was the one who’d stolen and abandoned the black Ford sedan.”

“I didn’t see a car, so I’m sure he parked out of sight,” Laurel said thoughtfully. “What do you mean a black Ford sedan?”

Trisha quickly explained about the Ford driving past West’s home and being reported stolen. West added his two cents about the interview with Renee Mills, the owner of the car. “I still think she knows something. It’s worth taking another run at her now that the car has been found.”

“I agree.” Trisha started making eggs, while Laurel played with Gabriel.

Ten minutes later, they were all seated at the table for breakfast. Trisha bowed her head. “Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for keeping Laurel safe last evening. We ask that You continue to provide the strength, knowledge and courage to find this man responsible. Amen.”

“Amen,” Laurel and West echoed.

The meal was pretty good, if she did say so herself.

“I can watch Gabriel if you need to work the case,” Laurel offered.

“Would you?” She searched her friend’s gaze. “How are you feeling? Does your back still hurt?”

“I’m fine.” Laurel waved off her concern. “According to the doctor I had a bruised kidney. He warned me there might be bleeding but I’ve been okay. When they did the repeat scan, the kidney looked fine so they went ahead and discharged me.” Laurel touched her black eye. “I know I look like I lost a boxing match, but this doesn’t hurt anymore, either. They iced it pretty well while I was in the hospital. I promise I’m good to go.”

“That would be wonderful if you could stay here with Gabriel for a few hours.” She glanced at West, who didn’t look nearly as happy. “Right, West?”

“Sure.” He shrugged then added, “I know the local cops will be taking frequent passes down this street to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. I also know for a fact we were not followed from Laurel’s place. And I drove ten miles out of my way to make sure I wasn’t tailed from the hotel and the grocery store, either.”

“Great. I’d like to go with you to the storage facility,” she said. “We plan to see if my ex-husband had a storage unit under his name, which would explain why someone might be looking for a key,” she added for Laurel’s benefit.

“Good idea,” Laurel said.

“I can go alone,” West began, but she quickly interrupted.

“No, I’m coming, too. I know Gabriel is in good hands with Laurel.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence after I goofed up that first night.” Laurel frowned. “I guarantee I will not be caught off guard like that again.”

Trisha put a hand on Laurel’s arm. “I know you’ll protect Gabriel like he’s your own son.”

“You got that right.” Laurel nodded, then glanced sheepishly at West. “I lost my husband last year. Gabriel has really brightened my days after suffering that loss.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” West murmured. “I know Trisha values your support.”

“The feeling is mutual,” Laurel said. Then she seemed to drill West with a narrow look. “I won’t be happy if Trisha or Gabriel gets hurt.”

West looked surprised, but simply nodded. “We’re both in agreement on that score.”

Trisha felt herself flush as she suspected Laurel was warning West not to hurt her on a personal level, not physically hurt while working the case.

It was both sweet and embarrassing. Were her growing feelings for him that obvious?

She sincerely hoped not. All the more reason to keep things professional.

After finishing her breakfast, Trisha rose to carry her plate to the sink. “I’d like to freshen up.”

Without waiting for either West or Laurel to respond, she headed down the hall to her room. Time alone was a precious commodity, but she didn’t linger. When she emerged from the master suite, feeling better and ready to face the day, she stopped abruptly in her tracks when she saw West sitting on the sofa cradling Gabriel in his arms.

It was the first time he’d taken any interest in holding the baby. She couldn’t help smiling widely as she came farther into the room and said the first thing that popped into her head. “You’re a natural with him.”

“I’m not. Laurel needed to take a shower, and he started to cry.” As if struck by a cattle prod, he jumped up and thrust Gabriel into her arms. “I—uh, need to make a few calls.”

“Sure, I understand.” She turned away to hide her stark disappointment. Watching West care for Gabriel was a stark reminder that her son deserved a father. One who would love him as much as she did.

But no matter how attracted she was to West, she couldn’t allow herself to go down that path again.

If she fell in love with West and he walked away the way Bryan had, she would never recover.